Windows 10 (RS5 or later) with external graphics support.Razer Core X Chroma compatibility Laptops On paper, not much looks different between it and the Core X Chroma, except the latter can handle three slot (wider than standard) graphics cards, and can supply more power to the graphics card. The Core V2 is $719, but is an older model and harder to find these days. If the aesthetic appeal of programmable lighting effects doesn't catch your eye, then you're paying an extra $180 for four USB 3.1 (gen 1) ports and a barely more powerful power supply unit, though on paper both products have the same 500W of power available to the graphics card. The standard Core X ($469) lacks RGB lighting and USB ports. Razer alone has the standard Core X, and the Core V2, which the Core X Chroma replaces as the top-tier product. The Core X Chroma is just one (eGPU) enclosure on the market. This creates a crowded workspace, and can even impinge on mouse movements, depending on your setup.Ī good quality 1m Thunderbolt 3 cable with 100W power delivery (needed to power a laptop) and 40Gbps data speeds can cost you anywhere between $80 and $100 online, if not more, so keep that in mind as a potential added expense if you're thinking about buying.
Razer gives you a 70cm Thunderbolt 3 cord (with the standard Core X it's just 50cm), making you position the Core X Chroma extremely close to your laptop. The biggest drawback is a small issue that creates bigger problems. A minimum of USB 3.1 (gen 2) would provide faster data transfer and feel much more at home, as would at least one more USB-C shaped port (the Thunderbolt 3 connection uses the only one). However, USB 3.1 (gen 1) is an older technology by today's standards.
Not only does it mean you don't have to purchase a separate dock, the one Thunderbolt 3 port handles everything, freeing your desk from the tyranny of cable clutter. Looking for your next laptop? Our laptop reviews compare more than 20 models from Apple, Dell, HP and more.įour USB 3.1 (gen 1) ports are a welcome inclusion for general data transfer and peripherals. Performance and noise will vary depending on the card you put in it, but our particular combination worked admirably. The case fan is whisper-quiet, but some GPU fans are far from discreet. Running the GeForce RTX 2080 felt like it was part of the same machine, and that's a very high-end card right now. Setup is easy if you follow the instruction booklet, making sure to pay special attention to the sections on Thunderbolt 3 settings and graphics card drivers. It's not too much, but it's enough that you'll need to wipe it up whenever you have cause to peek inside. The case slides open without hassle, though you do get black paint shavings building up each time you open or close it. Choose from different lighting modes such as Breathe, Spectrum Cycling, Ripple, and Wave, among others. The RGB (red, green, blue – combinable to make any colour) LEDs add a splash of charm for those into programmable lighting. It's heavy and not particularly portable, but the idea is to give you the freedom of a laptop when you're out, coupled with the power of a desktop at home or in the office.Īesthetically, it's a minimalist black box that shouldn't look too out of place in most tech setups. The mostly aluminium body feels sturdy and well made. The size, power requirements and cooling needs of modern high-end GPUs mean the Core X Chroma is somewhere between a large four-slice toaster and a small sub-woofer in volume – 268mm x 374mm x 230mm. Read our information about shopping links The look If that's an issue, add the cost of an external drive or NAS setup to your budget.
EXTERNAL GPU ENCLOSURE FOR CRYPTO PLUS
It's also not a complete desktop replacement: a laptop plus an external graphics card may still leave you short in the storage drive department. And it's worth remembering you can get the same performance out of the cheaper $469 Razer Core X – minus the four USB ports and LED lighting. We went hands on with this latest eGPU (external graphics processing unit) courtesy of Razer, pairing it with a supplied Razer Blade Stealth laptop and high-end GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card.Īt $649 plus the cost of a graphics card (and possibly a longer Thunderbolt 3 cable), it's still an investment. The Razer Core X Chroma is worth considering for people who need more graphics power than their laptop can handle, but don't want or need a whole separate desktop PC.