The PC gaming renaissance is bringing a new generation of recruits into the ranks. They’re joining a community that’s increasingly diverse and frequently unfamiliar with the intricacies of building a complete rig. TUF Gaming aims to make the process more approachable by smoothing out the wrinkles in the DIY experience. Designed for gamers seeking stability and performance at an affordable price, it focuses on delivering durable gear that can survive the rigors of punishing play now and still deliver reliability in the future.
TUF Gaming takes battle-hardened aesthetics in a forward direction. Although it started with motherboards, the family is expanding to peripherals and other components that embrace the same style, making it easier than ever to assemble a cohesive gaming setup. All-new additions include the TUF Gaming M5 mouse, K5 keyboard, H5 headset, and GT501 chassis developed by our own internal teams, plus an array of components produced by TUF Gaming Alliance partners. Complete systems like the TUF Gaming FX10CP desktop and FX504 laptop are also beginning to spread TUF Gaming values to machines that get users in the game right out of the box.
ASUS is featuring its full lineup of TUF Gaming products during Computex 2018 in Taipei, Taiwan at the ASUS booth, #M410 in Nangang Hall, from June 5-9. For a full rundown of the new TUF Gaming products and TUF Gaming Alliance updates, please visitASUS EdgeUp.
Mice it your way with the TUF Gaming M5
Mice are particularly prone to physical wear and tear, so the TUF Gaming M5 is coated in durable paint that stands up to heavy use. The Omron switches under the left and right buttons are ready for the long haul, too. They’re rated to survive 50 million clicks, assuring reliably responsive input for years of regular gaming in even click-centric MOBAs. And all the buttons are programmable with functions or macros using our Armoury II software, which saves settings for up to three profiles directly on the mouse’s internal memory to make them available on any machine.
Pixart’s PAW3327 optical sensor monitors motion at resolutions up to 6200 DPI, which is more than enough sensitivity for the vast majority of gamers and even esports pros. ASUS Aura Sync adds configurable accent lighting that’s easy to match with the rest of the rig, ticking the final box on a list of essential features.
Splishing and splashing with the TUF Gaming K5 keyboard
Keyboards also suffer a lot of hands-on abuse, including accidental spills from inadvertent bumps at crowded LAN parties, or during hard-fought victory celebrations. But the TUF Gaming K5 isn’t afraid of a little liquid; its splash-proof design can withstand up to 60ml, preventing small spills from ruining the night.
The key caps are also covered by three layers of paint — one more than typical keyboards — which helps them hold up to everyday use. Under each cap, Mech-Brane switches use a specially tuned membrane to mimic the feel of a mechanical design. Five-zone Aura Sync backlighting stretches across the keys, powering a personalized array of colors and effects that can be easily synchronized with the M5 mouse. As with the M5 mouse, Armoury II lets users record custom macros and save them to onboard storage.
Getting comfortable with the TUF Gaming H5 headset
The TUF Gaming H5 headset is designed with a focus on durability, style and comfort. Its stainless steel headband adds strength in a key area while giving the headset a premium look. The lightweight design is comfortable to wear for longer gaming sessions that would otherwise test gamers’ endurance.
Each ear cup contains a 50mm Essence driver backed by an airtight chamber that improves sound quality. A removable boom hangs down from the left with an analog mic for squad communications. For more immersion, the included USB adapter adds virtual surround sound that puts the user at the center of the action.
Making a case for the TUF Gaming GT501
While TUF Gaming peripherals spread the military-inspired motif across the desktop, the GT501 chassis clads PC components in matching armor. Sturdy steel dominates the construction, with plastic limited to pieces for front-panel connectors and the base of the front face. A sheet of smoked tempered glass provides a stealthy window into the battle station and woven cotton handles make it a simple transport to LAN parties.
The thumb screws holding the window can sometimes be affixed too tightly at the factory, so the case ships with a handy TUF Gaming tag that doubles as a screwdriver. Once inside, ample routing options and a 30mm gap behind the motherboard tray make it easy to thread cables cleanly. There’s even space to neatly run RGB strips.
Effective cooling is one of the most important factors for sustaining peak gaming performance, so the GT501 has plenty of room for fans and radiators. It includes a trio of high-flow 140mm PWM fans right out of the box, which is perfect for pairing with the intelligent cooling control offered by TUF Gaming motherboards. There are additional mounts for three fans up top and three more at the front, with both locations supporting dual-fan radiators up to 280mm and triple-fan units up to 360mm. Removable filters in the bottom, front, and top panels prevent dust and other particles from getting sucked into the case.
Any rig is incomplete without parts from the TUF Gaming Alliance
The TUF Gaming Alliance is assembling an army of components made by like-minded partners. Our initial focus has been on maintaining an aesthetic theme across a broader array of the parts that make up a PC. Matching memory modules, coolers, cases, and one PSU are available now, with more on the way in each category. Products are already selling or in the works from a who’s-who of industry heavyweights that includes Antec, Apacer, Ballistix, Cooler Master, Corsair, Deepcool, Enermax, G.Skill, GeIL, In Win, Scythe, Silver Stone, Team Group, and XPG.
Beyond mandating consistent cosmetics, the TUF Gaming Alliance establishes new standards for stability that go beyond our usual vendor validation procedures. DRAM compatibility has long been a problem area, because some modules are pushed so close to the edge that they’re sensitive to minor frequency and voltage fluctuations that occur in the real world. We account for these normal variances with stricter DRAM testing that stresses modules with their clock speed raised and voltage lowered, plus the memory must survive 24 hours of Memtest in a thermal chamber cranked up to a sweltering 50°C.
Environmental conditions affect power delivery, so PSUs must endure their own torture test in the heat locker. They’re qualified at an even higher temperature and also face a steamy 90% humidity level throughout testing. We’re currently exploring other ways to not only guarantee stability, but also more deeply integrate products in the TUF Gaming Alliance.
An alternative approach to gaming laptops and desktops
TUF Gaming systems provide an alternative to DIY builds for gamers who want a ready-made desktop or a laptop they can take on the road. These initial imports into the family fit our priorities and provide an early glimpse at what ASUS will bring to affordable gaming machines.
Focusing on what matters for gaming is the best way to maximize a limited budget, so the TUF Gaming FX504 laptop offers upgrades in key areas. The top model’s 15.6-inch display hits all the right notes: high refresh rates, quick response, and a wide color gamut. Its 120Hz refresh rate makes gameplay much smoother and with its NVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 1060 GPU, the FX504 can hit triple-digit frame rates in many popular titles. It’s available with up to a six-core Intel® Core™ i7-8750H processor with ample horsepower for gaming, live-streaming, and much more.
For stationary battle stations, the new TUF Gaming FX10CP desktop puts capable components in a reinforced tower. The Radiating-X design on the side panels adds structural reinforcement that protects the user’s investment, while dual chambers with dedicated intakes optimize cooling on the inside.
With up to an Intel Core i7-8700 six-core CPU and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics, there’s enough horsepower for casual gaming and other tasks, like catching up on work, editing photos, or splicing together in-game recordings to create highlight reels.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
The new TUF Gaming peripherals will arrive in Q3 2018. For additional information, product images and specifics on our new TUF gaming products, please visit us at ASUS EdgeUp.
Please visit TUF Gaming or contact your local ASUS representative for further information. If you’re at Computex 2018 in Taipei, be sure to check out the TUF Gaming product family at the ASUS booth, #M410 in Nangang Hall, from June 5-9.
