If you will have an Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld or have been maintaining with information surrounding it, then you recognize that the system tends to get quite sizzling. This is usually the case for moveable gaming programs, particularly these with screens. As such, discovering methods to cut back the handhelds temperatures with issues like cooling docks may help enhance the Ally’s longevity.
With all of this in thoughts, I’ve been testing the Unitek Cooling Dock with my ROG Ally for over 13 hours to see how properly it really works. Using a thermal digital camera, I’ve documented how sizzling the system will get by itself versus how properly the Unitek accent cools it. The Cooling Dock makes for a pleasant docking hub, and it does cool my handheld a good quantity, however it would not remedy the entire ROG Ally’s heating issues.
Disclaimer: This evaluation was made attainable because of a evaluation unit supplied by Unitek. The firm didn’t see the contents of this evaluation earlier than publishing.
Unitek Cooling Dock: Price and availability
A docking station is likely one of the greatest ROG Ally equipment in addition to one of many greatest Steam Deck equipment you will get because it permits you to play your video games on a monitor or TV. However, having one with a built-in fan that really lowers the hand-held’s temperature can enhance your system’s efficiency and longevity.
The Unitek Cooling Dock for ROG Ally and Steam Deck has an MSRP of $89.00 and may be bought at Unitek’s web site. You may buy it for barely much less at Amazon the place it’s promoting for $73.99 on the time of writing. It’s additionally attainable that Unitek’s Cooling Dock can go on sale for much less as time goes on. As it’s it is quite dear when in comparison with different ROG Ally and Steam Deck docks available on the market.
Additionally, there may be additionally a dearer Unitek Cooling Dock Pro, which appears to be like very a lot the identical as the bottom Cooling Dock however has an elevated MSRP of $119.00 because it provides a ShowPort, which the bottom Cooling Dock doesn’t have. This extra pricey dock is at present solely out there to buy from Unitek’s web site itself.
Unitek Cooling Dock: Design and ports
Thanks to the variety of ports on this Cooling Dock, it is extremely straightforward to attach any gadgets or equipment that you just would possibly need to use together with your gaming handheld. Specifically, there are three USB-C ports (one in entrance, two in again), two USB-A ports in entrance, an HDMI 2.0 port in again, and an ethernet port additionally within the again. With this setup, I used to be simply capable of join on to our wired web as an alternative of getting to depend on Wi-Fi and will show my ROG Ally gaming on our stunning LG C2 OLED 4K TV to view my video games to raised benefit.
I used to be disenchanted to seek out that the dock had an HDMI 2.0 port quite than an HDMI 2.1. This is not the tip of the world, nonetheless, this does imply that larger body charges as much as 120FPS and determination as much as 8K aren’t attainable with this show connection. But in case your handheld would not help these options then this may not be an issue.
During my a number of hours enjoying my ROG Ally on the Unitek Cooling Dock, I used the varied ports to attach a gaming mouse and keyboard by way of a USB-A dongle and charged my favourite Xbox controller. In quick, the dock makes it very straightforward to maintain the entire peripherals and gadgets I would like in a single spot as is the aim of a docking station. One factor I really like is that its small footprint implies that it would not take up a ton of room on my desk or TV stand. The form and design of the dock additionally works properly so the cables needn’t battle for entry.
The one factor I felt unusual about relating to this Cooling Dock is how sizzling the USB-A and USB-C connection in entrance can get. Simply by advantage of the Cooling Dock being on, they’ll attain as much as 122 levels Fahrenheit. Thankfully, dongles and connection plugs sometimes are sturdy sufficient that warmth like this may not negatively have an effect on them, however there might be some circumstances the place this might be a problem.
Unitek Cooling Dock: How properly does it really cool the ROG Ally?
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The Ally’s one large downside is that its overheating can result in microSD card malfunctions when performed plugged in and in Turbo mode. This overheating problem is as a result of placement of the hand-held’s vents, which expel extremely popular air close to the microSD card slot. So, if there’s a manner to enhance the hand-held’s cooling, it could possibly assist the Ally carry out higher and would possibly even save that microSD card. Unfortunately, this isn’t one thing that the Unitek Cooling Dock can do, nor was it designed to do. In truth, there at present isn’t any accent that I do know of that may repair the microSD card overheating problem. However, Unitek’s accent does work successfully to chill the realm it is meant for.
I ran a number of assessments over the course of 10+ hours to see how the accent affected my ROG Ally’s temperature. The dock has two fan speeds — quick and gradual — that may be modified by urgent a button on the aspect. For the needs of this take a look at, I targeted on the highest fan velocity results. The quicker fan is notably louder, however clearly, the cooler the gaming handheld may be stored, the higher the system can run. So, in case you use the Cooling Dock, you may need the fan to be on its highest setting anyway.
My testing came about in a cool room, and I used a thermal digital camera to measure the Ally’s temperatures. I ran the Ally whereas plugged in and displaying on a TV in Turbo mode for 2 hours and measured its temperature in varied spots each quarter-hour. This take a look at was run twice; as soon as with the Cooling Dock fan off and as soon as with it on at full velocity. I notably paid consideration to the temperatures of the Ally’s hottest components, that means the vents, charging space, and display. Due to the microSD card malfunction problem talked about earlier, I additionally measured the impact that the Cooling Dock had on the Ally’s microSD card slot as properly.
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As was anticipated, the fan did not actually scale back the temperature of the display, charging space, vents, or microSD card in any respect. However, the Cooling Dock fan did considerably scale back the temperature of the bottom space of the ROG Ally, particularly the place its cooling plate touched the hand-held’s casing. When working for 2 hours with no fan, the Ally’s bottom (not together with the venting areas or charging port) ranged from 102 levels F as much as 113 levels F.
Whether the fan was on or off, the microSD card slot measured between 114- and 117-degrees F within the again.
But when it was working for a similar size with the Cooling Dock fan on the entire time there was a notable lower in temperature with the bottom measuring at a decrease vary between 62 levels F and 105 levels F. It’s a major distinction, and one that may assist the Ally’s longevity if used recurrently with the Cooling Dock over time. However, the Unitek Cooling Dock undoubtedly would not repair the microSD card slot problem. Now, Unitek would not declare that the dock does, however it’s nonetheless one thing to pay attention to. Whether the fan was on or off, the microSD card slot measured between 114- and 117-degrees F within the again.
Unitek Cooling Dock: RGB lighting
There are methods wherein RGB lighting may be applied to intensify a gaming system in a cultured manner, but when performed poorly, it could possibly make a product look low-cost. Unfortunately, I discover that the Unitek Cooling Dock’s entrance RGB falls within the latter class. It mainly simply screams for consideration regardless that my focus is meant to be on the TV or monitor that I’ve the dock related to. This lighting flits from one colour to the subsequent, can’t be custom-made, and can’t be turned off. It’s actually only a large flashy distraction.
However, I do just like the impact of the RGB lighting on the fan within the again. It casts an ambiance of colour onto the wall behind it quite than flashing it towards me in a distracting method. Plus, there’s one thing mesmerizing about watching the colours change whereas the fan spins. If there as a manner to decide on one colour or a solution to flip the RGB off completely, I’d prefer it extra.
Unitek Cooling Dock: Competition
Before I dive into useful options, it is essential to keep in mind that many docking stations that work with Steam Deck are additionally suitable with ROG Ally. The docks simply have to have a 65W USB-C charger in addition to a base that is huge sufficient to carry each gadgets.
If you are particularly looking for a docking station for gaming handhelds that comes with a fan, then you definately must also think about the LISEN Docking Station. It options two followers, every positioned close to the place the vents are on the ROG Ally and has a base that is huge sufficient to additionally maintain the Steam Deck. Plus, it options 5 USB-A 3.0 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, an SD card reader, ethernet port, and a USB-C port.
For funds consumers, going with a docking station that does not function a fan can prevent some huge cash. As our personal Ben Wilson mentioned in his Syntech 6-in-1 Docking Station evaluation, the funds value and useful ports make it in order that “there’s virtually no cause to move it up if you wish to experiment together with your Steam Deck” (or ROG Ally).
Unitek Cooling Dock: Should you purchase one?
You can purchase one if…
- You need a helpful hub for connecting further equipment.
- You need to have the ability to join your gaming handheld to a monitor or TV.
- You’re on the lookout for methods to decrease the temperature of your gaming handheld.
You shouldn’t purchase one if…
- You’re on the lookout for an adjunct that fixes the ROG Ally’s microSD card slot overheating problem.
- You do not need to spend that a lot cash.
- You’re on the lookout for a hub with a ShowPort or an HDMI 2.1 connection.
With its many beneficial ports, compact design, and built-in fan the Unitek Cooling Dock may help scale back the temperature of your ROG Ally or Steam Deck. This temperature distinction primarily takes place the place the Cooling Dock’s cooling plate touches the hand-held, however it additionally spreads out to the areas round that as properly. However, it is value noting that this accent is just not designed to repair the entire heating points that both handheld face together with microSD card overheating. In truth, there would not appear to be an ROG Ally accent that does repair this downside in the mean time.
Still, the general design of the Cooling Dock does enable it to maintain the bottom of your gaming system at a greater temperature, which could present higher long-term efficiency. The compact form and number of ports additionally make the dock very helpful. It would not take up a whole lot of room and simply makes it so you possibly can play your handheld on TV or monitor with any further gaming peripherals receiving the connections they want. Its pricing is a bit excessive, however it may be value grabbing if you will get it on sale.
Unitek Cooling Dock for Steam Deck and ROG Ally
With two fan speeds and several other useful ports, the Unitek Cooling Dock may help you join your handheld to a TV or monitor in addition to maintain it working cooler than it could by itself. It would not take up a lot area can match in your desk or TV stand.
