Lenovo Unveils ThinkBook TGX OCuLink-eGPU for RTX 4090
Lenovo has introduced a new eGPU solution, the ThinkBook TGX OCuLink-eGPU, supporting a GeForce RTX 4090. Despite improvements in laptop GPUs and the rise of cloud gaming, eGPUs still offer desktop-class performance for specific tasks like high-end games or CUDA workloads.
eGPUs, while bulky and requiring a power supply, remain useful for running high-end games or CUDA workloads on compatible laptops or mini-PCs. However, they may not outperform capable discrete GPUs in premium laptops due to diminishing returns.
The new Lenovo eGPU uses the OCuLink standard, which, along with Thunderbolt 5, has significantly improved bandwidth, reducing bottlenecks. Yet, even with fast links, eGPUs may still lose some speed compared to internal GPUs, causing stutter and frame pacing issues with high-end games.
Razer's Core X V2, an eGPU dock, offers up to 120Gbps bandwidth but lacks a built-in power supply and I/O ports, making it more expensive and less feature-rich than its predecessor.
Alternatives to eGPUs include buying a new laptop with a better GPU or using cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now. Upper mid-range GPUs are recommended for eGPU use to minimise bandwidth limitations and stuttering issues, with users expecting around 70-80% of desktop performance.
Lenovo's ThinkBook TGX OCuLink-eGPU offers desktop-class performance for specific tasks, but eGPUs remain expensive and have some performance limitations. As laptop GPUs improve and cloud gaming services advance, the value proposition of eGPUs becomes less straightforward.
