As a mini gaming PC fan, I’ve all the time been keen on the thought of utilizing an eGPU, however they’ve often been too clunky or sluggish to make them a sensible possibility. This new Asus ROG XG Station 3 eGPU dock, nonetheless, may simply be sufficient to alter my thoughts. This mannequin, unveiled for the primary time at Computex 2025, comes with a model new design and far quicker Thunderbolt 5 speeds, together with some attention-grabbing benchmark information.
This Asus dock, which at first look seems to be quite a bit like a Puddle Jumper from Stargate, helps playing cards with energy calls for of as much as 1,000W, that means you may simply energy the most effective graphics card choices with it, together with the RTX 5090, though essentially the most highly effective playing cards would require an influence provide improve. It additionally helps the Asus GC-HPWR connector, that means no cables are wanted – it is a slot-in-and-go situation, so long as you have got an Asus graphics card that helps the upgraded BTF connector.
Asus hasn’t launched this new eGPU dock but, however the firm shared its first glimpses of the product at Computex 2025. Not like the sooner Asus ROG XG Station 2 eGPU, which required a completely encased graphics card, this new mannequin is a completely impartial dock, requiring you to easily insert the graphics card on high. This can actually assist with airflow and any dimension restrictions, though it would find yourself being a bit noisy in consequence.
That might be a worth price paying for the potential gaming efficiency, although – it is a system for a severe gamer who may solely have a gaming laptop computer or a mini gaming PC readily available. It comes with a 330W SFX energy provide constructed into it, so should you had been planning to make use of it with a demanding card such because the RTX 5090, you may have to improve this your self to a better wattage different.
Some latest eGPU packing containers have used OCuLink, a direct PCIe connector that originated from server use, to ship the quickest speeds. Nonetheless, OCuLink is not a connector that is gained a number of widespread assist, which is why a Thunderbolt 5 connector makes extra sense right here. It is also the quicker possibility, too, with Thunderbolt 5 ports delivering speeds as much as 80Gbps, in comparison with OCuLink’s present 64Gbps restrict.
That improved efficiency is borne out in benchmark information, shared by Asus at Computex 2025 and reproduced by Videocardz, which reveals an RTX 4090 desktop card utilizing this Asus dock with gaming efficiency that was solely 5% to fifteen% slower than the identical card immediately put in in a gaming PC, whereas simply outperforming the RTX 4090 cell equal.
Whereas this information is not independently verified, it does simply present the dock’s potential, narrowing the hole between exterior eGPU docks and immediately put in graphics playing cards considerably. Asus additionally did not share RTX 5090 benchmarks, regardless of exhibiting the eGPU with such a card put in, as seen in these pictures equipped by Hong Kong tech website HKEPC in an X publish.
Whereas Thunderbolt 5 assist remains to be missing in a number of gaming laptops and mini gaming PCs, it seems to be like Asus is betting that the state of affairs will change over the following 12 months or two. Fortunately, Thunderbolt 5 is absolutely backwards suitable, so it is possible for you to to make use of this dock utilizing a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 connection, though you will not get the utmost out there speeds.
When you’ve bought an Asus BTF graphics card, you may plug it into the dock and it will work with out cables, making it a a lot cleaner setup. When you do not, nonetheless, you may nonetheless use a 12VHPWR reference to the put in PSU, so there is not any restrict to the system’s compatibility there, so long as you control whether or not your card wants a higher-spec energy provide or not.
Sadly, there is no info to this point on pricing or a probable launch date for the Asus ROG XG Station 3, however I am excited to get my palms on one. It is a attractive, sensible system, even when it is a fully area of interest one in the intervening time, that might make gaming on a mini gaming PC virtually on-par with the most effective gaming PC choices on the market, particularly mixed with a mini PC similar to the brand new Asus ROG NUC 2025.
Till then, be sure to take a look at our greatest mini gaming PC information for some highly effective choices for gaming on a a lot smaller scale than a desktop PC. If you would like an all-in-one transportable gaming system, our greatest gaming laptop computer information additionally has a formidable choice, appropriate for informal and severe avid gamers alike.
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