An external graphics card is a special device with which you can maximize the performance of your laptop. More recently, video cards of this type were presented in a narrow assortment, but due to high consumer demand, many companies began to produce them, which significantly expanded their range. In our article, we tried to determine what is the best external graphics card for a laptop in 2020.
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Rating of the best external video cards
When selecting models, we were guided not only by the declared parameters of manufacturers, but also by consumer reviews.
eGFX Breakaway Puck
It is a versatile high-performance equipment of compact size with an RX 560 video adapter. It reproduces graphics as accurately as possible, can work with multiple monitors at once. The fan has thermal management, so it cools the device well during operation. The connection uses Thunderbolt 3, which provides a high-speed video signal.
Boxing price varies within 32,000 rubles. Can support 4 4K displays at the same time. There are 4 connectors - 3 DisplayPort and 1 HDMI. Working with a laptop, it charges its battery. A wall bracket is provided for permanent installation.
Minuses:
- only works with Windows 10;
- no USB ports.
HP Omen Accelerator
Fits any graphics card no more than 29cm in length. With the help of a slot it connects to a 2.5-inch hard drive, which is pleasantly pleasing. Installation is very simple: after placing the video card in the case, connect it to the laptop using the supplied cable. The model is equipped with a 500 W power supply, 4 USB 3.0 ports, a USB-C port, and Lan ports. Sold for 18,000 rubles.
The only, but not a very serious disadvantage is the noise during operation.
BizonBOX 3
Improves the performance of graphics and various applications on Apple devices by about 7 times. The eGPU Thunderbolt is used for connection.
Graphics acceleration is enough not only for a laptop, but also for an additional monitor used as a 2 desktop. The model is sold with an NVIDIA GTX graphics card in options from 760 to Titan X.
It connects with a laptop, does not need a reboot or other actions. When purchased with a GTX 760 video card, it will cost 16,000 rubles. There are 2 handles on the metal case for better transport. There are slots for PCI-Express expansion.
Minuses:
- to put a more powerful video card in the box, you need to buy a 400 W power supply worth 6,000 rubles;
- to immediately buy a station with a powerful video card, you will have to pay 120,000 rubles.
Sonnet EGFX Box
Designed specifically for powerful graphics cards, so it has a 650W power supply. You can put any video card here. The main condition is the ability to connect it via PCIe 3.0.
Connects to the computer using a Thunderbolt 3 wire with a USB Type-C connector. The bandwidth indicator is 40 Gbps. The model has a very brutal and aggressive appearance. By connecting it to the laptop, you have to work in one place, but this is more than offset by the increase in productivity. Sold for 24,000 rubles.
AKiTiO Node
It appeared several years ago, but is still in demand among consumers. Has a steel body 17 cm high.Compatible with any ATX video card. Equipped with a 400W power supply, it can handle many popular graphics cards. The case is cooled by a 12 cm fan. The average cost is 25,000 rubles.
Aorus GTX 1080 Gaming Box
This equipment has a GeForce GTX 1080 3D card and a built-in 450W power supply. It connects via the Thunderbolt interface along with a Type-C USB connector, so its bandwidth is 40 Gb / s. Thanks to this, the heavyweight game is played clearly and without the slightest hitch.
You will have to pay 40,000 rubles for a video card, but this price is fully justified by its technical parameters. Ports USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort allow you to connect other devices to it. The model supports fast charging. The backlight of the case can be customized. A pair of fans are provided for efficient cooling. There are 2 functional modes - OC Mode and Gaming.
The disadvantages include:
- heavy weight;
- complex backlight settings.
ASUS ROG XG STATION PRO
Docking station from a well-known company. Its austere design will be appreciated by every connoisseur of minimalism. Dimensions - 37.5 * 10.7 * 20.5 cm. Combines with almost any modern video card. The 330 W unit is not the strongest, but it will be enough. The austere appearance dilutes with 10 LED-LEDs. You can change their color.
Against the background of others, the model stands out for its well-thought-out design and ease of operation. The disadvantages include a small set of interfaces.
HIS Multi-View II Adapter
One of the most portable and compact graphics cards: you can carry it even in a small purse and plug it in whenever you need it. In comparison with other devices in our rating, it is not a full-fledged graphics accelerator. The model only reproduces the image, previously formed on the laptop, to another screen. For this, a DVI-I Dual Link cable is used, which is suitable for digital and analog signal.
The video card connects to the laptop via a USB 2.0 port and operates at the expense of its energy. Compatible with Apple devices. Even at maximum load, it does not heat up more than 39 degrees. Thanks to the support for the alpha channel, graphics with transparent elements are reproduced without problems.
Disadvantages:
- plastic case;
- sometimes the screen may float;
- does not connect directly via HDMI, you need special controllers.
KFA2 SNPR GeForce GTX 1060
A popular brand has released this device relatively recently. It can be used with laptop and desktop computer. The graphics card is lightweight (1.4 kg) and compact. The installed graphics adapter has 6 GB of video memory, so it plays games smoothly and details the picture well.
The card body is completely metal. There is a serious cooling system with a couple of fans. For connection, Thunderbolt3 is used with a maximum speed of 40 Gbps. There are HDMI and DVI-D ports. Fast charging is provided via the DisplayPor connector. The adequate cost is 30,000 rubles.
Disadvantages are presented:
- external power supply;
- the ability to increase the operating range by a maximum of 38 MHz.
ZOTAC AMP BOX
Here is a 450W power supply. "Accepts" video cards no more than 22.8 cm long. This slightly reduces the efficiency of the station, since many high-end video cards exceed 30 cm in length. There are 4 USB 3.1 interfaces on the case. The laptop uses the ThunderBolt 3 interface to connect.
On the front panel there is a shutdown button. Only one fan is provided for cooling. During operation, the station practically does not make noise. In general, the owners speak out positively about it.
The price of the device varies between 15 500 rubles.
