External GPU with HP Spectre x360

[wesleymtran]

I recently got the HP Spectre x360 laptop with the dual core Intel i7-7500u processor and an NVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics card. While it handles games like Counter-strike:Global Offensive fairly well, I find it struggles with PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, likely due to the poor optimization of the game in its current state. Due to this, I began looking at external GPUs and found the AKiTio Node. I also have a desktop computer that already has an NVIDIA GeForce 980 graphics card that I would like to use in the eGPU for some on the go gaming.

I have three questions:

• 
  Is the AKiTio Node compatible with the HP Spectre x360?
  
  Does the AKiTiO Node provide enough power for my NVIDIA GeForce 980?
  
  Is it even worth using the eGPU or will my processor be a limiting factor that prevents a substantial performance increase?

Thank you in advance.

 

[WyomingKnott]

I've read quite a few eGPU questions. This is one of the most coherent.
Both your machine and the external case support Thunderbolt. This will actually provide enough bandwidth to use the card. The device does indeed provide a full 75W on the PCIe bus and two additional 8-pin power connectors. So this lashup will probably work.
Whether or not it will give you an advantage I can't tell you. The CPU is decent.

Anyone have experience with an actual benefit from eGPU?