Portable Graphics Power for Macs: eGPU Breakaway Puck RX 5500 XT and 5700

Sonnet brings external video card power for video editing, 3D animation work, play computer games to Intel or even eGPU for Mac with Thunderbolt 3. The two powerful eGPU enclosure models for Intel-based Mac computers with AMD Radeon graphics processors of the RX 5000 series have USB ports and support 6K displays. In contrast to the eGPU 750 boxes that were also introduced, which are empty housings for graphics cards as desired, the graphics cards are integrated into this e GPU solution, with two equipment variants to choose from.

With the “eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT” and the “eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5700”, Sonnet is expanding its product family of portable, external video card all-in-one Thunderbolt 3 graphics processor systems. The two all-in-one solutions replace the previous models “eGFX Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 560” and “Radeon RX 570”.

The two new e GPU models are just as compact (5.24 x 13 x 5.1 cm) as the previous generation but offer a performance increase of more than 300 percent depending on the application. They also have two USB ports for connecting peripheral devices and a second Thunderbolt port for full support of a Thunderbolt / USB-C display, including the 6K Apple Pro Display XDR.

How it works

Such eGPU enclosure increases the graphics performance of a computer by connecting a more powerful graphics processor via a Thunderbolt 3 connection and bypassing the computer’s onboard GPU. Sonnet has developed the “eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT” and the Radeon RX 5700 variant for professional users who run graphics-intensive applications on an Intel-based MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, or iMac with a Thunderbolt 3 connection.

High performance, portability, flexible connection options for external displays as well as quiet and reliable operation are required. The new e GPU Breakaway Pucks accelerate the graphics performance of a computer on the integrated display (if available) and support a maximum of four external monitors.

Advantages of the solution

Fast rendering and other professional video applications require very powerful graphics processors, which even new Apple computers often do not offer. With its various eGPU systems, Sonnet offers different models for every need. With their compact format of 15cm wide x 13 cm deep and 5 cm high, the new e GPU breakaway puck solutions are particularly suitable for use in different locations, as they can be easily transported in a laptop bag.

Both external video card variants support up to three 4K @ 60Hz displays or even four if a separately available dual display adapter from Sonnet is used. Alternatively, a 6K monitor and two 4K displays can be used at the same time. Graphics and data are transferred via a second Thunderbolt 3 port to fully support all common Thunderbolt and USB-C displays, including the LG UltraFine 4K and 5K displays available in the Apple Store. They also offer enough power for a 6K Apple Pro Display XDR.

Both models come with two USB Type-A ports. Peripheral devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or a software license authorization key dongle can be connected without using the few onboard connections of the computer. An optional bracket is screwed to the VESA threaded holes (VESA 75mm and VESA 100mm) of the screen using the screws supplied.

Prices and availability

• Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX5500 XT (GPU-RX55-TB3-S) cost $599.99 on Amazon & Bhphotovideo stores.
• Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX5700 (GPU-RX57-TB3-S) cost $899.99 on Amazon & Bhphotovideo stores.