Asus Launches Premium RTX 5080 ProArt with Stylish Wood Texture and M.2 Slot
Asus brings a touch of elegance to its GPU lineup with the new ProArt RTX 50 series , featuring a distinctive brown wood grain finish. This marks the first time Asus has introduced USB-C support on its graphics cards, aiming to boost versatility for creative professionals. Two models in the quartet also include an M.2 slot — a feature that could attract performance-focused users, assuming the price remains reasonable
Among the new Asus ProArt RTX 5080 models, the OC Edition with M.2 SSD slot stands out as the top pick. Close behind is the non-overclocked version with the same feature, followed by the standard OC model and finally the base variant — which still boasts the wood-effect finish and USB-C connectivity.
For those unfamiliar, the RTX 5080 sits among Nvidia’s high-performance GPUs in mid-2025. Asus is offering two reference-spec models and two overclocked variants, though exact clock speeds remain unclear as full specs haven’t yet been published on the official site.
The new Asus ProArt RTX 5080 might look like a rebranded Prime series card at first glance, but it swaps the usual design for a more upscale vibe — complete with a wood-like finish across the top that’s been humorously compared to “a log in your PCIe slot.”
Beyond the aesthetic, the real differences lie in the cooling system and added ports. The card features a compact “2.5-slot small form factor” cooler — not low-profile by any means — measuring close to 300mm in length. It uses a MaxContact base with a vapor chamber and includes a phase-change thermal pad for efficient GPU cooling. Triple-fan design included, of course.
USB-C and M.2 connectivity round out the package, aimed at professionals who need extra versatility without sacrificing performance.
All four new ProArt RTX 5080 models come with USB-C support , a useful addition for connecting to the latest monitors and peripherals. For those opting for the M.2-equipped variants , the slot supports PCIe Gen 5 speeds , ensuring fast storage performance. Thanks to the card’s robust cooling system, even high-temperature SSDs should stay well within safe thermal limits.
Wood finishes are making a comeback in tech , and for some, it’s a nostalgic return. Whether it’s real wood, veneer, or a well-done plastic imitation, the look brings back memories of classic audio gear, old TVs, and retro gaming consoles.
With Asus introducing wood-effect ProArt GPUs , and wood-style PC cases already on the market, the dream of a fully wooden PC is closer than ever. Add in wood-finished keyboards, mice, and even air coolers from brands like DeepCool, and it’s not hard to imagine a rig that looks like it grew from a tree — if motherboard and RAM makers ever jump on board. And really, how hard could it be to build a custom wood-bezel monitor?