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ASUS ROG XG Station 2 vs PowerColor Gaming Station: Comparison
What is the difference between ASUS ROG XG Station 2 and PowerColor Gaming Station?
Start with extra ports, because it is the widest measured gap between them: ASUS ROG XG Station 2 4 against PowerColor Gaming Station 1, 75% in favour of ASUS ROG XG Station 2. They differ on cooling type too, Active dual-fan on the ASUS ROG XG Station 2 versus Active Fan on the PowerColor Gaming Station. Add psu wattage to that, 600 W on the ASUS ROG XG Station 2 versus 500 W on the PowerColor Gaming Station, and the pattern holds. There is a split on max gpu length as well, Full-length cards on the ASUS ROG XG Station 2 versus 310 mm on the PowerColor Gaming Station.
ASUS ROG XG Station 2 vs PowerColor Gaming Station: which one fits your build
Buy the ASUS ROG XG Station 2 for desktop-replacement setups where portability doesn't matter and buyers prioritizing PSU headroom over compactness, though it is not built for laptop users wanting pass-through charging and space-constrained desks. It is equally the pick for owners of large triple-fan cards from the GTX 10/RTX 20 era. The PowerColor Gaming Station suits buyers who find remaining new-old-stock at a discount and anyone wanting a plain, RGB-free eGPU box with decent I/O, though it is the wrong buy for anyone wanting Thunderbolt 4/5 or USB4 bandwidth and buyers who need more than 60W of laptop charging. It is the wrong buy for cards drawing near or above 375W, which push past its comfortable PSU headroom. Our rating of the ASUS ROG XG Station 2 (6.5/10): overbuilt in a good way for its era, huge PSU headroom for large cards, at the cost of size and no laptop charging. Our rating of the PowerColor Gaming Station (6/10): competent Thunderbolt 3 box from a GPU maker, but discontinued and outpaced by newer standards.
What ASUS ROG XG Station 2 and PowerColor Gaming Station have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: connection standard are identical here.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- ASUS / ROG
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- PowerColor
Connection Standard
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- Thunderbolt 3
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- ROG-XG-STATION-2
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- Gaming Station
Extra Ports
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- 4Best
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- 1-75%
PSU Wattage
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- 600 WBest
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- 500 W-17%
Max GPU Length
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- Full-length cards
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- 310 mm
Cooling Type
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- Active dual-fan
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- Active Fan
Price
- ASUS ROG XG Station 2
- Launched around $329-$399 (2017)
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- Launched around $329 (2018)
Which one should you pick?
Choose ASUS ROG XG Station 2 if you want the higher extra ports (4 vs 1) and the higher PSU wattage (600 W vs 500 W).
Choose PowerColor Gaming Station if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | ASUS ROG XG Station 2 | PowerColor Gaming Station |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $329.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $329.00 View on Amazon | |
| PowerColor | View on PowerColor |
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
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.
PowerColor Gaming Station
6 / 10 Expert Rating
Competent Thunderbolt 3 box from a GPU maker, but discontinued and outpaced by newer standards.