The G22CH is the latest compact gaming desktop PC from the Manufacturer Republic of Gamer (ROG). This powerful compact PC is packed to the brim with the newest hardware. Featuring an Intel Core i7-14700F Processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD, the G22CH is a powerhouse put into a perfectly petite package.
The case measures just 4.53″W x 12.72″D x 11.30″H, making it a great option for gamers with limited desk space. Although it weighs a little over 18 pounds, it is still considerably lighter than most desktops on the market. As for the case design, while the ROG G22CH’s primary concern is function, they still found room to throw in some fun RGB strip lighting along the front of the case and inside the machine. Going back to function, ROG designed the case specifically for airflow. Both sides, the back and the bottom, have large ventilation areas. This is crucial, especially considering how compact the case is.
Looking inside the G22CH, it is impressive to see how well the system is laid out, with very little wasted space. To accommodate the unique size of the system, ROG has layered the components to strategically dissipate heat from the system. In addition to the GPU fans, which draw in cool air from the left side, the G22CH has an additional top fan for exhaust and dual CPU intake fans on the right side of the unit, which vents upwards to further cool the unit. This forces all hot air away from the system and helps keep things cool and functional.
While I was initially concerned about the upgradability of the ROG G22CH system due to its size, upon closer inspection, ASUS made a brilliant decision with the layout. While everything is stacked on top of each other, key components for upgrades such as RAM, CPU, and SSD are still easily accessible. For example, while this version of the ROG G22CH comes with 16GB of RAM, it is capable of supporting up to 32GB. Thanks to this smart design, you could theoretically buy upgraded RAM and swap out the existing one.
“Looking inside the G22CH, it’s impressive to see how well the system is laid out, with very little wasted space.”
In terms of what can be upgraded in the ROG G22CH, there are some limitations on the number of slots available on the motherboard. The system is limited to a single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot reserved for the GPU, leaving only two RAM slots and a single NVMe slot for SSD upgrades. In this respect, the G22CH has more in common with high-end gaming laptops. When dealing with such a tight space in a very compact form factor, this approach makes sense with the overall build and design.
The other design limitation has to do with the 600W power supply. Due to the small space for the PSU, it’s not possible to upgrade it, as sad and frustrating as that may be for some. As a result, there’s no way to upgrade the graphics card, even if you could find one compact enough to fit in the included case. However, as we will see later, the 4070 is a card that can carry a gamer for at least a few years.
In terms of actually swapping parts in the ROG G22CH, it’s worth noting that it’s not quite as easy as on a full-size desktop. The CPU fan plate must be removed in order to easily access the aforementioned components. Fortunately, this is a simple matter of removing four screws. Considering how compact the whole system is, it’s a much-appreciated design feature.
Looking at the cooling performance, the ROG G22CH comes in two versions: air-cooled and liquid-cooled. The review unit came with the air-cooled option, which did a solid job of managing temperatures. While it maintained a consistent temperature throughout the test, it was noticeable when the fans were running at full speed. Fortunately, it’s not overbearing, but it is audible during intense gameplay or rendering.
The G22CH also comes with an impressive amount of I/O, especially considering its small form factor. On the back of the unit are an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet, an HDMI 2.0, three audio ports, two USB 2.0 Type-A and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A. In addition, there are two more USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C on the top of the unit. There is no shortage of options for connecting your peripherals. In addition, the G22CH has built-in Wifi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
In terms of performance, the G22CH handles workloads incredibly well thanks to the Intel Core i7-14700F processor running at 2.1GHz (33M cache, up to 5.3GHz, 20 cores). This means plenty of processing power for everyday multitasking and productivity, as well as some serious power for gaming. This is further enhanced by the inclusion of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 DUAL 12GB with GDDR6X RAM. This compact 4070 offers some impressive features, including fourth-generation Tensor cores for impressive DLSS 3 support and third-generation RT cores for better ray tracing support.
In real-world testing, the ROG G22CH has no problem handling the latest titles at 1440p with ease. It is worth noting that while the ROG G22CH can handle 4K games, the 4070 performs best in the 1440p range. The G22CH performs exceptionally well at this resolution. Everything from CyperPunk 2077 to Hogwarts Legacy runs exceptionally smoothly and without any problems. Older titles like DOOM Eternal and Diablo 4 run like a dream.
In terms of productivity, the G22CH is a powerhouse. Editing 8K video, for example, was no problem, and even real-time rendering was impressively smooth when working in the timeline. As for multitasking, the G22CH easily handled multiple programs open and running, including Davinci Resolve rendering in the background.
“The ROG G22CH is a compact powerhouse gaming PC that delivers impressive performance despite its size.”
Perhaps the most impressive thing about this hardware setup is how energy-efficient it is. As mentioned, the G22CH houses a 600W power supply and still manages to handle everything thrown at it with ease. Most systems require a significant amount more in terms of power to run this kind of hardware, yet ASUS ROG has managed to maximize the G22CH’s efficiency brilliantly.
As a ROG system, the G22CH is supported by the Armoury Crate software suite. Armoury Crate provides a number of useful tools to manage performance and system settings. RGB, cooling, monitoring, and bios updates can all be accessed and controlled with ease. While Armoury Crate struggles a bit with UI layout and constant updates, it does a solid job of providing the necessary support for this compact gaming system.
The G22CH Compact Desktop PC is a powerhouse gaming PC. With some impressive hardware and a compact form factor, it’s an impressive piece of engineering. The hardware upgrade limitations may be a turnoff to some, but considering the hardware currently available for the G22CH, there isn’t much need for upgrades. While the $1899 USD price tag seems a bit steep considering the hardware specs and form factor, the price is in line with many of the higher-end pre-builds on the market. At the end of the day, if you are looking for a compact powerhouse, the G22CH delivers.
- COMPACT WITH AN IMPACT – Measuring only 4.53” wide and 11.3” tall, the G22 gaming desktop can fit in the most compact spaces despite packing powerful hardware.
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE – The G22 takes Windows 11 gaming to the next level with an Intel Core i9-14900KF Processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 DUAL graphics card while only measuring 10L in volume.
