If you’re transferring large amounts of data over a network, fast connections are practically a must. This is precisely where the ASUS ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 shines. The switch from ASUS features eight RJ45 ports, each with a speed of 2.5 Gbit/s, as well as two additional 10 Gbit/s SFP+ ports. In terms of use cases, this includes creative applications in particular, such as fast access to NAS systems, editing large video and photo files, or transferring data between multiple workstations. Visually, ASUS has once again drawn inspiration from the ProArt line and is positioning the switch primarily for creative professionals and business users.
In today’s review, we’ll take a closer look at the switch. Can the PQG-U1080 deliver on its technical specifications in everyday use?
Technical Specifications
| Model | ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 |
| Color | Black |
| Ports | 8× 2.5 Gbit/s RJ45 Ethernet ports, 2× 10 Gbit/s SFP+ fiber ports |
| MAC Address Table | 16K entries |
| Packet buffer | 8 Mbit |
| Jumbo frames | up to 10 KB |
| Forwarding rate | 59.52 Mpps (for 64-byte packets) |
| LED Indicator | Power and port LEDs |
| Power supply (power adapter) | 12 V / 1 A |
| Product weight | 260 g |
| Product Dimensions (L x W x H) | 180 x 89.5 x 26 mm |
| Price | € 133.00 * |
Package Contents
- Switch, power supply, and two plug adapters included
- Cable ties included for convenient cable management
The contents of the ASUS ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 package are fairly standard. In addition to the switch itself, the package includes the corresponding power adapter, which comes with two different plug types. For initial setup, ASUS includes the usual quick start guide and a warranty card. Using the cable tie included in the package, the power cable can also be flexibly bundled or secured depending on the location.
Design & Build Quality
- Black ProArt design with gold accents
- Compact, lightweight, and cleanly crafted
- Plastic housing instead of a high-quality metal design
ASUS sticks with the ProArt look and focuses on understated elegance. Consequently, the PQG-U1080 comes in a black case without any flashy gaming or RGB accents. Only the ribbed front panel gives the switch a sophisticated look, while the ProArt logo shines in a striking gold finish. This makes it particularly well-suited for a professional setting. Measuring 180 × 89.5 × 26 mm, it is among the more compact models and should fit on a desk or in a network rack without any major issues. As a result, the ASUS ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 focuses less on a striking appearance and more on a stylish design that meets professional standards—it’s easy to see that performance takes precedence over mere aesthetics here.
Considering the price, the build quality is decent. While it’s kept fairly functional given the thoroughly professional design, the case feels sturdy and was manufactured with precision. We didn’t notice any sharp edges or uneven gaps on our test unit. In addition, at around 260 grams, the switch remains pleasantly lightweight and easy to handle. In this price range, however, a more durable metal case would have been desirable—as is often found, for example, in enterprise-grade devices.
Ports & Connectivity
- 8× 2.5 Gbit/s RJ45 and 2× 10 Gbit/s SFP+ ports
- Flexible SFP+ uplinks for NAS or additional switches
- Status LEDs have a dedicated switch for deactivation
All ports on the ASUS ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 are located on the long side. The ports are clearly separated from one another, so that—viewed from the left—the power supply connector, the eight RJ45 ports, and, to the right of those, the two SFP+ fiber ports are located. A handy feature is that there is a separate white status LED under each port, which can all be turned off together using a switch on the side of the switch. For the power supply, ASUS uses a 12 V, 1 A configuration, which generates hardly any noticeable heat.
Looking at the RJ45 ports, you’ll notice that they offer three different speed modes. These range from 100 Mbit/s and can be increased to 1 Gbit/s or 2.5 Gbit/s. Meanwhile, the two SFP+ ports on the right side are specified for 10 Gbit/s—but also support 2.5 Gbit/s and 1 Gbit/s as options. Under the hood, the MaxLinear MxL86282C serves as the central switch chip. A comparison with the features of standard 8- or 10-port switches shows that these usually either lack an SFP+ port or have RJ45 ports that only support speeds of 1 Gbit/s. Accordingly, the feature set is impressive in terms of connectivity.
Now, however, the question arises: what is this combination of multiple RJ45 and SFP+ ports actually intended for? Simply put, the SFP+ ports are intended as uplinks—whether between multiple switches or for connecting a NAS—to take advantage of speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s. Provided, of course, that the connected device also supports such data transfer speeds.
Real-world test: How does the switch perform in everyday use?
- Plug-and-play without configuration thanks to unmanaged operation
- No LED indicator for the negotiated connection speed
- Energy-efficient, silent, and reliable in continuous operation
Plug and Play!
In practice, the ASUS ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 proves to be straightforward. Since it’s an unmanaged switch, no configuration is required at all. This means: connect your devices, turn on the switch, and you’re done! The flexible mounting options are also convenient. In addition to the classic placement on a desk, the ASUS ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 can also be magnetically attached to metal surfaces or secured in suitable locations using the included cable tie. There are already corresponding cutouts on the back for mounts.
Despite its simple plug-and-play approach, the PQG-U1080 isn’t entirely basic when it comes to features. It supports jumbo frames up to 10 KB, flow control, and Energy Efficient Ethernet. Another nice feature is the integrated loop detection, which indicates a network loop via the status LEDs.
White LEDs without speed indicators
As expected, ASUS is quite restrained when it comes to the LEDs. The indicators merely show whether a connection is active (white light) and whether data is currently being transmitted (blinking light). Given the price range, however, it would have been desirable to have an indicator showing the actual negotiated speed, especially with a mix of 2.5 Gbit and 10 Gbit/s connections. For the average user who simply wants a functioning network infrastructure, however, this point is unlikely to be a major drawback.
Power Consumption
In terms of power consumption, however, the ASUS ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 performs well. At idle, it draws about 2 watts. With multiple devices transmitting at varying speeds via the RJ45 ports, power consumption increases only slightly. In our everyday testing, it stabilized at around 5 watts. Additionally, thanks to passive cooling, the switch runs completely silently, and even after extended use, heat generation remains moderate.
Other Impressions
During the testing period, the switch operated stably and without any glitches in real-world use. Even the combination of modern 2.5 Gbps devices and older Gigabit components proved to be problem-free. Furthermore, data could be transferred to and from the NAS at high speeds without any noticeable performance drops. In short, the switch meets the expectations one has for a desktop switch: plug it in, forget about it, and be confident that the network will function reliably.
Conclusion
The ASUS ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 impressed in testing with its combination of eight 2.5 Gbps RJ45 ports and two 10 Gbps SFP+ ports. This works not only on paper but also in practice: it enables a quick NAS setup and ensures that fast workstations run smoothly.
Of course, the quick setup thanks to the plug-and-play principle is a delight, and as a long-term workhorse, it operates quite energy-efficiently and remains nice and quiet thanks to passive cooling. While these aren’t unique selling points, anyone who’s ever bought cheap switches has likely already experienced those annoying dropouts. Stability is definitely a given here, as a reboot wasn’t necessary at all during the several-week test run. Other useful features include jumbo frames, flow control, and loop detection with LED indicators that serve as a guide.
Naturally, there are also some points of criticism. The price seems high for what is “merely” an unmanaged switch, but it’s at least understandable. ASUS is clearly capitalizing on the brand’s proven reputation here, while similar models from lesser-known manufacturers are often available at lower prices. Points are also deducted for the materials used—specifically the plastic housing—and for the status LEDs, which only indicate activity but do not provide a clear breakdown of speed.
In short: Anyone looking for a customizable switch would be better off looking elsewhere. However, anyone who values a reliable and quiet companion—one that can be attached to a desk or table leg using magnets, among other methods, and prefers no flashing signals—will be pleased with the ASUS ProArt Switch PQG-U1080.
PROS
- High transfer performance
- Stable and reliable operation
- Low power consumption
- Plug-and-play unmanaged operation
- Magnetic mounting option
CONS
- Relatively high price
- Plastic housing instead of metal
- LEDs don't indicate link speed
Conclusion
The Asus ProArt Switch PQG-U1080 delivers impressive performance with eight 2.5 Gbps ports and two 10 Gbps SFP+ connections for fast data transfer. Ideal for creatives and small offices moving large files.
