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    Is thunderbolt 3 all you need for Egpu?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ds_, Jul 11, 2016.

  1. ds_

    ds_ Newbie

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    Hello,
    I'm planning to buy an Acer predator 9 laptop (gtx 980m, 15 inches), the main reason why I like it's because it has a thunderbolt 3 port, so I'll be able to connect an external gpu in some years? Is this true?
    Is Thunderbolt 3 all I'll need to upgrade my graphic card? Am I missing something?
    Can I upgrade any laptop graphic card as long it has a thunderbolt 3 port?

    Thanks!
     
    ds_, Jul 11, 2016
    #1
  2. Galm

    Galm "Stand By, We're Analyzing The Situation!"

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    You need bios support. So for example you couldn't use a Razer Core yet very well, without Acer supporting it. But it is all you need hardware wise.
     
    Galm, Jul 11, 2016
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    Kent T and marios50 like this.
  3. marios50

    marios50 Notebook Evangelist

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    You're gonna need your manufacturer to support eGPU solutions. If they don't then you will most likely get a really bad connection and the eGPU will start dropping out off and on.

    Many more eGPU solutions are starting to surface besides the Razer Core so one would hope that laptop manufacturers start catering for this.
     
    marios50, Jul 11, 2016
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  4. PrimeTimeAction

    PrimeTimeAction Notebook Evangelist

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    As others have replied, you need official support by the manufacturer.

    Also its always tricky to predict eGPU setups for future upgradability because even though TB3 is sufficient for today's solution, who knows what will happen in few years when we HBM2 or its successor will be a norm.

    I would suggest to dont count on it in your plan. If the option is available after few years its a bonus.
     
    PrimeTimeAction, Jul 15, 2016
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    TomJGX and tilleroftheearth like this.