While the new RTX 3000 mobile lineup looks rather interesting (especially if you like confusing naming schemes), mobile GPUs are still a far cry from the performance of their desktop counterparts. This is where GPU enclosures and external graphics cards come into play. Yes, they’re bulky and expensive but if you want the absolute best gaming experience on a laptop, get an external GPU. They can also be great for people who do a lot of GPU-accelerated rendering, as well as for users who own an SFF PC that doesn’t have enough space for full-fledged graphics cards. But which external graphics cards and GPU enclosures are the best? Find out below.
What To Know Before Getting An External GPU Enclosure
Most Enclosures Do Not Come With A GPU
Remember, most external GPU enclosures do not come with a graphics card. These are just boxes that, in most cases, have a power supply, space for the graphics card, and a number of ports. In most cases, you will have to get a graphics card on top of spending money for the GPU enclosure.
Certain Enclosures Have Replaceable Power Supply
Lots of external GPU enclosures come with a replaceable power supply. This is important because, if you’re on a budget and want to get one, maybe get a model that comes with a weak PSU and then just replace it for a more potent one. But, before you order one, make sure that the PSU can indeed be replaced and which PSU form factors the said enclosure supports.
You Need a Thunderbolt Port In Order To Use An External GPU
The presence of a Thunderbolt port (in most cases Thunderbolt 3) is the basic requirement for most external GPU enclosures. Some enclosures are compatible with the Thunderbolt 2 standard, but those are mostly older models and we don’t recommend getting one of those because Thunderbolt 2 has half the bandwidth of its successor. Also, Thunderbolt 3 can deliver up to 100W of power, which you can use to power your laptop. Thunderbolt 3’s max power output is much, much lower.
Be Sure That The GPU Enclosure Is Compatible With Your System
Some external GPU enclosures support only certain versions of Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems. Further, some GPU enclosures support only one OS. So, before pulling the trigger make sure that the GPU enclosure can work with your computer.
Best External GPU Enclosures - Our Picks
| Award | Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Best External GPU Enclosure Overall | Razer Core X |  |
| Best GPU Enclosure That Includes An External GPU | Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3080 Gaming Box |  |
| Best RGB GPU Enclosure | Razer Core X Chroma | |
| GPU Enclosure With The Most Powerful PSU | Mantiz MZ-03 Saturn Pro II |  |
| Best GPU Enclosure For Mac Users | AKiTiO Node |  |
| AKiTiO Node Pro |  |
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| AKiTiO Node Duo |  |
|
| Best Budget External GPU Enclosure | Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box |  |
Make Sure That Your Next GPU Enclosure Has Enough Power For The GPU Of Your Choice
Last but not least, make sure that the GPU enclosure of your choice has enough power for the GPU you’re planning on putting in the enclosure. As we’ve already said, some models come with replaceable PSUs so if you like the design and features but aren’t satisfied with the provided power, check if you can replace the PSU the enclosure is shipping with. Also, check the GPU size compatibility twice before making the purchase. This is often overlooked.
Best External GPU Enclosure Overall
Razer Core X
| PSU | 650W |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 168 × 374 × 230 mm |
| Slots | PCIe x16 |
| I/O Ports | 1 × Thunderbolt 3 |
Let’s start with the best of the bunch. The Razer Core X sports a sleek design, a beefy 650W PSU, it isn’t ridiculously expensive and can take graphics cards up to 330mm in length. In other words, you can put most RTX 3090 models inside the enclosure without issues.
The enclosure has one downside and that’s just one Thunderbolt 3 port on the back. But if you need a GPU enclosure for gaming, that’s all you need. At least you get 100W of power delivery through the said Thunderbolt 3 port, which is enough to power lots of ultrabooks.
Overall, we like the Core X very much, especially when you look at the bang for the buck value, which usually isn’t great when it comes to Razer products. Finally, while the PSU is replaceable, it doesn’t fit most ATX power supplies. On the other hand, 650 watts is more than enough for the high-end RTX 3080 GPU. Even the RTX 3090 won’t have any issue with it.
Best GPU Enclosure That Includes An External GPU
Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3080 Gaming Box
| PSU | 550W |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 300 × 140 × 173 mm |
| Slots | PCIe x16 |
| I/O Ports | 1 × Thunderbolt 3, 2 × HDMI, 3 × DisplayPort, 1 × Ethernet, 3 × USB 3.0 |
The Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3080 Gaming Box is our choice when it comes to the GPU enclosure that comes with an external GPU inside. Remember, most enclosures don’t come with a graphics card so having one that includes the RTX 3080 is certainly a good thing. The card’s water-cooled and built-in so you cannot replace it.
The main downside of this enclosure is its price. This thing’s expensive as hell but if you want the best this is the one to get. As for the design, the enclosure is similar to many high-end compact ITX cases. In other words, it sports a minimalistic design without aggressive lines or a bunch of RGB. We really like it.
Aside from the RTX 3080, the Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3080 Gaming Box features a 550W 80 Plus Gold PSU, one Thunderbolt 3, one Ethernet port, three USB 3.0 ports, and five video ports on the back of the graphics card (two HDMI 2.1 and three DisplayPort connectors). Overall, this is the best choice for users who want a plug-and-play solution that works flawlessly out of the box.
If you want something cheaper, there’s a model with the RTX 2070 as well as with the GTX 1070. And yes, both of these also feature irreplaceable GPUs.
Best RGB GPU Enclosure
Razer Core X Chroma
| PSU | 700W |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 168 × 374 × 230 mm |
| Slots | PCIe x16 |
| I/O Ports | 1 × Thunderbolt 3, 1 × Ethernet, 4 × USB 3.0 |
The Razer Core X Chroma is the regular Core X with lots of RGB sprinkled on the front and across the (see-through) side panel and lots of extra ports. Is it worth the extra money? If you ask us the answer is no. But, if you’re an RGB aficionado and have to own an RGB GPU enclosure, this is the one to get. You also might swallow the price if you require extra USB Ports (there are four on the Chroma version).
Aside from the pretty lights you also get a 700W PSU (that’s 50W more than what you get with the regular model), and a gigabit Ethernet port, on top of the four USB ports. Finally, the Thunderbolt 3 power delivery tops out at 100W, the same as on the base model. Overall, this is an amazing external GPU enclosure but it has a considerable price premium over the regular Core X.
When it comes to alternatives, there’s the ROG XG Station 2 from ASUS. This is another high-end external GPU enclosure that features a 600W power supply, five USB 3.0 ports, a Type B USB port, and a Gigabit LAN. The thing is, this one’s much pricier and, if you ask us, it cannot come close to the Core X Chroma when it comes to the design. Also, while ASUS shows a graphics card on most promotional materials, the XG Station 2 does not come with one.
GPU Enclosure With The Most Powerful PSU
Mantiz MZ-03 Saturn Pro II
| PSU | 750W |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 374 × 168 × 232 mm |
| Slots | PCIe x16 |
| I/O Ports | 1 × Thunderbolt 3, 1 × Ethernet, 5 × USB 3.0, 1 × SD 4.0 |
If you want a GPU enclosure with the most powerful PSU, get the Mantiz Saturn Pro II. This one has a 750 power supply, which is 50 watts more than the excellent Razer Core X Chroma. Other than the beefiest power supply on the market, the Saturn Pro II features three USB 3.0 ports on the front, two USB 3.0 ports on the back, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a full-size SD card reader. There’s also one Thunderbolt 3 port on the back. As for the Thunderbolt 3 power delivery, it tops out at 100W.
The design is minimalistic, with the body made of anodized aluminum and a mesh-like side panel for better airflow. This enclosure also includes one 2.5” storage bay that can take SATA SSDs and 2.5” HDDs. Great for professionals in need of a GPU for rendering and extra storage. The price is around the price of the base Core X enclosure so if you need a beefy PSU and storage space, get this one instead of the Core X.
Best GPU Enclosure For Mac Users
AKiTiO Node
| PSU | 400W |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 428 × 145 × 227 mm |
| Slots | PCIe x16 |
| I/O Ports | 1 × Thunderbolt 3 |
Mac users looking for an external GPU enclosure should check out the AKiTiO Node lineup. The base model features a 400W power supply, support for GPUs that are up to 320mm in length and up to 2 slots in thickness, and one Thunderbolt 3 port on the back. The design favors airflow, thanks to the mesh front and side panels.
AKiTiO Node Pro
| PSU | 500W |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 357 × 135 × 266 mm |
| Slots | PCIe x16 |
| I/O Ports | 2 × Thunderbolt 3, 1 × DisplayPort |
As for the Node Pro, it comes with a 500W PSU, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a single DisplayPort 1.2, and support for GPUs up to 320mm in length that take up to 2.5 slots. Thunderbolt 3 power delivery tops out at 60W per port. The design is simple, with a carrying handle for increased portability on the topside, a mesh side panel for improved thermals, and a body made of sheet steel.
AKiTiO Node Duo
| PSU | 150W |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 293 × 155 × 232 mm |
| Slots | PCIe x2 PCIe x16 |
| I/O Ports | 2 × Thunderbolt 3, 1 × DisplayPort |
Finally, we have the Node Duo. This is everything you might need from an external GPU enclosure in case you need more than one GPU for rendering purposes. First of all, the enclosure can host up to two 220mm, two-slot, GPUs. The provided power supply (external 150W unit) is far from enough to power dual GPUs but you can replace this one with an SFX power supply to realize Node’s Duo full potential. As for the ports, you get two Thunderbolt 3 ports with 60W power delivery and a single DisplayPort 1.2.
Best Budget External GPU Enclosure
Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box
| PSU | 550W |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 185 × 340 × 202 mm |
| Slots | PCIe x16 |
| I/O Ports | 1 × Thunderbolt 3 |
The last external GPU enclosure on our list is the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box. This is a simple GPU enclosure that comes with a 550W power supply, a single Thunderbolt 3 port, and a mesh side panel. The design is subdued, with a subtle Sonet logo on the front emanating blue light, a mesh side panel, and a bit of mesh on the front to improve airflow.
As for compatibility, this enclosure supports dual-slot GPUs up to 320mm in length. You also have room for one 120mm AIO radiator, which is a nice extra if you’re into liquid cooling your GPU. Overall, this is an excellent budget choice that isn’t that much cheaper than the Razer Core X but if you want to save some cash, this is the enclosure to get.
