Video summary
The video introduces a review of two heavy-duty computer cases, specifically focusing on the new ROG Strix Helios II while briefly comparing it to its predecessor, the Helios I. The presenter highlights that these units are substantial in weight and size, with one model weighing approximately 65 kg, making them feel like "beasts" designed for premium builds. A significant portion of the early discussion is dedicated to a sponsor segment regarding Windows activation keys, where the reviewer notes that purchasing directly from Microsoft costs around 15,000 pesos in the Philippines, whereas using their discount code reduces this price significantly below 2,000 pesos. The review then transitions into a detailed comparison of the two cases, noting that while they share similar aluminum frames and distinctive skyscraper-like aesthetics, the Helios II removes the glass front found on the first model to improve airflow and adopts ARGB lighting instead of standard RGB.
One of the key refinements in the Helios II is its user-friendly design aimed at reducing common pain points for PC builders, particularly beginners. The case features a tool-less GPU installation system where screws are embedded directly into the chassis rather than being separate parts that can get lost; users simply tighten or loosen built-in flaps to secure or remove graphics cards without needing extra screwdrivers. Additionally, the side panels and rear covers utilize simple push-button mechanisms for easy access during maintenance. The reviewer also points out unique features like dedicated channels at the back of the case for cable management, although he admits they feel somewhat plastic-like and small enough only to fit Wi-Fi antennas effectively. Despite finding the blocky, monolithic aesthetic personally unappealing compared to more traditional designs, he acknowledges that this style is highly popular in his shop because it instantly signals a premium build quality to non-enthusiasts who judge PCs by their exterior appearance alone.
The internal components showcased alongside these cases represent top-tier technology suitable for high-performance gaming and workstation tasks. The motherboard featured is the ROG Strix 870A Gaming Neo, an all-white board with RGB-trimmed VRMs that supports both PCIe 5 slots for GPUs and storage as well as Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Paired with this is a top-of-the-line AMD Radeon RX 970 XT graphics card from ASUS Prime, which occupies only 2.5 slots to fit comfortably even in slightly smaller cases than the Helios II itself. The power supply unit used is the Tough Gaming 1000G, also finished in white and equipped with a specially designed flexible cable intended to prevent damage during installation of powerful GPUs. Finally, the cooling solution includes the ROG Ryuo IV 360 AIO liquid cooler, which stands out not just for its performance but for its massive 6.67-inch AMOLED screen that offers stunning visual effects even when idle, surpassing many smartphone displays in quality and color vibrancy.
Read the full video transcript
These are two 20-lb
dumbbells.
And this is a new version of the ROG
Strix Helios. This is the Helios II. It
looks heavy. It is heavy, and it comes
out to a whopping
uh mga 65 kg Now, it's around 89.5 kg.
So, yes, it's a beast, [music]
and it's also very heavy.
I have less than 30 seconds to tell you
about our sponsor. [music]
And uh we've bought hundreds of Windows
keys from them, and that we use them all
the time in the shop. I could also be
here now with my local payment options,
so it's super easy for us here in the
Philippines para bumili. I could say
that they're super easy to use, pero isa
lang sasabihin ko. Kung bumili ka
directly from Microsoft, your Windows
activation key is 15,000 pesos. The
sponsor nothing, [music]
less than 2,000.
Use our discount code HS25.
That's it.
That's the ad.
So, the Helios II is very similar to the
Helios I. They both have these
handles that you can easily use to carry
it, and we need to get it up on the case
>> [music]
>> uh on the table. Obviously, madali lang
to I know get it on top of the case.
Madali lang kung
may hardware sugar [music] tech ka. So,
the Helios II is again very similar
looking to the Helios I, very
distinctive design aesthetics. So, what
you're doing when you're getting a case
like this is that you're getting that
very iconic look para siyang skyscraper.
But, the Helios I had a glass front.
This one doesn't. So, no glass front
here in the front. Um there's there
openings, so that allows for much better
airflow. Let us do a quick before and
after Helios I, Helios II. Helios I,
glass front. Helios II, no glass front,
much more understated, uh better
airflow. Both of them come with four
140-mm fans, three in the front, one in
the back. Interestingly, the RGB on the
Helios I was just RGB. It's all Helios 2
ARGB now.
The front panel though is very similar
except on the Helios 1 you had just one
USB type C. Here on the Helios 2 you
have two USB type C's at the front. Both
of them 20 gigabits per second and 60
watt charging. So kind of a fast
charging. On the Helios 1 it was just
one USB type C. [music] And then you had
the fan control and then the lighting
control both similar on the Helios 1
[music] and the Helios 2.
The Helios 2 just came out less than a
year ago so it's still quite new. It
looks similar but there are a lot of
refinements to the 2 which we'll get
into. So both the Helios 1 and the
Helios 2 are aluminum frames. Both allow
a max GPU length of 450 mm. EIO 420 mm
max size. For 420 though you're going to
have to install it here in the front.
The maximum that you can have on top is
360. So as you can imagine those sizes
are quite large both for the GPU and the
EIO. Basically anything on the market
now you can fit inside here. That
includes a motherboard so usual
motherboard would be ATX. This one can
fit even up to EATX. You can tell them
where all of the space of the case goes
to.
>> [music]
>> It goes to you the customer allowing
basically anything you want inside the
case. Plus it's a lot easier to build.
ASUS tried to think of ways that what
are the pain points and a simple pain
point which is not obvious to enthusiast
but if you're starting for the first
time
it's just even how to get the side panel
off. Here it's just a press button or
push button here at the side here at the
back and then you just
pop it off. Same thing with the back. So
a more elegant experience. Even the
frame or even the side panel is quite
hefty. So everything about the build
quality screams premium. Another
refinement is the tool-less GPU
approach. After you plug the GPU into
the motherboard you hear the PCIE clip
click.
>> [music]
>> Usually you have to use a screw to
further attach the GPU. It's like you're
screwing the GPU into the rear of the
motherboard. This one, you don't need
any screw, you don't need any more a
screwdriver.
The screw is already built in, and then
it's just a flap. This flap is the one
that locks the GPU into place. So, with
this unlocked now, I could theoretically
just press the PCIE clip to unlock the
GPU from the motherboard, and then slip
it out. And then similarly, but the GPU,
you just need to
I noticed that the lock has a little
give. It secures the GPU into place.
And then the screw, which won't get lost
because it's already embedded with the
case, you just tighten it and you're
done.
>> [music]
>> Your GPU is secure without any screws
which might get lost, without needing to
find a screwdriver. Then there are some
screws for the PSU.
So, it's easy to remove the original
frame of the PSU. And also, for more
cable management options, we have these
canals at the rear of the case,
something I've never seen before.
Um first for
me with the Helios II. To be honest,
they feel a little flimsy. It feels like
it's just plastic that is bent,
and then you slide it in, it locks into
place, and then slides back out. Also,
the canals themselves, the holes are not
that big. So, best use maybe for the
included Wi-Fi antenna. So, it's nice
that it's there. It kind of disrupts a
little bit the clean lines of the back.
To wrap everything up, I'm not going to
lie, I'm actually not a fan of this kind
of aesthetic, you know, very blocky,
monolithic kind of in-your-face
enclosure. But, it's actually quite
popular. We do a lot of maintenance here
at the shop, even if the PCs were not
bought from us. So, cleaning,
diagnostics, and we've seen a lot of
Helios cases. So much so that we even
had one customer. I think he brought in
two Helios, both of them are from him
and he had his own special carrying case
for them. So this kind of aesthetic I do
have to admit may market talaga siya.
What do you get with the Helios II? Very
distinctive looking case. If your parts
are premium and you want people to know
that your parts are premium but they're
not PC guys, they just need to look at
the case and they understand na oh it
all mahal. The case palang already
screams that kind of build quality,
design aesthetic, premiumness. So it's
very distinctive. The drawbacks are the
thing is a beast and you can't have that
beastliness without these other
qualities.
It takes up a fair amount of room on a
desk so you need to be prepared for that
unless you're going to have it on the
floor. It is quite heavy.
>> [music]
>> Again, you can't have all of these
things and that look without a little
heft. But for some people those are
features not bugs. They're premiums
instead of negatives. And so if you're
looking for this kind of case, if you
like the aesthetic of the Helios I but
was looking for more refinement, then
the Helios II
has all of that. Big board for a big
build and the motherboard on this rig is
the ROG Strix 870A Gaming Neo. Beautiful
all white board with the RGB trims on
the VRMs. Of course it comes with all of
ASUS's Q features which makes things
like storage and GPUs very easy to
install and uninstall when needed. And
you do get PCIe 5 for both the GPU slot
and the storage so this is as fast as
you can get now. Just like the Wi-Fi 7
connection which this board has. Nice
looking board crammed with all of the
latest tech. The GPU is a ASUS Prime
Radeon 970 XT so top of the line for AMD
cards. Of course three fans for max
cooling. But it's also slim enough that
it only takes up 2.5 slots. So if you're
looking to put this GPU in a case which
is not as big as the Helios II and
that's basically 95% of all the other
cases out there. Kaya pa. Kaya itong GPU
na ito. PSU Tough Gaming 1000G of course
also in white not as fancy as some of
the other PSUs you've seen from ASUS but
it does come with a special cable which
is more easily bended. Bending of course
is the main concern when plugging in the
newer more powerful GPUs. The hope is
that it will material that though which
is more flexible give us time to melting
and burning issues which have plagued
the higher end Nvidia GPUs in the past.
The AIO is ROG Ryuo 4 360 we have
covered ASUS AIOs in the past like the
Ryuo 240, Ryuo 3 and the latest Ryuo 4
which is the most beautiful one yet
thanks to its 6.67 inch AMOLED screen. I
can't deny the screen is probably nicer
than my cell phone screen.
Cooling performance is of course top
notch but it's relatively easy to find
top notch cooling at a lower price
point. What's harder to find is the
sheer visual punch in the tone massive
colorful screen smack center in your
build. Really stunning and that's even
without enabling by the 3D visual
effects which this AIO supports also.