Razer introduces the Core X V2 eGPU chassis and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity hub
Razer is updating its external GPU enclosure line for the next generation of connectivity with the announcement of the Core X V2. This new chassis is the company’s first to feature the Thunderbolt 5 standard, but it comes with some major changes that may surprise those who know the original Core X and its all-in-one convenience.
The headline feature is, of course, the move to Thunderbolt 5. While compatible laptops are still a rarity, the new standard theoretically offers up to 80 Gbps of bandwidth, a massive leap over Thunderbolt 4 that should help reduce performance bottlenecks. The Core X V2 also improves host charging, now capable of delivering 140W of power over a single cable. Physically, the enclosure has been updated to support larger, four-slot graphics cards from both Nvidia and AMD, making it ready for the biggest GPUs on the market.
However, in a significant departure from previous models like the Core X Chroma, which came with a built-in PSU, the Core X V2 requires users to bring their own. This move offers more flexibility for those looking to install power-hungry cards that might have exceeded the limits of the old integrated units. For most users, however, it simply adds an extra component and cost to the shopping list.
Another change is the removal of all extra I/O. The built-in USB hub and Ethernet port that you see on older Core models are gone, leaving just the single Thunderbolt connection. For users who need that extra peripheral connectivity, Razer has opportunistically just launched a new, separate Thunderbolt 5 Dock. It has a 3.5 mm jack, 10 Gbps USB-C and USB-A ports, a UHS-II SD card slot, support for up to three 4K 120 Hz screens, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD slot. Additionally, it incorporates Thunderbolt Share, a KVM-like function that enables peripheral control and file transfers between two linked PCs.
The Core X V2 is a clear evolution, focusing purely on providing a high-speed Thunderbolt 5 connection for a powerful desktop graphics card. But by stripping out the integrated PSU and I/O hub, Razer has also unbundled the convenience that made its predecessors so appealing. While the chassis is listed at £329.99/$349.99/€389.99, the cost for a complete setup is now significantly higher. As for the Thunderbolt 5 Dock, this one is even more expensive at £389.99/$389.99/€439.99
KitGuru says: What do you think of eGPU enclosures like the Core X V2?
