Laptops are great for their portability, but portability comes at a cost. The price of such a compact device is the function. You sacrifice graphics and frame rates when buying a laptop. There are plenty of gaming laptops that are capable of impressive graphics and quality, but for all of them, there is a desktop that does it better. Desktop computers, with their increased space and lack of portability, continue to have an advantage. This is where eGPUs come in.
External graphics cards (eGPUs) are an interesting premise. These are not graphics cards, they are external enclosures that support graphics cards and can be connected to a computer through different ports. The graphics cards in question are just the usual graphics cards, like the Nvidia GTX 2080 or something similar. The cases are not sold with the cards.
While not cards, despite their names, eGPUs bring quality games to low-end devices. Some are compatible with Apple products such as iMacs or Macbooks. A major advantage of eGPUs is its flexibility. Upgrades are easy when you don't have to open the tower and move the cables.
External hard drive docking stations are nothing new. They've been in the IT scene for quite some time. External GPU cases, on the other hand, are new. And making gaming-grade graphics cards is even more recent. This limits the amount that is not only available, but is also worth buying. When researching, be sure to look for a case that works with graphics cards, not just any case.
Image via RazerThe Razer Core X Chroma is the best you can ask for in this regard. Razer is a trusted brand in the gaming industry. While the price tag might be higher for the aesthetics and brand of the game, going with one that you know is compatible with gaming grade graphics cards is a safe bet. Razer's Core X Chroma is recommended over its base Core X product because of the extra features, although if all you need is a case, the Core X will do. The Core X Chroma does everything the Core X does, connecting to a laptop through the Thunderbolt port, but also has USB ports and the color effects we've come to expect from Razer. It is compatible with most graphics cards and compatible with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 or later.
If you get it for a Mac device, make sure your card is compatible with the computer. macOS High Sierra only supports certain AMD Radeon brands.
Image via AmazonThe ASUS ROG-XG-Station-2 is Asus' answer to eGPU configurations. Released in 2017, it is compatible with Nvidia and AMD Radeon cards via a Thunderbolt 3 port. It can hold one card and has five USB ports. It supports cards up to 2,5 slots wide, giving players a range of options to choose from. Not to be outdone by Razer, it also offers its own colors and effects with RGB lighting. And when paired with an Aura-compatible ROG Strix graphics card, Aura Sync will sync lighting effects.
Image via AmazonThe unbranded case on the list is the PowerColor playstation case. Another that uses Thunderbolt cables and is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. As with the Razer case, macOS High Sierra is only compatible with certain AMD Radeon cards, so make sure you have the correct one before purchasing. The gaming station case also supports cards with a width of 2,5 slots, allowing it to accommodate a variety of cards. It also has a SATA port for those hoping to install an SSD for maximum efficiency. This product has some issues with the power supply, and when cutting costs, it is often the first piece of equipment to be cut.
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