Tag: Thunderbolt 5 eGPU

  • Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5060 Ti eGPU with 16GB Now Available

    Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5060 Ti eGPU with 16GB Now Available

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Thunderbolt 5 external GPU (eGPU) is now available for purchase at $699.99.
    2. The Aorus RTX 5060 Ti AI Box offers performance close to a desktop GPU, but real-world gaming performance may vary compared to PCIe connections.
    3. It includes a robust 330W power adapter for sufficient power supply.
    4. Enhanced connectivity options include multiple ports along with a Thunderbolt 5 connection, making it compatible with many modern laptops and mini PCs.
    5. The Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box is also available for users seeking higher GPU capabilities.

    Gigabyte first revealed the Aorus RTX 5060 Ti AI Box in early September 2025, then later provided a detailed overview of the Thunderbolt 5 external GPU. During the second reveal, the company shared many specifics but did not mention the price or when it would be available.

    Finally Available for Purchase

    Now, the Thunderbolt 5 eGPU is up for grabs, priced at $699.99 on Newegg. This cost is not too far off from the standard price of a desktop Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, making this external GPU a solid option for anyone looking to create an external GPU setup. It also comes with a robust 330W power adapter.

    Performance Insights

    Regarding the Aorus RTX 5060 Ti AI Box, it includes a desktop-quality GPU, and Gigabyte asserts that its performance is around 5% lower than a PCIe on-slot configuration with an equivalent GPU. However, this assertion is based on a comparison using a 3DMark Timespy benchmark score, which may not accurately reflect real-world performance.

    Independent tests suggest that there can be a significant difference in gaming performance when using an on-slot PCIe connection versus a Thunderbolt 5 eGPU, even with the same GPU. Additionally, it supports USB4 v2, making it compatible with many of the latest laptops and mini PCs, like the Minisforum MS-S1 Max.

    Connectivity Options

    The Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5060 Ti AI Box also provides enhanced connectivity options. Besides the Thunderbolt 5 port for connecting to the host PC, it includes several ports:

    For more information on the Thunderbolt 5 eGPU, check out the spec sheet below. If you need even more GPU capabilities, consider the Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box.

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  • Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5090 Thunderbolt 5 eGPU Now Available

    Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5090 Thunderbolt 5 eGPU Now Available

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box is now available in the US for $2,999.99 and offers impressive overall performance.
    2. It delivers approximately 27.2% lower performance compared to a native Nvidia RTX 5090 in a gaming desktop.
    3. Synthetic tests show the eGPU is around 15.2% slower than a desktop Nvidia RTX 5090 due to Thunderbolt 5 connection limitations.
    4. OCuLink could potentially enhance performance by providing a more efficient direct link, avoiding bottlenecks from the Thunderbolt 5 controller.
    5. The Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box features additional ports, including one HDMI 2.1b and three DisplayPort 2.1b, along with a built-in PSU and custom liquid cooling.

    Gigabyte has recently introduced the Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box in the UK, and now, the Thunderbolt 5 external GPU is also available in the US market. You can find it on Newegg for a price of $2,999.99. While this is quite a steep cost for an external GPU, our tests showed that it delivers fairly impressive overall performance.

    Performance Insights

    In our examination, we discovered that the Thunderbolt 5 eGPU operates at about 27.2% lower performance compared to a native Nvidia RTX 5090 in a gaming desktop (the MSI Suprim RTX 5090 is currently priced at $2,699.99 on Amazon). This performance level indicates that the Gigabyte Aorus AI Box is roughly 6% slower than a standard desktop RTX 4090.

    Testing Results

    When we conducted synthetic tests, we observed that the Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box is around 15.2% slower than a desktop Nvidia RTX 5090. These performance reductions can be attributed to the restrictions set by the Thunderbolt 5 connection, even though it is rated for a bidirectional bandwidth of 80 Gbps.

    It’s possible that the performance could have been slightly better if the eGPU used OCuLink. A recent comparison video by YouTuber Try Some Tech highlighted that Thunderbolt 5 necessitates that signals go through an intermediate controller, resulting in a bottleneck.

    Connectivity Options

    On the flip side, OCuLink can establish a direct link, which allows for more efficient communication between the host system and the eGPU, reducing interference. Thus, even with a 64 Gbps bandwidth rating, OCuLink can leverage its rated capacity more effectively.

    Returning to the Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box, for those who might’ve missed our earlier coverage of the launch, this Thunderbolt 5 eGPU includes extra ports at the back. Specifically, it comes with one HDMI 2.1b and three DisplayPort 2.1b ports. Additionally, the Thunderbolt 5 eGPU is equipped with a built-in PSU and a custom liquid cooling solution, all neatly packed in a sleek and relatively compact design.

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  • Razer Core X V2: New Thunderbolt 5 eGPU Enclosure with 140W PD

    Razer Core X V2: New Thunderbolt 5 eGPU Enclosure with 140W PD

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Razer Core X V2 is a Thunderbolt 5 eGPU dock with a bandwidth of up to 80 Gbps, supporting Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 at 40 Gbps max.
    2. It is compatible with Nvidia’s RTX 50 series and Radeon RX 9000 series GPUs, accommodating full-sized desktop cards.
    3. The eGPU dock supports 140 W power delivery for connected devices, suitable for gaming handhelds and laptops.
    4. It features a 120 mm fan with adjustable speed for cooling and includes side ventilation holes for airflow.
    5. The pricing for the Razer Core X V2 is set at $350, but availability details have not been announced.

    The Razer Core X V2 has officially launched as a brand-new Thunderbolt 5 eGPU dock. It boasts a bandwidth of up to 80 Gbps, promising desktop-level performance. While it also supports Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 connections, these options will limit the bandwidth to a maximum of 40 Gbps, which is less than the capabilities of OCuLink.

    Compatibility with Latest GPUs

    Razer emphasizes that the Core X V2 is compatible with Nvidia’s RTX 50 series and Radeon RX 9000 series GPUs. This external GPU enclosure is designed to fit full-sized desktop cards, including those that are 4-slot wide (such as the ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti Solid SFF OC, currently priced at $829.99 on Amazon). Regarding the power supply unit (PSU), the eGPU dock can accommodate a standard ATX power supply, though it is important to mention that one is not included with the enclosure.

    Power Delivery Features

    Another key feature of the Razer Core X V2 is its support for 140 W power delivery. This means the eGPU dock can supply up to 140 W of power to connected devices, which is sufficient for powering gaming handhelds and many laptops.

    To maintain proper cooling, this Thunderbolt 5 eGPU dock is equipped with a 120 mm fan. Razer indicates that the fan can automatically adjust its speed depending on the system load, and the enclosure includes ventilation holes on the side to ensure adequate airflow.

    Pricing and Availability

    In terms of pricing, the Razer Core X V2 is set at $350, but the company has not yet announced when the eGPU enclosure will be available for purchase. You can find more details in the attached spec sheet below.

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    Razer Core X V2: New Thunderbolt 5 eGPU Enclosure with 140W PDRazer Core X V2: New Thunderbolt 5 eGPU Enclosure with 140W PD

     

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