ASUS Republic of Gamers expands its Azoth family with the new Azoth 96 HE, a 96% analog gaming keyboard that chases latency down to the decimals. It pairs second-gen ROG HFX magnetic switches with a Hall sensor engine, onboard OLED controls, and tri-mode connectivity that can hit an 8000 Hz polling rate without add-ons.
Why the 96 Percent Layout Makes Sense
The 96% layout keeps arrows and a full function row while trimming wasted space, so desk reach and mouse glide stay comfortable. It is a tidy middle ground between a cramped 75 and a wide TKL, giving creators and gamers a versatile footprint that still leaves room for a low-sens swipe.
Magnetic Switches With Hall Smarts
Instead of mechanical NX, this board uses ROG HFX V2 magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.1 to 3.5 mm and ultra-fine 0.01 mm steps. A dedicated Hall sensor tracks travel with higher magnetic flux tolerance, enabling consistent Rapid Trigger behavior and cleaner signal detection.
Tri-Mode Connectivity Done Right
You can run wired USB for zero-fuss or jump to ROG SpeedNova 8K wireless and keep the full 8000 Hz polling rate intact. Bluetooth is here too for up to five devices, handy for pairing a gaming PC, laptop, and tablet without juggling dongles. It is a hot-swappable board, so switch experiments are fair game.
Touchscreen Control and Tuned Acoustics
A 1.47-inch OLED touchscreen mirrors the flagship Azoth Extreme, joined by a three-way knob for quick tweaks. Under the plate, a gasket mount and six-layer stack (four PORON layers, an IXPE pad, and a silicone pad) dull case ping and switch chatter for a cushioned sound profile.
The metal top cover leans premium, and optional translucent caps with ROG markings add flair. As a finishing touch, each keyboard is calibrated at the factory, logging per-key travel data that feeds the control algorithm for tighter tolerance and smoother Rapid Trigger response.
Conclusion: With precision analog control, tri-mode versatility, and an OLED interface, the Azoth 96 HE feels like the most complete Azoth yet from ASUS. Pricing and regional availability will vary by market and timeframe; check local channels as the rollout follows the October 16, 2025 announcement. Learn more at ASUS.
| ROG Azoth 96 HE — Technical Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Layout | 96% compact with arrows and function row |
| Switch Type | Hot-swappable ROG HFX V2 magnetic (analog) |
| Actuation Range | Customizable 0.1–3.5 mm |
| Tuning Step | 0.01 mm per-key precision |
| Sensor | ROG Hall sensor with higher magnetic flux tolerance |
| Rapid Trigger | Supported; per-key factory calibration and logging |
| Polling Rate | Up to 8000 Hz in wired and SpeedNova 8K wireless |
| Connectivity | Tri-mode: ROG SpeedNova 8K wireless, USB wired, Bluetooth (up to 5 devices) |
| Display | 1.47-inch full-color OLED touchscreen |
| Controls | Three-way knob for quick setting cycles and on-board adjustments |
| Mounting | Gasket mount, adjustable softness via dampening swaps |
| Acoustic Stack | Six layers: 4x PORON, 1x IXPE pad, 1x silicone pad |
| Keycap Options | Standard sets; optional translucent ROG-marked caps |
| Top Cover | Metal finish |
