At CES, Asus brings the heat with a comprehensive overhaul of its entire gaming lineup. This innovative gaming laptop boasts a world-first feature, upgrading its ROG XG Cell exterior graphics card for unparalleled performance. The latest iteration has seen a substantial boost in specifications, boasting a cutting-edge cell Nvidia processor.
Since its introduction in 2021, the XG Cell line has enabled users to easily upgrade their laptops, PCs, or gaming handhelds, like the ROG Ally, by seamlessly integrating a powerful external graphics processing unit (GPU) without the need for internal hardware modifications. By leveraging a cable connection, the setup enables users to tap into the power of their machine’s GPU, harnessing its processing capabilities from outside.
Despite its initial launch featuring a laptop-grade RTX 3080, Asus upgraded the product in 2023 by replacing it with a cutting-edge laptop RTX 4090 – but only after ensuring compatibility with the proprietary XG connector. The proprietary connector seamlessly merged PCIe and USB-C into a single unit, functioning smoothly despite its limited adoption among devices. On the ROG Ally, a prominent black connector sits atop the device.
When the Ally X debuted in 2024, its paltry connectivity assistance rendered it so ineffective that instead of including a dedicated connector, the device opted for two reliable USB 4 ports as a workaround.
The XG Cell 2025 takes a significant leap forward, leveraging the potent energy of an RTX 5090-powered laptop and adopting a cutting-edge Thunderbolt 5 connector courtesy of Asus. While sharing the same physical port as USB-C, these connectors employ a distinct communication protocol, enabling a subset of additional features. While the port’s compatibility with Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 devices offers significant versatility, its seamless integration enables widespread adoption across various laptops, handheld devices, and more.
Although instant fame is crucial, a solid foundation – specifically, a comprehensive understanding of the RTX 5090’s nuances – will propel success much farther than fleeting recognition alone? The external GPUs of yesteryear have consistently fallen short due to the constraints imposed by their external connectivity, and this same limitation may hold true here. To ensure optimal performance from your graphics processing units (GPUs), you’ll also want your machine to feature a CPU with sufficient processing speed, thereby preventing any potential bottlenecks that could hinder their efficiency.
The internal 5090 component boasts the latest RTX 5090 laptop processor, while not as potent as its desktop counterpart, still packs a significant punch. The GPU features 10,496 CUDA cores, a modest upgrade from the 9,728 cores found in the RTX 4090. Notably, it boasts the latest high-speed GDDR7 VRAM, with 24GB of memory at its disposal, as well as architectural enhancements like the Blackwell structure and support for DLSS 4.
While the XB Cell’s availability in an RTX 5090 model may be significant for many prospective customers, it’s not the only option to consider. Asus is reportedly planning to release two more affordable variants of its GPU lineup, with a 5070 Ti model also in development.
Asus is going beyond just integrating the latest graphics into its XG Cell eGPU, as it continues to innovate and push boundaries in this space. The device enables seamless connectivity for high-refresh-rate displays via DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1, while also functioning as a USB hub, efficiently transferring data to your laptop through a single, convenient cable. Two high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind A ports provide ample connectivity options, alongside a fast 5-gigabit Ethernet connection and a convenient SD card reader for expanded storage capabilities.
One notable advantage is that Asus has successfully avoided a bulky power adapter, making the device more portable and convenient to use on-the-go. The power bank boasts an impressive 350 watt-hour capacity, rendering it significantly more portable than comparable alternatives.
After all, like most CES hardware announcements, a specific launch date is lacking for now. Notwithstanding, we offer pricing for the Asus XG series, with the XG Cell 5090 model retailing at $2199.99, while the XG Cell 5070 Ti is priced at $1199.99.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has unveiled a plethora of announcements, culminating in a comprehensive overview of the Nvidia RTX 5090 and the entire RTX 5000 series. As technology advances, we anticipate numerous innovative enhancements to your hardware infrastructure that will seamlessly integrate online.
