When you’re building a custom PC, one of the most important parts to consider is the case. There are several variables to keep in mind, including the airflow, noise levels, material, and the overall design. Whether you’re looking to build a high-end system or just a basic PC, the case is what houses everything that your computer will need in order to function.
There are hundreds of cases available, but an excellent choice is the ASUS ROG Strix Helios — especially if you’re loyal to the ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand. Despite being released in 2019, the ASUS ROG Strix Helios is still a premier choice among gamers thanks to its superior cooling and signature ROG design.
The Basics
The ASUS ROG Strix Helios is a solid mid-towering gaming case that offers an impressive build quality. Released in July of 2019, the computer case is undoubtedly one of the heaviest and most heavy-duty ones out there. Measuring around 250 x 565 x 591 centimeters and weighing 18 kilograms, the ASUS ROG Strix Helios comes in black and white, both made of premium steel, aluminum, and tempered glass.
You can purchase the ASUS ROG Strix Helios on the official ASUS website or from online retailers such as Amazon. The black gaming case is currently priced at $309.99 while the white edition is pricier by $10. If you are wondering why the ROG Strix Helios White Edition costs more, it’s because it was designed to match its users’ existing components and accessories. It was refreshing to find it in white, as gaming cases typically come in black.
The Build
The front panel is made of plastic that is reinforced with brushed aluminum. It slides open both backward and forward, letting you install E-ATX motherboards and other components. On top, the struts are manufactured with aluminum and secured tightly to the steel chassis. The ASUS ROG Strix Helios makes use of tempered glass on the side and front panels. The front panel shows off an illuminated ROG logo in bright neon colors.
The front I/O panel is easily accessible and is equipped with everything you will need to build a powerful PC. It has four USB 3.0 ports, one Gen 2 USB 3.1 Type-C port, two audio jacks, LED and fan controls, and power/reset buttons. The I/O panel is made of plastic, but we would’ve preferred an aluminum feel, as this is the primary area that users will be interacting with.
The LED control offers four onboard modes: static, breathing, strobe, and rainbow cycling. There are nine colors to choose from, but you can control it from your motherboard or software if you already have a compatible RGB header. Naturally, the ASUS ROG Strix Helios supports ASUS Aura Sync.
Noise and Temperature
We subjected the ASUS ROG Strix Helios gaming case to thermal testing. CPU temperature reached an average of 54.5 degrees Celsius in ambient temperature, but dropped to 42.2 degrees once the front panel was removed. Keep in mind, however, that taking off the front panel isn’t the best way to significantly decrease the temperature. While removing the panel won’t lead to catastrophic outcomes, it puts your unit at risk of dust. It would be best to keep the panel on and let the ASUS ROG Strix Helios work as intended.
Using 3DMark, we then determined the average GPU temperature to be 49 degrees Celsius. Without the front panel, the temperature dropped by 7 degrees.
Both CPU and GPU temperatures looked normal, considering that the optimal temperature for an idle CPU is around 50 degrees Celsius, while normal temperatures for GPU range from 65 to 85 degrees Celsius.
The ASUS ROG Strix Helios’s airflow is generated by three 140mm intake fans plus one rear exhaust, ensuring a strong blast of air from the front. It features a control button that allows users to adjust the fan’s speed on the fly. At maximum speed, the fans can get quite loud at 45dBA, but you probably won’t even notice the whirring of the fan blades once you put your headphones on. At the lowest speed, the noise from the fans is barely audible. We do wish, however, that the glass panel was sealed more tightly, or that the interior contained sound-dampening materials, so as to completely drown out the noise.
The fans are engineered for heavy-duty cooling, quiet operation, but they do not offer customizable RGB lighting. This isn’t a dealbreaker, though, since colored blades would just add to the gaming case’s overall cost. The plans, however, do feature rubberized ends to minimize vibrations. If you need more fans, you can always add extra ones on the roof of the case.
Portability
The standout feature of the ASUS ROG Strix Helios is its removable straps that double as carrying handles. The strap uses a hook-and-loop mechanism, commonly known as Velcro, that securely wraps around each end of the gaming case. By default, the straps come in black with ‘ROG STRIX’ written in bold, red lettering on one side. If you aren’t a fan of how it looks, you always have the option to take them off. If you aren’t planning on joining LAN parties, then there’s really no need for the straps. The gaming case looks perfectly sleek without them, anyway.
Our Verdict
The ASUS ROG Strix Helios is for users who want their gaming case to match their other ASUS components, especially the ones that are part of the ROG product line. Because of its signature ROG look, with the neon-colored designs and futuristic facade, the ASUS ROG Strix Helios is guaranteed to sell based on aesthetics alone.
Performance-wise, it is fairly normal in terms of GPU and CPU thermals. This is due to the four stock fans that blast air into the unit, perfect for long gaming sessions. Ultimately, ASUS ticked plenty of boxes with the ROG Strix Helios gaming case. However, for more than $300, it is pricier compared to similar – and newer – cases such as the Phanteks Evolv X ($205.99) and the Cooler Master Silencio S600 ($209).
