We are a tech family, priding ourselves on making quality purchases that will last as long as possible. My son loves gaming and making videos for his YouTube channel. With the goal of becoming a video game designer, he needs a computer that will support a wide range of functions. A few years ago, my husband and I gave him our old PC. It was an i5 that we had used for a variety of purposes, and we thought it would make a great starter computer. Our son loved it and it worked perfectly for the activities he wanted to do. As he started developing an interest in more intensive online games and editing software, it quickly became apparent that it was time to upgrade. We planned on getting our son a new computer for Christmas (2021) and started researching months ahead of time. Before we begin browsing at different stores, we come to a consensus on what exactly we’re looking for in a computer. This is where I defer to my husband, who is the most tech-savvy in our family. Because this computer would primarily be used for gaming and editing, we were specifically seeking out an AMD processor with a good graphics card. We also own an Oculus and wanted our son’s computer to be able to support VR gaming, too. Armed with this information, we began looking at the two big tech stores in our area: Best Buy and Micro Center. As you can tell from the title of this article, we ultimately decided on the ASUS ROG. This computer was the best deal out of the limited inventory available.
Specs:
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 3.7GHz with Max Turbo Boost Speed 4.6GHz AMD B550 Chipset NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB Graphics Card 32GB DDR4 RAM 1TB Solid State Boot Drive 1TB SATA Hard Disk Drive Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0 (Dual Band)
Unboxing and First Impressions
ASUS has come a long way in the computer world. Ten years ago, we wouldn’t have even considered purchasing a product from the brand. However, the company has proven to be innovative and is now one of the most coveted brands in the gaming world. All three of us were impressed when we opened the box to reveal the PC in all its glory. It has a beefy case, complete with a handle on top. A glass side panel allows you to see all the inner pieces, while the customizable light system adds interest and flair. Overall, it’s a sharp-looking computer! This is perfect for a teenage gamer. Set up was quick and simple. Within minutes, we were downloading and installing all the programs my son needed.
Overall Use and Impressions
Six months using this computer and my son doesn’t have any complaints. It runs fast and allows him to do all the activities he enjoys. My son uses OBS Studio to record his Minecraft play, runs Lunar Client as his main launcher, and edits his videos using DaVinci Resolve. Despite having a large storage capacity, my son has added an external hard drive to help free up space on the computer itself. For Super Mario Maker 2 videos, he uses FilmForth. Recently, we created a Steam account for our son to allow him to play more games. Undertale and Among Us are his favorites. This computer also has VR capabilities and he is able to connect the Oculus Quest 2 to enjoy more gameplay. Additionally, he likes watching YouTube, participating in live streams, and general web surfing. He does all these activities using Wi-Fi with no issues. He is entering high school in the fall and is excited about his graphic design and digital photography classes. While he does have a school-issued laptop, this personal computer is light-years ahead in its specs and capabilities. He’ll be able to take the knowledge he learns from those courses and apply it to the activities he enjoys in his free time. Anticipating the other computer and technology classes he’ll be taking in the years to come, this computer will allow him to better practice and apply the skills he learns.
Is It Worth The Money?
Anything labeled gaming is reflected in the price tag. This computer was no exception, it was expensive. When purchasing computers, it’s important to keep the expected longevity in mind. We wanted a computer that would not only support the activities our son currently enjoys, but one that would also grow with him and last for years. We think the ASUS ROG does just that. The graphics card and the powerful processor make this a great choice for anyone who enjoys gaming or digital art. It’s well worth the money. This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters. © 2022 Alyssa
