Razer Launches Core X Chroma TB3 eGFX Enclosure: 700 W, GbE, USB
by Anton Shilov on April 18, 2019 4:00 PM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
- External GPU
- Razer
- Thunderbolt 3
- eGFX
- Razer Core
Razer has introduced a new enclosure for external graphics cards. The new Core X Chroma Thunderbolt 3 enclosure is compatible with bulky graphics cards, integrates a high-wattage power supply, and comes with additional USB 3.0 Type-A as well as GbE ports. The new unit also has programmable RGB lighting.
The Razer Core X Chroma uses almost the same aluminum chassis as last year’s Core X, but it has two RGB lighting zones that can be customized on Windows systems using Razer Synapse 3 software. Internally, the Core X Chroma can house a triple-wide graphics card that is up to 33 cm/12.99-inches long. Architecturally, this one resembles the Core v2 that has two Thunderbolt 3 controllers.
The primary TB3 controller is used to connect the GPU to the host PC using all four PCIe lanes. Whereas the secondary TB3 controller is connected to the primary one using the downstream TB3 port of the primary one (essentially creating an internal daisy chain) and uses its PCIe lanes for the GbE and the USB controllers. In this situation, the GPU always gets a priority and the traffic from the other clients is always routed properly. Unfortunately, Razer does not disclose which TB3 controllers it uses.
The Razer Core X Chroma comes with a 700 W power supply to feed enough power even to ultra-high-end graphics boards and even deliver up to 100 W of power to the host PC. The enclosure is naturally compatible with all modern graphics cards, including AMD’s Radeon VII as well as NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX on Windows, whereas Apple's macOS has certain limitations when it comes to eGPU support because of the drivers. Meanwhile, the box has perforated sides and a 120-mm fan to ensure proper cooling of its internals.
| Comparison of Razer's Modern eGFX Enclosures | ||
| Aspect | Razer Core X Chroma | Razer Core X |
| Chassis Dimensions | 37.4 × 16.8 × 23 cm | 14.72 × 6.61 × 9.06 inches | |
| Max. GPU Dimensions | 33 × 6 × 16 cm | 12.99 × 2.36 × 6.29 inches | |
| Max. GPU Power | 500W | |
| PSU | 700 W | 650W ATX |
| Cooling Fans | 1 × 120mm (Chassis) ? (PSU) |
|
| Thunderbolt 3 | 1 × Thunderbolt 3 (to host) | |
| GbE | 1 × GbE port | - |
| USB | 4 × USB 3.0 ports | - |
| RGB Lighting | Razer Chroma | - |
| Power Delivery | 100W | |
| Shipping Date | April 2019 | May 2018 |
| Price (in USD, at launch) | $399 | $299 |
Razer already sells its Core X Chroma external graphics enclosure directly and through select retailers in the US and Europe. Pricing is around $399.99 or €429.99, depending on location.
Related Reading
- Razer Launches Core X TB3 eGFX Enclosure: Cost-Down Version Complements Core v2
- Razer Launches Core v2 TB3 eGFX Enclosure: Dual TB3 Controllers
- Razer Core Thunderbolt 3 eGFX Chassis: $499/$399, AMD & NVIDIA, Shipping In April
Source: Razer
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
11 Comments
View All Comments
WithoutWeakness - Thursday, April 18, 2019 - link
It is comical how large this enclosure is. Nearly double the volume of a Dan A4 SFX case and that will hold an entire computer. I know this has better compatibility with taller/wider GPUs but it really is monstrous given that it just needs to hold a GPU. The ATX power supply is such a waste of space and all the extra space in the front is seemingly dedicated to a 120mm fan that blows air at the back of the graphics card.Cellar Door - Thursday, April 18, 2019 - link
I agree, this should be have the size and come with an sfx psu.TheUnhandledException - Thursday, April 18, 2019 - link
First they are making these things way to damn big. Second they need to get real on the pricing. The base version should be $199 or less and the one with extra ports no more than $50 more. At $299/$399 who is buying these things? Idiots?wintermute000 - Thursday, April 18, 2019 - link
People who want to only run a single machine and it needs to be portable?A decent gaming CPU/MB/RAM/SSD/PSU/case is going to cost a lot more than the eGPU enclosure, even if the eGPU is taking the 20% thunderbolt performance hit.
jordanclock - Thursday, April 18, 2019 - link
Yeah, most laptops have plenty of power to run even the most demanding games, except for their GPUs. This takes less space than most any desktop and gives laptops the final major benefit of a PC. I'm seriously considering one of these with a nice laptop instead of refreshing my entire PC.s.yu - Friday, April 19, 2019 - link
I think the hit is more like 70% for RTX2080, you get increasingly diminished gains beyond 1060.Siegfred55 - Friday, April 19, 2019 - link
Got the Razer Core X Chroma, easily installed the Asus RX ROG Vega64. Hooked it to a Mac Mini 2018 via thunderbolt included. And looked the Mac mini via Thunderbolt to the Apple (LG) 5K.Not familiar wit heGPU, I've been reading on eGPUs before making the purchase. I am aware that my pick is far from "The "Best". Anyways, I do genuinely appreciate the HUGE improvement in speed and the better picrtures. And especially that I did not have to have the knowledge and wisdom of a tech guru, nor sis I have to go back and forth the computer store for help to get things to work. Thanks RAZER + Asus + OSX. Later might just try the ASUS ROG Radeon VII + Raze Core X Chroma.
star-affinity - Saturday, April 20, 2019 - link
It’s called MacOS (again, or it was ”Mac OS” before) nowadays, not OS X. ;)skavi - Monday, April 22, 2019 - link
as long as we're being anal, it's called macOS, not MacOS.timecop1818 - Sunday, April 21, 2019 - link
Um, you should PROBABLY hookup that eGPU to 5K display directly from Vega64, or else you're wasting nearly half the TB3 bandwidth for the displayport return channel to bring back 5K video from GPU back into MacMini, just to put it back out to the monitor.