Gigabyte launches RX 580 Gaming Box – external graphics card over Thunderbolt 3

Laptops in the ultra-compact segment are gaining more and more processing power, and can now in many cases offer quad-core solutions with relatively high clock frequencies. On the graphics front, however, most of these rely on weak integrated solutions, which is not very optimal for gaming. However, this can be solved with external graphics card docks connected via Thunderbolt 3

One player that is investing heavily in the concept is Gigabyte, whose product line Gaming Box is available in a number of different configurations – but with a focus on Nvidia’s Geforce family. Now the company is introducing a new model based on AMD’s mid-range model Radeon RX 580.

Unlike many of its competitors, Gigabyte is investing in a more compact design of its external graphics card solution, where the box’s outer dimensions of 212 × 96 × 162 mm give a relatively slim footprint on the desktop.

The whole thing is made possible by an exceptionally short version of the Radeon RX 580, where this is equipped with 8 GB of GDDR5 memory running at 8,000 MHz while the graphics processor has a maximum clock frequency of 1,355 MHz.

In addition to housing the graphics card, the box also functions as a docking station, where three USB 3.0 connectors are available for connecting peripherals. In addition, a USB connector for charging mobile devices with support for Qualcomm’s Quickcharge 3.0 is visible. The built-in power supply is 450 W and according to the company will deliver efficiency in the 80 Plus Gold class.

Like other external graphics card solutions, communication to the computer takes place via Intel’s Thunderbolt 3 interface, which in practice provides a bandwidth of four lanes PCI Express 3.0. Gigabyte’s Gaming Box supports USB Power Delivery 3.0 and can thus supply up to 100 W via the Thunderbolt cable for charging the computer.

The Gigabyte RX 580 Gaming Box is expected to be commercially available in the spring but has not yet received an official price.