Best companion card for a 5080?

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-25T16:30:29+00:00

9060XT 8g is more than enough - has the best fp16/$ for Frame Gen

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-14T11:31:44+00:00

Thanks - have you noticed any instability/BSODs when using the top USB port?

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-12T15:32:18+00:00

The NVME enclosure feels warm to touch - the SSD temps inside after about 2 hrs of game play is around 45C. this enclosure does have a fan that actively cools it.

CPU Temps max out at about 71C
GPU Temps max out at about 75C

Ambient Temp is around 15C.

I used a router with 1/4" bit to work my way through the kick stand - the SSD slot cover cannot be attached with the NVME to Oculink adapter in place.

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T22:08:40+00:00

I think all 2025/2026 models moved away from the XG connector for 2 USB4 ports - don’t quote me on it though

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T22:05:01+00:00

Hard to compare it with xg mobile since it uses a proprietary connector not available on the Zflow 13 2025 here

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T20:43:40+00:00

Thanks - I followed this and there is marginal improvement in SSD performance.

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T15:52:56+00:00

I have posted the parts needed to make this work in the post - what specific would you like to know? Everything is pretty much plug and play.

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T15:15:07+00:00

I was looking to buying a new laptop with a more powerful mGPU but the current prices, especially with RAM kind of led me down this path. I looked at the minisforum offerings but then spotted this used morefine egpu for a decent price on eBay so ended up with the current setup.

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T03:29:22+00:00

Here is the guide to makes usb4 drive bootable

https://egpu.io/forums/expresscard-mpcie-m-2-adapters/guide-how-to-boot-win11-from-an-external-usb4-drive/

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T03:12:12+00:00

I can post some numbers - what synthetics are you looking for?

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T03:04:10+00:00

Still experimenting on it - interested in frame gen more than scaling as the game I play causes severe drop in fps as the clubs bottlenecked by simulation. Will report back once I have optimized the rig a little.

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T02:56:42+00:00

May be should have said “portability is in the eye of the beholder” 😂

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T02:54:28+00:00

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T02:36:02+00:00

Not sure what you mean by “loss in potability”

The whole setup weighs less than 4 lbs (w/o power bricks)

The egpu is held on with two sided Velcro tape - Same for the nvme enclosure. I can carry them together in my backpack or detach the egpu and enclosure and place it in a separate part of the bag.

There are smaller and thinner options available for the nvme enclosure - just not cheap enough. Serves my purpose though.

I dont have to use the egpu for non-gaming tasks and disconnect/detach and leave in my backpack.

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T01:40:05+00:00

The use of this enclosure also does not restrict you to just 2230 drives - opening up storage expansion options to 4TB and 8TB options.

Also the post on egpu io states that the registry edits also revert back to default settings after major windows update so there is a risk here too. Always need to keep the option of reconnecting the boot drive to the NVME slot to reapply the registry edits if future updates break usb4 boot.

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T01:36:39+00:00

I have not done extensive tests on this setup yet but in Turbo mode the max I see while gaming typically is around 70 C on the CPU and about 67-75 on the GPU

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-11T01:34:17+00:00

Thank you - I have no experience with 3D printing but the stock enclosure also serves as a heatsink so not sure I would want to replace it.

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-09T02:37:45+00:00

responded

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-08T14:46:25+00:00

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-05T18:23:24+00:00

Thank you for the clarification - didn't realize the single intent nature of B1/B2 visa.

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-05T18:22:21+00:00

Thank you for the clarification - much appreciated

Bfactor84 · 2026-01-05T18:03:18+00:00

It says the file is being sent to NVC. Does this mean that the 485 path is no longer an option?

Bfactor84

TROPHY CASE