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AKiTiO Node vs ASUS XG Station Pro: Comparison
AKiTiO Node vs ASUS XG Station Pro: the cooling type difference
Cooling type is the dividing line, AKiTiO Node Active Fan against ASUS XG Station Pro Passive vented chassis relying on card's own cooler, slim.... They differ on max gpu length too, 300 mm on the AKiTiO Node versus Full-length cards on the ASUS XG Station Pro.
AKiTiO Node vs ASUS XG Station Pro: which one fits your build
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 the wrong buy for cards drawing near or above the 500W ceiling and anyone wanting current Thunderbolt 4/5 or USB4 bandwidth. It also earns its place with simple builds that don't need USB hub or Ethernet ports on the box. Avoid it for buyers who could instead get the Node Titan's 650W PSU for a modest premium. The ASUS XG Station Pro suits buyers wanting a slim chassis over a boxy ATX-style one and desk setups with limited depth, though it is not built for anyone needing laptop charge-through and triple-slot modern GPUs. Our rating of the AKiTiO Node (6/10): A cheap, no-frills TB3 box that's been outclassed by AKiTiO's own Node Titan. Our rating of the ASUS XG Station Pro (6/10): A tidy, if now dated, slim TB3 enclosure, a sensible pick only if found cheap secondhand today.
Which is cheaper, AKiTiO Node or ASUS XG Station Pro?
At the last price check the AKiTiO Node was $299 and the ASUS XG Station Pro $330, a 10% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AKiTiO Node and ASUS XG Station Pro differ on extra ports?
Yes. Extra Ports reads None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs on the AKiTiO Node versus 3.1 on the ASUS XG Station Pro.
Is the Connection Standard the same on the AKiTiO Node and ASUS XG Station Pro?
It is. Both are listed at Thunderbolt 3, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AKiTiO Node
- AKiTiO
- ASUS XG Station Pro
- ASUS
Connection Standard
- AKiTiO Node
- Thunderbolt 3
- ASUS XG Station Pro
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- AKiTiO Node
- Node
- ASUS XG Station Pro
- XG-STATION-PRO
Extra Ports
- AKiTiO Node
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
- ASUS XG Station Pro
- 3.1
PSU Wattage
- AKiTiO Node
- 500 WBest
- ASUS XG Station Pro
- 330W custom external adapter
Max GPU Length
- AKiTiO Node
- 300 mm
- ASUS XG Station Pro
- Full-length cards
Cooling Type
- AKiTiO Node
- Active Fan
- ASUS XG Station Pro
- Passive vented chassis relying on card's own cooler, slim aluminum shell
Price
- AKiTiO Node
- Launched around $299 (2017)
- ASUS XG Station Pro
- Launched around $329.99 (2018)
Which one should you pick?
Choose AKiTiO Node if you want the higher PSU wattage (500 W vs 330W custom external adapter).
Choose ASUS XG Station Pro if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AKiTiO Node | ASUS XG Station Pro |
|---|---|---|
| B&H Photo | $299.00 View on B&H Photo | |
| Consumercarts listing | $329.99 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 XG Station Pro
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A tidy, if now dated, slim TB3 enclosure, a sensible pick only if found cheap secondhand today.