ROG Edition 20: a close look at the anniversary hardware
A spectacular RTX 5090, a motherboard delivered in a suitcase and displays even on the components: ASUS went all out for ROG’s twentieth anniversary. We assembled and used this system. Explore our seven reviews and hands-on articles, along with Guillaume’s video.
A collection we were able to put through its paces
Gold finishes, translucent elements and large displays immediately set the tone. Edition 20 is aimed at enthusiasts who want a build that is as enjoyable to look at as it is to use. But once the initial discovery is over, what remains in everyday use? That is what we set out to describe in our articles, from assembly to gaming sessions, without overlooking the constraints or prices.
The PC hardware, keyboard and mouse used were purchased by our partner Absolute PC. The monitor was loaned by ASUS France. Each article specifies its testing conditions: some include measurements, while others are based on unboxing, installation and our impressions in use.
The build on video with Guillaume
To see this build in action, watch the video from the channel GUILLAUME, titled “On MONTE un PC GAMER à 14 000€” (Building a €14,000 gaming PC). It complements this feature and our articles on each component.
Astral RTX 5090: a collector’s piece first and foremost
The Astral Edition 20 makes its presence felt with its size, finishes and curved AMOLED display. During our week of use, we appreciated its quiet operation in the open GR20 and the smooth display synchronisation through InfoHub.
We did not, however, feel a difference in games compared with the Astral Black and White. At €6,600 for our review sample, this version’s appeal lies mainly in its presentation and exclusivity. Our article details the benchmarks, recorded temperatures and limitations of our observations.
Read our ROG Astral RTX 5090 Edition 20 review
Crosshair and Ryujin: the most spectacular duo
The Crosshair X870E and Ryujin 360 bundle begins its show at unboxing, inside an imposing reusable ROG suitcase. Once installed, its two 6.67-inch AMOLED displays draw the eye. The cooling system also has a distinctive feature: its block is designed to cover both the processor and this motherboard’s power stages.
Assembly and detection in InfoHub went smoothly. Our temperature readings are encouraging in the system used, but we did not compare another cooler under the same conditions. At €3,100–€3,200 during testing, this duo is primarily a choice for the overall package it offers, not performance alone.
Read our Crosshair X870E and Ryujin 360 Edition 20 bundle review
GR20 and Thor: show the hardware, hide the cables
The GR20 brings this build together. Its open chassis showcases the components while allowing the cables to be carefully concealed. We appreciated the solidity of the result and its finish. Assembly does require following the manual, however, and the open design calls for regular dusting. The four to five hours spent on our build include filming: this is not a reference assembly time.
The Thor 3000W Titanium III made the job easier with flexible cables of sufficient length. Its relocatable display found a place at the front of the case. In semi-passive mode, we did not observe the fan starting during our sessions. This remains a hands-on assessment, without electrical measurements on a load tester. And 3,000W is vastly oversized for our PC with a single RTX 5090: that capacity does not represent its continuous power draw.
Read our GR20 review · Read our Thor 3000W hands-on
A monitor and peripherals to complete the setup
The Swift OLED PG27AQWP-G Edition 20 pairs a beautiful translucent back with a 540Hz QHD mode. In CS2 and Battlefield 6, we enjoyed the image and felt greater smoothness than at 240Hz. Our impressions are no substitute for instrumented measurements: we did not carry out any, and the 720Hz HD mode was not evaluated. The glossy panel also calls for careful desk lighting.
Among the peripherals, the Harpe II Extreme impressed us with its grip, glide and trouble-free wireless operation during testing. The Azoth Extreme offers a pleasant typing feel and particularly careful construction; we preferred its Soft setting. Their prices remain hard to ignore: €250–€300 for the mouse and €650–€700 for the keyboard during our tests.
Explore our Swift OLED hands-on · Read the Harpe II Extreme review · Read the Azoth Extreme review
Our takeaways from this collection
The enjoyment comes as much from the details as from the finished system: the bundle’s suitcase, synchronised displays, translucent parts and presentation in the GR20 give this anniversary PC a real sense of cohesion. We enjoyed building and using it, while noting what matters day to day: screen reflections, dust in the case and peripheral prices.
This collection is not our recommendation for maximising performance within a given budget. It is aimed primarily at people seeking collector’s pieces and wanting to bring them together. Our articles let readers make that choice component by component, with the strengths observed, caveats and conditions of each test.