eX Core GTX 1050 eGPU brings full discrete performance to laptops
Startup company exklim has launched its portable eX Core eGPU dock for laptops on Kickstarter. The solution, which is powered by an Nvidia GTX 1050, promises to deliver full discrete graphics performance for laptops.
An external graphics box (eGPU) usually gets a performance hit associated with feeding data through a Thunderbolt port, versus a GPU that is built directly into the motherboard. However, that is not the case for eX Core, claims exklim.
READ ALSO: Nvidia GeForce 20-Series GPUs with GDDR6 to launch in July, Hints SK Hynix
According to the company, eX Core is the “world’s smallest portable GPU for laptops” that is designed to deliver the performance at its best. The device might not be featuring a high-end graphics chip, but it’s still powerful enough to offer a significant boost in performance compared to most integrated graphics solutions.
Based on exklim’s own internal benchmarks, the eX Core eGPU improves gaming performance by over 600% over Intel HD Graphics. What’s interesting is that it even surpasses a desktop GeForce GTX 1050. But how can that be?
Well, according to exklim, they have added a pre-renderer mode and special controller that “can help minimize bandwidth gaps by pre-rendering frames before being displayed.” In addition, the dock integrates a GTX 1050 that is factory overclocked at 1608MHz.
“So expect full framerate[s] on both ways,” exklim says. “Since we are using an optimized GTX 1050 4GB GDDR5, performance loss is minimal. Impossible to notice.”
Other eX Core specs and features are as below:
Box Content
- eX Core NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 w/4GB
- Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C ) Cable
- Compact 90W USB-C power adapter
- exklim Welcome Manual
- exklim Carrying Case
Specifications
- eX Core Size (5.9”x4.1”x0.8”) | Weight 1.57 lbs. / 0.71 kg.
- 2x Intel Thunderbolt 3 Ports
- 1x HDMI 2.0b audio and video output Port
- USB-C DC-IN Port
- Compact 90W USB-C power adapter w/Power Share Charge-Laptop up to 40w
The Kickstarter campaign for eX Core has already blown past its funding target with still 20 days to go. There is a Super Early Bird tier still available in limited quantities. It’s offered in three different colors: the ex Core T-White and G-Dark are priced at $394 USD, while the X-White Edition costs $434.