GPD is crowdfunding a new compact external GPU docking station that can boost the gaming capabilities of some laptops and handheld gaming PCs, and also help anchor them to a desk for mobile workers. (through Twisted).
The company calls it the G1, and it includes an AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT chip with HDMI 2.1 plus two DisplayPort 1.4 video outputs, a USB 4 / Thunderbolt 4 connector on the dock and charge, and something called Oculink (more on that in a bit).
GPD says it’s the “smallest mobile graphics card expansion port in the world”, at just over an inch thick (29.8mm), about nine inches tall (225mm) and four and a third (111mm) deep – all with an integrated power supply.
GPD isn’t much of a household name, but the Shenzhen, China-based company is making quite a name for itself among PC gamers who have been drawn to the recent handheld gaming boom. Currently, this market is firmly held by Valve’s Steam Deck, and there is strong interest in Asus’ upcoming ROG Ally, but GPD has been plugging away for years.
Those in the know pay attention to other PC gaming handhelds such as the Ayaneo 2S and GPD’s Win Max 2, and both companies will sell versions of these with an Oculink connector. The Steam Deck is not designed to support external graphics, so GPD hopes that the G1 graphics dock will be a big difference for its own devices – although it says that you can use Thunderbolt 3, 4, or USB-4 if you don’t. think with less bandwidth.
The concept of a combined docking station and external graphics card (or eGPU) is not new. Alienware helped pioneer the idea of its “Amplifier” external chassis that packs a high-profile desktop graphics card and USB hub into your simple setup, and eGPU.io is home to the guide to the purchaser of the following devices. Most recently, Asus pumped out the very expensive but compact ROG XG graphics docks with Nvidia RTX 3080 and 3090s that go up to $2,000.
Both the Alienware Amplifier and the ROG XGs have one thing in common: they avoid standardization by using different proprietary connectors that only work on their own compatible laptops. Meanwhile, the Framework creates a new rear-slot ecosystem that supports add-in GPUs. So GPD is looking to adopt a real benchmark in comparison? Well, sort of!
The G1 is unique because it uses Oculink, which is a connector for PCI-Express that you more commonly see in business server racks. If your laptop has an additional internal M.2 port, it can be used to use this connector and hook up the G1 – which can give you reliability and better GPU performance (GPD claims to of 63Gbps bandwidth) compared to the more supported USB4. and Thunderbolt-based (up to 40Gbps) eGPUs. Vulnerable desktop computers can also get in on the action with an Oculink adapter card.
One problem with Oculink, aside from not working with most laptops or handhelds, is that it doesn’t carry the power and data you need to fully dock and charge a PC. So you probably don’t just plug in the Oculink but also a USB-C connector to give your laptop or handheld up to 60W of power, and access three USB-A ports and an SD card reader.
Of course, the GPU and port of the G1 will need its own power, but fortunately it does not have a large power adapter like other eGPU solutions. Instead, the G1 integrates a 240W GaN power supply inside its own chassis.
GPD cites impressive performance from the RX 7600M, claiming that the mobile chip can beat the desktop RTX 3070 GPU in most games. GPD says it tested the 7600M paired with the same Ryzen 7 7840U you’ll find in the latest gaming handhelds, versus the 3070 paired with a desktop Ryzen 5600X. That’s the same desktop that my editor Sean Hollister runs on, and he was amazed to see it.
If true, it would make an incredibly powerful desktop that you could fit into a small messenger bag — with a gaming handheld, an eGPU the size of a gaming handheld, and three cables. (Oculink, USB-C, and AC), in addition to your mouse and keyboard.
The G1 is available on Indiegogo, but the campaign has not yet started as of this writing. GPD is looking for $20,000HKD to fund the project, but will get the money even if the goal is not met. However, considering that GPD has successfully funded almost every product it ships this way, we expect the G1 to see the light of day. Mom’s word on what the G1 will cost though.
