Although it may appear unusual, buying a conventional laptop rather than a gaming laptop does not necessary imply that you must give up serious gaming. You may now enjoy the benefits of desktop graphics on your notebook thanks to external GPUs. Best eGPU just require a Thunderbolt 3 connection, which handles all traffic and communication between the two devices.
Finding the best eGPU may be difficult due to the fact that this is a relatively new type of technology, and without any prior experience. It should, however, be possible with a few instructions and tips.
Best eGPU External Graphics Cards
Razer Core X Chroma
The Razer Core X Chroma is one of the best eGPU enclosures available, combining outstanding connection, high PSU power, and great GPU compatibility (it can board a triple-wide PCIe GPU).
The chassis is outfitted with Razer Chroma RGB lighting, which ensures a visually pleasant experience while also providing good airflow design, and is supported by a 120mm fan, which effectively reduces heat accumulation.
With four USB3.0 connections and one Thunderbolt 3 port for connecting to a laptop, this gadget provides excellent connectivity. There is also one GbE port and one Ethernet port, which are responsible for quicker downloads and lower latency. This Best eGPU comes with a 700W power supply, which is sufficient for charging a 100W laptop as well as roughly 500W for powering graphics cards.
The Razer Core X Chroma can be used as both an external GPU chassis and a dock (for attaching your peripherals, such as a mouse or keyboard), and it is a wonderful alternative for laptop owners who want to get the most out of their gaming experience.
PowerColor Mini Pro RX570 8GB eGPU Thunderbolt3
The PowerColor Mini Pro RX570 8GB eGPU, as you might have guessed from the “Thunderbolt3” designation, is a high-end external GPU intended particularly for Apple customers. So, if you have an older MacBook or any other model that you aren’t ready to throw away, this 8GB external GPU would be a terrific pick if you’re into gaming, assuming such a thing exists in the Apple universe. The GPU’s AMD Radeon RX570 8GB graphics take care of gameplay, and communication is handled via 2x USB-A 3.0 & 1 Gigabit Ethernet LAN port2 USB-A 3.0 & 1 Gigabit Ethernet LAN port 2 USB-A 3.0 ports and 1 Gigabit Ethernet LAN port
Essentially, this PowerColor GPU will function on any MacBook, Mac, or Mac Mini running Mac OS High Sierra 10.13.4 or later and a Thunderbolt 3 connector. And, of course, if you can stomach the price tag, which is, let’s say, reasonable for an AMD Radeon RX570.
GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3090 Gaming Box eGPU
The GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3090 Gaming Box is an amazing, high-performance eGPU that provides nothing less than a premium gaming experience thanks to its top-of-the-line RTX 3090 graphics card, which has 10496 CUDA Cores and 24GB of GDDR6 RAM. Simply said, this is a device with an excellent cooling capability that features WATERFORCE cooling with a 240 mm aluminum radiator and two 120 mm fans that keep the RTX 3090 temperatures under control while operating silently.
The GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3090 Gaming Box eGPU comes with a slew of connectivity options, including three DP, two HDMI ports, a Gigabit Ethernet connector, and two USB 3.0 Type-A ports. There is also a USB 2.0 port and a Thunderbolt 3 port, providing more than adequate communication options. This Best eGPU weighs 3925 grams and comes with a 550W 80 Plus Gold rated power supply, ensuring dependable performance. In other words, the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3090 Gaming Box eGPU has everything that the best eGPU should have: it is quick, quiet, and incredibly easy to use, as should be the case with a premium product like this one.
Akitio Node
Akitio Node is one of those external GPU chassis that provide good compatibility and performance at a reasonable price. This device lacks advanced capabilities and offers only the most basic settings. There is a Thunderbolt 3 port, as well as an integrated 400W power supply and enough room for a full-length, double-width card.There is also a solid cooling system, which includes a very loud 92mm front fan and a useful grip that adds to the device’s overall portability and usability.
The Akitio Node is made entirely of aluminum and comes with a two-year warranty, but more significantly, it is simple to use and install. However, it is a little bulky, and its front panel is made of a material that is prone to mechanical damage, but these are minor quibbles when viewed in context. Overall, this is a good external GPU enclosure that will do the job, but it is not the best eGPU due to its restricted capabilities and overall performance.
Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550W
It is difficult to find a high-quality external GPU enclosure that provides enough cooling and performance at a reasonable price. They do, however, exist, and one such product is the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550W. As the name implies, this gadget comes with a 550W power supply that gives up to 375W for GPU powering and up to 87W for laptop charging. This Best eGPU also supports full-length, double-width PCIe cards and has excellent cooling management, thanks to a 120mm fan and a good air-flow design. Furthermore, its design allows for the installation of a 120mm liquid cooling system, which will provide even greater cooling effects and will undoubtedly be welcomed by overclocking enthusiasts.
Its performance is rather quiet, with noise levels ranging from 6.9 to 16 dB, and its connectivity is limited to Thunderbolt 3. In other words, when compared to the competition, the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550W does not provide anything showy or super-cool. However, if you want a nice balance of cooling, performance, and pricing, this is the best external GPU available.
Razer Core X
The Razer Core X is a reasonably priced GPU enclosure with a high-quality aluminum design and outstanding compatibility with the vast majority of contemporary graphics cards. This is a fairly large ATX box that can support triple-slot GPUs, providing the user a wide range of possibilities. It is compatible with both Mac and Windows/run PCs and laptops; however, when linked with Macs, it does not support Nvidia cards, although AMD cards operate without issue.
The Razer Core X has a 700W power supply and maximum GPU power support of up to 500W. Its design is straightforward and straightforward, but its weight of 6.5 kg makes it less user-friendly in terms of portability. Unfortunately, its connectivity is limited to a single Thunderbolt 3 port, which does an excellent job of connecting to PCs and laptops; however, more connection types would be greatly appreciated.
Overall, the Razer Core X is a simple and easy-to-use GPU enclosure that offers amazing value for money and is one of the best eGPU enclosures on the market, if not the best one you can buy for your money.
Gigabyte AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box
The Gigabyte AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box is a fantastic, high-performance external GPU that delivers great gaming in a portable design. This card meets all high-end gaming demands and more thanks to its high-quality components, which include an Aorus RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB GDDR6 graphics card, fully customizable RGB fusion 2.0 lighting, and excellent connectivity, which includes one Thunderbolt port, three USB3.0 ports, two HDMI ports, one DP port, and two DVI ports.
In other words, this is a portable gaming masterpiece that only needs to be plugged into your laptop or PC to work its magic – you will be able to play the most recent titles at the highest possible settings. This card, however, is also equipped with a WATERFORCE AIO cooling system, which provides not just good temperatures but also silent operation. Simply put, the Gigabyte AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box is a beast in the portable graphics card world, and because of its lightweight design (it weighs 2kg), ease of use, and solid, built-in 450W PSU, it provides excellent value for money and is the best external graphics card that you can buy for your money.
Alienware Graphics Amplifier (9R7XN)
The Alienware Graphics Amplifier (9R7XN) is a reasonably cost, slick-looking GPU container that provides good connectivity and durability but can only be coupled with a limited number of devices, specifically Alienware laptops. This is a huge device, weighing 3.5 kg, with a very stable structure that should protect it from physical damage.
The Alienware Graphics Amplifier (9R7XN) has a 460W power supply and works with both AMD and Nvidia GPUs (as long as their power consumption does not exceed 375W). This enclosure can house a single or twin wide PCI Express x16 graphics card and has four USB3.0 ports for additional connection.
However, as previously stated, the Alienware Graphics Amplifier (9R7XN) is only compatible with Alienware laptops, owing to the fact that each of its connections is made via the unique PCIe connector, rather than a standard Thunderbolt port. The connection type, which ostensibly allows for greater data transfer speeds, ultimately limits its utility. In other words, if you already possess an Alienware notebook, this is a superb GPU enclosure with amazing appearance, strong adaptability, and overall solid value for money.
Sonnet Best eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT
If you’re looking for a reliable entry-level eGPU for your Mac with Intel’s integrated graphics, the Sonnet Best eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT is the right choice. It is inexpensive, compact, portable, and, most importantly, it accomplishes the job. No, you won’t be able to play triple-A titles with the greatest specifications; but, you will have more than enough firepower to have a more than satisfactory gaming experience. You will be able to reproduce images on up to three 4K screens and even a 6K Apple Pro Display XDR.
More importantly, you will get three devices in one, with the Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT acting as a GPU, charging station, and dock all in one. Furthermore, you will have two USB ports, one DisplayPort, and one HDMI 2.0 port for communication. Furthermore, you will have two Thunderbolt 3 connections as well as the capacity to charge a laptop with up to 60W of power.
In general, the Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT offers a solid combination of price, performance, and connectivity, which may not be sufficient for high-end gaming; however, for mainstream users and casual gamers, this is more than a solid option and one of the best values for money for eGPUs available.
How to Choose the Best eGPU
As previously stated, locating the best eGPU might be a difficult task, especially if you have never used this type of device before. Nonetheless, there are a few qualities that make the most difference and help you to select which gadgets to avoid and which to really examine, and they are as follows:
Supported Card Size
The last thing you want is to buy an expensive external GPU container just to discover that your intended GPU will not fit inside. As a result, before making a purchase, conduct extensive research and locate an enclosure that can hold the needed card.
PSU Wattage
With a higher PSU wattage, your enclosure will be able to offer more power to both your notebook and the card.
In other words, a low power wattage may prevent you from using a specific card or notebook. As a result, aim for the highest possible number.
Cooling solution
When it comes to external graphics card enclosures, one of the most crucial factors to consider is cooling, especially if you are into overclocking. As a result, choose for machines that have huge fans or support the installation of liquid cooling. You will both safeguard your gear and save yourself a lot of grief this way.
Connectivity
More connectivity leads to greater versatility, which is always a good thing regardless of the type of gadget. As a result, having a choice of different connection options is something you should absolutely consider.
Conclusion
Consider acquiring an Best eGPU if you want to improve your laptop gaming experience. We’ve given you our recommendations for the greatest ones on the market right now, and it’s up to you to find the one that’s right for you. Good luck and have a good time!