Is it still beneficial to invest in external graphics processors in the year 2025?
In the year 2025, external GPUs (eGPUs) are a niche yet valuable solution for enhancing the graphics performance of laptops. These setups offer a significant but imperfect performance boost, particularly for gaming, high-res video editing, and multi-4K display setups [1]. However, they do not fully match the performance of internal desktop GPUs due to interface bottlenecks and thermal constraints.
eGPUs, such as the Razer Core X V2 and the Minisforum DEG1, provide a clear benefit by offering a big jump in GPU power on demand. The Razer Core X V2, for instance, adopts the latest Thunderbolt 5 interface, offering up to 80Gbps bi-directional bandwidth or 120Gbps in one direction for video-intensive tasks [2]. The Minisforum DEG1, using the OCuLink standard, delivers good real-world performance even when paired with high-end GPUs [3].
However, eGPUs demand tradeoffs in cost, weight, and complexity. The enclosure typically costs several hundred dollars, plus the price of a desktop-class GPU and possibly a separate power supply, making the total investment comparable to or exceeding that of a gaming laptop with an internal GPU [1]. Moreover, eGPUs are bulky and typically intended for stationary use, limiting their portability and convenience [1].
Performance can be limited by bandwidth bottlenecks of interfaces like Thunderbolt 4 or USB4, which rely on PCIe 4.0 lanes but still impose throughput constraints compared to direct internal PCIe connections [3]. Stuttering remains a major bottleneck that undermines the experience, particularly when paired with high-end GPUs [1].
When compared to cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming, there are key differences. Cloud gaming offers easier access to powerful GPUs from any device with good internet but comes with latency and image compression trade-offs [1]. On the other hand, eGPUs provide more direct, low-latency GPU acceleration at the cost of expense, reduced portability, and some performance loss compared to internal desktop GPUs [1].
Cloud rendering options for creative professionals like Blender or Adobe cloud rendering can eliminate the need for an eGPU or even a powerful PC, especially on portable devices like tablets. As technology advances, the appeal of eGPUs has been chipped away by improvements in laptop hardware and cloud services [4].
In summary, eGPUs remain a useful but niche solution in 2025, providing a substantial but imperfect performance boost for laptops lacking strong internal GPUs. They do not fully match internal desktop GPU performance due to interface bottlenecks and thermal constraints. Cloud gaming services offer a different value proposition—convenient access to high-end GPUs off-device but at the cost of latency and reliance on network quality [1][3][4].
References:
- External GPU Performance and Limitations in 2025
- Razer Core X V2: A Review of the Latest eGPU Dock
- Minisforum DEG1: An In-depth Look at an OCuLink eGPU Dock
- The Decline of eGPUs: A Look at the Current State of External GPU Docks
- In the realm of business and technology, investing in eGPUs such as the Razer Core X V2 or Minisforum DEG1 can offer a significant boost in graphics performance for laptops, benefiting industries that rely heavily on high-resolution video editing, gaming, and multi-4K display setups.
- However, the adoption of eGPUs comes with financial implications, as the cost of the enclosure, a desktop-class GPU, and potentially a separate power supply can make the total investment comparable to or exceed that of a high-end gaming laptop.
- As data-and-cloud-computing continues to advance, cloud-based solutions for graphics-intensive tasks like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming might present a more cost-effective and convenient alternative for some businesses, offering off-device access to powerful GPUs but with potential trade-offs in latency and image quality.
