Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- PCWorld reviews the Asus ROG GR20 Edition 20, a unique open-air desktop case celebrating ROG’s 20th anniversary with vertical column design for ATX components.
- The case features practical innovations like a cylindrical cross-flow fan for M.2 SSD cooling, EATX motherboard support, and repositionable legs for multiple orientations.
- While offering excellent functionality and rare aesthetic appeal for open-air cases, the prominent ROG logo serves as the main design drawback.
Asus is in the middle of a 20th anniversary celebration. Not for the company, which started in 1989. No, for the ROG (“Republic of Gamers”) label. We’re getting a bunch of black-and-gold stuff that looks like it came out of a casino liquidation. But I have to admit, the new skeleton case is an exception. It’s a rare example of an open-air PC case built to look good.
The ROG GR20 Edition 20 (ugh, seriously?) is a single vertical column for all your ATX-compliant PC guts, somewhat similar to the Thermaltake Core series minus the tempered glass. But a little extra thought makes this one stand out. For example, you mount the power supply to the rear so all those power rails aren’t out in the open, and there’s space back there for a dedicated AIO radiator. The legs are also pretty dang stylish, making the case look like a monument rather than a piece of hardware.
Asus
But that’s not the only option. The legs can be moved to the rear, offering either a slanted upright “presentation” view or a fully horizontal mode, which should be great as a regular “test bench” for those who constantly swap parts. The compatibility is no slouch either, with support for oversized EATX motherboards, power supplies up to 190mm long, and a reinforced graphics card bracket. That’s if you want to install another Asus product: the ridiculous 20th anniversary RTX 5090.
Asus
The columnar design is hiding a secret inside: a cylindrical “cross-flow” fan that blows air directly onto your M.2 SSDs. Considering how toasty high-performance storage is getting, that makes a lot of sense. In fact, the whole thing is great… with one exception.
There’s a giant ROG logo right on the front of it.
Asus
I don’t begrudge products a bit of branding, and this is an anniversary design. (For a sub-brand marketing label, woo.) But this one is so massive that it looks like it’s just waiting to stab me for the crime of installing my motherboard. And this is nitpicking, but I’ve never liked the ROG logo anyway — it looks like a pair of cartoon eyes from an angry Pokémon.
I’d love to see a dedicated build with this case from someone with a bit of modding skill, maybe yanking that logo off and stripping the decoration from the aluminum (“06 — ∞”, ugh, again). If that’s you, then start saving up for some price, some time. That’s as specific as Asus is getting about the release window.