ASUS ARES 2 Video Card Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

The video opens with Linus Tech Tips presenting an unboxing and first look at the Asus Ares II graphics card. He highlights the scale of the packaging, showing a large outer box and then a nested, almost Russian-dolls style presentation inside, emphasizing the premium, collector-like presentation of the card. Linus walks through what’s included in the box, from the additional fan and mounting hardware to the driver CDs and CrossFire bridge, noting the unique limited edition aluminum artwork and laser-etched serials. He explains the cooling solution, describing the hybrid approach that combines liquid cooling for the GPUs with air cooling for other components, and he notes the system requirements such as the three 8-pin PCIe power connectors and the space needed in a PC case. Throughout the unboxing, he comments on the materials and craftsmanship, including the protective packaging and the brushed aluminum back plate, while pointing out the card’s physical dimensions relative to a standard single-GPU card for context. The segment also covers practical considerations like how to install the card, the IO configuration featuring six outputs, and the preinstalled fans connected to GPU Tweak for monitoring and control, setting the stage for future benchmarks and deeper performance exploration. By the end of the episode, Linus has established a sense of the Ares II as a flagship, highly engineered product with a unique aesthetic and a complexity that appeals to enthusiasts who value premium hardware and extreme cooling, while acknowledging the card’s high price and niche appeal.

Topics · hardware · unboxing · graphics-card · pc-gaming · tech-reviews