GPD’s G1 is an impressively small dock that could jumpstart eGPUs in the handheld era

GPD is doing a new crowdfunding compact external gpu docking station something that can enhance the gaming capabilities of both laptops and handheld gaming PCs, and also help anchor them to desks for mobile workers (Via lilliputing,

The company is calling 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 for docking and charging, and something called Oculink (more on that below). more) portions).

GPD says it’s the “world’s smallest mobile graphics card expansion dock”, measuring just over an inch thick (29.8 mm), nearly nine inches tall (225 mm) and four and a thirds deep (111 mm) – All with an integrated power supply.

GPD isn’t quite a household name, but the China-based Shenzhen company is making a name for itself among PC gamers enamored by the recent handheld gaming boom. Currently, this market is held firmly by Valve’s Steam deck, and Asus has strong interest in its upcoming ROG ally, but GPD has been chipping away for years.

Those in the know are paying attention to other PC gaming handhelds like the Ayano 2S and GPD’s Win Max 2, and both companies sell their versions Which has an Oculink connector. The Steam Deck isn’t designed to support external graphics, so GPD is hoping the G1 graphics dock can be a big differentiator for its own devices — though it says you can use Thunderbolt 3, 4, or Can use USB-4 if you don’t mind the low bandwidth.

The concept of a combined docking station and external graphics card (or eGPU) is not new. Alienware helped pioneer this idea with its “Amplifier” external chassis, which housed both a high-profile desktop graphics card and a USB hub just for your setup, and eGPU.io is home to the Buyer’s Guide Of the devices that followed. Most recently, Asus docked the painfully expensive but compact ROG XG graphics with the Nvidia RTX 3080 and 3090 that go for up to $2,000.

Both the Alienware Amplifier and the ROG XG have something in common: They avoid standardization by using various proprietary connectors that only work with their own matching laptops. Meanwhile, the framework is building a new rear-slot ecosystem that supports add-in GPUs. So is GPD looking to adopt a de facto benchmark in comparison? Kind of!

The G1 is unusual in that it uses Oculink, a connector for PCI-Express that you’ll typically see in enterprise server racks. If your laptop has a spare internal M.2 port, it can be made to use this connector and connect the G1 – potentially giving you reliable and better GPU performance than the more widely supported USB4 (GPD claims up to 63Gbps bandwidth). and Thunderbolt-based (up to 40Gbps) eGPUs. Even low-end desktop computers can work with Oculink adapter cards.

One problem with the Oculink, in addition to not being available in most laptops or handhelds, is that it doesn’t have the power and data you need to fully dock and charge a PC. So you can hook up not only the Oculink but also a USB-C connector to deliver up to 60W of power to your laptop or handheld, and access three USB-A ports and an SD card reader.

Of course, the G1’s GPU and dock will need their own power, but luckily it doesn’t have a massive power adapter like some other eGPU solutions. Instead, the G1 integrates a 240W GaN power supply inside its chassis.

GPD cites impressive performance from its 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 the desktop Ryzen 5600X. It’s basically the same desktop that my editor, Sean Hollister, runs, and he was blown away by it.

If true, this could make for a remarkably powerful desktop that you could fit into a tiny messenger bag — a gaming handheld, an eGPU the size of a gaming handheld, and three cables (Oculink, USB-C, and USB-C). AC), as well as your mouse and keyboard.

The G1 is on Indiegogo, but as of the time of this writing the campaign has not yet started. GPD is seeking HKD $20,000 to fund the project, but will receive the money even if the goal is not met. Still, given that GPD has successfully funded nearly every product shipped this way, we expect the G1 to see the light of day. Mother has to tell what the G1 will cost though.