Compare eGPU and desktop options to see which suits your needs best.
Compare eGPU and desktop options to see which suits your needs best.
You're weighing performance upgrades for your 2019 Razer Blade Stealth. The current setup is strong, but adding more power could really boost performance. You have two options: invest in an eGPU enclosure with a dedicated card for around 500-800 USD, or build a full gaming rig with the existing components. Consider what you'll use it for—gaming or content creation—and choose accordingly.
Purchase a new PC to boost performance at that cost. Utilizing an EGPU can leverage Thunderbolt if supported, which may enhance speed or introduce limitations based on your port type. Opting for a complete build often provides the best results.
Razer's setup for Thunderbolt 3 follows Apple's approach. It offers roughly half the bandwidth of PCIe 3.0 x8 and a quarter of x16 speeds. This means it matches PCIe 3.0 x4 performance. Cards that struggle with PCIe 3.0 x4 will also face limitations with Thunderbolt, while those meeting the required bandwidth should perform well. Performance drops are typically around 8-20% on high-end GPUs like a 980 Ti or above, with the biggest loss at 4K and the smallest at 1080p.
Having two different setups offers more benefits. If I were you, I’d design a system with a Ryzen 5 3600 + 1660 Super and achieve higher performance while staying under $800. Look for a 3300 series model on the market and consider adding an RTX 2060 to this build: PCPartPicker lists it, and it pairs well with the PC. For components, the motherboard from Gigabyte B450 AORUS ELITE is available at Best Buy for $109.99, memory options include Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB at $73.98, and storage like the Western Digital Blue 500 GB drive is $64.98. The video card and case selections are also listed with prices that total around $781.63, including shipping and taxes.
Hey all, your ideas about setting up a rig are solid. If things improve economically, I’ll definitely get started on one!