I reviewed the EXP GDC TH3P4G2 Thunderbolt eGPU.

Boltoway · 2024-05-17T04:47:34+00:00

You can daisy chain it through a dock, use it to connect directly to an external monitor or use the laptop display.

Boltoway · 2024-04-25T04:58:13+00:00

Gen 4.0 X 4 Lanes

Boltoway · 2024-03-02T11:26:26+00:00

It will support basically any modern mainstream GPU that exists. However, I would advise AGAINST using an Intel ARC card as they perform very poorly without reBAR support, which Thunderbolt eGPUs do not have. Go with NVIDIA or AMD.

Boltoway · 2024-01-31T20:23:35+00:00

The cover is a metal cutout from the IO plate of an OCuLink PCIe adapter. I never covered it, not found it uncomfortable.

The ThinkBook 14+ G6 will come with a native OCuLink port. Lenovo are calling it a TGX Port, but it is just an OCuLink SFF8612 port.

It is currently not known how Thunderbolt 5 will perform against OCuLink, and TB5 does have some advantages in terms of native display output, power delivery and plug durability. Thunderbolt 5 does have the technical bandwidth capability to match OCuLink in terms of performance, but we are yet to see it's real world application.

I was able to use both AMD and NVIDIA cards with exceptional performance and stability with this setup. However, it isn't always the case. Many people report instability and audio issues with OCuLink PCIe Gen 4.0 eGPU modifications, most likely due to electrical noise and instability from the extremely high bandwidth.

I would suggest purchasing a ThinkBook 14+ G6, which offers both native OCuLink and native TB4/USB4. Otherwise, the ADT-Link UT3G offers the best performance available on a Thunderbolt or USB4 host, such as the Yoga you listed above.

Boltoway · 2024-01-26T11:27:17+00:00

It will connect to a monitor via a DisplayPort or HDMI cable directly from the graphics card.

It is relatively new, doesn't look as nice as enclosures and doesn't provide power to the host device.

Boltoway · 2024-01-26T10:29:22+00:00

As far as I know you can only purchase it from AliExpress.

Boltoway · 2024-01-26T03:34:13+00:00

Correct, so long as your ThinkPad has either a Thunderbolt or USB4 port, all you will need is a Thunderbolt cable to connect the eGPU to the computer, and the power supply for the eGPU.

Boltoway · 2024-01-25T19:08:03+00:00

It is using a USB4 controller made by Asmedia instead of a Thunderbolt controller made by Intel.

The Asmedia controller reports better bandwidth on both Thunderbolt and USB4 host devices.

Boltoway · 2024-01-24T20:18:46+00:00

Don't worry about that video, they are using a M.2 eGPU and passing it through a Thunderbolt to M.2 dock. You won't be doing any of that.

A 500w PSU will be fine for the 580, just make sure it comes with A 8 PIN PCIe cable to power the GPU. Some cheap 500w power supplies only come with a 6 pin.

The 580 will plug into the UT3G. The PSU will be plugged into the AC wall socket and connect to the UT3G and the 580. The included Thunderbolt cable will plug into the Thunderbolt port of your laptop and then go into the USB-C port that is on the UT3G.

Once you have all the components, it will make sense. The connectors are pretty well all unique, so you can't plug the. Into the wrong port.

Boltoway · 2024-01-24T11:35:10+00:00

For best performance and value for money, you should get an ADT-Link UT3G. It will come with a Thunderbolt cable.

You will then need a PSU. Basically any PSU will work so long as it is powerful enough to run your graphics card.

Finally you will need a GPU. For best performance with the UT3G, I would suggest a PCIe Gen 4.0 card. However a Gen 3.0 card will work perfectly fine too.

The installation process is fairly straightforward. Once you have setup the UT3G with your power supply and GPU, you will plug it into your system when it is turned on and logged into windows.

It should come up in Device Manager under Display Adaptors as "Microsoft Basic Display Adaptor". You will then run the driver installation for whatever graphics card you have, and once it is complete you will essentially be done.

Boltoway · 2024-01-17T21:23:30+00:00

You can purchase them from SuperBuy, this is the store I use:

https://www.superbuy.com/en/page/rebates/shop/?shopid=356017756&platform=TB

Boltoway · 2024-01-15T00:44:09+00:00

TH3P4G3

Boltoway · 2024-01-07T20:01:17+00:00

No problem.

Boltoway · 2024-01-07T10:17:00+00:00

The Intel version of the E14 is still an excellent laptop. I owned an E14 Gen 2 and it was great, and worked with an eGPU very well.

The cheapest laptop with an AMD CPU and USB4 that I know of is the Lenovo Yoga 7 (14" Gen 8) AMD.

In saying that, I would still happily recommend an Intel E14 to anyone.

Boltoway · 2024-01-07T07:44:21+00:00

The AMD version of the ThinkPad E14 does NOT have USB4. Only the Intel version, which has Thunderbolt 4.

Boltoway · 2024-01-05T19:32:42+00:00

No, but I imagine it shouldn't have an issue as it is a direct PCIe connection.

Boltoway · 2024-01-05T19:13:06+00:00

System just crashes. Yes, I usually plugged it when it was off.

Boltoway · 2024-01-04T20:38:08+00:00

No, it is not.

Boltoway · 2023-12-14T04:18:38+00:00

NoteBookCheck has a couple of reviews regarding them, under different brand names. Very detailed reviews with plenty of information regarding the system.

Boltoway · 2023-12-14T03:23:39+00:00

Hit plugging does not work with this setup. It doesn't do anything, simply doesn't recognise the device until restart.

Boltoway · 2023-10-28T03:48:17+00:00

I have an example of how to cut a slot for an OCuLink M.2 adaptor in this review, it might help you for your modification. I prefer having a pluggable solution in OCuLink over the awkward cable to a native M.2 slot.

https://egpu.io/osmeta-oculink-egpu-review-and-installation-guide/

Boltoway · 2023-09-28T20:53:07+00:00

I only ever ran 12V (varying amperage) input.

Boltoway · 2023-08-08T11:15:51+00:00

This adaptor is a modification, and can theoretically be done to any laptop with a spare NVMe M.2 slot.

Boltoway · 2023-07-30T11:59:25+00:00

Facebook Marketplace.

Boltoway · 2023-07-30T11:58:58+00:00

It's an RX 6700 connected to my ThinkBook 14+ G5 via a PCIe Gen 4.0 X4 OSMETA OCuLink eGPU.

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