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eGPU Breakthrough: RTX 5090 Unleashed, But Not for Laptops
15 Apr
Summary
- New eGPU supports top-tier RTX 5090 with full bandwidth and power.
- Proprietary CopprLink connection lacks consumer laptop compatibility.
- The system costs $2,300, making it impractical for most users.
A new external GPU (eGPU) system, HighPoint's RocketStor 8631D, has demonstrated the capability to fully support the market-leading RTX 5090 graphics card. This advanced setup provides unimpeded PCIe 5.0 x16 bandwidth and a substantial 1,300 watts of power, essential for data center hardware but now available for GPU acceleration.
The system's impressive performance is due to its novel CopprLink connection, a technology that significantly surpasses USB-C and Thunderbolt. However, CopprLink's industrial design and newness mean it is not integrated into any consumer laptops or pre-built desktops. Setting up this eGPU required adapting a mini PC with a specific adapter card, highlighting its non-consumer orientation.
While the eGPU enclosure alone costs $1,300 and the adapter an additional thousand dollars, the total $2,300 system cost makes it impractical for typical users. Despite its expense and lack of laptop compatibility, the RocketStor 8631D performs within 1-2% of a standard desktop setup, even with potential bottlenecks from riser cables.
