How to use Thunderbolt Port?

I'm not sure if this thread belongs in this sub forum but I decided just to go with it since a discussion I had recently made me assume it was possible to augment CPU/GPU capabilities via this.

Basically, I went into the market for a new laptop and mentioned how I won't be getting new hardware for 4+ years afterwards. The salesman mentioned it was possible to use the thunderbolt port commercial computers added around 2011 to add in another GPU or something along those lines. I didn't ask him for the specifics so I'm not sure as to the actual working. Does it allow to add a desktop GPU? Or only mobile? Can any other internal components be added? I've got some questions along those lines.

 

Search the forum for threads about eGPUs.


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Well bummer. Most of them say it's not worth it what with bottlenecking and high probability of glitches, bugs and general inoperability.

 

@sidg666 I'd say it's totally worth it if you have some ultraportable with half-decent CPU, and don't want to get a gaming laptop/desktop. Even Expresscard is often good enough.

 

Well, I can't get a desktop and last time I bought something of a high end multimedia laptop with i7, 4 GB RAM, HD5730. Note that this was ~6 years ago.

Whenever I buy now, looking at market prices and specs, it'll probably be something like i7, 8 GB or more RAM, GTX 965-980 (or hopefully by then GTX 10xx series). Does that count as a gaming laptop or not? Would that benefit from an externally added CPU/GPU via thunderbolt?

 

@sidg666 you can`t add CPU, only GPU. eGPU makes sense on systems without dGPU, or when the dGPU is weak. If you get a gaming laptop with GTX965 or above, I believe there's no point in eGPU; willing the machine to last for years, you better invest in machine with upgradeable MXM dGPU instead of relying on Thunderbolt, and upgrade it when you need more performance - it is much more convenient and reliable.

 

Basically only GPU can be upgraded and that too only if MXM is available, right?

Also it isn't necessary that it's those cards. It's actually been a bit long since I browsed. Memory being fuzzy, I was under the impression it would be in that range but looking at the online catalogues, it seems that it may be closer to 960/950 or an ATI card altogether within a more reasonable range.

 

CPUs can also be update if these are MXM based. Intel has ditched MXM from last year or so , you will have to look for older models (with something like 4th gen CPUs) to get an MXM. However there is another option; Clevo have some laptops that use desktop processors, these are upgrade able like a desktop. (i.e. as long as socket remains same)

Regrading eGPU, up until recently, only Alienware and MSI had their proprietary eGPUs. Now with TB3, we are hoping it will become standardized. We have seen some movement in market only recently and companys like Aus, Razer and others are starting to come up with eGPUs with TB3. But the details are still sketchy.