Tuesday, May 28th 2024
BoostR is an eGPU and Multi-port I/O Dock Undercutting the Ayaneo OneXGPU
BoostR is an Indiegogo crowdfunded project that seeks to integrate a multi-functional I/O dock with an external GPU. It's a rather brilliant idea—the dock draws connectivity from a USB4 (40 Gbps) connection, which it uses to connect an AMD Radeon RX 7600M GPU, an M.2-2280 NVMe SSD slot, a 1 GbE networking interface, an SD 4.0 card reader, and a bunch of USB 3.2 downstream ports.
The device comes with a power brick, and by default draws 100 W for all its functions, including the eGPU. You can boost the power limit to 120 W, which should improve the GPU's performance. The GPU puts out a couple of HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.0 connectors. BoostR was briefly available on Indiegogo at an early-bird price of $499, at which it would undercut the Ayaneo OneXGPU, a similar contraption of an eGPU+M.2+port dock that's priced at $699. One area where the BoostR has an edge over the OneXGPU is its 120 W mode that give the GPU improved boost frequency residency. It remains to be seen what the regular price of BoostR will be, but the company is offering a 5% discount on the final price if you sign up for their newsletter.
Source:
VideoCardz
The device comes with a power brick, and by default draws 100 W for all its functions, including the eGPU. You can boost the power limit to 120 W, which should improve the GPU's performance. The GPU puts out a couple of HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.0 connectors. BoostR was briefly available on Indiegogo at an early-bird price of $499, at which it would undercut the Ayaneo OneXGPU, a similar contraption of an eGPU+M.2+port dock that's priced at $699. One area where the BoostR has an edge over the OneXGPU is its 120 W mode that give the GPU improved boost frequency residency. It remains to be seen what the regular price of BoostR will be, but the company is offering a 5% discount on the final price if you sign up for their newsletter.
8 Comments on BoostR is an eGPU and Multi-port I/O Dock Undercutting the Ayaneo OneXGPU
If you use an external power brick, make it over 200 W, so you can provide PD out, at least 65 W, and preferably 100 W. Better yet, make the PSU internal and, say, 300 W (for better GPUs, below).
Base the USB4 connection on ASM2464PD[X], as it apparently gives 1.5x bandwidth of the older solutions and allows for better avg and especially min fps.
I'm not sure about M.2 expansion, as it may take lanes from the GPU, unless you use a PCIe switch, raising costs. May be moot if OCULINK connection requires the switch (does it?).
Keep 3+ USB A inputs (keyboard/mouse), just make them 3.2 Gen 2 for external storage support - more flexibility and may eliminate the need for internal M.2 slot.
Then, give us better GPU inside, say, 4070/4080 Laptop or 7900M, but still mobile, to limit the power draw.
Then, make it 10% heavier and 20% bigger, but quiet - it should not be noticeably louder than the handheld/miniPC it is connected to.
I'm still waiting for a product that finally gets it all together.
Price would be similar and you can upgrade components
Oh wait, that's not what the consumer wanted. Hmmmm.....I agree on the better GPU and power output. 7600m is just way too weaksauce to justify the price. Now, a 7900m, or a 4080m? Now we're talking.
A mini ITX has all the power of a ATX PC on a very small form factor that would appeal to those willing to have an eGPU but not an ATX PC due it's size.
There's no clear advantage on using a laptop + eGPU vs a different PC when in desktop, sync everything on the cloud and use every computer as needed, that's it.
With the multitude of ports that it has, you have to remember that it is a dock and not just a eGPU.For $499 to $699 a 7900M or 4080M? I don't think you can make it so cheap, considering how many extra components you need. Those USB4 chips are probably still pretty expensive and they probably implement some PCIe Switch as well as the other USB 3.2 ports, Card Reader and ethernet.