External graphics cards (GPU): advantages, disadvantages and when it is recommended to use them

Have you ever heard of external graphics cards? Maybe you don’t know them, well They are not as famous as other components can be. similar, such as external hard drives, for example.

These are known as eGPU (External Graphics Processing Unit) and have been created to provide a greater power without having to be installed on a device.

They only need to be connected via a Thunderbolt cable to transmit the corresponding speed. However, although it seems like a good idea, It is not something so common in the world of gaming.

Likewise, in case you are thinking of purchasing one for your PC, laptop or handheld such as Steam Deck or OneXPlayer X1, it is important that you know all its details. In this article, you will see its features and advantages.

What are external graphics cards used for?

eGPUs are components that offer you a quick solutionsimple and innovative to enhance the graphic performance of your PC or laptop.

For example, if you have a device that is not capable of running a cutting-edge video game or heavy application, It is a good option to increase capacity.

Basically, the integrated graphics card works in tandem with the eGPU to ensure that missing power or is replaced entirely when required.

This It is usually used for demanding gamesvideo editing, graphic design, virtual reality and computer science.

You simply have to connect it to the computer using a Thunderbolt cable and configure the GPU’s operation from the operating system.

Advantages and disadvantages of eGPUs

These types of devices have several advantages that you can take advantage of, such as flexibility and versatility when connecting to a PC.

Additionally, external graphics cards are a excellent option to increase the power of your laptop without having to buy a new one.

However, it also has some cons that you could consider before making a purchase like this.

First of all, the price is higher than an internal graphics card, which Not recommended for desktop computer userssince you could invest in something better.

Other things that could cause problems are size and portability, as they tend to have large dimensions, making them easy to damage.

At the same time, not all teams have Thunderbolt portsso you may need an adapter.

When is it advisable to use an eGPU?

Taking into account the above characteristics, is it worth buying an eGPU? The answer depends on your circumstances.

To be more specific, This external component is recommended only if it is truly an emergency.such as when you need to run a graphically demanding application or improve the performance of a laptop and not a desktop PC.

However, it is of utmost importance that you know that connecting an external graphics card does not entirely guarantee that capacity will increasesince this also depends on the model and processor you have.

That is to say, it will be of no use if you have an Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor with an Nvidia GeForce 4090, it would be illogical and unfeasible.

Therefore, what you need to do is to analyze your situation well and if you decide to get an eGPU, then make sure that it suits the specifications of your PC.

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Tags: GPUs, Tips, Graphics cards