Top Laptops for eGPU in 2023

Using an external graphics card, also known as a GPU, is an excellent method to enhance the performance of your laptop. The addition of an external graphics card can significantly improve your laptop’s capabilities for tasks such as gaming and resource-intensive applications.

If you’re searching for a laptop that can support an external graphics card, you are at the right place.

In this blog post, we will delve into the top laptops suitable for eGPU compatibility. Specifically, if you possess a Thunderbolt 4 eGPU, this list of laptops is precisely what you need to maintain your gaming prowess.

How to connect eGPU with a Laptop?

Only a few laptops allow you to connect an eGPU, which enhances your gaming experience. To make this work, you’ll need a high-speed port, and some additional features to enjoy top-notch gaming, similar to what you get with high-end desktop systems.

You can pick between laptops with Thunderbolt and USB4 ports. However, we recommend going for a Thunderbolt laptop because USB4 doesn’t ensure fast data transfer.

Thunderbolt ports that support PCIe tunnelling and 40Gbps data speed are required in order to connect an eGPU. Thunderbolt 4 is the best choice for this, as it always includes these features, unlike older Thunderbolt versions. This is important if you’re using powerful modern GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080.

Apart from Thunderbolt, it’s also crucial to have a laptop with a high-refresh-rate display, especially if you don’t use an external monitor. A low-refresh-rate screen can make your games look less smooth and might cause visual issues like tearing and ghosting. This is disappointing, especially when you’ve invested a good amount of money in your gaming setup.

Interestingly, gaming laptops with built-in dedicated GPUs often have high-refresh-rate screens, which might make an eGPU unnecessary. But it’s worth noting that eGPUs are still valuable for future-proofing your gaming setup and enabling easy upgrades.

While eGPUs are great for gaming, some people also use them for content creation. In either case, having a laptop with a robust thermal system is essential. This ensures that your laptop’s critical components can work at their best performance levels.

Top Laptops for eGPU

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Razer, a renowned gaming laptop manufacturer, presents the Blade 15, known for its high-performance specifications. Featuring a 15.6-inch QHD display with a 240Hz refresh rate and rapid 2.5ms response times, this laptop ensures minimal image distortion during high-speed gaming. With Intel’s 13th-gen Core i7 processor, 1TB SSD storage, and upgradable RAM options, the Blade 15 is a powerful gaming machine. It houses an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU for an immersive gaming experience. Additionally, its Thunderbolt 4 support facilitates eGPU upgrades.

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The HP ENVY 16-inch Touchscreen laptop offers a versatile solution for content creation workflows and light gaming. Packed with high-performance components, this laptop ensures seamless multitasking and productivity.

It features Intel’s 13th-generation Core i9-13900H processor with impressive specifications, including six performance cores, eight efficiency cores, 20 threads, and a clock speed of up to 5.4GHz. This powerful CPU, combined with 64GB of DDR5 RAM, is ideal for rendering high-resolution videos and handling resource-intensive tasks. With a spacious 4TB SSD storage, you’ll have ample space to store large files for editing.

The ENVY boasts a large 16-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. This IPS panel offers sharp visuals with 400 nits of brightness and 100% sRGB color gamut coverage. While it may not be the ultimate choice for high-performance gaming, it can handle light gaming when you want to take a break from your content creation work.

In terms of ports, you’ll find a couple of USB-A ports, an HDMI v.2.1, and a media card reader on both sides. Notably, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports for convenient connections with compatible devices.

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The ASUS TUF Dash 15 offers a budget-friendly option for gamers. While it features an older generation Intel Core i7-12650H processor (10-cores, 24MB Cache, and up to 4.7GHz clock speed) from the 12th generation, it is complemented by 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD. These specifications allow for cost savings while maintaining effective gaming performance.

The laptop features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB GDDR6 VRAM, a choice that contributes to cost reduction while presenting a compelling case for utilizing a modern eGPU. With both GPUs at your disposal, you have the flexibility to select the one that best suits your gaming needs.

The TUF Dash 15 represents an older generation of technology, which is evident in its 15.6-inch Full HD 1080p screen with a 144Hz refresh rate. While the display offers satisfactory gaming visuals, it may not match the latest display technologies with higher resolutions and refresh rates. However, this budget-friendly laptop can overcome these limitations by using an eGPU with an external monitor.

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The GIGABYTE AORUS 17 is an excellent choice for gamers who prefer a laptop with a built-in large 17-inch display, eliminating the need for an external monitor. While the size of the laptop is substantial, it offers several gaming features that enhance the gaming experience.

Powering this laptop is an Intel Core i7-13700H processor with a clock speed of up to 5GHz and 14 cores (6-P and 8-E). It includes 16GB of DDR4 RAM with two available slots for potential upgrades, and the laptop features 1TB SSD storage with two M.2 SSD slots for expandability.

The AORUS 17 boasts a 17.3-inch display with thin bezels, maximizing the screen-to-body ratio for immersive gaming and professional work. With a 2560x1440p resolution and a refresh rate of 240Hz, it delivers crisp visuals. The display also offers superior color accuracy and minimal eye strain, covering 100% of the sRGB color space and carrying TUV Rheinland certification for low blue-light emissions.

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The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a cost-effective gaming laptop suitable for pairing with an eGPU. Featuring two Thunderbolt 4 ports, it provides flexibility for connecting your eGPU and additional Thunderbolt 4 devices. With mid-to-high-range specifications, this laptop is capable of running a variety of gaming titles. Acer complements these specifications with a stunning display for an immersive gaming experience.

Under the hood, the laptop is equipped with an Intel Core i7-13700HX processor, offering 16 cores, 30MB of cache, and a clock speed of up to 5GHz. While it’s not packed with a massive amount of RAM, it includes 16GB of DDR5 RAM, with the option to upgrade to 32GB using the two available slots. Additionally, the Helios 16 boasts a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast storage operations, vital for high-performance gaming.

The laptop features a 16-inch IPS panel display with a 2560x1600p resolution, ensuring excellent image clarity. You’ll enjoy action-packed games thanks to the 165Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time that minimizes image distortions. Furthermore, G-Sync support enhances gaming visuals when using your eGPU.

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The MSI Raider is equipped with a powerful Intel Core i9-13950HX processor, offering 24 cores (8-P and 16-E), 36MB of cache, and a turbo clock speed of up to 5.50GHz. Although the laptop includes 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD storage, both are upgradeable to meet your future performance needs.

Featuring a 16-inch QHD+ display with a 2560x1600p resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio, this laptop’s screen is complemented by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, complete with Ray Tracing and AI-based enhancements for exceptional gaming graphics. The Raider also provides a Thunderbolt 4 port for eGPU support, further enhancing its gaming capabilities.

The laptop’s thermal design features two high-speed fans and six heat pipes to ensure efficient cooling and prevent overheating. However, it should be noted that the fans may produce noise when the CPU and GPU are operating at peak performance.

With multiple video ports, including HDMI v.2.1 for 8K external displays, the Raider GE68Hx facilitates a triple-monitor setup. You can also use the Thunderbolt 4 port for eGPU support or an external display, although it may require choosing between the two.

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The ASUS TUF Dash 15 offers a budget-friendly option for gamers. While it features an older generation Intel Core i7-12650H processor (10-cores, 24MB Cache, and up to 4.7GHz clock speed) from the 12th generation, it is complemented by 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD. These specifications allow for cost savings while maintaining effective gaming performance.

The laptop features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB GDDR6 VRAM, a choice that contributes to cost reduction while presenting a compelling case for utilizing a modern eGPU. With both GPUs at your disposal, you have the flexibility to select the one that best suits your gaming needs.

The TUF Dash 15 represents an older generation of technology, which is evident in its 15.6-inch Full HD 1080p screen with a 144Hz refresh rate. While the display offers satisfactory gaming visuals, it may not match the latest display technologies with higher resolutions and refresh rates. However, this budget-friendly laptop can overcome these limitations by using an eGPU with an external monitor.

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The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers excellent mid-range specifications, making it an affordable yet high-performing gaming laptop. It has 32GB DDR5 RAM and 2TB of storage, providing ample space for your gaming library. Powered by Intel’s 13th-gen Core i7-13650HX processor, this laptop offers competitive gaming performance. Its screen, while not as high-resolution as some competitors, features a 165Hz refresh rate and supports various VRR technologies. The G16’s effective thermal design ensures sustained performance during long gaming sessions.

Key Features of a Laptop for eGPUs

When buying a laptop that can harness the power of an eGPU for gaming, there are several essential features to consider. These features are crucial for delivering an immersive gaming experience similar to fully-equipped desktop setups.

1. High-Speed Port

A fundamental requirement for using an eGPU is a high-speed port. While some laptops offer USB4 and Thunderbolt ports, it’s advisable to opt for a Thunderbolt laptop. USB4 does not guarantee the same high data transfer speed that Thunderbolt provides.

2. External Monitor

For the best gaming experience, especially with eGPUs, it’s recommended to use an external monitor. Built-in laptop screens may have low refresh rates, which can result in choppy gaming visuals, image tearing, and ghosting. High-refresh-rate monitors offer a smoother experience.

3. Thunderbolt Ports

Look for Thunderbolt connectors that provide 40Gbps data speeds and PCIe tunnelling in laptops. Since Thunderbolt 4 requires these features, it is the recommended option. It’s more reliable than older Thunderbolt versions.

4. High Refresh Rates

When gaming with eGPUs, ensure your laptop has a display with high-refresh rates. This is crucial to fully enjoy the gaming experience. Laptops with dedicated GPUs often feature high-refresh-rate displays, eliminating the need for an eGPU. However, eGPUs allow for easy upgrades and future-proofing your gaming setup.

5. Thermal Infrastructure

Gaming, especially with eGPUs, can be demanding on your laptop’s hardware. To ensure your components perform optimally, look for a laptop with a robust thermal infrastructure. Effective cooling solutions prevent overheating and maintain peak performance during extended gaming sessions.

FAQs

What Exactly Is PCIe Tunnelling? And Why Are eGPUs Required to Have It?

PCIe Tunnelling is a crucial concept for eGPUs. In desktop computers, add-in cards like GPUs typically use PCIe slots to communicate with the motherboard. In modern laptops, the concept of add-in cards is no longer applicable, and instead, laptops rely on I/O ports like USB and Thunderbolt.

PCIe Tunnelling essentially enables these ports to transmit signals to the laptop’s motherboard, even when connected via an external PCIe device such as an eGPU enclosure. It is essential for the eGPU to function properly with the laptop.

Can an eGPU be used with an AMD laptop?

An eGPU typically relies on fast data transfers, which are commonly facilitated by Thunderbolt ports. However, only a limited number of laptop manufacturers provide Thunderbolt ports on AMD-based laptops. An alternative solution is to use a laptop with a USB4 port, as several manufacturers offer USB4-enabled AMD laptops.

It’s important to note that USB4, while a viable option, may not guarantee the same 40Gbps data transfer speed as Thunderbolt. Furthermore, PCIe Tunnelling, a key feature for eGPUs, may not be universally supported on USB4, so you should ensure that the USB4 port on your AMD laptop supports these essential features.

Can I use my laptop’s GPU even if I have an eGPU?

When connecting an eGPU to a laptop that already has a dedicated GPU, you usually have the option to choose which GPU the system will use. However, it’s important to note that a computer can only utilize one GPU at a time.

Switching between GPUs can be complex and may involve specific settings or configurations. Therefore, it’s advisable to select the higher-performance GPU (often the eGPU) and use it as the primary graphics solution.

Does using an eGPU reduce performance?

There are studies indicating that eGPUs may exhibit a performance decrease of approximately 10 to 15 percent when used externally. However, this performance reduction is not uniform across all scenarios and largely depends on factors such as the specific eGPU model, laptop configuration, and the applications or games being run.

To mitigate this performance difference, you can opt for an eGPU with a higher performance rating, which can help offset the performance impact of using an external GPU.