Asus Unveils Standalone Overclocking Device

Recently Asus revealed its ROG (Republic of Gamers) OC Station, a hardware-based, bay mounted device made especially for its ROC motherboards.

Taking up two 5.25-inch bays, the device provides a large 3-inch TFT-LED display, an adjustable faceplate (tilts upwards 30 degrees), and enough tweaking goodness that could very well deem it as an overclocker's "holy grail."

According to Asus, the OC Station grants users on-the-fly access to a multitude of overclocking parameters via the large rotary switch mounted on the front. Users can adjust fan speeds as well as manipulate system voltages and frequencies in real-time without the need to load up the BIOS. The OC Station also provides easy access to system information, and will even manage ROG-exclusive features such as CPU Level Up (lets users overclock to a faster processor setting) and the ASUS EPU-6 Engine (moderates power in real-time) at a hardware level. Asus also threw in a photo slideshow function, although the company did not elaborate on how this function serves in the overall overclocking process.

"Bold and futuristic, the OC Station's sports car-inspired design is a reflection of its value proposition: control, speed, precision, and power," the company said. "It is easily the most stylish OC controller on the market, a gleaming testament of ASUS' belief that cutting-edge function should come in a cutting-edge form. The OC Station can be installed in virtually any PC case, where it occupies two 5.25-inch drive bays."

While Asus didn't present a long list of hardware specifications, the company did say that the OC Station provides alarm thresholds with audio alerts, temperature monitoring for critical components, output to four fans, and an "intuitive" user interface. Additionally, the OC Station isn't required to fit within the two 5.25-inch drive bays; it can actually sit on the desktop like a portable, old school radio.