现代笔记本电脑已经解决了几乎所有从第一台翻盖式机器进入市场以来外形固有的妥协。
在过去，拥有一台笔记本电脑意味着对技术感到满意，这比台式机市场所享受的技术落后一代。这意味着使用受损的显示器、狭窄的输入设备并为特权支付巨额费用。
然而，随着时间的推移，技术以这样一种方式发展，现代笔记本电脑在性能方面与典型台式机基本上没有区别。即使是最便宜的计算机的基准性能现在也远远超过了大多数人的需求。
也就是说，互联网访问和媒体消费，以及一些轻微的生产力。即使是性能用户，如游戏玩家和工作站用户，也可以以一定的价格获得他们需要的那种咕噜咕噜的笔记本电脑。
然而，有一个领域是笔记本电脑落后的地方。仍然不可能像使用台式机那样简单地升级主要组件。在这方面已经取得了一些进展。一些笔记本电脑中使用了所谓的“ MXM ”模块，以允许将现有的GPU换成更新的东西。
但是，这很昂贵，存在兼容性问题，并且无法让您访问所需的任何GPU。现在可以使用外部 GPU(External GPU)机箱作为提高笔记本电脑图形能力的替代方法，并且根据您的用例，它可能是一个理想的解决方案。
究竟什么是(Exactly)外部 GPU 机箱？
这些GPU外壳几乎就像小型台式电脑机箱，旨在容纳显卡(graphics)，仅此而已。他们有自己的电源、一个用于卡本身的PCIe插槽和机箱冷却风扇。(PCIe)
还有紧凑的集成外部GPU
外壳，不允许您选择更换内部GPU。这些技术示例不使用桌面组件，还依赖于移动级部件。
第一种外壳是便携式的，但不是移动的。它设计用于站立在桌子上，这就是为什么它们通常还兼作笔记本电脑底座的原因。它们可能包括USB端口，甚至额外的硬盘驱动器托架。连接笔记本电脑后，它可以访问所有这些好东西，并且您可以将外接显示器、键盘、鼠标和扬声器永久连接到外壳上，这样只需几分钟即可启动和运行。
第二种采用集成式设计的外壳可能还具有一些对接功能，但适用于稍微不同的用例，并且可以轻松存放在笔记本电脑包中，以备不时之需。这些都带有一个已经板载的GPU ，并且通常不是用户可升级的。(GPU)
Thunderbolt 3 让一切成为可能
使外部GPU
可行的最大障碍是将其连接到计算机的技术。尽管诸如USB 3.1(USB 3.1)之类的 IO 技术提供了大量带宽，但仍不足以满足饥饿的GPU的需求。这就是我们使用密集连接器将GPU卡直接连接到主板的原因。(GPU)
随着通过 USB-C 电缆运行的Thunderbolt 3的出现，现在有一种外设连接技术具有足够的带宽来处理GPU需求。如果您有一台笔记本电脑，或者任何一台真正具有 USB-C 连接器和Thunderbolt 3功能的计算机，您可以连接一个外部GPU机箱。
重要的是要确认特定计算机是否不仅具有 Thunderbolt 3 over USB-C，而且它是否与通过此连接的GPU操作兼容。(GPU)制造商通常会提前说明这一点，如果他们没有明确提及这一点，则表明必须首先进行一些研究。
这是关键 - 性能开销
这些外部外壳的最大警告归结为一个简单的性能损失问题。虽然它因卡而异，但与直接连接主板相比，Thunderbolt 3的整体性能似乎下降了 10-15% 。
这可能会随着驱动程序优化和Thunderbolt的未来版本而得到改善。但是，现在您不应该期望完全一样的性能。但是，这不一定是一个公平的比较，因为您无法选择直接更换笔记本电脑或小型 PC 中的GPU 。
换句话说，即使下降了 15%，外部GPU仍将比内部GPU快得多。假设您要连接到相对高端的显卡。
CPU/GPU 不匹配
任何正在考虑使用外部GPU机箱的人都应该记住的最重要的事情之一是，在图形性能方面，GPU并不是唯一重要的部分。CPU必须先完成一系列工作，然后才能将工作传递给GPU ，(GPU)然后由 GPU完成渲染帧的工作。
如果所讨论的CPU不能足够快地做到这一点，那么GPU的功能有多强大都没有关系。它总是在等待CPU赶上来，而不是满负荷工作。这种情况被称为“瓶颈”。
这是一个非常相关的问题，因为选择了笔记本电脑内置的CPU
和GPU可以很好地协同工作。(GPU)当您可以控制GPU选择时，选择一款能够在相关CPU上发挥最佳性能的 GPU 非常重要。
这就是为什么外部GPU解决方案可以很好地与超极本级笔记本电脑配合使用的原因，因为它们往往具有非常强大的CPU(CPUs)，即使出于节能和节省空间的原因与板载GPU解决方案搭配使用也是如此。(GPU)将这些笔记本电脑与非常强大的GPU配对将提供非常令人满意的体验。
如果您的笔记本电脑正在包装低端CPU硬件，那么节省您的资金并将其与中端GPU配对。仍然比集成显卡快得多，但不会浪费性能。
显示支持
显然，您可以连接您选择的GPU支持的任何外部显示器。(GPU)一些机箱也添加了自己的连接。但是，您不需要使用外部显示器。
尽管需要性能成本，但您可以将图形从外部GPU传输回内置笔记本电脑显示器。根据硬件的具体情况，这种性能冲击可能很重要，最佳解决方案是使用外部显示器。
功率、尺寸和冷却
如上所述，这些外部机箱是独立的系统，可为您选择安装在其中的GPU提供电源和冷却。(GPU)当然，不能修改的集成外壳除外。
就像台式机一样，并非所有机箱都是平等的。每个产品都会支持特定的卡片尺寸。同样(Likewise)，最大功率消耗也将在规格表中列出。这意味着，如果您考虑到特定的机箱，则需要确保GPU适合并且机箱提供足够的汁液以保持该卡平稳运行。
具有讽刺意味的是，对于较旧的GPU(GPUs)，这是一个更大的问题
。使用较旧的生产工艺创建的卡片往往更耗电。然而，它们是外部GPU使用的一个有吸引力的选择。毕竟，您可能有一张旧的GPU卡，或者可以以便宜的价格购买去年的性能卡。支付外壳本身的成本。
模块化 VS 集成外部 GPU
如上所述，您有两种主要的外部GPU外壳设计。获得最多覆盖的类型是那些您可以粘贴任何适合且不会使电源过载的GPU的类型。(GPU)
这样做的主要缺点是它们不是特别便携。没有什么能阻止您随身携带外部外壳，但这并不是一件容易的事。集成的外部GPU(GPUs)虽然不是移动的，但更便携。
您可以轻松地将它们放入笔记本电脑包中，以便在主电源可用时使用它们。以联想(Lenovo)的这个图形扩展坞为例。它包含一个GTX 1050，但又小又薄，足以随身携带。
这里还有第三种变体，有点半途而废。您可以购买更大的外壳，内置功能更强大的卡。这些不是那么便携，但它们往往比自带卡选项便宜。
专有连接
虽然几乎每个外部GPU外壳示例都使用Thunderbolt 3 over USB-C工作，但也有少数例外。值得注意的是，Alienware 图形放大器(Alienware Graphics Amplifier)使用的连接器仅适用于特定的Alienware笔记本电脑。
这通常不是问题，但消费者应该意识到，在向外部GPU技术投入资金之前，应该对兼容性进行双重和三重检查。
坞站功能
许多外部GPU机箱提供的功能不仅仅是更好的GPU。它们可以兼作扩展坞，让您永久连接显示器、扬声器、键盘、鼠标和USB存储设备。有些还具有用于硬盘驱动器的内部驱动器托架。
如果您的笔记本电脑和机箱都支持它，Thunderbolt连接甚至可以为您的笔记本电脑供电和充电，从而可以让您只需一个连接即可使用完整的桌面设置。
DIY解决方案
eGPU 机箱是一种优雅的即插即用解决方案，可提升笔记本电脑的图形性能。但是，您可以通过制定自己的解决方案来节省相对较高的价格。虽然它肯定不适合所有人，也不适合商业产品的润色，但您可以自己拼凑所有需要的部件。
导入Thunderbolt卡座相对简单。这本质上只是PCIe插槽本身带有一个小支架。你必须连接你自己的电源，而卡本身就会暴露在外面。好处是，如果您已经有一张旧卡和PSU，那么与兼容的笔记本电脑一起使用它们是一种非常便宜的方式。
欢迎来到 eGPU 革命！
随着Thunderbolt 3等更新、更快版本的技术即将问世，eGPU 技术的未来前景一片光明。它使我们能够延长移动计算机的使用寿命，在多个用户之间共享强大的GPU(GPUs)
，并克服笔记本电脑外形固有的一些性能限制。考虑到 eGPU 外壳的成本已经下降了多少，它们的受欢迎程度可能只会从这里上升。
Everything You Need to Know About External GPU Enclosures
Modern laptops have solved almost all of the compromiѕes that have been inherent to the form factor from the first ever clamshеll machines tо enter the market.
In the past, owning a laptop meant being happy with technology a generation behind what the desktop market was enjoying. It means using a compromised display, cramped input devices and paying a massive premium for the privilege.
Over time however, technology has evolved in such a way that the modern laptop is essentially indistinguishable in terms of performance from the typical desktop. The baseline performance of even the cheapest computer is now comfortably in excess of what most people need.
That is, internet access and media consumption, with some light productivity thrown in. Even performance users, such as gamers and workstation users, can get laptops with the sort of grunt they need – at a price.
There is one area however, where laptops are behind. It’s still not possible to simply upgrade major components the way we can with desktop machines. There has been some progress in this regard. So-called “MXM” modules are used in some laptops to allow for the existing GPU to be swapped for something newer.
However, this is expensive, has compatibility issues and doesn’t give you access to any GPU you want. External GPU enclosures are now available as an alternative way to boost the graphics prowess of a laptop computer and, depending on your use case, could be an ideal solution.
What Exactly is an External GPU
Enclosure?
These GPU enclosures are almost like tiny desktop computer cases that are designed to house a graphics card and nothing else. They have their own power supplies, a PCIe slot for the card itself and case cooling fans.
There are also compact integrated external GPU
enclosures that don’t allow you the option of changing the GPU inside. These
examples of the technology don’t use desktop components, but also rely on
mobile-grade parts.
The first type of external enclosure is portable, but not mobile. It is designed to stand on a desk, which is why they often also double as laptop docks. They might include USB ports and even additional hard drive bays. Once your laptop is connected, it can access all these goodies and you can permanently attach an external monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers to the enclosure so that getting it all up and running only takes a few minutes.
The second type of enclosure with it’s
integrated design might also have some docking features, but exists for a
slightly different use case and can easily be stored in your laptop bag in case
you need it on the go. These come with a GPU already on-board and generally
aren’t user upgradeable.
Thunderbolt 3 Makes it All
Possible
The biggest obstacle to making an external GPU
viable is the technology that connects it to the computer. While IO technology
such s USB 3.1 offers a lot of bandwidth, it’s still not nearly enough to
satisfy the needs of a hungry GPU. This is the reason we connect GPU cards
directly to the motherboard using a dense connector.
With the advent of Thunderbolt 3, running over
a USB-C cable, there’s now a peripheral connection technology that has more
than enough bandwidth to handle GPU demands. If you have a laptop, or any
computer really, that has a USB-C connector with Thunderbolt 3 capability, you
can connect an external GPU enclosure.
It is important to confirm whether the specific computer not only has Thunderbolt 3 over USB-C, but that it is compatible with GPU operations over this connection. The manufacturer will usually say this upfront, if they don’t mention this explicitly that’s a sign that some research has to happen first.
Here’s the Catch – Performance
Overhead
The biggest caveat with these external enclosures comes down to a simple question of performance loss. While it varies from card to card, it seems that there’s an overall 10-15 percent loss of performance over Thunderbolt 3 compared to a direct motherboard connection.
This is likely to improve with driver optimization and with future versions of Thunderbolt. However, right now you shouldn’t expect exactly as much performance. However, that’s not necessarily a fair comparison, since you don’t have the option of directly replacing the GPU in your laptop or small form factor PC.
In other words, even with that fifteen percent drop, the external GPU will still be much faster than the internal GPU. Assuming that you’re connecting to a relatively higher end graphics card.
CPU/GPU Mismatches
One of the most important things anyone who is considering using an external GPU enclosure should keep in mind is that the GPU is not the only part that matters when it comes to graphical performance. The CPU has to do a whole range of things before the work can be passed on to the GPU, which will then do the work of rendering frames.
If the CPU in question can’t do this quickly enough, it doesn’t matter how powerful the GPU is. It’s always going to be waiting for the CPU to catch up and not working at its full capacity. A situation that’s referred to as a “bottleneck”.
This is a very relevant issue, because the CPU
and GPU built into your laptop were chosen to work well together. When you are
in control of the GPU choice, it’s pretty important to pick one that will
perform at its best with the CPU in question.
This is why external GPU solutions work well with ultrabook-class notebooks, because they tend to have very powerful CPUs, even if paired with onboard GPU solutions for power and space saving reasons. Pairing these notebooks with a very powerful GPU will provide a very satisfactory experience.
If you’re laptop is packing lower-end CPU hardware, then save your money and pair it with a mid-range GPU. Still much faster than integrated graphics, but without performance wastage.
Display Support
Obviously you can connect whatever external display the GPU you choose supports. Some enclosures add their own connections as well. You do not, however, need to use an external display.
Although it comes at a performance cost, you can pipe the graphics from your external GPU back to your built-in laptop display. Depending on the specifics of your hardware, that performance knock can be significant and optimal solution is to use an external display.
Power, Dimensions and Cooling
As mentioned above, these external enclosures are self-contained systems that provide power and cooling to the GPU you choose to install in them. Of course, with the exception of integrated enclosures that can’t be modified.
Just like desktops, all enclosures are not created equal. There will be specific card dimensions supported by each product. Likewise, the maximum power draw will also be laid out in the spec sheets. This means that if you have a specific enclosure in mind, you need to make sure that the GPU fits and that the enclosure provides enough juice to keep that card running smoothly.
Ironically, this is a larger issue with older
GPUs. Cards created using older production processes tend to be more power
hungry. Yet they’re an attractive choice for external GPU use. After all, you
may have an old GPU card laying around or can pick up last year’s performance
cards for a bargain. Defraying the cost of the enclosure itself.
Modular VS Integrated External
GPUs
As mentioned above, you get two main designs
for external GPU enclosures. The type that’s received the most coverage are
those where you can stick any GPU that will fit and not overload the power
supply.
The main disadvantage of this is that they aren’t particularly portable. Nothing stops you from taking the external enclosure along, but it’s not going to be an easy task. Integrated external GPUs, while not mobile, are much more portable.
You can easily put them into your laptop bag so that you can use them when main power is available. Take this graphics dock from Lenovo as an example. It contains a GTX 1050, but is small and thin enough to take with you.
There’s a third variant here as well, somewhat
halfway. You can buy bulkier external enclosures that come with a more powerful
card built in. These are not as portable, but they tend to be less expensive
than the bring-your-own-card options.
Proprietary Connections
While almost every example of external GPU enclosure works using Thunderbolt 3 over USB-C, there are a small number of exceptions. Notable, the Alienware Graphics Amplifier uses a connector that’s unique only to specific Alienware laptops.
This is not a problem in general, but consumers should be aware that compatibility should be double- and triple- checked before committing money to external GPU technology.
Docking Station Features
Many external GPU enclosures offer more features than just a better GPU. They can double as docking stations, allowing you to permanently attach a monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse and USB storage. Some have internal drive bays for hard drives as well.
If your laptop and enclosure both support it, the Thunderbolt connection can even power and charge your laptop, making it possible to have a single connection be the only thing between you and being ready to roll with a full-on desktop setup.
DIY Solutions
eGPU enclosures are an elegant, plug-and-play solution to boosting laptop graphics. However, you can save on their relatively high price by crafting your own solution. While it’s certainly not for everyone and doesn’t match the polish of a commercial product, you can cobble together all the needed parts yourself.
It’s relatively simply to import a Thunderbolt card dock.This is essentially just the PCIe slot itself with a small stand. You have to connect your own power supply and the card itself will just be out in the open. The upside is that if you already have an old card and PSU laying around, it’s a very cheap way to make use of them with along with a compatible laptop.
Welcome to the eGPU Revolution!
With newer, faster versions of technologies
like Thunderbolt 3 on the way, the future off eGPU technology looks bright. It
allows us to extend the lifespan of our mobile computers, share powerful GPUs
among multiple users and overcome some of the performance limitations inherent
to the laptop form factor. Given how much the cost of eGPU enclosures have
already dropped, their popularity is likely to go nowhere but up from here.
