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Best eGPU Enclosures of 2022

Last Updated on March 14, 2022
7 Best eGPU Enclosures of 2019

Until recently, desktop gaming was considered the gold standard for high-performance gaming. Powerful desktop GPUs blew all mobile graphics processors out of the water. Anyone looking to game seriously would need a desktop set-up and laptops were pushed to the side.

However, advancements in technology have made it more feasible than ever to play graphically intensive games on a laptop. While mobile GPUs still can’t compare to desktop cards, another option has emerged: eGPU enclosures.

With the advancement of connection standards, it has become possible to connect a desktop GPU to a laptop to bolster its performance. This is where eGPU enclosures come in. eGPU enclosures are external machines that hold a desktop graphics card and provide power to it. They connect to your laptop and give it the juice it needs to run more demanding games. Some even have the option to fit an HDD or an SSD, giving you additional space to store games.

In this guide, we will cover the best external graphics card enclosures currently on the market. Then we’ll go over everything you need to know to make the best eGPU purchase for your situation.

 

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Products at a Glance

Our Recommended

Best eGPU Enclosures of 2022

1
PROS
  • Aggressive RGB-heavy design
  • Spacious Interior
CONS
  • Very Expensive

If you’re a gamer who strongly values the aesthetic appearance of your hardware and peripherals, then the Asus RoG XG Station 2 will appeal to you. This eGPU is sleek, angular, and comes fully rigged with RGB lighting in the plasma tube on the front; it honestly looks like one of the alien vaults in Mass Effect: Andromeda.

It is rather spacious and supports full-size graphics cards. It is compatible with a variety of newer GPUs from both Nvidia and AMD. Included within are several internal fans to assist in cooling.

Another strong suit for this eGPU enclosure is its connectivity. It obviously comes standard with a Thunderbolt 3 port, but also has four USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type B, and even an ethernet input.

However, the downside of this eGPU’s ample space and aesthetic is the size. It is heavier than many other enclosures and more difficult to move. This may be in part due to its monstrous 600W power supply, which should be able to handle almost anything you can throw at it.

2
PROS
  • Supports a wide range of GPUs
  • Sleek design with RGB lighting
CONS
  • Expensive

The Razer Core X Aluminium looks sleek and smooth but also performs superbly under the hood. The design is not overly aggressive but instead goes for a more clean, minimalistic look. If you are looking to jazz it up though, you’ll have to add your own RGB lighting.

This eGPU can house full-size graphics cards and fits up to double-width cards as well. For a full list of compatible cards, be sure to check the official product page.

On the back, there are four USB 3.0 ports, in addition to an Ethernet port and the ever-present Thunderbolt 3 input.

Unfortunately, this eGPU also suffers in the area of portability due to its size and weight. It comes with a 650W power supply, which is more than enough for most uses.

3
PROS
  • Clean and simple design
  • Compatible with a wide range of GPUs
  • Fairly light
CONS
  • Affordable

The Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box is an affordable option that comes in multiple models with varying wattages. If your GPU is not too power-hungry, then purchasing the 550W model won’t break the bank.

The exterior of the enclosure is rather simple, with a clean design featuring the company logo lit by LED’s.

Moving to the interior, it is relatively spacious and will fit and support various full-size GeForce, Quadro, and Radeon cards. We appreciate that, despite its large interior, it still comes in relatively light, giving you the ability to transport it easily.

For connectivity, this eGPU offers just one Thunderbolt 3, which is fine for the price.

4
PROS
CONS

Visually, the Akitio Node Duo is not very striking, almost resembling a small computer case rather than an eGPU. Its large size provides it with some upsides and some downsides. Overall, it is a no-frills, simple machine designed to get the job down.

At 15 pounds, it is certainly the largest enclosure on this list. This means there is enough interior space to house any graphics card. It supports Nvidia and Radeon GPUs, including models from the GTX 900 series and onward, as well as some Nvidia Quadro GPUs. On the Radeon side, it supports some R9 and RX cards.

While the ample space is great for housing cards, it makes moving it a much more difficult task. There is a carry handle included, which helps somewhat in this regard, but it is on the back meaning if you only carry by that, you will be awkwardly tilting the device forward. The Node also brings a 400W power supply to the table, enough to get the job done.

Disappointingly, the Node only comes with one Thunderbolt 3 port, so you won’t be daisy chaining these. Considering its massive size, this is rather lacking.

Many of these issues are actually fixed with the Akitio Node Pro. It is lighter (~10 lbs), has more Thunderbolt 3.0 connectors, its handle is on the top of the case meaning it is easier to carry, and its PSU is graded for an extra 100W (500W total). Obviously, all of these things mean it costs more, so it isn’t really a budget option at that point, but it is still a good price considering some of the more expensive enclosures on the list.

5
7 Best eGPU Enclosures of 2019

Best eGPU Enclosures of 2022

PROS
  • Great price point
  • Thunderbolt enabled
CONS
  • Lacking in performance

Our Verdict

So, which is the best UPS? Well, in our opinion, it has to be the ASUS ROG XG Station 2. The aesthetics make a bulky bit of kit actually look appealing on the eye and will fit perfectly into a gamer’s setup. Additionally, it’s spacious and supports full-size graphics cards which others do not, making it a fantastic all-rounder. Yes, it is expensive but we think it’s worth the extra cash.