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Anyone Using an External GPU? (self.linux)
submitted 5 months ago by to c/linux@lemmy.world
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I have a Thinkpad T490s and would like to use an external GPU so I can power multiple monitors in High Def.

Specifically, I'm looking at the TH3P4G3 with a 5070 Ti.

From the reading I've done it seems like getting these configured and working is non-trivial. For example there's some reports of people not being able to deliver power to the laptop while docked. Also some crashes on connect / disconnect.

I'm not necessarily looking for specific "how to" advice, just a general impression. Is this worth while or is it going to be a huge muck around that never really works reliably.

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[–] 5 points 5 months ago (2 children)

When I looked into them last it turned out it was just cheaper to build another PC. Aside from the list of problems you've already seen, they're expensive to the point of just not being worth it in almost all cases.

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  • [–] 2 points 5 months ago

    but before the AI rampocalypse right? I'd imagine gpu plus the additional accessories needed would be a chunk of cash but with an existing computer that can connect an external I think it would be an accetable setup that could be moved to a separate pc if prices ever go back to normal

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 5 months ago

    A fair point.

    That's pretty much my fall back plan. If I decide to go ahead with the external GPU and it doesn't work out then I can at least use the GPU in a desktop pc.

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    • [–] 5 points 5 months ago* (1 child)

    So, I'm running a rando Chinese eGPU on a ThinkPad t15 gen... (Whatever an 11th Gen Intel is.) I had to spend a bit too get a nice long thunderbolt 4 cable, and I had to fart around with getting it to sleep and wake up reliably in Fedora... And my cat crashed my system totally by unplugging it mid-game in an attempt to chew on the cable. Otherwise, once I got it working, very happy with it. Had to go over all the settings when I went from Fedora 43 to 44 though. Edit: spelling.

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    • [–] 2 points 5 months ago (3 children)

    I've got one for my latitude. It works well, but did require some tinkering. There is a good utility for switching automatically between igpu and external. Never had issues taking a charge from it. And yes, the enclosure is stupid expensive for all it is. You can but the internal components for less, but ended up buying an actual egpu enclosure to avoid the diy hassle

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  • [–] [S] 0 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    Yeah fair enough.

    I think the "actual gpu enclosure" your talking about is a product from a more reputable brand. The DIY stuff is weird chinese brands that might only produce the thunderbolt / gpu card and sell it on aliexpress, then someone else sells a box for it and so on.

    I guess a reputable brand gives you more likelihood of success (perhaps), but they're a lot more expensive, and honestly it seems like there were some available in the mid 2010s but not much in the most recent 5 years.

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  • [–] 2 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    Check third party markets, used goods. Got mine from eBay, a Razer core something other. All that's in there is a pcie to thunderbolt bridge adapter and an atx psu. Can easily bench an egpu for a fraction of the cost using allie or similarly sourced parts, but portability and durability is the trade off. DM me if you do end up buying one, I'll share any specific config I use.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 5 months ago

    Yeah ok I did look for a few brands but not the razer.

    Looking at that now there's a half dozen second hand ones here in Australia.

    Price is about the same as one of the Chinese no-names + box + PSU.

    Im more confident about the razer though.

    Thanks very much for this.

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