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    RTX 2080 Ti in eGPU

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by No.2, May 5, 2020.

  1. No.2

    No.2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi folks,

    Has anyone had any success with an RTX 2080 Ti in an eGPU. I understand that the Razor Core X seemed to have issues powering the MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti GAMING X TRIO with it three power plug headers and ended up having to move from the Trio to the Sea Hawk.
    Has anyone manage to get the Trio working in an eGPU or had any other positive experiences with 2080s in eGPUs?
    This is for a VR set up on an i9 Lenovo X1E gen 2 laptop BTW.
     
  2. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    I have a Sonnet Breakaway Box 550 with a OC'd 2070. There's plenty of power to spare in the 550 for even going to a 2080 Ti. It works great. Solid as a rock, I can plug it in and unplug it at will at any time and it just works.

    Take a look at the Sonnet Breakaway Box 650 if you're concerned about powering a 2080 Ti, it's probably a little overkill but at least you'll be assured without a doubt it'll work.

    Also, for more eGPU specific conversations, there's a community dedicated to it fully at https://egpu.io, i'd go over there you can ask someone that has a build specifically with a 2080 Ti.

    You can follow this link https://egpu.io/best-external-graphics-card-builds/ and filter the list by 2080 Ti eGPU and click into those builds and talk to the folks who are currently using one.
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2020
  3. No.2

    No.2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks! Anyone managed to run an MSI RTX 2080 Ti Trio with its three power connectors in a Sonnet Breakaway Box 650?
     
  4. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    I'm guessing this is 2x8pin + 6pin?

    You can probably use an 8pin to 8pin + 6+2pin adapter on one of the PSU cables. I'm pretty sure either my eGPU or the 2070 came with one, though I didn't need to use it because the 2070 only has 2 power connectors if I recall. It's been a year since I installed it and the boxes for both are in storage.

    Check with support for your eGPU box manufacturer themselves, they should be able to help you get that card connected. Any eGPU with at least a 500W PSU should be able to handle a 2080Ti with no problem. Both the Sonnet 550 and 650 both say they can power a 2080Ti in the graphics card compatibility table so I would imagine all you need is a power connector adapter. 2080Ti typically use less than 300W even in extreme cases. That still leaves plenty of power for TB3 power delivery etc..

    Here's a example of the adapter:
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/sho...VbaZSXfLirlXjwJTNSgaAjNxEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

    EDIT:
    Also Sonnet's max GPU size support:
    Based on MSI's site your card is (which also confirmed the 2x8pin + 6pin power..)
    So I don't think it will fit in the Sonnet boxes. it's too large in two dimensions based on their FAQ on their site. But the Razer Core X has a plenty large enough power supply, ask Razer if you can buy an adapter to hook up all the power cables if it actually fits in there physically.

    I will say it's super weird that there's 3 power connectors. Two 8 pin connectors can handle up to 375W and that should be well over what a 2080Ti needs. Not sure what magical stuff MSI is doing with the VRM stages there to need 3 power connectors. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2020
  5. No.2

    No.2 Notebook Enthusiast

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  6. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    Looking at the chatter in that thread is weird. There's no way a 2080Ti would ever use more than around 350W.. it's pretty crazy that the splitter doesn't work. And that Razer rep saying it requires 650 is nuts.

    Do you currently own the Trio card or are you just researching what to buy?
     
  7. No.2

    No.2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    It is rather... I am looking for as much performance for VR as I can manage while constrained to using my i9 9880H Laptop.
     
  8. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    Get an Asus ROG Strix 2080 Ti then, it only has two 8 pin power connectors, which makes more sense anyway. I really like my 2070 OC edition.. the axial triple fan setup is super quiet. I barely hear the eGPU under load. There's a switch you can toggle between quiet mode and "super cooling mode" or whatever they call it. Even in quiet mode it never gets very hot. The heat sink and fans are great on it.
     
  9. No.2

    No.2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So you think the Asus ROG Strix 2080 Ti would be to pick of the 2x8pin power connector cards? Not the OC version for instance?
     
  10. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    The OC edition has 2x8pin as well, where did you see an OC edition strix with 3 power connectors?

    Just check the dimensions of the card to be sure it will fit in whatever eGPU you buy.

    I *THINK* it's actually the same size as my 2070... but I have not look to be sure, you should do that research yourself.