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AKiTiO Node vs ASUS ROG XG Station 2: Comparison
AKiTiO Node vs ASUS ROG XG Station 2: the cooling type difference
The first real difference is cooling type: AKiTiO Node Active Fan against ASUS ROG XG Station 2 Active dual-fan. Add psu wattage to that, 500 W on the AKiTiO Node versus 600 W on the ASUS ROG XG Station 2, and the pattern holds.
Who each one is for
The AKiTiO Node is the one to take for budget buyers running GTX 10-series or RTX 20-series dual-slot cards and anyone wanting the smallest, cheapest AKiTiO enclosure, though it is not the pick for cards drawing near or above the 500W ceiling and anyone wanting current Thunderbolt 4/5 or USB4 bandwidth. It is equally the pick for simple builds that don't need USB hub or Ethernet ports on the box. It is not the one for buyers who could instead get the Node Titan's 650W PSU for a modest premium. The ASUS ROG XG Station 2 suits desktop-replacement setups where portability doesn't matter and buyers prioritizing PSU headroom over compactness, though it is the wrong buy for laptop users wanting pass-through charging and space-constrained desks. It also earns its place with owners of large triple-fan cards from the GTX 10/RTX 20 era. Our rating of the AKiTiO Node (6/10): A cheap, no-frills TB3 box that's been outclassed by AKiTiO's own Node Titan.
Which is cheaper, AKiTiO Node or ASUS ROG XG Station 2?
The ASUS ROG XG Station 2 asks 10% more, $329 against $299 for the AKiTiO Node.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AKiTiO Node and ASUS ROG XG Station 2 differ on extra ports?
Yes. Extra Ports reads None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs on the AKiTiO Node versus 4 on the ASUS ROG XG Station 2.
Is the Connection Standard the same on the AKiTiO Node and ASUS ROG XG Station 2?
It is. Both are listed at Thunderbolt 3, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, AKiTiO Node or ASUS ROG XG Station 2?
The ASUS ROG XG Station 2 asks 10% more, $329 against $299 for the AKiTiO Node.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AKiTiO Node
- AKiTiO
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- ASUS / ROG
Connection Standard
- AKiTiO Node
- Thunderbolt 3
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- AKiTiO Node
- Node
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- ROG-XG-STATION-2
Extra Ports
- AKiTiO Node
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- 4
PSU Wattage
- AKiTiO Node
- 500 W-17%
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- 600 WBest
Max GPU Length
- AKiTiO Node
- 300 mm
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- Full-length cards
Cooling Type
- AKiTiO Node
- Active Fan
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- Active dual-fan
Price
- AKiTiO Node
- Launched around $299 (2017)
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- Launched around $329-$399 (2017)
Which one should you pick?
Choose AKiTiO Node if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose ASUS ROG XG Station 2 if you want the higher PSU wattage (600 W vs 500 W).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AKiTiO Node | ASUS ROG XG Station 2 |
|---|---|---|
| B&H Photo | $299.00 View on B&H Photo | |
| Consumercarts listing | $329.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
AKiTiO Node
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A cheap, no-frills TB3 box that's been outclassed by AKiTiO's own Node Titan.
ASUS ROG XG Station 2
6.5 / 10 Expert Rating
Overbuilt in a good way for its era, huge PSU headroom for large cards, at the cost of size and no laptop charging.