Sonnet Technologies today announced the launch of the eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT and eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5700, the newest members of the company’s popular family of portable all-in-one Thunderbolt 3 external graphics processing (eGPU) systems. Replacing the now discontinued eGFX Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 560 and Radeon RX 570 eGPUs, the new models retain the same form factor but in many cases deliver more than 300% performance improvement over the previous-generation models. The new models now include two USB ports for connecting peripheral devices and a second Thunderbolt port for fully supporting a Thunderbolt/USB-C display, including the 6K Apple Pro Display XDR.
eGPU systems boost a computer’s graphics performance by connecting a more powerful graphics processor via a Thunderbolt 3 connection and bypassing the computer’s onboard GPU to deliver graphics performance not otherwise possible. Sonnet’s eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT and Radeon RX 5700 systems are designed for professionals who need to run graphics-intensive applications on their Intel -based MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, or iMac with Thunderbolt 3 ports, with the focus on high performance, portability, and flexible external display connectivity plus quiet, reliable operation. eGPU Breakaway Pucks accelerate a computer’s graphics performance on its built-in display (if equipped) and on up to four externally connected displays.
Most popular professional video applications rely on powerful GPUs to do the heavy lifting in tasks such as exporting, rendering, and more. A problem for many pro users is that their preferred computers are often only equipped with a basic graphics controller or a low-power discrete GPU that is less suitable for many of those tasks. The use of an eGPU overcomes those limitations. While eGPU enclosures like Sonnet’s just-announced eGPU Breakaway Box 750 and 750ex allow users to connect a desktop GPU PCIe card to boost their computer’s graphics processing abilities and enable great performance with pro apps, they are not portable and have a larger desktop footprint. Sonnet’s eGPU Breakaway Pucks deliver a great graphics performance boost yet are small enough — measuring just 6 inches wide by 5.1 inches deep by 2 inches tall—to toss in a computer bag.
Both eGPU Breakaway Puck models support up to three 4K @ 60 Hz displays (four with one of Sonnet’s dual-display adapters, sold separately) or one 6K plus two 4K displays at the same time. Through a second Thunderbolt 3 port, the Pucks provide both graphics and data to fully support all popular Thunderbolt/USB-C displays, including the LG UltraFine 4K and 5K displays sold in the Apple store. They also provide enough power to drive the 6K Apple Pro Display XDR without compromise. Both models include two USB Type A ports to enable connection of peripherals—such as a keyboard, mouse, or even a software license authorization key dongle—to the computer without taking up its few onboard ports.
The eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT (part number GPU-RX55-TB3-S) and eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5700 (part number GPU-RX57-TB3-S) are available now from Sonnet at suggested retail prices of $599.99 and $899.99, respectively.
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