• TWEAK
• Hardware
• Keyboard

ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme

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Central Features

• Key Switch: Hot-Swappable Pre Lubed ROG NX Mechanical Switch (Snow / Strom)
• Connectivity:
• USB 2.0 (TypeC to TypeA)
• Bluetooth 5.1
• RF 2.4GHz
• USB Report rate: 8000 Hz with ROG Polling Rate Booster
• RF 2.4G Report rate: 8000 Hz with ROG Polling Rate Booster
• Full Color OLED Touchscreen

ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme comes with two variants of ASUS ROG NX switches. Our test sample came with their linear Snow switches.

A tour around the ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme

ASUS has updated the design a bit compared to the original version of Azoth. However, the style is still very much the same, with a slightly futuristic look, which is still quite subdued and not super "in your face" gaming.

The materials and build quality are super nice and complete all the way around. The whole keyboard is made in a CNC machined aluminum alloy and topped with double shot PBT keycaps.

All this also means that the weight has increased and now lands at just around one and a half kilos. It all feels massive and there isn't a hint of flex or creak in the Azoth Extreme, which again feels like a tank of a keyboard.

There is, of course, RGB lighting in all keys, which can be customized in the software for each individual key. We also still get a small display in the right corner of the keyboard. However, it has now been upgraded to a full color OLED Touch Display. Here you can choose from a multitude of different things such as animations, PC information or media information.

The control button next to the screen is also very similar to the one we got on the original Azoth, but with a slight style update. On the side you can choose what the button should control, such as volume, RGB light, media etc., while the rocker button is used to switch between the selected settings or stop/control volume and media.

At the top of the keyboard, there is a USB-C connector for charging and connecting via cable, if you want to. There is also a button that can switch between connection via USB Dongle, Bluetooth or cable.

At the bottom of the keyboard we find a place for the included USB Dongle and a slider button that can switch between a soft and a hard setting.

It moves a small resistance inside the keyboard and slightly changes whether the feel of the keys is yes... Soft or hard.

A small cover plate is included in the box, which can be placed over the cut-out at the bottom. It covers the space for the USB Dongle and wears the button and gives a more aesthetic look, as it also covers all the various legally required things such as FCC and CE logos. It's a small thing, but it perhaps shows a little about how much ASUS has made even the smallest details.

There are no rocker feet on the Azoth Extreme. Two sets of magnetic feet are included in the box, which can be used to adjust the angle of the keyboard.

A silicone wrist support is also included in the box. It has an incredibly comfortable surface and feels as complete and massive as the rest of Azoth Extreme.

Along with the wrist support, there is also a tool for peeling both keycaps and switches off the keyboard. However, the kit for lubricating contacts that we saw with the original Azoth keyboard is not included.

The interior of the Azoth Extreme is also completed. On the one hand, there are two layers of Poron foam together with a layer of silicone distributed in the keyboard to create stability and dampen noise. That combined with a carbon fiber plate just below the keycaps and switches again to create a stable typing experience with optimal impact. noise absorption.

Software

When you want to customize settings, functions and lighting, you must get ASUS' ArmoryCrate software. This is where ASUS gathers all their ROG products.

Here, for Azoth Extreme, you have the opportunity to customize a wide selection of things about the keyboard. You can set the function of each key with a multitude of options. It can be program shortcuts. Windows functions, media control or Macro functions.

In addition to that, you can also customize the settings for the RGB light and the OLED screen. Here there is a good mix of pre-installed options for both or you can choose your own.

It is possible to upload images and animations that can be used on the OLED screen. However, depending on what you choose, it may take up to several minutes for things to update on the screen.

The functionality of the ASUS Armory Crate compared to the Azoth Extreme is really nice with super good options for customizing things. The Armory Crate software in general is, however, a bit of a heavy case as ASUS has gradually baked quite a lot of things into it.

So it's not just a simple piece of software to quickly set your RGB lighting on the keyboard. ASUS has also made it a Hub for all sorts of other things that may not be relevant at all, but from which you cannot choose.

Here I would have liked to see ASUS had made it possible for us to choose how much of all the extra lire we wanted to bring so that things could be kept as limited as possible.

Testing

I've been testing the ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme keyboard over a few weeks and it's been a good mix of gaming, work and regular desktop use.

In connection with my work, I write an incredible amount, including this review. Here, the writing experience on Azoth Extreme has been a real pleasure. The combination of hardware, internal damping, switches and keycaps means you get an experience that's hard to beat.

ASUS itself advertises a lot with the possibility of 8000 Hz polling rate via the supplied adapter. I have of course tested it during my time with Azoth Extreme. However, I have to admit that I can't feel any difference between the regular 1000 Hz and the increased 8000 Hz.

It's simply not something that plays into the way I use a keyboard.

The wireless connection, however, I have nothing to put my finger on. It has been super solid throughout.

ASUS itself states a battery life of up to 245 hours if you do not use the RGB light, but still have the OLED screen running.

With the RGB light turned on, it drops to 92 hours of battery life. My experiences with the battery life during my test with both the RGB light and the OLED screen turned on seem to land very well in line with ASUS' information.

Price

Here comes the bomb under the ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme for all the many features, good materials and complete build quality mean that the price lands at just under 800$. It is an insanely high price for a keyboard and is by a large margin the most expensive keyboard I can currently find in normal trade.

Conclusion

With the ROG Azoth Extreme, ASUS has created a keyboard that is complete in every way and where the details are cherished right down to the little nooks and crannies of the keyboard.

The result is a beautiful and well-built keyboard, which is a dream to use for both gaming and typing.

There are versatile connectivity options and plenty of customization via the software, despite being a bit heavy to dance with.

If I close my eyes and don't think about the price, the Azoth Extreme is, without much comparison, one of the best keyboards that I have held in my hands.

When I open my eyes again and take the price into consideration, I can't help but admit that it's not THAT much better that I can settle for a price of over 800$.

There is probably a very small niche of customers who want features and details like in a super high end custom keyboard, but without the desire to assemble and build it themselves, and here Azoth Extreme might be just what they are looking for.

For the ordinary PC gamer, however, I find it difficult to recommend Azoth Extreme with its sky-high price.

However, the degree of detail, features and the completely insane build quality mean that Azoth Extreme deserves a grade of 9 together with an enthusiast only award, for a super piece of gaming accessory, which is not for everyone.

Advantages:

• Super build quality and complete choice of materials
• Great writing experience
• Good versatile connection options

Disadvantages:

• The price
• Armory Crate is a bit too heavy