If you need to play demanding games, do high-end photo editing, or render complex 3D graphics, then you might need an eGPU for your laptop. A laptop without an eGPU’s additional power may be prone to excessive noise and overheating, which can lead to choppy game images and slow video exports.
An eGPU can resolve these problems and is an affordable and easy way to get a more powerful laptop. There are a few things to look for when buying a laptop with an eGPU. While there is no one ideal model, there are a few standouts that will make your life easier.
The best laptops for eGPU use will feature fast storage drives, a great display, and plenty of ports for connecting peripherals. These laptops are great for work, school, and gaming. One of the most important factors in choosing a laptop with an eGPU is the performance of the CPU.
eGPU connectivity is best with Thunderbolt 3, which is the fastest. So, you need to buy a laptop that is equipped with a powerful processor and thunderbolt port to handle an external GPU.
Using a laptop for eGPU setup is more affordable. The eGPU is becoming increasingly popular for many users. It can bring desktop-style power to a laptop, enabling it to run more demanding games.
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 favorite picks when it comes to the best laptops for eGPU in 2023! We have tested many latest laptops with eGPUs and rounded up the best-performing ones. These laptops can easily handle the power of external GPUs and deliver desktop-like performance.
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Best Overall
Runner Up
Budget Pick
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What is an eGPU, and Why Do You Need One?
If you’re wondering what an eGPU is and why you need one, you’ve come to the right place. eGPUs are basically portable video cards with a computer enclosure that contains the graphics card, cooling system, power supply unit, and PCIe interface.
While most eGPUs come with a video card, others don’t. The key to choosing a suitable eGPU is to research which one fits the computer and which one provides enough juice to keep the card functioning.
An eGPU is an external graphics processing unit (GPU). It is the equivalent of a discrete card installed on a PC. An eGPU is plugged into a laptop’s USB port, so it will be accessible to other applications.
It can give your laptop a boost in graphics performance, but it won’t replace the built-in GPU. This technology is only becoming popular for ultrabooks, but it’s already being used in a number of devices.
eGPUs are great for those who prefer gaming on the go. They give gamers better frame rates, which make for smoother gameplay. In addition to improving gaming performance, they improve the versatility of all-in-one laptops. You can even run more demanding applications on an eGPU-enabled laptop.
Also read: Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop review
Are eGPUs for Laptops Worth It?
eGPUs aren’t just for gaming laptops; there are many other uses for them, too. These external graphics cards can act as a sort of hub, providing a few ports like HDMI, USB, and Gigabit Ethernet. They can also provide more power to your laptop and make it more versatile. So, yes, eGPUs for laptops are totally worth it.
While an external GPU can be a great benefit, the price tag can be an issue. Some people find the sound from GPUs too loud. For this reason, you should choose an external GPU for laptops that has a low price tag. If you’re planning on using your GPU frequently for gaming, a lower-priced GPU is often the best option.
If you have decided to purchase an eGPU for your laptop, there are several reasons to do so. First of all, this technology will provide better graphics processing than a conventional laptop.
That means you’ll be able to play newer, more graphics-intensive games. An eGPU can provide similar performance to a modern laptop’s GPU and will also reduce heat produced by the rest of the laptop’s internal components.
If you are looking for a laptop that you can use with eGPU, here are the top 7 best options in 2023.
1. Alienware M15 R6 VR Ready Gaming Laptop – Best Overall
Alienware’s M15 R6 is overall the best gaming laptop for eGPUs. The laptop’s high-quality design and Intel processor make it an excellent gaming machine. The Alienware M15 R6 VR Ready gaming laptop offers excellent performance and value for money.
Its state-of-the-art hardware is easy to use and is compatible with many popular games. Its compact design and immense power make it an excellent laptop for eGPUs. This laptop also easily integrates with VR headsets.
The Alienware M15 R6 has an impressive amount of ports. On the left side, there’s an Ethernet port. On the other side, there’s a USB-C with a Thunderbolt port and an HDMI connector. It helps you to easily connect an eGPU with this laptop.
It comes with an Intel Core i7-11800H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSDs, which makes it perfect for use with eGPU. The high-end model also boasts an integrated keyboard with Alien FX 4-zone RGB backlighting and anti-ghosting technology.
This laptop also comes with an advanced Alienware Cryo-Tech cooling mechanism which helps to keep the system cool. This maximizes the overall performance of the laptop.
You will also get a mechanical keyboard with the laptop, which helps to improve the typing experience. Overall, this 15-inch laptop comes with all the necessary features to use an eGPU. By using an external graphics card with this laptop, you can make it worth the money.
The Alienware M15 R6 has a massive battery which helps you to easily boost graphics with an external GPU. It comes with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, which offers enough power to support an additional graphics card.
The 15.6-inch 240Hz display is another great addition. It also boasts a thin, stylish chassis. Overall, this laptop is worth checking out. If you’re looking for an eGPU-ready laptop, you should consider Alienware’s M15 R6 VR Ready gaming laptop.
Why Is This the Best Laptop for eGPU in 2023?
If you’re looking for the best eGPU laptop, the Alienware M15 R6 might be the right choice for you. This stylish laptop is powered by Intel and boasts an impressively high-definition (15.6-inch) screen. 240Hz refresh rate improves screen clarity and reduces glare and reflections. Despite its mid-level price, you can get a ton of performance for your money.
The cooling system of the Alienware M15 R6 is fairly effective. The top fan draws cool air while the back fan blows hot air out. This system spreads heat efficiently while playing games. We tested the laptop’s cooling system while playing some games, and it didn’t get too hot. The fan noise is rather high, but overall it seems to do a decent job.
The Alienware M15 R6 has an Intel Core i7 processor and can turbo boost to 4.5GHz, though it may overheat if it’s overclocked. With this laptop, you will also get a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6 graphics card. This card has enough power to support an eGPU. The Alienware M15 R6 VR Ready Gaming Laptop is best for eGPU.
The Alienware M15 R6 VR Ready gaming laptop features plenty of connections. There are two USBs and an Ethernet port on the left side. It also has a Thunderbolt port for connecting external graphics cards and other peripherals. Bluetooth 5.1 also allows for fast wireless connectivity. A full range of ports can support up to three displays, depending on your needs.
Alienware also offers an eGPU case. If you want to boost graphics performance in your laptop, you can buy the Alienware Graphics Amplifier. This case is not portable, so it’s not a good choice for everyday use. In addition to that, the Alienware Graphics Amplifier is compatible with some Alienware gaming laptops.
Lastly, the amount of RAM you’re willing to spend is an important factor in choosing a laptop with an external graphics card. Most laptops come with 8GB of RAM, but you’ll probably need more than that if you want to play intensive games. With this laptop, you will get 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage.
If you’re looking for a gaming laptop with an eGPU, Alienware M15 R6 VR Ready is the perfect laptop for you. It comes with a high refresh rate and excellent graphics card performance.
The Alienware M15 R6 VR Ready Gaming Laptop has eight cores. And thanks to its NVIDIA RTX technology, you can enjoy the latest games with excellent detail and low lag.
2. ASUS TUF 3070 Gaming Laptop – Runner Up
As the cheapest all-in-one gaming laptop on the market, the Asus TUF 3070 is a fantastic option if you want to use an eGPU. Its RTX 3070 graphics chip, an Intel Core i7-11370H processor, and thin design make it the perfect all-in-one gaming laptop.
Despite the low price, it is thin and light. Its FHD 240Hz screen is ideal for gaming and helps you to enjoy the best performance.
The cooling system is an impressive feature of this laptop, with four power profiles available. The high-performance profile, known as Turbo, boosts the CPU’s power allocation by a hundred milliseconds, while the Silent Mode keeps everything quieter. With a 240Hz refresh rate, games and other graphic-rich content run smoothly and quickly.
The internal cooling design of the 2021 TUF Dash series is similar to past designs, which were based on the 15-inch Zephyrus series. This laptop comes with 40GB RAM and 2GB SSD storage which beats most gaming laptops. You will also get 15.6″ FHD IPS display with this laptop. Apart from that, the screen has a quick response time of 3ms.
The best thing about this laptop is that it comes with a Thunderbolt 4 port which helps you to easily connect an eGPU. Apart from that, you will get a backlit keyboard, WiFi 6, Mytrix HDMI Cable, and Windows 10 with this laptop. All these amazing features packed into this laptop make it perfect for eGPU.
3. Dell Inspiron 13 5310, 13.3-inch QHD – Budget Pick
The Dell Inspiron 13 is a high-end 13.3-inch laptop with a powerful 11th-generation Core i7-H processor and 512GB SSD storage. Its borderless, high-definition IPS display is its highlight.
Other features include a metal body, fingerprint reader, and a TB4 connection. While it lacks a dedicated graphics card, it provides plenty of power and is easy to carry anywhere. As there is no graphics card on this laptop, you can easily use it for an eGPU.
The Dell Inspiron 13 is a solid all-around laptop. It is well-suited for running productivity software, web browsing, and editing photos.
However, when you need to push the boundaries, you can do it with the help of eGPU. You will want to upgrade the graphics card with an external GPU. However, the Dell Inspiron 13 is still a worthy choice for many.
This is an excellent all-around laptop with a decent selection of ports. The Dell Inspiron 13 5310 13.3 inch QHD Laptop features a full-size SD card slot and a convenient USB-C port.
Its HDMI output is also good for video recording. A card reader isn’t included, but the laptop has an SD card slot for connecting to external devices. WLAN and Bluetooth 5.1 are also good choices. All these connections are enough for using an eGPU.
The keyboard on the Dell Inspiron 13 5310 is flex-free and responsive, but its trackpad doesn’t click as well. The laptop is also compact, lightweight, and well-equipped with ports.
It also comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, which helps you to easily boost its power. The Intel Core i7-11370H processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics card help you to easily boost the power with an eGPU.
4. Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop – Premium Pick
The Razer Blade 15, the world’s smallest 15.6″ gaming laptop, is a powerful and portable machine. If you are looking for a premium laptop for eGPU, you can buy this laptop. Its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, and Intel Core i7-CPU make it an excellent choice for gamers. Its 15.6″ display provides a rich visual experience.
While the Razer Blade 15 offers plenty of ports, the lack of USB-C ports may be a disappointment for many gamers. However, there are many other ports in this laptop by which you can easily connect an eGPU to it.
In addition to its excellent multimedia capabilities, the Razer Blade 15 also boasts a sleek and elegant aluminum body. Its ultra-thin, aluminum body is one of the thinnest and most solid laptops available, and it boasts a light-up Razer logo on the lid.
Other features include a larger touchpad and two speakers. As far as multimedia features go, the Razer Blade 15 is one of the best choices for gamers. It comes with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage. With this laptop, you will get Thunderbolt 3 port to help you connect eGPU. This laptop also features a 15.6-inch QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate.
One of the biggest benefits of the Razer Blade 15 is its portability. Its single-block precision-milled aluminum chassis makes it feel premium, which is why it is similar to the Apple Macbook Pro.
Another good feature is its mouse and large touchpad. This makes gaming on the Blade 15 even more convenient. If you’re looking for a high-performance gaming laptop to use with an eGPU, this laptop is perfect.
5. LG Gram 17Z90P Laptop
Another good laptop you can use for eGPU is LG Gram 17Z90P. The laptop’s design is fairly basic, but it is packed with good hardware. While this may not impress you, it’s better than many competitors’ models. This laptop is equipped with 11th gen Core i7 processor and Intel Xe Graphics. As it doesn’t come with a dedicated graphics card, you can easily use an eGPU with it.
The LG Gram 17Z90P Laptop’s battery life is exceptional. It can easily last for an eight-hour workday, two full days of light productivity, and several full-length movies. This is a very good performance for a laptop – and certainly among the best Windows gaming PCs. With a battery life like this, it’s easy to see why the LG Gram is so popular among users.
Another feature that LG Gram has over other laptops is its thin bezels. Its four bezels are quite narrow, but they don’t make the screen feel cramped or crowded. You’ll feel like you’re not wasting space while watching videos. The top bezel is also thin, but a 720p HD webcam is still included. The LG Gram 17Z90P Laptop also features a fingerprint reader.
If you’re looking for a new Windows laptop, the LG Gram 17 is a great option. It’s lightweight and powerful and can handle most of the tasks you need it to do. If you’re in the market for a new laptop, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the LG Gram 17Z90P.
It is also equipped with 16GB RAM and 2TB SSD storage. Another impressive feature of this laptop is its massive 17-inch screen with 2560 x 1600 resolution. You will also get various connectivity ports with this laptop, i.e., 2X USB-C, HDMI, and USB-A. All these features make it perfect for eGPU.
6. Dell XPS 15 9510
Dell XPS 15 9510 is another good laptop you can use for eGPU. It can handle everyday work tasks, but it can also handle tough multitasking like dozens of browser tabs, photo-editing tools, and 4K content creation. However, if you want to enhance the performance of this laptop, you can use an external graphics card.
The battery life is based on the Full HD+ version, and this Dell XPS 15 9510 has a six-cell 86Wh battery. One of the most impressive aspects of this Dell XPS 15 9510 is its 15.6-inch screen, which is among the best-looking screens available today.
While the graphics card is slow, this laptop is an excellent multimedia machine. The processor used in the Dell XPS 15 9510 is a modern, mainstream Core i7-11800H 8C/16T.
The chip has a wide range of power profiles, including low and high-power usage. You will also get 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage with this laptop.
The design of the Dell XPS 15 9510 is sleek and well-made. It has a premium feel, a beautiful display, and a quality keyboard. It is lightweight, too, at only 4.3 pounds. It has an excellent battery life and one extra port.
The XPS 15 9510 is the best laptop to buy right now for a great price. It comes with NVidia RTX 3050 4GB graphics card, which helps you to easily use an eGPU.
7. MSI GE76 Raider Gaming Laptop
The MSI GE76 Raider Gaming Laptop comes with powerful hardware specifications, which makes it perfect for eGPU. The notebook is equipped with an array of ports, including three USB-A, one USB-C, and one Thunderbolt 4 port.
Its other ports include an HDMI port, an analog audio jack, and an SD Express card reader. Overall, the MSI GE76 Raider Gaming Laptop is packed with a lot of features.
The Raider is equipped with a surprisingly generous amount of memory, including 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. It is powered by an Intel Core i7-11800H processor. This processor is also extremely fast, with a faster startup time and a quicker C: drive search than many other models. You will also get GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with this laptop.
While the GE76 Raider Gaming Laptop is designed for gaming, its performance can still handle everyday multitasking, web browsing, and video. This laptop also features a 17.3″ FHD with a 144HZ refresh rate, which is another good addition. The GE76 Raider’s sound is also impressive.
While the speakers on a gaming laptop are not usually as impressive, they’re loud enough to fill a room. The Raider GE76 offers great performance in gaming. Its high-end components, including its Intel Core i7- 11800H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, make it an extremely capable gaming laptop.
How to Choose the Best Laptops for eGPU in 2023?
If you are looking for a laptop to run your eGPU, make sure you consider a few important factors. It will help you to easily select the best compatible laptop and unleash its power with the help of an eGPU.
CPU
If you’re looking to upgrade your graphics processing, an external GPU for laptops is a great option. External GPUs improve gaming performance by providing more power for intense games. However, in order to support eGPU, you need a laptop with a powerful processor. It is best to choose a laptop with an i7, i9, or AMD Ryzen 7 series processor.
GPU
There are many factors to consider when choosing a laptop with an eGPU. You need a laptop with a good dedicated graphics card to support the external GPU. You can go with Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon processor. A laptop with a good graphics card and easily handle external graphics.
RAM
A mid-range eGPU-equipped laptop is perfect for those who frequently use video editing apps. However, when buying a laptop, you need to consider the RAM. It is best to choose a laptop with a minimum of 8GB and a maximum of 1GB RAM.
Storage
If you are looking to add a second graphics card to your laptop, the next step is to choose a device with the right storage. You need a good amount of storage space to easily run the GPU. An SSD with 512GB or 1TB of storage should be plenty for most users. If you’re concerned about space, you can also add an external hard drive or SD card, or reader.
Display Quality
Another thing you need to consider when buying a laptop for eGPU is display quality. You need a laptop with perfect screen size and resolution to easily use it for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. The screen should offer a higher refresh rate as well.
Battery Life
An eGPU is a great way to boost your gaming performance on a budget. These portable GPUs are ideal for people who want to work on the go while still having enough power for normal usage. However, in order to power these external GPUs, you need a laptop with good battery backup for up to 10 hours.
Ports
An eGPU can help you play games with improved graphics. In order to connect the eGPU, you need the right ports. The ports on a laptop for eGPU should have enough bandwidth for the external graphics card. USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, and the PCIe Gen 4 x16 slots are good choices for laptops with an eGPU.
Portability
When choosing a laptop for an eGPU, portability is a key factor. Laptops that are light in weight are easier to carry. Smaller screen sizes also provide more portability. However, the size of the laptop will also be affected by the external graphics card. Laptops with large graphics cards are harder to carry.
Frequently Asked Questions About eGPU Laptops
Is an eGPU Worth Buying?
Yes, it is totally worth buying an eGPU as it can help you to improve the overall gaming and video-editing capability of a laptop. A high-end eGPU can deliver the same graphics performance as a professional gaming laptop.
The best part about eGPUs is that they can boost the performance of your laptop. For example, you can use it for gaming and enjoy its better battery life.
Can eGPU be Used on Any Laptop?
If you’re wondering if eGPU can be used on any kind of laptop, the answer is no. The latest laptop models have the necessary hardware to run eGPU, but older models may not be compatible. In order to use eGPU, you need f your laptop has Type-C Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 2, mini PCIe, M. 2 NVMe slot, or an ExpressCard slot, your laptop.
Is eGPU Good For Gaming?
An external GPU is a component that adds more graphical processing power to your computer. It can enhance the performance of games, applications, and programs on both desktop and laptop computers.
If you regularly play video games and are looking for a more immersive gaming experience, an eGPU can help. A GPU boost can boost your performance by up to three times.
Final Thoughts
If you want to enjoy superior gaming performance on your laptop, you can buy an eGPU. However, you cannot use these graphics cards with just any laptop. You need the necessary ports to connect eGPU to a laptop. In this guide, we have reviewed the top 7 best laptops for eGPU in 2023.
If you are looking for a laptop to use with an eGPU, you can try any of these products. We have tested all these laptops by using them with eGPUs and selected the best ones. If you want to suggest something or need additional details, write to us in the comments below.
If you’re a fan of MSI, you’ll love this article on their laptops, and whether MSI laptops are good or not.
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