External Video Card Questions

[87morpheus]

I have a few questions about external graphics cards (eGPU). I know there are many questions on the subject already, but I wanted to know if it is a good option for gaming. I see many people say it's not a good idea and you are better off getting a new computer completely. However, there are also many people who say that it is good and it is worth the investment. So what do you think? Is it worth getting an eGPU or is it cheaper and better to buy a new computer?

I also have several questions about the requirements for an external video card. What do I need to look for in a GPU so I can put it in? Will every GPU work for an external GPU? What PCI adapter should I be looking for? Will this work for every laptop?

I just want to put out there that I use a laptop. I know desktops are better, but I have very limited space at home where I can put the desktop (that and I really like the mobility of a laptop so I can take it to school to work on homework and stuff).

I know these are a lot of questions and they will be hard to answer because eGPUs are still being made and it is not a popular option. If you do have answers for me can you please let me know?

 

[photonboy]

There aren't any external graphics cards that I'm aware of unless you mean the custom solutions that use an Expresscard adapter or similar as an interface.

The biggest issue would be what BANDWIDTH your interface provides and that's usually far below what any half decent card would require so while it theoretically works you'd be throttled to a far lower performance.

Then there's the COST. I honestly haven't done more than skim but I'm guessing it might easily cost $200 for the card, adapter etc for something that would likely give at best what a modern low-end GPU can provide.

Can you provide me a link to one in particular you find interesting, and also tell me what external interface you can use?

Frankly, if this could work well we'd see a lot more pre-built units, and they'd be designed for a new high-speed interface probably direct to the PCIe bus.

(Thunderbolt connections have pretty good potential though.)

 

[photonboy]

Here's a link: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/2109-diy-egpu-experiences-%5Bversion-2-0%5D.html

One of the biggest cons is that you need an EXTERNAL MONITOR since there's no way to send the signal to the screen of the laptop, and since you said space was very limited I assume that's a deal breaker.

 

[87morpheus]

Thank you for your answer. $200 is a lot of money but it is cheaper than a gaming pc. So if I get a get a GPU with a high enough bandwidth it would be fine? The link below is the GPU I was looking at, I'll let you be the judge.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121781

Here is the connector I was looking at even though the GPU won't fit in it, it was just a thing I was looking at before I found the GPU.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PE4L-PM060A-PCI-E-2-0-to-mPCI-E-eGPU-connector-/181414865020?pt=US_Laptop_Port_Expansion_Cards&hash=item2a3d2b287c

And for the monitor. I was afraid that was the case. My father does have a work station that I can plug my laptop in and it has 2 monitors, I can use that. However, he uses it almost everyday so I can't use it all the time I want.

Again thank you for your answers. I was looking for a way to upgrade my GPU because I want to play the new game coming out, Watch Dogs, but my specs are too low.

 

[87morpheus]

I just thought maybe you'd want to see my computer's specs. So here they are.

GPU: Nvidia NVS 4200M
CPU: Intel Core i5-2520 @ 2.5 GHz
RAM: 8 GB
System type: 64 bit