Microsoft has long been rumored to be working on a gaming handheld to compete with the likes of Valve's Steam Deck and the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, but all we've had to go on until now is unfounded rumors and leaks. Now, Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Gaming, has confirmed that the software giant is actively working on a Steam Deck challenger, although details are scant, and the timeline is unclear at best.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Spencer confirmed that Microsoft is working on an Xbox handheld, although he was very careful to not overpromise or provide any firm release dates, going so far as to confirm that an Xbox handheld is still years away from release. Spencer reiterated in the review that Microsoft was still looking to grow its presence in the gaming industry, which is one of the company's motivations for getting into the gaming handheld market, in the first place. He also confirmed that Microsoft will be pursuing further mergers and acquisitions in the future as part of its gaming push—a move that might not be looked upon favorably by many gamers and regulatory bodies.

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, in collaboration with ASUS ROG, has set a new overclocking world record for DDR5 memory frequency, reaching an unprecedented DDR5-12112. This DDR5 memory frequency world record is submitted by ASUS ROG extreme overclocker Safedisk, using G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 memory, ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard, and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K desktop processor under LN2 extreme cooling.

The record-breaking achievement of DDR5-12112 demonstrates the exceptional memory overclocking performance of the latest Intel Core Ultra 200 K-series desktop processors, Z890 motherboards, and G.SKILL DDR5 memory. The overclock record has been submitted to HWBOT and CPU-Z. Refer to the following links and screenshot to see the record submission: HWBOT | CPU-Z Validation.

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, is excited to announce the launch of Trident Z5 CK and Trident Z5 CK RGB series extreme overclock DDR5 CU-DIMM memory, featuring a built-in clock driver (CKD) and available up to a blistering overclock speed of DDR5-9600. Designed for use with the latest Intel Core Ultra 200 K-series desktop processors and Intel Z890 chipset motherboards, the Trident Z5 CK and Trident Z5 CK RGB series comes with mirrored black finish heatspreaders and pushes the boundaries of memory overclock to new heights. The Trident Z5 CK and Trident Z5 CK RGB series DDR5-9600 memory kits are currently listed on Newegg.com.

DDR5 CU-DIMM - The New Generation of DDR5 Memory
The Trident Z5 CK and Trident Z5 CK RGB series is built on the new CU-DIMM standard, which introduces a built-in clock driver (CKD) chip on the memory module. Designed to strengthen signals between the CPU and memory IC chips, the CKD helps in improving stability in high-speed memory operations.

Valve has rolled out a significant system update for Steam Deck, introducing substantial improvements across all models while delivering specialized enhancements for the OLED variant. The v3.6.19 update focuses on system stability, display quality, and overall performance optimization. Steam Deck OLED owners will particularly benefit from this update, which includes several display-specific improvements, including better color balance at low brightness levels and enhanced display uniformity. A previous memory leak issue affecting OLED units during gameplay has also been resolved, ensuring more stable long-term gaming sessions. The update brings the Linux kernel to version 6.5 and updates the graphics driver to Mesa 24.1, improving system performance and hardware compatibility. Users can expect better responsiveness from the Steam UI and enhanced performance during memory-intensive situations.

External display support has seen notable improvements, with fixes for various blank screen issues and better frame pacing with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) displays. Bluetooth connectivity has also been enhanced, with improved pairing for Apple AirPods and support for additional Bluetooth profiles. The Steam Deck Docking Station also receives attention, with new HDMI CEC features allowing for TV remote input, wake-up functionality, and input switching. The dock's firmware has been updated to improve compatibility with high-refresh-rate VRR displays. LCD model owners haven't been forgotten, with the update promising up to 10% better battery life during light usage and the addition of overclocking controls. Security improvements include fixes for Flatpak vulnerabilities and various system-level security enhancements.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today released a significant update to its bundled Virtual Assistant software (formerly known as Virtual Pet). This new software package comes preinstalled on the ROG Zephyrus G16 gaming laptop and leverages the incredible power of AI to significantly level up the capabilities of the Virtual Assistant, including an intelligent chat and Q&A interface, written document summarization, and voice transcription tools. This update is available on laptop models with AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors as a free download via ASUS Live Update.

Intelligent chat support
The Virtual Assistant gives users a leg up when they're using an unfamiliar program or system tool. With a local chat and Q&A feature, even when disconnected from the internet, the Virtual Assistant can help users navigate complicated menus and activate the features and settings they need. For example, if a new user is looking to adjust fan settings, they can request that from the Virtual Assistant, and it will direct them to the appropriate settings menu within the Armoury Crate app. Applications like MyASUS, GlideX, and ProArt Creator Hub are supported, and the chat functionality adds a new layer of support for end users.

G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory and PC components, is thrilled to showcase an incredibly high-speed overclock of G.SKILL DDR5 memory at DDR5-9000 CL44-56-56 with 48 GB (24 GB x2) kit capacity, featuring AMD EXPO overclock profile and demonstrating the memory overclock capability of the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard and the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G processor.

A New High-Speed Frontier with 24 GB x2 Continuing to explore the overclock limits of DDR5 memory speed in conjunction with the new ASUS NitroPath DRAM technology that provides enhanced DDR5 memory overclock performance, G.SKILL demonstrates an amazing DDR5-9000 CL44-56-56 with two 24 GB capacity modules. Refer to the screenshot below to see this G.SKILL memory kit reaching the astounding overclocked memory speed on the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 7 8700G processor

According to new latest testing, the latest AGESA (AMD Generic Encapsulated Software Architecture) update, version 1.2.0.2, promises a significant boost in performance for AMD Ryzen 9000 "Zen 5" processors. This update is targeting one of the most crucial aspects of multi-core processing: inter-core latency. The AGESA 1.2.0.2 update addresses challenges initially reported in AMD's Zen 5 architecture, particularly in scenarios demanding rapid communication between multiple cores. Early reports suggest a remarkable reduction in inter-core latency by up to 58%. According to Overclock.net testing, older AGESA 1.2.0.1A showed the cross-CCD latency at around 180 ns. However, with the new AGESA 1.2.0.2 BIOS, the latency is seemingly around 75 ns.

Interestingly, the update has arrived on the ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E motherboard, with BIOS version 2401. BIOS updates with the latest AGESA 1.2.0.2 are still rolling out, so it will be interesting to see further testing and possible improvements. It could be that the cross-CCD latency has just been reported badly, so final testing will conclude the latency increase from Zen 4 to Zen 5 debate.

Among many other releases, ASUS has shown several upcoming peripheral releases at Gamescom, including both the ROG Harpe Ace Mini and the Harpe Ace Extreme, the latter of which had already been announced prior. Interestingly enough, the mouse demonstration units weren't pre-production units, but rather from mass production, hinting at an impending release. While no exact date has been revealed, both the ROG Harpe Ace Mini and the Harpe Ace Extreme indeed are expected to hit shelves within the next few weeks.

Shared between both mice are their basic specifications and internals. Much like on the ROG Keris II Ace, ASUS's latest AimPoint Pro sensor capable of 42,000 CPI sees use, along with ROG Optical main button switches. When asked for comment, ASUS has stated that on their enthusiast mouse releases, optical switches will continue to be preferred over push-fit mechanical switch sockets to save as much weight as possible. Through the ROG Polling Rate Booster, polling rates of up to 8000 Hz can be achieved in wired operation, and up to 4000 Hz in wireless operation. Since the firmware is shared across all models, performance of the ROG Harpe Ace Mini and the Harpe Ace Extreme will closely match the Keris II Ace provided the ROG Polling Rate Booster is used.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced an exciting array of gaming peripherals designed to give hardcore gamers and esports pros an edge over the competition. New peripherals include the Falchion Ace HFX and Strix Scope II 96 RX Wireless gaming keyboards, ROG Harpe Ace Mini and Strix Impact III Wireless gaming mice, and the ROG Pelta headset.

ROG Falchion Ace HFX gaming keyboard
The ROG Falchion Ace HFX wired gaming keyboard boasts a 65% layout in a 60% keyboard frame, and masterfully incorporates navigation and arrow keys into its design. It features ROG HFX Magnetic Switches that deliver solid keystrokes. The switch actuation points can be customized from anywhere between 0.1- 4.0 mm for instantaneous response. An 8000 Hz polling rate and 0.125 ms response time make the Falchion Ace HFX up to 8X faster than competitor keyboards. Plus, a Rapid Trigger toggle can be activated for the fastest typing response and key repeat rates, without the need for additional software. The Speed Tap mode prioritizes the last input and automatically releases the previous one to eliminate any time gap for counter-strafing and ensure precise aim, especially in FPS games.

According to The Verge, Valve confirmed its intention to extend support for its Linux-based SteamOS to rival gaming handhelds, including the ASUS ROG Ally. This move marks a significant step towards realizing Valve's decade-old vision of a widespread "Steam Machine" ecosystem. Lawrence Yang, a designer at Valve, confirmed to The Verge that the company is actively working on adding support for additional handhelds to SteamOS. This revelation came after eagle-eyed observers spotted a curious line in Valve's latest SteamOS 3.6.9 Beta release notes mentioning the addition of "support for extra ROG Ally keys." While the development is still in progress, Yang emphasized that SteamOS isn't quite ready for out-of-the-box use on rival devices. However, he assured that the team is making "steady progress" towards this goal.

This initiative doesn't necessarily mean that manufacturers like ASUS will officially endorse Valve's installer or ship their devices with SteamOS preinstalled. Many companies, including ASUS, have cited various reasons for sticking with Windows, including Microsoft's dedicated validation teams that ensure compatibility across diverse hardware configurations. Other devices, such as Lenovo Legion Go, AYANEO, and GPD Pocket 4, ship with Windows, but it could be interesting to see with SteamOS. Alongside support for third-party handhelds, Valve is also working on a general release of SteamOS 3 for non-handheld PCs. Finally, Valve hasn't forgotten about its promise to enable dual-booting on Steam Deck devices. While there's no specific timeline, Mr. Yang confirmed that it remains a priority for the company. We remain to see how this will materialize, and with added bells and whistles to SteamOS, the adoption of Linux-based gaming could be pushed even further.

KLEVV, the premier consumer memory and storage brand introduced by Essencore, proudly presents all-new CRAS V RGB ROG-certified DDR5 Gaming Memory. Engineered by the masterful collaboration of KLEVV and ROG (Republic of Gamers)'s expert team, the CRAS V RGB ROG-certified DDR5 memory is purpose-built to unleash mind-bending performance with supreme stability. Available in 16 GB x2 and 24 GB x2 kits with a base clock speed of DDR5-7200, it is tailored for hardcore gamers and PC enthusiasts who demand the best.

Furthermore, when paired with a compatible ROG motherboard, the CRAS V RGB ROG-certified DDR5 can achieve blazing clock speeds of DDR5-7400, enabled by ROG's superior hardware synergy and software tuning, making them the ideal choice for high-end AAA games and power-hungry software. Inspired by KLEVV's award-winning CRAS V RGB series, which won the Red Dot and iF Design Awards in 2024, this special edition memory stands out with its unique and striking duotone color design. Rocking a sleek black-and-white aesthetic, complemented by an eye-catching advanced RGB light array, the CRAS V RGB ROG-certified DDR5 memory perfectly matches an all-ROG system that exudes undeniable power at a glance.

ASUS today became the first motherboard vendor to release UEFI firmware updates that encapsulate the latest 126 microcode update by Intel. This microcode update is Intel's response to the stability issues plaguing 14th Gen and 13th Gen Core desktop processors based on the "Raptor Lake" or "Raptor Lake Refresh" silicon, which was caused by an improper implementation of the on-die power management, which caused high voltages to run through the silicon, causing their physical degradation over time. If you are already experiencing stability issues, you should be able to claim an RMA or service under warranty, since your processor has already degraded. If, however, your processor is new, and is stable with all kinds of workloads, including games and compute-heavy productivity, then this UEFI firmware update is crucial in preventing its degradation, as it corrects the issue. Safedisk, a professional overclocker associated with ASUS, posted a list of ASUS ROG and ProArt motherboard models based on the Intel Z790 chipset, with links to their firmware update files. It stands to reason that the company is releasing these updates across its other product lines, such as TUF Gaming and Prime.

You can find the list here.

If you don't find your motherboard model in that list, keep checking the Support section of your motherboard's product page on the ASUS website, you'll either find it there, or one of these days the company will put it up. This aligns with Intel's timeline of a mid-August release for the microcode update.

ASUS is betting bigger on game consoles or PCs built like consoles. The company in 2023 introduced the first ROG Z13 Flow, a gaming-grade tablet, powered by a 13th Gen Core "Raptor Lake" processor and mid-tier RTX 40-series "Ada" discrete mobile GPU. The 2025 ROG Z13 Flow is a 13-inch, 16:10 tablet with an integrated kickstand. You can use it like a handheld with touch controls, or place it on a surface and use conventional gaming peripherals, such as keyboard+mouse, or a game controller. Since the device is meant to provide a AAA gaming experience, it packs some serious kit.

Apparently, the 2025 ASUS ROG Z13 Flow will implement AMD's upcoming "Strix Halo" processor that packs up to 16 "Zen 5" CPU cores, and an oversized iGPU with 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units (2,560 stream processors), and a 256-bit LPDDR5 memory interface, besides a 50 TOPS-class NPU to qualify for Copilot+ AI PC rating. Such a chip would meet the hardware goals of the ROG Z13 Flow, and eliminate the need for a discrete GPU, letting ASUS reduce the mainboard size. The power management of "Strix Halo" would see the CPU and SoC given a roughly 30 W budget, and the iGPU roughly 80 W. Its cooling solution focuses squarely on the "Strix Halo" chip, with no other major chip on the device (the SoC is wired out to serve all chipset functions, no FCH needed).

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced availability of the ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP gaming monitor. It boasts a 32-inch 4K WOLED anti-reflective panel that delivers HD and UHD visuals with impressive motion clarity and desktop fluidity due to its ultra high dual mode refresh rate and low pixel response. The PG32UCDP enables users to switch from 4K @ 240 Hz to FHD @ 480 Hz depending on the game you are playing as well as the importance of motion clarity. Aspect ratio control customization allows for further resolution and refresh customization.

Third-generation ROG OLED and Micro Lens Array Plus (MLA+) technologies enable the PG32UCDP to showcase 15% brighter images compared to other monitors in its class. The PG32UCDP delivers vibrant colors and contrast is outstanding alongside impressive peak HDR performance for video and gaming content. A 0.03 ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time ensures next level motion clarity whether in SDR or HDR. Inside, an advanced custom passive heatsink offers exceptional cooling, no noise and long-term reliability and aids in reduction of burn-in.

EK, the leading manufacturer of premium liquid cooling gear, is proud to introduce the EK-Quantum Momentum² ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme D-RGB - Plexi. This top-tier Ultrablock-class product, part of EK's renowned Quantum Line, is engineered for the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme motherboard to ensure flawless compatibility.

The EK-Quantum Momentum² ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme D-RGB - Plexi is equipped with the award-winning EK-Quantum Velocity² cooling engine, delivering direct cooling to crucial motherboard components, such as the primary M.2 drive. This monoblock also features:

• Direct connection to Vector² GPU water block and Active Backplate Sets via bypass valves
• Temperature sensors
• Liquid flow meter
• Direct integration with the ROG water-cooling zone
• ILM Replacement Kit

KLEVV by Essencore had a formidable lineup of high-end gaming PC memory and SSDs at Computex 2024. We were greeted at the booth with an Essencore-branded LPCAMM2 module with 32 GB density, and LPDDR5-8533 speeds on tap. The Genuine G560 (it's named Genuine) is a modern M.2 NVMe Gen 5 SSD with a fanless heatsink. It comes in capacities of 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB; with sequential speeds ranging between 13 GB/s to 14 GB/s reads, and 9.5 GB/s to 12 GB/s writes; and depending on the capacity, the endurance is between 700 TBW to 3000 TBW. The CRAS C930 is a premium M.2 Gen 4 SSD, with 1 TB and 2 TB models available, sequential read speeds of up to 7.4 GB/s, and sequential write speeds between 6.4 GB/s to 6.8 GB/s. Endurance ranges between 750 TBW for the 1 TB model, and 1500 TBW for the 2 TB.

At the value end of KLEVV's SSD lineup is the CRAS C925, which offers mostly similar performance numbers to the C930, but with slightly different endurance ratings. It ranges between 500 GB and 2 TB; with the same 7.4 GB/s maximum read speeds, but slightly lower maximum write speeds of 6.2 GB/s for the 500 GB model, 6.3 GB/s for the 1 TB, and 6.5 GB/s for the 2 TB model; and endurance rated at 600 TBW, 1200 TBW, and 2400 TBW, respectively.

ASRock at the 2024 Computex presented a massive lineup of gaming and overclocking motherboards based on the Intel Z890 chipset. The company is not allowed to use the term "Z890," and refers to it as "next-gen Intel," but for convenience's sake, we will use Z890 in this article. Z890 is the highest tier desktop chipset for Socket LGA1851, which will power the Core Ultra "Arrow Lake-S" desktop processors that launch in Q4 2024. With the Z890 generation, ASRock stratified its coveted Taichi brand of high-end motherboards further up, clubbing its enthusiast-grade OC Formula brand along with it.

There are now Taichi OCF motherboards with either 1-DIMM per channel memory configurations (best dual-channel topology for memory overclocking), or with a new CAMM2 slot. There's also a mainline Taichi Lite, which is a no-frills variant with less bling, and essential high-end features such as a strong VRM and good onboard audio; and there's also the new Taichi Aqua, targeting the creator crowd, with its liquid-cooled VRM+SSD heatsink setup.

We've all had to wrestle with long AIO CPU cooler tubing to find the right position, and still end up with surplus tubing that sticks out in a U-shape, which looks ugly. ASUS ROG has a possible solution to this. The company showed off a concept AIO CPU cooler based on the ROG Ryujin III, which physically shortens the tubing. The radiator-side tubing terminals are located in a central portion, rather than at the edge of the radiator.

This way, you can have the radiator located along the top panel of your case, or even side-facing 3x 120 mm vents, and there would be just enough tubing to reach the radiator from the pump-block (including clearance with the memory modules). The optimal position for this cooler would still be along the top panel, in our opinion. This cooler would fit nicely into the cable-free aesthetic of ASUS BTF builds, where you can have the radiator terminals facing the motherboard tray for better concealment.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Rapture GT-BE19000 tri-band WiFi 7 gaming router at Computex 2024. This next-generation powerhouse is designed to dominate gaming and computing experiences with ultra-fast tri-band WiFi 7 speeds of up to 19 Gbps, innovative features like Automatic Frequency Coordination, and comprehensive wired and wireless network functions.

Next-gen WiFi power
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE19000 router boasts ultra-fast wireless speeds of up to 19 Gbps, thanks to innovative WiFi 7 features like 320 MHz channels, 4096-QAM, and Multi-Link Operation. It is the world's first gaming router with Automatic Frequency Coordination. AFC automatically checks the WiFi environment and chooses the least congested channel in the 6 GHz band, boosting peak transmit power by up to 63 times higher than Low Power Indoor networking devices. The GT-BE19000 also provides up to 31 Gbps of wired capacity, including dual 10 Gb Ethernet and quad 2.5 Gb Ethernet ports, ensuring strong, stable connections for building a robust local network in the new era of AI.

Intel Socket LGA1851 will be the new infrastructure driving at least the next two generations of Intel desktop processors, and the new Core Ultra "Arrow Lake-S" will be the first processor generation to use it. These chips pack new "Lion Cove" P-cores, "Skymont" E-cores, an updated PCIe Gen 5 I/O, and new Xe2 "Battlemage" integrated graphics; with generational performance leaps to be had. At the ASUS Computex 2024 booth, we spotted some of the company's first high-end gaming PC motherboards for the platform, based on what could be the Intel Z890 chipset.

Our first find is the ROG Maximus Z890 Hero, or at least a variant of it featuring the ASUS BTF backside I/O connectivity. There will be a regular variant with conventional front-facing I/O, too. The LGA1851 socket looks almost identical to the LGA1700. In fact the two have the same physical dimensions, and are cooler compatible—your LGA1700-compatible coolers will work on LGA1851 motherboards. Intel added to the pin-count by tweaking the pin pitch, and reducing the size of the "courtyard" (the central void in the land grid meant for SMDs). LGA1851 is a pure-DDR5 platform, and has more PCIe Gen 5 connectivity than LGA1700, such as CPU-attached Gen 5 NVMe slots that don't subtract lanes from the x16 PEG slot. The ROG Maximus Hero appears to be a feature-packed motherboard geared for CPU overclocking, as well as connectivity galore. It also comes with Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, USB4, 5 GbE, and next-generation SupremeFX onboard audio.

The new ASUS ROG Delta II gaming headset was easily spotted on display at Computex since it features "almost" the same design that gamers worldwide know from the popular ROG Delta series. However, things look exciting if we go into details because ASUS promises that this new gaming headset will offer us "incredible audio immersion" via its 50 mm titanium-plated diaphragm drivers, and refined wireless sound with powerful deep bass and clear, crisp highs.

Connectivity-wise, it offers anything we need, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz (ROG SpeedNova wireless technology with ultra-low latency), and 3.5 mm wired, while the battery life tops at 110 hours (with RGB lightning off). A more than useful addition to ROG Delta II gaming headset is the DualFlow Audio technology that allows users to simultaneously listen to audio sources from two connected 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth devices, or switch between in-game conversation and mobile calls. ROG Delta II weights 315 grams, features a detachable 10 mm super-wideband microphone, and comes with two types of ear cushions. ASUS ROG Delta II will be available from Q3 2024.

ASUS seems to tease gamers with "extremes", this being the case for its new ROG Azoth Extreme gaming keyboard that will hit the shelves later this year. Featuring, under an aluminium alloy compact-size chassis with a metal frame a full-color OLED touchscreen, a carbon fiber positioning plate (better typing feel, acoustics and reduced keystroke vibrations), extended silicone wrist rest, magnetic feet, an adjustable gasket mount, this new addition to the ROG Azoth series possesses interesting qualities for gamers looking to get the best action.

The OLED touchscreen should not fool anyone, it is tiny but still perfectly capable to display system info or let gamers customize keyboard settings with the built-in three-way knob for instant adjustments. ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme gaming keyboard makes use of proprietary ASUS SpeedNova technology offering tri-mode connectivity (2.4 GHz RF, Bluetooth, Wired). The product will be available from Q3 2024 to complement the ASUS ROG Extreme family.

The new addition to the ASUS Republic Of Gamers Harpe Ace gaming mouse series, namely, ROG Harpe Ace Extreme has been showcased by ASUS at Computex 2024 and it fits rather well with the extreme naming. It uses a top shell made of carbon fiber composite, currently the strongest material of all gaming mice on the market. This makes the mouse more durable and less heavy, weighing only 47 grams. Underneath the carbon fiber shell, it sports a 42K DPI ROG AimPoint Pro optical sensor, ROG Optical Micro Switches, and ROG SpeedNova wireless technology.

Moreover, ASUS claims that ROG Harpe Ace Extreme gaming mouse sets new click latency records thanks to ROG Polling Rate Booster technology being able to impressive rates such as 0.86 ms @ 1000 Hz, 0.7 ms @ 2000 Hz, 0.6 ms @ 4000 Hz, and 0.45 ms @ 8000 Hz. To improve movements we have two large mouse feet that are made out of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. A switch to select connectivity mode (Bluetooth, USB, Wireless), DPI, and pairing button are found on the mouse base. ASUS ROG Harpe Ace Extreme is expected to hit the markets in Q3 2024, no words about retail price yet.

The specs sheet of the upcoming ASUS ROG Ally X handheld game console was leaked to the web, confirming many of the rumors that have been doing rounds for the past month. The Ally X is a definite step up from the ROG Ally Extreme. It was originally rumored to be just a design revision that relocates the microSD card slot away from a thermal vent on the original design, which was causing memory cards to fail. The specs sheet confirms that the ROG Ally X features a larger M.2 drive bay with support for M.2-2280 drives. You'll be spoiled for choice picking a drive to go with this device. The drive included is 1 TB—double the 500 GB of the original ROG Ally.

Next up, there had been rumors of a significantly larger battery, but we didn't have an exact capacity figure, until now. It turns out, that the ROG Ally X packs a massive 80 Wh battery, which works toward a roughly 40% battery life improvement. While the CPU is the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme, ASUS improved the memory, which is now 24 GB LPDDR5X-7500, compared to 16 GB LPDDR5-6400 on the ROG Ally Extreme. This is a 50% increase in memory size, and 17% increase in memory bandwidth. Lastly, ASUS is introducing USB4 type-C, with integrated DisplayPort 1.4 and PD 3.0 output.

The ROG Ally X handheld gaming console ASUS plans to unveil on June 2, has not just a fixed microSD card slot, and a 40% larger battery, but also an upgraded main memory, MysteryLupin, a reliable source with ASUS leaks, reports. The console features 24 GB of LPDDR5X memory, compared to 16 GB on the regular ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme. The larger battery should give it usage of up to 8 hours on a full charge, while the larger memory should definitely improve performance, given that the SoC is the same Z1 Extreme ASUS uses in the regular ROG Ally. Besides the larger memory and battery, the console features an industry standard M.2-2280 NVMe SSD drive bay, with a pre-installed 1 TB SSD. This should open users up to the widest possible range of SSD upgrades. ASUS is reportedly pricing the ROG Ally X at $799, a $100 increase over the original ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme—a premium that's actually shaping up to be good value.