Possible to connect an external desktop GPU to a laptop?

[AliRidha]

So I've been looking at a couple of articles of how people managed to connect an external GPU to a laptop, for example this guy connected his gtx 670 to his laptop but he needed to buy a sperate PSU just for the GPU. So is it true? Can I do this?

 

[delaro]

Here are what I found on that very question, read them and see if you come to the same conclusion I did.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-External-Graphics-Cards-for-Laptops.112162.0.html
http://lifehacker.com/5851902/turn-a-low-powered-laptop-into-a-gaming-machine-with-an-external-video-card-dock

My conclusion... For the cost I could find a better laptop or build a budget desktop unless your floating in parts.

 

[CRITICALThinker]

It is possible, but your laptop needs very specific requirements (thunderbolt or expresscard/compatible interface) and the enclosures cost between $300 and $1000 without power supply or GPU. This is without driver issues and other errors

long story short you can, but your laptop probably doesn't have what it takes and it isn't worth the hassle.

 

[stickmansam]

it's not worth it while it it technically possible

I agree that it's better to just get a desktop gaming rig and for portability, get it in a small mITX enclosure

 

[Matteo De Vellis]

It is possible, but your laptop needs very specific requirements (thunderbolt or expresscard/compatible interface) and the enclosures cost between $300 and $1000 without power supply or GPU. This is without driver issues and other errors

long story short you can, but your laptop probably doesn't have what it takes and it isn't worth the hassle.

no it will not cost $300

you need the adapter like the exp gdc one($64) a graphics card like a 750 ti($120) which will probs destroy any laptop GPU and a 60w psu like the ones used for laptops($40) thats $204 including a psu

 

[jaguarskx]

There is a way to use an external (desktop) GPU with a laptop, but it is not an elegant solution; meaning you will have electronics laying around because the device that allows you to use a desktop GPU does not include a case for it. Your laptop must have a mini PCI-e port and it is typically used by a removable wireless card. If there is no spare mini PCI-e port, then naturally you need to remove your wireless card to use a desktop GPU.

See linked video for a quick setup and a link to the device itself which costs $50. Before buying the device make sure that your laptop is listed as one of the tested laptop from the seller's site, otherwise you will be making a $50 game plus the cost of the GPU if you do not have a spare desktop GPU laying around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP_8EYQ-2RA

http://www.banggood.com/EXP-GDC-Laptop-External-PCI-E-Graphics-Card-p-934367.html


Alienware has the $300 Alienware Graphics Amplifier (excluding GPU), but it is only compatible with current Alienware laptop models.

 

[delaro]

You guys know this is nearly a year old right? The op probably doesn't even visit Tom now.

 

[AliRidha]

i actually still do

 

[MasterAli]

i actually still do

lol. rekt m8

 

[pankajverma_87]

An Alienware Graphics Amplifier will be launched exclusively for Alienware 13 Gaming laptop only.

"http://www.pcworld.com/article/2839436/the-alienware-graphics-amplifier-lets-you-add-a-desktop-video-card-to-a-laptop.html"

But what Mr stickmansam has said stand correct. I will quoto him ,"it's not worth it while it it technically possible".

Also Laptop tends to heat and overheating can possible damage your parts and in absence or low working of cooling fan can make your laptop shut down unexpectedly!

It is better that you buy a new Desktop for Gaming Purpose only !

 

[DFuller6]

If your laptop has an actual PCI-Express slot on the chassis it's very doable. I built one for one of our 3D designers who wanted to use the Oculus Rift & Unreal Game engine for some design work on his laptop. Our Dell laptop has the slot on the chassis, so I bought an enclosure, an EXP GDC Laptop External PCI-E Graphics Card, an nVidia 970 and a power supply. Assembled it's not too big. It works quite well; some minor flakiness requiring unplugging/plugging the card but overall it was a success.

 

[Bonkumiru]

If your laptop has an actual PCI-Express slot on the chassis it's very doable. I built one for one of our 3D designers who wanted to use the Oculus Rift & Unreal Game engine for some design work on his laptop. Our Dell laptop has the slot on the chassis, so I bought an enclosure, an EXP GDC Laptop External PCI-E Graphics Card, an nVidia 970 and a power supply. Assembled it's not too big. It works quite well; some minor flakiness requiring unplugging/plugging the card but overall it was a success.

Wait, you actually found a site selling the EXP GDC laptop dock? WHERE? I CANT FIND A SITE WITH IT THAT ISNT A SCAM! HELP ME OUT MAN!

 

[georgi5000]

If your laptop has an actual PCI-Express slot on the chassis it's very doable. I built one for one of our 3D designers who wanted to use the Oculus Rift & Unreal Game engine for some design work on his laptop. Our Dell laptop has the slot on the chassis, so I bought an enclosure, an EXP GDC Laptop External PCI-E Graphics Card, an nVidia 970 and a power supply. Assembled it's not too big. It works quite well; some minor flakiness requiring unplugging/plugging the card but overall it was a success.

Wait, you actually found a site selling the EXP GDC laptop dock? WHERE? I CANT FIND A SITE WITH IT THAT ISNT A SCAM! HELP ME OUT MAN!

http://www.banggood.com/Mini-PCI-E-Version-V8_0-EXP-GDC-Beast-Laptop-External-Independent-Video-Card-Dock-p-1011222.html