Are you looking to supercharge your laptop’s graphics performance? An eGPU enclosure might be the game-changer you need. It can significantly boost your computer’s graphics performance, whether for gaming, creative work, or data processing.
To help you navigate through the plethora of options, we’ve teamed up with tech enthusiasts and IT specialists to put a variety of eGPU enclosures to the test. Our comprehensive evaluation process honed in on key factors such as
- Power Supply: eGPUs require a stable power supply provided by built-in enclosures, typically offering 300 to 800 Watts to match GPU power requirements.
- Cooling Method: eGPU enclosures feature dedicated cooling systems, either air-cooled or liquid-cooled, to manage heat generated by the GPU without adding bulk to the enclosure.
- Number of Ports: eGPU enclosures include various ports like Thunderbolt and USB for connectivity with laptops or other systems, facilitating multiple connections and easy setup.
We’ve meticulously selected eGPU enclosures that not only boost your device’s graphical capabilities but also stand the test of durability and user-friendliness. For insights into making the right choice for your setup, and to understand the nuances that set our top picks apart, delve into our detailed “Buying Guide”.
Best eGPU Enclosure List
| Best eGPU Enclosure | Power supply | Cooling method | No. of USB ports | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Razer eGPU Enclosure | 700 Watts | Air | 8 | Check On Amazon |
| Sonnet eGPU Enclosure | 750 Watts | Air (dual fan) | 4 | Check On Amazon |
| Akitio eGPU Enclosure | 650 Watts | Air | 3 | Check On Amazon |
| TREBLEET eGPU Enclosure | 600 Watts | Air | 3 | Check On Amazon |
| Gigabyte eGPU Enclosure | 550 Watts | Liquid | 3 | Check On Amazon |
Best eGPU Enclosure Reviews
1. Razer eGPU Enclosure
The first eGPU enclosure on the list comes from Razer, a brand known for its high-quality hardware components. With a high level of customisation, it ensures the user gets what they want.
The Razer Core X Chroma External GPU Enclosure is tuned to deliver desktop-grade performance. It can be connected to a system enabled with Thunderbolt 3 port. The unit features a 700 Watts PSU, which takes care of the power requirement of the GPU. It also offers 100W charging to the connected laptop while receiving 500 Watts share for the GPU.
The sleek aluminum body is designed to allow efficient air cooling. An external GPU can be installed in the enclosure via a PCIe 3.0 slot. The unit also features 4 USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, to enhance connectivity for other components. The RGB light on the body offers 16.8 million colors which can be controlled via Razer’s Synapse 3 software.
Best Features
- Features a PSU rated for 700 Watts
- 100 watts charging for laptop
- GPU power support of 500 Watts
- Air-cooled unit
- Includes Thunderbolt 3, 4xUSB 2.0, 4xUSB 3.0, PCIe 3.0 slot, and RJ45 port
- Fitted with customizable RGB lights
- Compatible with AMD GPUs
Pros
- The aluminum body has a sturdy construction
- It offers a separate charging dock for devices
- It has efficient power management to make sure the GPU gets the necessary power supply
Cons
- It does not support Nvidia GPUs
2. Sonnet eGPU Enclosure
Sonnet Technologies manufactures expansion products for computer systems. Using its experience in the market, it has developed a product range that offers better functionality.
The Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Box 750ex is suitable for power-hungry GPUs. It features a PSU with a maximum wattage rating of 750 Watts. The boost in power along with GPU acceleration helps improve the system’s overall performance. A Thunderbolt 3 port connects this eGPU with the system to boost the graphics performance.
The x16 PCIe 3.0 slot helps in mourning the GPU in the enclosure. To enhance connectivity, it features 4 USB type-A ports which offer a data transfer rate of 5 Gbps. The wired network connectivity is achieved via an RJ45 Ethernet port. This unit is compatible with a number of GPUs, including AMD Radeon and Nvidia GeForce RTX series and also MAC devices.
Best Features
- Features a PSU rated for 750 Watts
- Air-cooled unit with dual fans
- Includes Thunderbolt 3, 4xUSB type-A, x16 PCIe 3.0 slot, and RJ45 ethernet port
- Compatible with AMD and Nvidia GPUs
Pros
- It is an ideal option for GPUs with high power needs
- It offers support to the MAC devices
- The dual-fan unit has a very silent operation yet effective cooling
Cons
- It does not feature RGB lights
3. Akitio eGPU Enclosure
AKiTiO is one of the leading brands which develops commuting solutions for consumers. By adopting the latest technologies, it focuses on offering high-quality products to users.
The AKiTiO Node Titan eGPU Enclosure is the most affordable option on the list. It features the Thunderbolt 3 port which allows connectivity with other systems. The port allows transfers of graphical data to the system at the rate of 40 Gbps. To fulfill the power requirements of the GPU, it features a PSU rated for 650 Watts. It also offers a separate 85 Watts power supply to charge the connected laptop/notebook.
The size of this enclosure is done by keeping the large-sized GPU in mind. It can thereby fit a double-width GPU easily via PCIe slots. The cooling of this unit is done by a cooling fan which circulates fresh air. It also features 3 USB ports to connect external components to the unit.
Best Features
- Features a PSU rated for 650 Watts
- 85 watts charging for laptop
- Air-cooled unit with a single fan
- Includes Thunderbolt 3, 3xUSB port, and PCIe slot
- Compatible with AMD and Nvidia GPUs
Pros
- This unit is the most affordable option on the list
- It comes with a 3-year warranty
- The built-in hand helps in transporting the unit anywhere
Cons
- It does not feature an RJ45 port for an Ethernet connection
4. TREBLEET eGPU Enclosure
TREBLEET is a synonymous name for performance-tuned hardware components. It has a wider range of products developed for every segment. These products show incredible performance with excellent durability.
The TREBLEET has Aluminum External Graphics Card Dock features a redesigned aluminum chassis. This unit comes equipped with a 600 Watts PSU which delivers the required juice to the GPU. It comes equipped with the Thunderbolt type-C cable to connect this unit to a laptop or notebook. External components can be connected to this unit via USB 3.0 port.
The temperature is controlled via air cooling systems consisting of dua 120mm exhaust fans. The body is large enough to accommodate a full-length GPU which can be installed with the PCIe slots. It is thereby compatible with AMD Radeon and Nvidia RTX 3000 series GPU. It also supports RGB light connectivity via the TREBLEET Sync feature.
Best Features
- Features a PSU rated for 600 Watts
- Air-cooled unit with dual 120mm exhaust fans
- Includes Thunderbolt 3 cable, USB 3.0 port, and PCIe slot
- Compatible with RGB lights via TREBLEET AURA Sync
- Compatible with AMD and Nvidia GPUs
Pros
- The aluminum body has a sturdy construction
- The cooling fans are designed under 0 dB technology for silent operations
- It offers efficient cooling even under heavy loading conditions
Cons
- It has only one USB port
5. Gigabyte eGPU Enclosure
Gigabyte offers a huge lineup of hardware components, developed for modern consumers. The products are equipped with innovative features and tested for extreme usage.
The Gigabyte AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box (REV2.0) is the most powerful unit on the list. This unit comes equipped with the RTX 3080 GPU and a 550 Watt PSU to support this tagline. This GPU enables excellent performance for demanding games and software. To keep the heating of the GPU under control, this unit features an all-in-one water cooling system. The RGB lights are customizable and add extra value to the unit’s aesthetics.
Supporting the Thunderbolt 3 interface, users can simply plug the unit into any system. To enhance connectivity, it also offers a total of 3 USB 3.0 ports. Considering the network-connected games and software, it also has a dedicated Ethernet port. The GPU can easily deliver a maximum resolution of 7680×4320.
Best Features
- Features a PSU rated for 550 Watts
- Includes Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB GPU
- Water-cooled unit with 240mm radiator and dual 120mm fans
- Includes Thunderbolt 3, 3xUSB 3.0, PCIe, and Ethernet port
- Fitted with customizable RGB lights
Pros
- It offers the best performance among all options
- The body design feels modern and sturdy
- It has good GDDR6X memory which runs heavy games and software smoothly
Cons
- This unit is priced higher than other options
Buying Guide For The Best eGPU Enclosure
Graphics cards are important in rendering graphical data like images and videos to display on screens. Having an eGPU enclosure works miracles for the system without needing hard installations. We have already reviewed a detailed list of the best eGPU enclosures. Before moving forward, we advise you to go through this buying guide. It helps in understanding the important parameters related to the eGPU enclosures.
1. Power Supply
Like any other GPU, the eGPU in the enclosure needs juice to operate. The enclosure offers a dedicated power supply unit for the GPU to reduce the system’s power dependency. The power supply must be stable enough for the GPU to operate efficiently. High-performance GPUs have a higher power requirement and hence the rated power of the enclosure becomes important. The eGPU enclosures offer several power supply configurations, ranging from 300 to 800 Watts. The built-in PSUs are also further rated for efficiency under 80 plus certification to ensure efficient power consumption.
2. Cooling Method
Temperature maintenance becomes important to ensure consistent performance of the external graphics unit. Overheating is not desirable for GPU since it causes thermal throttling and the system experiences a drop in performance. The eGPU enclosures come equipped with their own cooling systems to control the temperature inside the unit. Depending on the GPU, an air-cooling or liquid-cooling method is used. For air-cooled units, a simple cooling fan and heatsink setup is used to remove heat by circulating fresh air. The eGPUs tuned for extreme performance use a liquid cooling setup including coolant, cooling fan, and radiator.
3. Number Of Ports
The eGPU enclosure unit is an external component for laptops or desktops. To connect this unit to the system, a connectivity interface is required. Both the system and eGPU enclosure come equipped with several ports. The most popular is the Thunderbolt port which is used for a variety of uses. The main purpose of this port is to connect the eGPU for efficient transfer of data and power. The HDMI ports are also available for connecting external displays with the unit. The USB ports allow connectivity with other peripheral components. The RJ45 ports allow ethernet connection to improve network connectivity.
4. Material
The material of the eGPU enclosures is also given equal importance for two reasons: sturdy construction and aesthetic appeal. The material also offers protection against electromagnetic interference which weakens the signal. The most common material for eGPU enclosures is aluminum. It is used for its excellent strength and thermal conductivity properties. The naked-look of aluminum (non-painted surface) looks modern and does not rust easily. Other materials like steel and plastics are also used depending on the weight consideration of the user. Some units also use glass panels to show inner components for aesthetic appeal.
5. Warranty
Warranty is considered an extra safety layer for eGPU enclosures. It assures the user of repairs or replacement when the unit gets damaged. This repair or replacement is done for any extent of damage as long as the unit is under warranty period. The warranty period also acts as a quality assurance from the brand to the users. On average, a warranty period of 3 to 5 years is offered for the eGPU enclosures. This period can be further extended under warranty extension programs. The user is advised to check the terms and conditions under which the unit will be eligible for repair, replacement, and free pickup facility.
eGPU Enclosure – FAQs
Ans: The eGPU also requires a separate power supply unit like any other GPU. The power supply ensures that eGPU operates smoothly at its maximum potential. The PSU is selected based on the power requirement of the eGPU. The PSU is then connected to the eGPU via PCIe power cables. The eGPUs also support power connectivity via power bricks.
Ans: The Thunderbolt ports offer the best way to connect the eGPU to a system. These ports offer a higher data transfer capability along with power training features. Depending on the version of the Thunderbolt port, the data and power delivery speed will be affected. The Thunderbolt software further helps in initiating a connection between eGPU and the system.
Ans: When a user wants to connect an eGPU enclosure to a system, they can choose Thunderbolt ports. These ports are designed in a way to allow smooth communication between eGPU and the system. The Thunderbolt 4-generation ports are ideal for higher-speed data transfer. These ports also assure better power delivery to the components, enhancing performance.
Ans: The Thunderbolt 3 ports offer a higher bandwidth of 40 Gbps for faster communication between eGPU and computer. This speed is maintained in the Thunderbolt to USB-C connection too. The faster data transfer speed allows improvement in graphics and helps the rendering of data on 4K screens. Thunderbolt is also known for allowing connection with multiple screens at a time.
Conclusion
Exploring the realm of eGPU enclosures offers a significant boost in system performance, portability, and connectivity. Based on our discussions, here are our top picks across different categories:
- Performance Leader: The Gigabyte eGPU Enclosure is capable of handling demanding games and software up to a resolution of 7680×4320.
- Feature-Rich Option: The Razer eGPU Enclosure stands out with its 700W PSU, supporting 100W laptop charging and 500W for the GPU.
- Budget-Friendly Choice: The Akitio eGPU Enclosure offers great value with a Thunderbolt 3 port for 40 Gbps data transfer an additional 85W power supply for laptop charging.
Each option caters to different needs, from high-end performance to feature-packed and budget-conscious choices, ensuring there’s an eGPU enclosure for every user.
