The eGPU Dream: Still Alive in 2025?
Remember the allure of the external GPU (eGPU)? The promise of a portable laptop transforming into a gaming powerhouse with a simple cable connection? It was a captivating vision, one that offered the best of both worlds: on-the-go productivity and desktop-level gaming performance. Plug in for power, unplug for portability.
Years ago, this concept felt like the future. But the reality of eGPUs has been a long and winding road, filled with hurdles and limitations. While the dream never entirely faded, it never quite achieved mainstream adoption. But 2025 brings a glimmer of hope, sparked by the arrival of Thunderbolt 5 and a renewed push from manufacturers like Asus. Are we finally on the verge of an eGPU revolution?
Let’s rewind and examine the trajectory of eGPUs, understand why they faltered, and explore why 2025 might be the year they finally take off.
The eGPU journey began over a decade ago. In 2015, the Alienware Amplifier offered an early glimpse into the concept, albeit tied exclusively to Alienware laptops. A few years later, Thunderbolt 3 emerged as a potential unifying standard, enabling eGPU connectivity for a wider range of laptops. Products like the Akitio Node Cabinet in 2017 showcased this potential.
However, compatibility remained a significant stumbling block. Not every Thunderbolt 3-equipped laptop played nicely with eGPUs. This fragmentation hindered widespread adoption. While dedicated hobbyists tinkered with DIY eGPU setups, the technology remained niche and uncertain.
The biggest issue, however, was performance. eGPUs simply couldn’t match the speed of the same GPU installed directly in a desktop PC. Several factors contributed to this bottleneck. The limited bandwidth of the Thunderbolt 3 connection hampered data transfer. The added latency introduced by the external cable further eroded performance.
PCIe lanes also played a crucial role. A dedicated desktop GPU typically connects to the motherboard via a PCIe x16 slot, offering 16 lanes for data communication. eGPUs, on the other hand, often utilized a PCIe x4 slot, providing only four lanes. This disparity significantly impacted performance, even if it didn’t translate to a fourfold reduction in speed.
The impact was far from theoretical. In 2020, PCWorld conducted benchmarks that vividly illustrated the performance gap. When tested with The Witcher 3, an eGPU configuration delivered 60 FPS, while the same GPU inside a desktop PC achieved a staggering 140 FPS. That’s more than double the performance! The eGPU did outperform the laptop’s integrated graphics, but the improvement was far from dramatic.
These benchmarks demonstrated a harsh reality: investing in a powerful desktop GPU for an eGPU enclosure yielded significantly less performance than using that same GPU directly in a desktop. Consumers were better off purchasing a gaming laptop with a more powerful built-in GPU.
Meanwhile, gaming laptops underwent a remarkable transformation. Over the past decade, they became thinner, lighter, and more portable. While still slightly bulkier than ultrabooks, they shed the "heavy brick" stereotype. Improved battery life and enhanced portability diminished the need for external GPUs.
The argument for building a powerful gaming desktop further weakened the case for eGPUs. If you were spending a significant amount on a desktop GPU, why limit its potential with the constraints of an external enclosure? Building or buying a pre-built gaming PC offered superior performance at a comparable cost.
Ultimately, eGPUs were perceived as too slow and too expensive. The rise of portable gaming laptops and powerful desktop PCs made it difficult to justify the expense. But the landscape is shifting once again.
The resurgence of eGPU interest in 2025 is largely driven by the introduction of Thunderbolt 5. This cutting-edge technology promises significantly higher bandwidth, potentially resolving the performance bottleneck that plagued previous generations.
Thunderbolt 5 boasts a maximum bandwidth of 80Gbps, with the potential to reach 120Gbps in certain configurations. Intel, the developer of the Thunderbolt standard, is actively promoting Thunderbolt 5 for external graphics, fueling excitement and anticipation.
Asus showcased the latest iteration of its ROG XG Mobile eGPU at CES 2025. This external GPU solution supports Nvidia’s new GeForce RTX 5090 GPU. While impressive, questions remain about its real-world performance compared to an RTX 5090 directly installed in a desktop.
Initial benchmarks are eagerly awaited. If Thunderbolt 5 can effectively bridge the performance gap, it could revolutionize the eGPU landscape.
However, a significant obstacle looms: the limited availability of Thunderbolt 5 support in current PCs. According to PCWorld, device manufacturers attribute this delay to two primary factors: the lack of Intel chipsets with integrated Thunderbolt 5 and the slow adoption of 8K content. Without widespread demand for 8K, consumers appear content with the capabilities of Thunderbolt 3 and 4.
Even if Thunderbolt 5 eGPUs deliver impressive performance, their mainstream adoption may be delayed until Thunderbolt 5 becomes more prevalent in laptops. Furthermore, Nvidia’s announcement of GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards for laptops poses a challenge. Why invest in an external GPU when a faster built-in GPU is available?
Despite the technological advancements, skepticism persists. A decade after initial excitement, eGPUs still don’t feel poised for mainstream success. While Thunderbolt 5 offers significant improvements, the rest of the industry continues to evolve.
Gaming laptops have become increasingly convenient. They can now serve as a primary laptop, offering a balance of portability and gaming performance. An external GPU is no longer essential for a satisfying laptop gaming experience.
For those seeking absolute top-tier performance, a desktop gaming PC remains the optimal choice. Beyond the GPU, a desktop PC boasts a more powerful CPU, contributing to overall system performance.
Cost remains a critical factor. Spending the same amount on a high-end gaming laptop or a gaming desktop might be more practical than purchasing a separate external GPU and a regular laptop.
Furthermore, performance is not the sole determinant of consumer preference. The popularity of gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck demonstrates the appeal of integrated graphics solutions that prioritize portability and convenience.
Despite these challenges, the author remains intrigued by the potential of eGPUs. The technology is inherently cool, and the desire for it to succeed persists. However, the increasing portability of gaming laptops has diminished the previous need for an eGPU.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, external GPUs are expected to continue improving. But whether they will ever achieve mainstream acceptance remains an open question. The dream lives on, but the path to realization is still uncertain.
