Best external graphics cards

External graphics solutions have become very popular in recent years, as they offer the possibility of enjoying great graphics processing performance on laptops and mini PCs. In this article we will tell you about the best chassis models to use. external graphics cards, with this you are sure to be right with the purchase of your new unit.

Index of contents

In addition, we must bear in mind that some of the models are not only a simple empty box, but also have the graphics card installed inside.

Before starting with the list of models, let's see what we should take into account when choosing the ideal model for us, and the most important characteristics of them.

What is an external graphics card

The first thing we should know is what an eGPU or external graphics card is, because it is not simply a graphics card that can work outside of our equipment. An eGPU is the set of hardware formed by a normal and current graphics card, of these that connect to the PCI-Express port and a power supply to power the graphics card itself. All this in turn will go into a dock or box as if it were a desktop computer.

Basically the dock will have a piece of motherboard with a PCI-Express slot and the necessary components to be able to communicate with our computer. Although of course, instead of having the typical front side bus where the data travels to the CPU, in this case we will have an interface wired to a port on the laptop.

This dock in turn will have implemented the necessary connections to give electricity to the power supply and to connect it to a computer, normally it will be through the USB Type-C connector with Thunderbolt 3 technology that we will now see later.

In most cases this dock will need these two connections in order to work, since the laptop port will not be able to send enough power to run the set, and the battery will also run out quickly.

How an eGPU works

So at the moment in which we connect this dock to both the power and the port of our laptop, the information and graphic instructions automatically pass to the eGPU station, and thus free our laptop from the graphic processes that until now were being handled by the CPU and its internal graphics chip, either AMD's or Intel's.

Of course, the laptop will need to have a port that is compatible with the eGPU connection technology, otherwise it just won't work. This is precisely a great impediment to using eGPUs on older laptops, since they do not have the Thunderbolt 3 interface under a USB-C.

We already know how it works, but we will still be thinking, are we really going to get graphics performance the same as if we were on a desktop PC? And the answer is simple, it will not be the same. Despite the fact that the Thunderbolt 3 port is capable of reaching no less than 40 Gbps or 80 Gbps if we were to use 2 of them simultaneously, a PCI-Express 3.0 16x slot is capable of reaching a transfer of 16 GBps, which translated into Gb would be 118Gbps, much more than a USB-C port with Thunderbolt.

But hey, we should not be too alarmed because for now it is something insurmountable and it will not be too great a power loss if you have a mid-range graphics such as an RX 580 or a GTX 1070. In this case we would be losing around a 15% compared to a desktop pc. If we raise the level to an RTX 2080 or a Vega 64, we would already be losing a lot more, because the memory bus width and the processing capacity of these graphics cards is much higher than the mid-range ones. In some cases like the Asus dock, they have a second USB cable to make this bottleneck almost solved.

Here we see some comparisons between the performance of graphics cards within a desktop PC and an eGPU from the guys at egpu.io:

Source: egpu.io

Source: egpu.io

Source: egpu.io

Connections from an external graphics card

The current eGPUs have the Thunderbolt connection interface from Intel in its version 3. It is the fastest port that currently exists in a laptop, reaching a speed of 40 Gbps in a single connection, also implementing DisplayPort video for screens up to 5K.

In addition, it provides an extra power of 100W to the devices that are connected to them, something that would be very interesting for external hard drives, and other elements that until now needed a power connection. The Thunderbolt 3 interface is in most cases linked to a USB 3.1 Type-C port, which are typical of today's Max-Q design notebooks.

Another interesting aspect of this port is that in most laptops that come with it, it is used for charging, that is, if we connect our GPU here, we would also be charging our laptop simultaneously.

But not only will we have this connection, the manufacturers take the opportunity to introduce other types of ports such as Gigabit Ethernet or USB 3.0 because we are losing part of the connectivity of our laptop. In these ports we can connect mice and keyboards without any problem, although they will also take part of the USB bandwidth for your data.

Compatibility is something to keep in mind

We are not all eGPUs for all laptops, and this is something that we must know perfectly before comparing one of these graphics devices. The good thing is that for example Windows 10 does have very good compatibility for this type of hardware, and also MacOS X for the AMD RX 560, 570 and 580 graphics cards . It should be said that the most frequently used laptops together with eGPU are precisely the Mac Book and the MaxQ, due to their limited expansion possibilities due to their size.

The fact of having a port with Thunderbolt 3 does not assure you maximum compatibility with an eGPU, since this port must also have power capacity in it, that is, that the laptop is charged here. In some cases of notebooks that need all the power of the available Thunderbolt, the equipment's processing capacity may be limited, because the PSU does not have enough power assigned for the load.

The cable is also important, since for the best possible performance and best data connection, the length of the cable cannot be more than 50 cm. So the eGPU box will always have to be very close to our requirements. Of course the Thunderbolt 3 firmware must be installed on the computer and properly updated in its latest version. In any case, the version of this firmware must be at least 16.

Having this firmware version, we will already have a suitable laptop for an eGPU. The graphics cards of Nvidia and AMD also have the necessary compatibility for eGPUs through Optimus and Xconnect respectively. Although it is not yet fully optimized. With these two solutions from the manufacturers of graphics cards, the graphics power will be redirected to the screen that is connected to them, in our case that of the laptop itself.

In previous versions of GPU cases, there was a firmware error in the H2D or Host to Device connection. This error caused the connection bandwidth to be limited to only 1000 MBps. Currently, all manufacturers have resolved this limitation, and in almost no case will it be a problem to consider when purchasing equipment.

Also laptops that have an 8th generation CPU will have this better optimized interface, since the processor has a very low consumption and greater processing capacity.

How much money would we be talking about

After having read about the operation and the elements that we have in an eGPU, now it is time to see a bit of the budget that would be necessary to assemble the set.

At this point we will have to consider two groups of eGPUs, those that come with a graphics card included, which will normally be a mid / high range. In this case, normal they are a little cheaper than those that come only from the dock and we have to mount the card separately, yes, in the latter we will have a dock with greater capacity and compatibility, and usually a better power supply prepared for, any graphics card.

An eGPU like the Gigabyte AORUS with a GTX 1070 costs around 550 dollars, which is not bad, considering that only the GTX 1070 would cost 390 euros. That is, per box and the power supply we are paying about 200 euros more, which is normal.

If instead we are thinking of buying an empty dock for us to acquire a separate graphics card, we would be talking about a cost of only the dock of between 200 euros and 400, according to quality, compatibility, manufacturer and performance. To this of course we must add the additional cost of a graphics card. A team with a Razer Core X dock of 300 euros next to a Radeon Vega 64 would be costing us about 800 euros. Without a doubt they are quite high costs, higher of course than when we only buy a graphics card for our desktop computer.

At this point we would have to assess how much a laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 interface compatible with the eGPU that we want to buy would cost us. If the set comes out for a higher price than a gaming laptop, obviously one of these would be more advantageous than the portable-eGPU set. Although it is also very true that laptops with a good GPU for gaming are quite expensive, easily exceeding 2000 euros.

Everything will depend on our budget and what we are going to find in the market. With this guide you can at least get an idea of ​​how much one of the best eGPUs on the market can cost you.

What we must take into account to choose our eGPU

We already know well how an eGPU works, what connections they have and how they work. Now it's time to see what suits each of us, since there are eGPUs of all kinds on the market.

One thing we should be aware of is what kind of extra connections the dock has. There are some that have up to 4 USB ports, and others that only have Thunderbolt 3 for graphics connection. Depending on whether we want a box that does exclusively if it works or another that has better connectivity possibilities, we will see it passed on in our pocket.

It will also be important to see if the box that we are going to check is going to offer us the power of 100W through this connection port. Something that will be very important for laptops that base their battery charge on this port. In this regard, yes we should choose an eGPU that provides the necessary power for our laptop by Thunderbolt, otherwise the processing performance will be reduced.

The power of the power supply included in the dock will also be quite important. In all cases the manufacturer will specify how much this is, as well as the recommended cards to install them. In current technology, it is not that there are graphics cards with too large consumptions, since an Asus GTX 1080 can consume about 350 or 400 W at most. In any case, a dock with a source of at least 500W should not be a problem to connect any graphics card we want.

Finally, we must keep in mind the size of the box to install the eGPU. If we are clear about what graph we want to buy, we must know the dock measurements. Of course each manufacturer will provide us with this information so that we know if a graphics card will fit there or not. There are some adapted to all types of cards, in which case we will have a fairly large chassis, and in other cases they are smaller and oriented to the ITX type card.

The bigger the size, the less mobility capacity we will have and it is something to take into account, since this equipment in 99% of cases will be used for laptops. Also, do not close yourself in wanting to buy a graphics card with a huge size, since almost all manufacturers have a version of them in ITX that offer practically the same benefits as a larger one.

When are we interested in having an external graphics card?

Well, seen the seen, we could make a short summary of the most important things about an eGPU:

• They are boxes that are almost always large and in need of connection to the electrical network, so the portable capacity will be quite limited. They are also expensive equipment, some come with built-in cards and others without them. We must have a team with Thunderbolt 3. look at the connection ports of the eGPU and if it gives the 100 W regulation for our laptop. We must always keep in mind the compatibility and size of the graphics card that we want to buy.

That said, an eGPU is going to come in handy when we have a laptop new enough to implement Thunderbolt. In addition, this laptop that we have will not have a dedicated GPU, otherwise there would be no point in purchasing one of these devices. We should always look at whether our team brings the Nvidia or Radeon logo indicating that it has dedicated graphics. Of course if we do not have a desktop computer and we want to play with our laptop, this will be the appropriate option if we do not have a gaming laptop.

We must assess how much the portable-dock-GPU set would cost us compared to a gaming notebook. Be careful because gaming laptops will bring dedicated graphics cards that will perform as well as an eGPU and even more, when connected directly to our motherboard. In addition, in the current era all these gaming laptops will bring the latest technology card such as the RTX or the RX Vega, yes, one of these will cost us almost in any case more than 2000 euros.

Also take into account what we have said about the reduction in graphics performance. An eGPU is not going to offer the same performance as a card connected to a desktop PC, ever, and we have seen it in the screenshots we have above. The more powerful the graphics that we buy, the more average performance we will lose, although of course we will have greater graphic power.

Without further delay, it is time to go see the best we have chosen to be on this list of the best external graphics cards or eGPUs on the market. We will differentiate between those that have a graphics card and those that come empty.

Best external graphics cards on the market with built-in GPU

First, let's look at the eGPUs that come with a built-in graphics card. Obviously these teams will have a higher cost than empty boxes, but in most cases we will save more than buying both teams separately. In addition, some of them will also have the possibility of buying them without the card if we prefer. In most cases, we will have several configuration options, depending on what our graphic requirements are. We will have available both models with high-end and medium graphics, which will be able to provide us with good performance in games in both full HD and 2K if we disable some demanding filters, such as the mid-range model.

Model	GPU format	Weight	PSU	GPUs Installed	Connectivity
Gigabyte AORUS Gaming Box	Mini ITX	2.4 Kg	450W	RX 580GTX 1070GTX 1080	Thunderbolt 3 Charge 100 W4 USB 3.0
Sonet Breakaway Puck	Ultra compact	1.88 Kg	160 W220W	RX 560RX 570	Thunderbolt 3 Load 45 W

Gigabyte AORUS Gaming Box

Gigabyte GV-N1070IXEB-8GD - Graphics card, Color Black

• Built-in Geparace GTX 1070 enables graphics-intensive vr experience and gaming Thunderbolt 3 plug and play Easy to transport with portable size

314.00 EUR Buy on Amazon

The AORUS Gaming Box is an eGPU chassis that incorporates up to three different graphics card models, all of them in ITX size, since the dimensions of the box are 211x162x96 mm and its weight is 2378 grams, making it very compact and easy to drive. It really is one of the best acquisitions that we can make in mind to eGPU is concerned.

The design is very careful and the quality of the materials prevails, since this box is entirely made of metal with a huge AORUS logo on its front. In addition, its lateral area has a metal mesh configuration that allows a large amount of air to pass into it. In addition, it has in the lower area with Gigabyte RGB Fusion LED lighting perfectly manageable through the brand's AuraSync software.

Another stable feature of this eGPU is that the graphics cards it equips already have a custom heatsink with an extra fan to optimize the performance of the dock and the graphics card. Using the brand's software, we can modify both the operating profile and overclocking the GPU, so the customization possibilities are almost the same as a card installed in a normal PCI-Express slot.

For all three cases, the AORUS gaming Box installs a 450W power supply that is capable of giving the full 100W through the connection interface with the laptop. Regarding connectivity, it is also identical in all three configurations, we have the Thunderbolt 3 port with a 50 cm cable included, 3 USB 3.0 plus a special fast charging one and the power plug for the power supply.

In all the configurations that we will see, the pack that we acquire contains:

• Dock + AORUS Gaming Box graphics card. 50 cm Thunderbolt 3 cable. Power cord. A carrying bag. Manual and controller CD.

We now turn to see the three corresponding graphics card configurations.

Gigabyte RX 580 Gaming Box. The built-in radeon rx 580 8g graphics card enables intensive graphics gaming; Thunderbolt 3 plug and play 361, 14 EUR

Configuration with Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 8G mini ITX graphics card. 1355 Mhz GPU in factory overclock mode, with 8 GB of 8000 MHz GDDR5 memory and capacity for four screens. Ability to play content in 8K (7680x4320p) to get a good performance in games at Full HD and 2K resolutions if we disable some filters and graphics quality options. The graphics card connections will be: 3 DisplayPort and 1 HDMI.

Gigabyte GV-N1070IXEB-8GD - Graphics Card, Black Color The built-in Geparace GTX 1070 enables a vr experience and graphics intensive gaming 314.00 EUR

Configuration with Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 mini ITX OC 8G graphics card. GPU up to 1746 MHz in overclock mode with 1556 MHz base clock. 8 GB of GDDR5 memory at 8008 MHz and also the capacity to play content in 8K and connectivity for 4 screens. In this case we have two DVI-D connections, 1 DisplayPort and 1 HDMI. Basket version outperforms the RX580 as we all know.

Gigabyte AORUS GTX 1080 Gaming Box GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5X - Graphics card (GeForce GTX 1080, 8GB, GDDR5X, 10010 MHz, 7680 x 4320 Pixels, PCI Express x16 3.0) AC input: 100-240V ~ / 7- 3.5 A / 60-50 Hz.

And finally the configuration with a Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8G graphics card. This is the most powerful configuration of the three with nothing less than a 1080 that today would obtain a performance similar to an RTX 2070. This version of Gigabyte has a processor capable of reaching up to 1771 MHz in overclock mode from a frequency 1632 MHz base. The memory it mounts is 8 GB GDDR5X at 10000 MHz. The connectivity we have is 3 DisplayPort, 1 HDMI and 1 DVI-D.

• Excellent high-end GPU included. Very portable GPU with very tight measurements. USB hub on the back. LED lighting and custom heatsink.

In our opinion, it is one of the best, best known and most complete options with Mini ITX cards.

Sonnet Breakaway Puck

Sonnet egfx Breakaway Puckegpu laptop for Computers with Door Thunderbolt 3 Radeon RX 560

• Connects a high-performance external GPU to a computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports. Small and very portable (dimensions: 15.24x 13x 5.1cm). Provides 45W of power. Multi-screen base for laptops. Compatible with Windows: compatible with Windows PC with Thunderbolt 3y ports with Windows 10 (64-bit Edition Version 1703 or higher).

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Another of the most attractive portability options available is the Sonnet Breakaway Puck. In this case, we are dealing with an eGPU entirely designed for two specific graphics cards, which are already installed in the dock. An ultra portable container of only 152 mm in length by 130 mm in width and 51 mm in height and weighing only 1.88 Kg. Its design is very similar to mini PCs, and it even has VESA compatibility to be installed behind a monitor.

Of course the connectivity is through the Thunderbolt 3 interface at 40Gbps, having a single connector for the laptop. As for extra connectivity, we only have the graphics card itself, with 3 Display Port 1.4 ports and 1 HDMI 2.0b, both with the capacity to play content in 4K at 60Hz. The power that this eGPU provides to a laptop for its charge is 45W, so be careful with the laptop that each one has, since, if it is through Thunderbolt 3 and with greater power, this eGPU will fall short.

The dock integrates both the GPU and its own cooling system and heatsink, although in this case the power supply has been removed to form part of an adapter like that of a laptop. For the version that has the AMD Radeon RX 560 graphics card we have a 160W adapter, and for the version with the AMD Radeon RX 570 we have an adapter with 220W power. In both cases the laptop charging power is the same, 45W.

Its use is mainly aimed at providing gaming capacity to laptops with Max-Q design with a capacity typical of the mid-range, where playing a game in Full HD will not be a problem and in 2K neither if we lower the graphics a little. As for price, the truth is that it is not a cheap option, although it is the smallest that incorporates two models of mid-range graphics.

Sonnet egfx Breakaway Puckegpu laptop for Computers with Thunderbolt 3 Door Radeon RX 570 Connects a high performance external GPU to a computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports.; Small and very portable (dimensions: 15, 24x 13x 5, 1cm). EUR 362.00

Best external graphics cards on the market without built-in GPU

We now turn to see the eGPUs that are only available empty, so that we can think of the graphics card that we want or that is compatible. In this case, they will be lower cost equipment and with greater compatibility in most cases, with the undeniable advantage that we can choose which graphics card we want to put on it. It will be important to take into account the measurements of the dock and the power supply that is installed.

Model	GPU format	Measurements and Weight	PSU	GPU supported	Connectivity
Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box	ATX (up to 310mm) Double slot	185x340x202 mm3.2 kg	350W, 550W, 650W	GTX 1000Nvidia QuadroAMD RXAMD RX Vega	Thunderbolt 3 Charge 87W
Alienware Graphics Amplifier	ATX Double slot	409x185x172 mm 3.5 Kg	460W	GTX 1000Nvidia QuadroRTX 2000AMD RX / R9	Proprietary 4 USB 3.0
AKiTiO Node	ATX (up to 320mm) Double slot	428x227x145 mm 4.9 kg	400W	GTX 1000Nvidia QuadroRTX 2000AMD RX	Thunderbolt 3
ASUS RoG XG Station 2	ATX Double slot	456x158x278 mm5.1 kg	600W 80 Plus	GTX 900GTX 1000RTX 2000Nvidia QuadroAMD RXAMD RX Vega	Thunderbolt 34 USB 3.01 GbE1 USB Type-B
Razer Core X	ATX Triple slot	168x374x230 mm6.48 kg	650W	GTX 700 / 900GTX 1000Nvidia QuadroAMD R9 / RXAMD RX Vega	Thunderbolt 3
Razer Core V2	ATX Double slot	105x340x218 mm4.93 kg	500W	GTX 700 / 900GTX 1000Nvidia QuadroAMD R9 / RX	Thunderbolt 34 USB 3.01 GbE
HP OMEN Accelerator	ATX Double slot	400x200x200 mm5.5 Kg	500W	GTX 700 / 900GTX 1000Nvidia QuadroAMD R9 / RX	Thunderbolt 34 USB 3.01 USB Type-C1 GbE

Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box

Sonnet Technologies GPU-350W-TB3Z eGFX Breakaway Box - Graphics Card, Black

• The Breakaway 350 box features an internal 8-pin and 6-pin power connector. Up to 300W for the card makes available. In addition, a computer can charge 15W.

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The Sonner eGFX Breakaway Box eGPU is a dock with a configuration very similar to PC chassis. Being compatible with a large number of graphics cards, it does not have a design as personalized as for example the AORUS Gaming Box, although its appearance is quite acceptable with the brand logo on its front and illuminated in LEDs. It has fan holes on its two sides, both for the graphics card and for extra ventilation.

As for the common characteristics of the different models, which basically differs in the power of your PSU, we have compatibility for liquid cooling devices of up to 120 mm, or in your case a 120 mm fan as well. As for connectivity, it will be through a Thunderbolt 3 port on all models and all are perfectly compatible with MacOS and Windows. They do not have extra USB connectors to connect devices.

The dimensions of the dock are 185 mm high, 340 mm long and 202 mm wide, so we are facing a chassis with a width typical of a PC case with capacity for graphics cards up to 310 mm, yes, that are Thunderbolt compatible. On their website you can see all the compatible graphics cards of the different dock models. The empty weight is 3.20 Kg, to this we will have to add the own weight of a graphics card that will be around 1 or 1.5 Kg.

This model has quite a few variants, including docks with integrated graphics cards, the problem is that they are not available for Spain, only for the US, Canada and Mexico. Anyway, we will leave some other link of these complete configurations.

Well, the models we have are 4 different, in which the power of the PSU and the power supplied by the Thunderbolt 3 port basically changes.

Sonnet Technologies GPU-350W-TB3Z eGFX Breakaway Box - Graphics Card, Black The Breakaway 350 box has an internal 8-pin and 6-pin power connector; The up to 300W for the card makes available

GPU-350W-TB3Z: It has a 350W PSU with 8-pin power connector. Supports graphics cards up to 300W and provides a 15W laptop charge. So this box is aimed at notebooks that do not have a charge through Thunderbolt 3, because the power supplied is very small.

No products found.

GPU-350W-TB3DEK: This version with 350W PSU features an 8GB Sapphire Radeon RX 580 inside, and provides 60W of power from the Thunderbolt. The downside is that it is only available for the US, Canada and Mexico.

Sonnet Technologies ECHO-EXP-SE3-T3 Echo Express SEIII Thunderbolt 3 Expansion Chassis Includes two 8-pin (6 + 2-pin) auxiliary power connectors; Supports cards up to 375 W 387.31 EUR

GPU-550W-TB3: Their PSU is 550W and they have two 8-pin power connectors. Supports graphics cards up to 375W with an extra 100W if necessary. The power provided by the Thunderbolt 3 is 87W, so in this case we can connect laptops with power through this interface, which do not need more of this power to function.

No products found.

GPU-650WOC-TB3 - This is the most powerful version with a 650W PSU and two 8-pin connectors. Supports graphics up to 375W with an extra 100W of power. The Thunderbolt interface also provides 87W of power.

• The base version is relatively affordable. Clean and simple design. Compatible with a wide range of GPUs. Various models available. They do not have extra USB connectivity.

eGPU with great compatibility on large graphics cards and at a fairly good price.

Alienware Graphics Amplifier

Alienware 4C06C - Base (Almbrico, Alienware Graphics Port, Alienware, 13 R2, 13 R3, 15 R2, 15 R3, Alpha R2, M17xR2, M17xR3, X51 R3, Alternating current, 460 W)

• 11.6 "1366 x 768 multitouch screen for practice control Intel Celeron N3060 processor (2M cache, up to 2.48 GHz) 4GB memory flash memory and 16GB eMMC360 flip and dual design, Intel HD graphics 400Weight 2.76 pounds and measures 0.8 "thin

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We now turn to see what the Dell subsidiary offers us with its Alienware Graphics Amplifier and its unique design. Before reading any further, we must say that this product will only be compatible with the brand's own laptops, since, instead of having a Thunderbolt 3 port, we find a connector owned by the brand.

Well, this connector is not exactly worse than Thunderbolt 3, and if we have an Alienware laptop, this eGPU dock will not be very convenient. And this is because the interface uses a direct hardware connection using a cable with independent bandwidth and exclusively dedicated to this function. It uses 4 PCIe Gen 3 lanes just like Thunderbolt, but in this case it is a direct band that increases performance to give benefits almost the same as if it were a desktop computer. This is why with a laptop of the same brand and compatible we are taking a leap in performance.

The measures of this dock are 409 x 185 x 172 mm and it has a weight of 3.5 Kg, so we are facing a fairly imposing and large chassis. Of course, the compatibility with all kinds of graphics cards, from the GTX 600 to the new RTX, including the AMD RX and RX Vega, is more than assured, and the limit will be set by the consumption of the graphics card. For more information about compatible graphics cards, visit their official website. The power supply that this dock mounts is 460W, and because it should not power a laptop through its interface, we will have all the power dedicated to the GPU. Of course, we also have up to 4 USB 3.0 ports, which will consume whatever is necessary depending on what devices we connect to them.

The design of this eGPU is undoubtedly the mark of the house, with a very aggressive fin shaped front with the illuminated logo. All connectivity is on the back, and it does not have extra cooling in addition to that brought by the graphics card itself. Of course, ventilation holes we do have in abundance. Finally we must give a review of what equipment is compatible with this eGPU:

• Alienware 13 R1, R2, and R3. Alienware 15 R1, R2, and R3. Alienware 17 R2, R3, and R4.Alienware X51 R3. Alienware Alpha R2.

• Supports a wide variety of GPUs up to the latest RTXs. Large size and good connectivity. Four high speed USB 3.0 ports. Only compatible with Alienware brand equipment. Optimized connection interface. Includes the respective power cables and connection to the PC.

Best external graphics card for a compatible Alienware laptop, maximum performance at the level of a desktop PC.

Akitio Node

AKiTiO Node

• Thunderbolt 3 for fast transfer speed up to 40Gbps 1PCIe (x16) slot supports Full-Length, Full-Height, double-width cards Integrated 400W SFX charger to provide extra power to the GPU PCIe x16 slot that powers up to 75W 4Lane PCI Express Directive 3.0 interface System Requirements (PC) Windows 10 computer with Thunderbolt 3 port Computer must support external GPUs Compatible card list: https://www.akitio.com/information-center/node-gpu-compatibilityakitio Node Thunderbolt 3egpu Box certified for use with GPU Nvidia quadro System Requirements (Mac): Not certified but numerous independent recensioni confirm that the Node works with Mac:

293.11 EUR Buy on Amazon

We are always used to brands like Asus or Gigabyte to talk about computer products. In this case we also have to enter another manufacturer that surely is not too well known, and not for that reason it is bad. AKiTiO although it seems a Messenger Nick in bad taste, it is not, it is a company dedicated almost exclusively to developing and building portable storage elements for GPUs, network devices, desktop devices, etc., and the truth is that they are very good at what they do.

In terms of design, this eGPU dock with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity is not exactly a wonder. It is simply a metal case built around a SECC steel chassis, in true PC chassis style. On the front it has a mesh panel that allows air to pass inside to help cool both the power supply and the graphics card. The same goes for his left side. The measures of this eGPU are 428 mm long by 227 high and 145 wide, and it supports all types of graphics cards up to a size of 320 mm. At least for its transport it has a handle in its front area.

The power supply it installs has a power of 400W, enough for almost all graphics cards on the market today. The problem is that it only provides 15W of power for charging a laptop via the 5V / 3A Thunderbolt 3 interface. The power supply also has a fan with access to the outside to cool the system.

As for connectivity, it does not have USB 3.0 ports, we will only have the connectors of the graphics card that we insert inside. It is compatible with AMD Radeon RX Polaris technology graphics cards, the Nvidia GTX 1000, Nvidia box and the new Nvidia RTX under the Windows platform. In the case of MacOS, it is only compatible with the RX 570, 580 and ProWX 7100 cards. In addition, it is not compatible with the Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti graphics card, although we doubt that such a card will ever be inserted in a dock. On its specifications page you can better see the entire compatibility list.

• It can accommodate GPUs of any size and any technology. Carry handle helps with portability. No USB 3.0 connectors. Includes 50cm Thunderbolt 3 cable and power cable.

It is an affordable and highly compatible eGPU for all types of cards.

Asus RoG XG Station 2

ASUS ROG-XG-Station-2 RJ-45, USB 3.0 Card and Interface Adapter - Accessory (Thunderbolt 3, RJ-45, USB 3.0, Black, 456mm, 158mm, 278mm)

• Asus XG Station ROG 2 Host Interface: Thunderbolt 3 Output Interface: RJ-45: 456mm Wide, USB 3.0. Product color: Black Depth: 158mm Height: 278mm Cables included: Thunderbolt sector

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Asus has also renewed its external graphics card station with this new XG Station 2, one of the most impressive eGPUs with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity in terms of designs that we can find. Of course it is not the cheapest, but you are going to set the style wherever you go.

The brand has renewed this dock to make it one of the best features currently available. Its design is… indescribable, you have to see it to understand it, on all the matt black sides, they are adorned with drawings that simulate an electrical circuit that in turn are ventilation holes to improve the efficiency of the interior elements. In addition, the peculiar central opening allows us to completely expose the installation area of ​​the graphics card for a super simple installation. It also has lighting, although Asus has opted for a red plasma tube that generates a constant tesla ray inside. And how could it be otherwise is to synchronize it with Asus Aura RGB technology with graphics cards of the same brand. In short, a light and sound show.

Leaving the visual aside, the dock has a power supply of no less than 600W with 80 Plus Gold certificate with the capacity to supply 100W of charge in the Thunderbolt 3 connector for laptops. This will allow us to practically install the card we want in terms of power.

Connectivity has also been greatly improved since its previous version, we now have 4 USB 3.0, a Gigabit Ethernet connector and a USB Type-B. But it is not all, because if we connect the Thunderbolt 3 together with the USB Type B the transfer speed in random read doubles and the write speed is 1.8 times higher than the Thunderbolt connection alone. What does this mean? Well, the performance of the eGPU is much better, eliminating the bottleneck.

The measures of this dock are 456 x 158 x 278 mm with a weight of 5.1 Kg, and it is compatible with Nvidia GTX 900, GTX 1000, RTX 2000, AMD Radeon R9, RX and RX Vega graphics cards, that is, everything currently there. It doesn't really specify that it's compatible with Vega and RTX, but it's supposed to be no problem as long as they're dual-slot cards.

• Impressive, personal and original design Compatible with Asus Aura RGB Extremely large GPUDock support for large dimensions and weight Improved performance with USB Type-B 8 Plus Gold Power Supply Includes 50cm Thunderbolt 3 cable, USB Type-B cable and power cable.

Technically, it is one of the most advanced docks on the market.

Razer Core X

Razer Core X - External Graphics Card Case with Thunderbolt 3 for Windows 10 and Mac laptops

• Desktop graphics card support for desktop-level performance Plug and play for maximum comfort Thunderbolt 3 connection for absolute maximum speed Versatile compatibility for thunderbolt 3 laptops; graphics card case for macbook and apple laptops compatible optimal thermale performance thanks to aluminum case and active cooling

322.92 EUR Buy on Amazon

Razer is also part of this select club of high-performance eGPU manufacturers. In this case we have a dock of considerable size, we are talking about 168 mm wide by 374 mm long and 230 mm high, so it exceeds by far a normal ITX box. Its chassis built in aluminum with a built-in power supply, weighs no less than 6.48 Kg, so precisely portable is not too portable either.

Speaking a little more about its design, we have a very clean-looking configuration and without extra connectivity in addition to Thunderbolt 3 and the ports provided by the GPU that we install. It also has abundant ventilation holes and the ability to install cards with liquid cooling of up to 120 mm or, where appropriate, a 120 mm fan in the lower area. Supports full-length cards up to 3 slots thick, something extremely latest for oversized models.

The power supply installed by this dock is no less than 650W, with capacity for cards up to 500W. It will also provide us with 100W in the Thunderbolt connection for charging compatible laptops from this interface. Officially, it is an eGPU compatible with Razer Blade, Blade Stealth and Blade Pro laptops, although of course we can also connect it to any laptop with Thunderbolt 3 and external graphics support.

Its extensive measurements make it compatible with Nvidia GTX 700, GTX 900, GTX 1000, GTX Titan V and X graphics cards, Nvidia Quadro and AMD RX, R9 and RX Vega cards. We do not have proven compatibility with the new RTXs, although we hope and trust that the manufacturer will also give the go-ahead. Visit their official website and you will know in more detail which cards are compatible.

• Supports the majority of GPUs on the market, up to the RX Vega. It can accommodate triple slot graphics cards. Clean exterior design and large dimensions. Includes 50 cm Thunderbolt 3 cable and power cable.

sizable eGPU supports triple slot graphics.

Razer Core V2

Razer Core Thunderbolt3 Graphics 100Mbit / s Network Card and Adapter Buy on Amazon

Razer has two eGPU chassis to install graphics cards, and the second we see is the Razer Core V2, an evolution, so to speak of the Core X. In this case we have a chassis with a slightly more streamlined appearance, also finished in Black aluminum, although it has RGB Razer Chroma LED lighting in some elements of its architecture such as the front and the graphics card compartment.

It is also a bit more compact in size than the Razer Core X, being external measures 105mm wide, 340mm long and 218mm high. In the interior compartment we have enough space to install graphics cards up to 300 mm long, but in this case with a double slot only, instead of 3.

This eGPU version has a built-in 500W power supply, although in this case the power it supplies to the Thunderbolt 3 connector for charging the laptop is 65W, so we must take this into account if our laptop consumes more energy.. The connectivity has also been improved, and now we have 4 USB 3.0 ports and a Gigabit Ethernet port in the back of the dock, in addition to the own connections that the graphic card that we connect brings.

In this case it supports most of the previous generation graphics cards, that is, AMD Radeon R9, RX and Nvidia GTX 700, GTX 900, GTX 1000, Titan X, Xp and Nvidia Quadro. We have no official information about compatibility with the new RX Vega or RTX GPUs. Visit their official website and you will know in more detail which cards are compatible.

• Supports most previous generation GPUs. Stylish design with RGB lighting and aluminum finish. Includes 50cm Thunderbolt 3 cable and power cord.

More compact size than the Core X and adds more rear connectivity.

HP OMEN Accelerator

HP OMEN GA1-1000ns - Gaming Accelerator (USB-C Thunderbolt 3 Port, 4 USB 3.0 Ports) Color Jet Black

• The OMEN Accelerator offers a desktop PC level boost to the gaming potential of your laptop Thunderbolt 3 certified USB-C connectivity offers gaming power and charges your laptop from a single port With a wide opening allowing access to the card slot graphics, 2.5 "drive bay, and replaceable power supply 500 W AC power supply Connectivity: 3 USB 3.0 (downstream) and 1 headphone jack

Buy on Amazon

It is also worth seeing the product for external graphics cards that HP offers us. The HP OMEN Celebrator is one of the largest docks on the market, with no less than 400 x 200 x 200 mm, that is, it is completely square. The peculiarity of this dock is that its placement is not the typical one supported by a base, but it is placed at a 45-degree angle by means of two lateral supports that make it take up even more space, although with a more original and striking appearance.

The finish of this dock is through a thick plastic cover with a carbon fiber look and a front with the illuminated logo, just like the interior. As we say, the placement is at a 45-degree angle to facilitate air flow throughout the dock.

It has a power supply of 500W of power with 80 Plus Bronze rating so that our graphics card does not lack food at any time. It practically supports all the cards in the GTX range from the 750 to the 1080 Ti model, in addition to the Titan X. As for the compatible AMD chips we have the R9 and RX range, not including the RX Vega. We also have no information about RTX compatibility yet. Visit their official website to see which models are compatible.

The good thing about having space to spare is that we also have the possibility of installing an SSD hard drive inside this dock and a 120mm fan that is already pre-installed or liquid cooling. Connectivity on the back also comes expanded with 4 USB 3.0, 1 USB 3.1 Type-C and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

• Supports most of the previous generation GPUs. Quite large and very well finished dock. Possibility of installing an SSD hard drive. Includes 50 cm Thunderbolt 3 cable and power cable. Also includes a 120 mm fan.

Very complete eGPU in terms of connectivity and performance, although perhaps too large.

HP OMEN GA1-1000ns - Jet Black Color Gaming Accelerator (USB-C Thunderbolt 3 Port, 4 USB 3.0 Ports) + VR Glasses HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset VR1000

Final words on the best external graphics cards

With this we end our complete guide to the best external graphics cards and empty eGPU docks, under our experience and opinion. Of course we will renew this guide every so often to be up to date. The truth is that most of them are quite voluminous teams, and others like Asus have a spectacular design. If you have a MacBook or a Max-Q laptop without a dedicated graphics card, these products are a very good option to configure a high-performance gaming device, although not at precisely a cheap price. What model do you think is better than the ones you've seen? Would you put any other model that has caught your attention?

And of course, we also offer you other of our guides for you to complete your brand new equipment.

As always, we would greatly appreciate it if you shared it on social networks so that this information reaches more people. We also encourage you to leave a comment with your impressions and if it helped you. What model of the ones you have seen seemed better to you? You can ask us in the comment box below or in our hardware forum!