Could 2025 Mark the Renewal of eGPUs?
In 2025, the eGPU market has experienced an unexpected revival, marking a potential turnaround in the technology's fortunes. Three new eGPUs from major manufacturers have graced the consumer electronics scene, indicating a possible resurgence.
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, ASUS unveiled the updated ROG XG Mobile eGPU, equipped with an RTX 5090 laptop GPU, a testament to the continued evolution of portable eGPU technology. The following week at Computex, ASUS introduced another eGPU, the ROG XG Station 3, designed for housing desktop GPUs. However, like its predecessors, the XG Station 3 requires users to provide their own GPU.
At the same event, Gigabyte unveiled the Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box, which boasts an all-in-one WaterForce liquid cooling system to address heat-induced throttling caused by the powerful Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics card.
Although the release of these eGPUs presents hope for their viability, it remains unclear if we have found their optimal use. While eGPU enthusiasts have existed since their initial market entry in 2013, their high cost associated with buying both a laptop, an eGPU enclosure, and a separate GPU has often rendered them uneconomical for most users.
With the advent of Thunderbolt 5, transfer bandwidth has doubled compared to Thunderbolt 4 connections, potentially increasing the appeal of eGPUs for users seeking desktop-class performance on their laptops without compromising their laptops' portability. Moreover, content creators who demand extra GPU power and longer battery life during occasional, on-the-go work could also benefit.
It is worth mentioning that there remains debate on whether the best laptop operating system for gamers is Windows or SteamOS [1]. Additionally, the 120W APU leak suggesting a shift in laptop GPU economics is another interesting development to monitor [2]. Lastly, the slimmer Razer Blade 14 promises further advancements in laptop portability [3].
In conclusion, the recent releases from major manufacturers signal a promising future for eGPUs, particularly with the introduction of Thunderbolt 5 technology. With enhanced performance, portability, and convenience, eGPUs may finally become a cost-effective and appealing solution for demanding laptop users, finally achieving the right mix of performance and affordability.
[1] Gamers should be ditching Windows for SteamOS - here's why
[2] Nvidia's 120W APU leak could mark the beginning of the end for laptop GPUs
[3] The Razer Blade 14 is now slimmer than ever
- The updated ROG XG Mobile eGPU from ASUS, presented at CES 2025, features an RTX 5090 laptop GPU, showcasing the advancement of portable eGPU technology.
- Another eGPU introduced by ASUS, the ROG XG Station 3, is designed to house desktop GPUs, but requires users to provide their own GPU, like its predecessors.
- Gigabyte unveiled the Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box, which sports an all-in-one WaterForce liquid cooling system to tackle heat-induced throttling from the Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics card.
- Despite the promising eGPU releases, the high cost associated with buying both a laptop, an eGPU enclosure, and a separate GPU still questions their economic viability for many users.
- The introduction of Thunderbolt 5 could boost the appeal of eGPUs by offering double the transfer bandwidth compared to Thunderbolt 4 connections.
- Content creators seeking extra GPU power, longer battery life, and desktop-class performance during occasional on-the-go work might benefit from eGPUs with the advent of Thunderbolt 5.
- There is ongoing debate regarding the optimal laptop operating system for gamers, with Windows and SteamOS being the primary contenders.
- The 120W APU leak suggesting a shift in laptop GPU economics is another fascinating development to keep an eye on.
- Advancements in laptop technology, such as the slimmer Razer Blade 14, may further enhance portable eGPU solutions and provide a compelling mix of performance, affordability, and portability.
