Introduction

In today's high-performance computing field, graphics card expansion docks have become key devices for improving the graphics processing capabilities of laptops. Thunderbolt GPU docks are widely used in various devices due to their high bandwidth and compatibility. Although the total bandwidth of Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 is 40Gbps, Thunderbolt 3 only has 22Gbps for PCIe data transmission, while Thunderbolt 4 has a bandwidth of 32Gbps for PCIe.

In contrast, OCuLink technology performs better in graphics card expansion, reaching 64Gbps, which is equivalent to the full bandwidth of PCIe 4.0x4 channel. In addition, since OCuLink is directly connected to the PCIe interface of the motherboard, the delay and loss during data transmission are significantly lower than Thunderbolt.

In general, although Thunderbolt GPU docks are more popular and support a wider range of devices, OCuLink has gained more and more attention due to its higher actual bandwidth and lower performance loss. At present, many manufacturers have launched OCuLink GPU expansion docks. Let's take a look at what they are.

OCuLink Products

AOOSTAR

AOOSTAR AG01 EGPU Dock

AOOSTAR AG01 EGPU Dock is made of aluminum alloy. It has a built-in custom Huntkey 400W power supply.

AOOSTAR AG01 EGPU Dock is equipped with an OCuLink interface, supports PCIe connection, and provides 64Gbps bandwidth. Compared with USB 4 or Thunderbolt 4 interfaces, OCuLink provides users with lower-cost expansion solutions and faster connections. It supports the Lenovo TGX interface hot plug and is suitable for ThinkBook14+/16+ 2024 Core version laptops.

GPD

GPD G1 Graphics Dock

GPD G1 Graphics Dock has a built-in AMD Radeon RX7600M XT graphics card, which supports 6nm process and RDNA3.0 architecture. Its performance is similar to that of the RTX 4060 mobile version.

The GPD G1 Graphics Dock is equipped with multiple interfaces, including USB-A, RJ45, DP, HDMI, OCuLink PCIe 4.0x4, and USB-C USB4, as well as a built-in M.2 solid-state drive slot. It supports up to 330W power input and 65W PD fast charging.

GZOSMETA

GZOSMETA EG01C Graphics Dock

GZOSMETA EG01C Graphics Dock uses Great Wall CRPS550/800w platinum power supply.

GZOSMETA EG01C Graphics Dock has a new OCuLink interface that does not easily fall off and is durable. It is suitable for many products.

Lenovo

Lenovo ThinkBook TGX Graphics Dock

The Lenovo ThinkBook TGX Graphics Dock is made of aluminum. It won the German Reddot Design Award.

The Lenovo ThinkBook TGX Graphics Dock's TGX interface has a maximum data transfer rate of approximately 64Gbps, which is approximately twice the data transfer bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4 and three times the data transfer bandwidth of Thunderbolt 3. 

MINISFORUM

Minisforum DEG1 eGPU Dock

The Minisforum DEG1 eGPU Dock is designed to enhance the graphics performance of mini PCs and handheld gaming devices by connecting them to external GPUs through an OCuLink interface. This dock allows users to install almost any desktop GPU, offering flexibility in upgrading graphics without needing a full-sized desktop PC. The dock connects via PCIe Gen 4 x4, providing low latency and high bandwidth for significant performance improvements over integrated graphics. However, while it can handle most GPUs, very high-end models may experience some bandwidth limitations.

One of the key features of the DEG1 is its use of an ATX or SFX power supply to power the GPU, which adds versatility but requires users to purchase a separate power supply. Additionally, the dock lacks hot-plug functionality, meaning users must power down their system to connect or disconnect the eGPU. Despite these minor drawbacks, the DEG1 is an affordable solution at around $99, especially for those looking to upgrade the graphical capabilities of compact systems without breaking the bank.

One XPlayer

ONEXGPU Graphics Dock

ONEXGPU Graphics Dock is a multi-functional expansion dock with a built-in graphics card. It has two USB-A 3.2 data interfaces, an RJ45 Gigabit wired network interface, two DP video interfaces, two HDMI interfaces, an OCuLink PCIe 4.0x4 graphics card direct connection interface, a USB-C USB4 40Gbps full-function interface, and a DC 330W power input interface. It has a built-in M.2 hard drive slot to expand the storage capacity of the device.

ONEXGPU Graphics Dock has a built-in AMD Radeon RX7600M XT graphics card and can be connected to the device via the USB4 interface or OCuLink interface. This GPU uses a 6nm process RDNA3.0 architecture, and its TimeSpy score can reach 10542, which is very close to the score of the RTX 4060 mobile version.

Summary

Judging from the OCuLink GPU docks launched by multiple manufacturers, whether in design, compatibility or actual performance, OCuLink GPU docks have strong market competitiveness. With its bandwidth of up to 64Gbps and low latency and low loss, OCuLink provides a more stable and efficient external graphics card solution. In the future, with the gradual popularization of OCuLink technology and the participation of more manufacturers, it is believed that this high-performance GPU dock will be accepted and used by more and more users, providing better solutions for laptops and portable devices that require powerful graphics processing capabilities. Whether it is professional content creation or high-end gaming entertainment, OCuLink GPU docks will become an indispensable choice for users who pursue performance.