How to Connect eGPU to Laptop?
Once you have chosen the right eGPU, you need to connect it to your laptop in the right way. There are several ways to connect an eGPU to a laptop, depending on the type of port your laptop and eGPU have. The following are some of the most common ways:
Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt 3 is the most ideal type of port for eGPUs, as it has very high data transfer rates, which are up to 40 Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 also supports power, video, and audio in a single cable, so you don’t need additional cables or adapters. Thunderbolt 3 typically uses a USB-C connector, which you can easily connect to your laptop and eGPU.
To connect an eGPU with Thunderbolt 3, you just need to follow these steps:
- Make sure your laptop and eGPU support Thunderbolt 3. You can check the lightning bolt logo on your port or cable, or look at your product’s specifications and manual.
- Plug the Thunderbolt 3 cable into the Thunderbolt 3 ports on your laptop and eGPU. Make sure your cable is of sufficient length and not folded or bent.
- Turn on your laptop and eGPU. Wait until your laptop detects your eGPU, and follow the instructions that appear on the screen. You may need to install the necessary drivers or firmware or set your graphics preferences.
- Once done, you can start running games or other graphics applications by using your eGPU.
USB-C
USB-C is a type of port that is often found in modern laptops because it has a small shape and can be connected to various devices. USB-C also supports power, video, and audio in a single cable, but its data transfer rate is lower than Thunderbolt 3, which is only up to 10 Gbps. USB-C is also not always compatible with eGPUs, as it depends on whether the USB-C port on your laptop supports the DisplayPort alternative mode or not.
To connect an eGPU with USB-C, you need to follow these steps:
- Make sure your laptop and eGPU support USB-C, and the USB-C port on your laptop supports DisplayPort alternative mode. You can check the DP or D logo on your port or cable, or view your product’s specifications and manual.
- Plug the USB-C cable into the USB-C port on your laptop and eGPU. Make sure your cable is of sufficient length and not folded or bent.
- Turn on your laptop and eGPU. Wait until your laptop detects your eGPU, and follow the instructions that appear on the screen. You may need to install the necessary drivers or firmware or set your graphics preferences.
- Once done, you can start running games or other graphics applications by using your eGPU.
HDMI
HDMI is a type of port that is often used to connect a laptop to a monitor, TV, or projector. HDMI also supports video and audio in a single cable, but its data transfer rate is lower than USB-C, which is only up to 4.95 Gbps. HDMI also can’t provide power to the eGPU, so you’ll need an additional cable or adapter to connect the eGPU to a power source.
To connect an eGPU with HDMI, you need to follow these steps:
- Make sure your laptop and eGPU support HDMI, and the HDMI port on your laptop supports DisplayPort alternate mode. You can check the DP or D logo on your port or cable, or view your product’s specifications and manual.
- Plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on your laptop and eGPU. Make sure your cable is of sufficient length and not folded or bent.
- Plug the power cable or adapter into your eGPU, and plug it into a power outlet. Make sure your cable or adapter matches your eGPU specifications.
- Turn on your laptop and eGPU. Wait until your laptop detects your eGPU, and follow the instructions that appear on the screen. You may need to install the necessary drivers or firmware or set your graphics preferences.
- Once done, you can start running games or other graphics applications by using your eGPU.