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Is an external GPU the ultimate gaming solution? Find out!

Updated on Apr 01,2024

Is an external GPU the ultimate gaming solution? Find out!

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding External GPU Enclosures
  3. The Debate: External GPU vs. Internal GPU
  4. testing Methodology
  5. Benchmark Results: Fortnite
  6. Benchmark Results: PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
  7. Benchmark Results: Far Cry 5
  8. Benchmark Results: The Witcher 3
  9. Overall Comparison and Analysis
  10. Conclusion

Introduction

In today's rapidly evolving gaming landscape, gamers are constantly seeking ways to enhance their gaming experience. One popular solution is using an external GPU enclosure to boost the graphics capabilities of their laptops. But does this setup truly provide the same level of performance as an internal GPU, such as the popular GTX 1080? This article aims to answer that question by conducting a series of tests and analyzing the results. So, if you're considering investing in a 2080 Ti for your external GPU enclosure, or if you're torn between relying on your laptop's internal GPU, read on to find out which option comes out on top.

Understanding External GPU Enclosures

Before diving into the debate between external and internal GPUs, it's essential to understand what an external GPU enclosure is and how it works. An external GPU enclosure is a device that allows you to connect a desktop-grade graphics card (GPU) to your laptop or computer via a high-speed connection, typically Thunderbolt 3. This setup enables you to harness the power of a dedicated GPU, which is significantly more powerful than the integrated GPU found in most laptops. By utilizing an external GPU enclosure, users can effectively upgrade their laptop's graphics capabilities without having to invest in an entirely new machine.

The Debate: External GPU vs. Internal GPU

The main question at HAND is whether an external GPU, such as the 2080 Ti, can outperform an internal GPU, like the GTX 1080, in terms of bandwidth, throughput, and overall compatibility. To find an answer to this question, we will compare the performance of three different systems: a desktop setup, a laptop with an internal GTX 1080, and a laptop with an external 2080 Ti. Our goal is to determine whether the external GPU setup can match or even surpass the performance of the internal GPU in various gaming scenarios.

Testing Methodology

To ensure accurate and reliable results, we conducted our tests at 1080p resolution on a 240Hz monitor. This resolution and refresh rate were chosen to provide the best possible comparison between the three systems. We used popular games, including Fortnite, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Far Cry 5, and The Witcher 3, to evaluate the performance of each system in different gaming scenarios. We tested both epic and mixed low/epic settings, depending on the game's requirements. Each game was benchmarked using MSI Afterburner to capture consistent and comparable results.

Benchmark Results: Fortnite

Fortnite is a highly popular Game that can serve as an excellent benchmark for evaluating the performance of the different systems. In our tests, we found that the external GPU setup showed a slight advantage over the laptop with internal GPU when running the game on epic settings. However, the difference was minimal, and the performance in specific areas, such as Tilted Towers, was primarily limited by the CPU. When switching to mixed low/epic settings, we noticed that the performance gap between the three systems reduced to almost nothing. This indicates that a 2080 Ti might be overkill for 1080p gaming, as the CPU becomes the bottleneck.

Benchmark Results: PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or PUBG, is another popular game that we tested on the three systems. In our benchmark results, we observed that the laptop with an internal GPU actually performed better than the external GPU setup in the city environment. However, the overall performance between the two systems was nearly identical. This suggests that the Thunderbolt 3 connection, which is used in the external GPU setup, introduces a bottleneck that limits the frames per Second output. In rural environments, where the game becomes more GPU-bound, the performance difference between the two systems increased, with the 2080 Ti pulling ahead.

Benchmark Results: Far Cry 5

Far Cry 5 is a game known for its heavy use of both the CPU and GPU. In our benchmark tests, we found that the external GPU setup showed lower performance compared to the laptop with the internal 1080. The difference was significant, with the external GPU averaging 84 frames per second compared to the internal GPU's average of 104 frames per second. This further highlights the limitations of using an external GPU enclosure, where the bandwidth and throughput become significant factors in determining overall performance.

Benchmark Results: The Witcher 3

In our tests on The Witcher 3, we witnessed the 2080 Ti in the external enclosure dominating the performance, delivering approximately 80% better performance compared to the laptop with the 1080. This particular scene in The Witcher 3 was highly GPU-bound, allowing the 2080 Ti to showcase its full potential. However, it is crucial to note that The Witcher 3 was somewhat of an outlier in our benchmark results, as its performance heavily relied on the GPU without being significantly limited by the CPU.

Overall Comparison and Analysis

Taking into consideration the benchmark results from various games and scenarios, it is clear that the performance of an external GPU setup, even with a high-end GPU like the 2080 Ti, is not consistently superior to that of a laptop with an internal GPU. In fact, in some cases, such as Fortnite and PUBG, the differences in performance were negligible. This suggests that for 1080p gaming, a laptop with a 1080 inside might be powerful enough, especially when taking into account potential bottlenecks introduced by external GPU setups. However, if you are aiming for 240Hz gaming and high-performance across a wide range of titles, a desktop system with a full 2080 Ti is the way to go.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decision to invest in an external GPU enclosure depends on your specific gaming requirements. While an external GPU setup can offer a boost in graphics performance for laptops, the limitations of bandwidth and compatibility can negate the benefits of a high-end GPU like the 2080 Ti. For 1080p gaming, a laptop with a 1080 might provide sufficient power, while a desktop with a 2080 Ti is ideal for those aiming for 240Hz gaming. Ultimately, it is crucial to consider your specific needs, budget, and the limitations that come with external GPU enclosures before making a decision.

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