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| Asus offers the ROG Zephyrus G14 GU405 with up to a GeForce RTX 5080 GPU. |
Asus has officially begun selling the next-generation ROG Zephyrus G14, now powered by Intel’s latest Panther Lake architecture. The new model, designated GU405, was first unveiled at CES 2026 in January and is now hitting retail shelves, effectively replacing last year’s premium GA403 series.
The 2026 refresh arrives alongside updated editions of the GA403 and a revamped ROG Zephyrus G16, but it’s the GU405 that’s capturing attention with its significant performance upgrades—particularly in GPU power delivery. While the graphics silicon remains within the RTX 50-series family, Asus has unlocked substantially higher thermal envelopes, resulting in a tangible performance boost over its predecessor.
For those interested in the full technical breakdown, you can view the official specifications on Asus’s UK product page here .
Pricing and Configurations
The new ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) is currently available in three distinct configurations in the UK, all powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor. Pricing reflects the premium positioning of the lineup, with the previous-generation GA403 model still listed at approximately $3,298 on Amazon as a point of comparison.
| Configuration | UK Price (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD | £2,899 (~$3,195) |
| Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD | £3,099 (~$3,415) |
| Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD | £3,699 (~$4,077) |
As confirmed in early reporting by LaptopsCheck , the UK pricing reflects a noticeable uplift from the 2025 models, attributed to the enhanced thermal design and newer Intel silicon.
Significant GPU Wattage Increases
One of the most notable upgrades in the GU405 series is the increased total graphics power (TGP) for the discrete GPUs. Although Asus is utilizing the same Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 5070 Ti, and 5080 laptop GPUs found in the 2025 GA403, the new chassis allows for higher sustained wattage, directly translating to improved frame rates and rendering performance.
Here’s how the TGP compares:
- GeForce RTX 5070: Increased from 75W + 15W Dynamic Boost to 90W + 15W Dynamic Boost
- GeForce RTX 5070 Ti: Increased from 85W + 25W Dynamic Boost to 100W + 15W Dynamic Boost
- GeForce RTX 5080: Increased from 85W + 25W Dynamic Boost to 100W + 15W Dynamic Boost
To accommodate the higher power demands, Asus has upgraded the power adapter to a 250W unit—a 50W increase over the 2025 model’s adapter. This ensures the system maintains stable performance under sustained gaming or creative workloads.
Brighter Display and Availability
The 2026 Zephyrus G14 retains the beloved 120Hz OLED panel that made its predecessor a favorite among content creators and gamers alike. However, Asus has pushed the peak brightness to an impressive 1,100 nits, a significant upgrade that enhances HDR content visibility and outdoor usability compared to last year’s panel.
In terms of availability, higher-tier SKUs equipped with the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 are already shipping to customers in the UK. The entry-level RTX 5070 variant is expected to begin shipping on April 13, according to Asus’s distribution timeline.
A detailed breakdown of the launch timeline and regional rollout was first reported by LaptopsCheck earlier this month.
Final Thoughts
With the ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405, Asus has addressed one of the few criticisms leveled against the previous generation: GPU power limitations. By increasing the TGP across the board and pairing it with Intel’s new Panther Lake processors, the company has created a compact 14-inch powerhouse that bridges the gap between ultraportable design and desktop-replacement performance.
Given the premium pricing—particularly in the UK market—the GU405 is positioned squarely at enthusiasts and professionals who demand maximum performance in a highly portable chassis. Early adopters in the UK can now order the RTX 5070 Ti and 5080 models, with broader availability expected later this month.
Stay tuned for in-depth performance benchmarks once review units become available.
