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Gigabyte teases its prototype external GPU dock

by Mark Tyson on 6 June 2016, 10:31

Tags: Gigabyte (TPE:2376), AMD (NYSE:AMD), SilverstoneTek

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qac3jh

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Last week we saw both Asus and PowerColor show off AMD XConnect compatible external GPU enclosures. However, there's another big player in the PC components business which wasn't quite ready to announce such a product but does have a prototype it is working on. Tom's Hardware took a peek at the Gigabyte external GPU dock at Computex, and outlined the firm's slightly different approach to the solution.

As I mentioned in the news article about the PowerColor Devil Box, the AMD XConnect standard, which is supported by Intel and Razer seems to be gaining traction. Importantly both AMD and Nvidia GPUs can be externalised and connected to systems, which may otherwise offer puny 3D performance. This AMD tech isn't locked to utilising only AMD GPU solutions.

Last week both the Asus ROG and PowerColor boxes screamed 'gamer' rather loudly, so it's good to see the Gigabyte box looking sleek and sober (thought it is just a prototype for now). On closer inspection of the photo, Gigabyte appears to have simply used a SilverStone chassis.

Gigabyte's solution currently uses the lowest wattage PSU of all the XConnect external GPUs seen so far. At the Gigabyte Computex booth the device was fitted with just a 250W power supply. The firm is said to be considering switching that component with a 350W model. Razer, Asus and PowerColor use 500W, 680W, and 500W PSUs respectively. Remember that these docks don't just potentially power a GPU, devices connected to its Thunderbolt 3 USB Type-C port can suck up to 100W via this new connector standard.

As a prototype there is of course no pricing or availability given by Gigabyte; Tom's Hardware thinks it will be several months before product launch.



HEXUS Forums :: 11 Comments

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“Importantly it allows not just AMD cards to be externalised and connected to systems, which would otherwise offer puny 3D performance, but newer Nvidia GPUs too.”

I don't think this sentence is very fair on AMD. I wouldn't describe a Fury (or even the new rx 480) as puny 3D performance. Sure its not 1080 territory but to describe as puny just sounds biased.
Particularly as “AMD Xconnect” is just PCIe with hotplugging, but that happens to occur on an AMD card. same as ‘Freesync’ is DP Adaptive Sync that is implemented on an AMD card. Interface standards that existed before AMD adopted and branded them.
cheesemp
“..not just AMD cards to be externalised and connected to systems, which would otherwise offer puny 3D performance, but newer Nvidia GPUs too.”

I don't think this sentence is very fair on AMD. I wouldn't describe a Fury (or even the new rx 480) as puny 3D performance. Sure its not 1080 territory but to describe as puny just sounds biased.

Exactly! How biased! Puny? I am using 1GB 7770, and I still won't use the word “Puny” for it!
THis looks larger than my entire sff build, why?
Am I missing something?
Because with laptops getting smaller and consuming less power it would be cool to be able to be out and about working and then plug in for a quick blast using an external GPU. It would mean I don't have to own and upgrade a desktop AND laptop.