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GearBox Thunderbolt™ 3 eGFX Solution

The SAPPHIRE GearBox Thunderbolt™ 3 External PCI-Express enclosure boosts the performance and future proofs laptops and Mini PCs by upgrading the GPU capability and other PCI-Express devices. It features a lightning quick 40Gbps Thunderbolt™ 3 (USB-C) connecting interface that handles various types of data as well as charge a Thunderbolt™ 3 configured laptop.
 
Datasheet

Thunderbolt™ 3: The USB-C that does it all

Thunderbolt™ 3 is the most advanced connecting interface through USB-C, that does it all. Thunderbolt ™3 delivers more speed with a 40 Gbps connection, improved performance with dual 4K Displays and additional features with a single connecting interface.

More Speed - 40Gbps Thunderbolt™ 3

  • Bi-directional, dual-protocal ( PCI Express and DisplayPort )
  • Four lanes of PCI Express Gen 3
  • Eight lanes of DisplayPort 1.2 (HBR2 and MST) - Support two 4K Displays (4096 x 2160 30bpp @60Hz)
  • Native USB 3.1 (10Gbps) - Compatible with existing USB devices and cables
  • Native DisplayPort 1.2 - Compatible with existing DisplayPort displays, devices and cables

Boost Gaming Performance

Simple plug and play to immediately upgrades the Laptop and Mini PC performance.

The SAPPHIRE GearBox provides a seamless way to upgrade your computer’s performance. Simply plug and play to boost the Laptop and Mini PCs’

*Notebook / MiniPC requires a Thunderbolt ™ 3 output interface

Evolve to Expert Performance

Are You Ready To Travel Light And Game Heavy?

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Being even-handed, the Sapphire GearBox does exactly what it says on the tin, with the minimum of fuss, and succeeds in its remit of enabling a number of IGP-only Ultrabooks/MacBooks to play games that are way out of the reach of the baked-in graphics. It also offers Gigabit Ethernet, multi-monitor capability and USB peripheral/storage support for an easy, single-cable transition between mobile and desktop environments. And it doesn't hurt that it looks good and is priced attractively, too.

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KitGuru says: If you want to go down the external GPU route, Sapphire’s GearBox is a great all-round option. A couple of things could be tweaked for the next iteration, but for £274.99 this is probably the best value eGPU solution on the market right now.

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If you have to choose between gaming on integrated graphics or a hobbled add-in card via Thunderbolt 3, the GearBox looks like an all-star. Just be aware that the reality of its implementation means you’re going to leave a lot of rendering horsepower on the table in exchange for a convenient external connection. And at $259, you’re paying a premium on top of the cost of your add-in board. The alternatives don’t look much better, though. Enthusiasts willing to accept the frame rate hit can expect their best value from an external graphics enclosure like Sapphire’s GearBox.

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Download

Installation Guide

This guide describes the installation procedure and includes other important information about the SAPPHIRE GearBox.
Version 1.0
File Size 1.0MB
Release Date 1/23/2017
Download

GearBox Firmware Update

  • GearBox Thunderbolt firmware improve Host to Device bandwidth
  • Package Includes:
    ．Update tool
    ．Update document
Version 41.41
File Size 1072KB
Release Date 6/5/2019
Download
Compatible Graphics Cards
                  RX 5000 Series
 Nitro+               •RX 5500 XT 8GD6 SE       
 Pulse   •RX 5700 XT 8GD6 / RX 5700 8GD6
    •RX 5600 XT 6GD6 / RX 5600 XT 6GD6 BE
    •RX 5500 XT 8GD6 / 4GD6
                   VEGA Series
 Pulse   •RX VEGA56 8G HBM2
                   RX 500 Series
 Nitro+       •RX 590 8GD5 
    •RX 580 8GD5 Limited Edition /  RX 580 8GD5 / 4GD5
    •RX 570 8GD5 / 4GD5
 Pulse   •RX 590 8GD5 
    •RX 580 8GD5 /4GD5
  •RX 570 8GD5 / RX 570 4GD5 
    •RX 560 4GD5 / 2GD5
    •RX 550 4GD5 / 2GD5

 

Compatible Systems

  • External Graphics using AMD or NVIDIA graphics cards are supported on some systems, but not all Windows systems.
  • SAPPHIRE GearBox supports the following Operating Systems: Apple macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later / Windows 10 64-bit.
     (32-bit Windows 10, Windows 7 and Linux are not  supported.)
 • Listed below are the systems which are compatible with Thunderbolt 3 eGFX solutions. **
 ** Systems must be equipped with Thunderbolt™ 3 connecting interface
 ** Intel, ASUS, Razer and respective system companies report their compatible computers. Other listed computers may be SAPPHIRE tested or user reported.
 ** If a listed computer has a discrete NVIDIA GPU, then you need to disable the dGPU to use an NVIDIA eGPU. (Device Manager -> Display Adapters ->right click on the dGPU -> select disable).
Brand               Model name                                                                  
 Apple  • MacBook Pro / • MacBook Air /
   • Mac mini / • Mac Pro  /  • iMac Pro / • iMac 
   
 Acer  • Acer Aspire R 13 /  • Acer Aspire Switch 12
   • Acer Aspire V15 Nitro / V17 Nitro
   
 ASUS  • ASUS ROG G501VW /  • ASUS ROG GL502VM
   • ASUS ROG G701VI  /   • ASUS ROG GL702VM
   • ASUS ROG G752VL / G752VM / G752VS / G752VT / G752VY
   • ASUS ROG GX800VH
   • ASUS Transformer 3 Pro T303UA / • ASUS Transformer 3 T305CA
   • ASUS UX501VW
   • ASUS ZenBook Pro UX490UA / • ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501VW
   • ASUS ZenBook Pro UX550VD / 550VE /  • ASUS ZenBook Pro UX
   
 DELL  • Dell Latitude 7280
   • Dell Precision 3520 / 7510 / 7520/ 7720
   • Dell XPS 13 9350 /9360 /9365 /
   • Dell XPS 15 9550 / 9560 /  • Dell XPS 9250 / • DELL Precision 5530 
   
 Gigabyte  • AERO 14 /  • AERO 15 / 15X /  • AERO P56XT
   
 HP  • EliteBook x360 G2
   • HP Spectre 13-ac076nr / 13-w063nr /13-v011dx
   • HP Spectre x360 / x360 (2nd Generation 2017)
   • HP ZBook 15 G2 without dGPU / G3 without dGPU
   • HP ZBook 17 G3 without dGPU
   • HP ZBook Studio G3 /G4
   
 Intel  • Intel NUC7i5BNH NUC / • Intel NUC6i7KYK NUC 
   • Intel NUC7i5BNK NUC / • Intel NUC7i7BNH NUC
   
 Lenovo  • Lenovo Thinkpad P50 / • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen 2017)
   • Lenovo X1 Yoga 720 / • Lenovo Yoga 920
   
 MSI  • MSI GS43VR Phantom Pro (7th Gen)
   • MSI GS63 Stealth Pro (7th Gen) / • MSI GS63VR Stealth Pro (7th Gen)
   • MSI GS73 Stealth Pro (7th Gen) /  • MSI GS73VR Stealth Pro (7th Gen)
   
 Panasonic  • Let's Note SV7 (CF-SV7UFKVS)
   
 Razer  • Razer Blade (All Gens with Thunderbolt 3)
   • Razer Blade Pro (All Gens with Thunderbolt 3)
   • Razer Blade Stealth (All Gens with Thunderbolt 3)

 Notes
1. Please update your OS to macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later or Windows 10, 64- Bit Version.
2. Please visit the official webpage of your system's manufacture to download the latestThunderbolt 3 BIOS and Drivers.
3. Install the Graphics card in the SAPPHIRE GearBox and connect to your system.
4. Download and install the driver software. Go to the AMD or NVIDIA website to find the appropriate graphics driver for your system.

SAPPHIRE GearBox Thunderbolt™ 3 eGFX Solution Specifications

Model

GearBox Thunderbolt™ 3 eGFX Solution

Connect to PC

Thunderbolt™ 3 using 40Gbps cable

GPU Support (Graphics Cards are not included)

  • GPU Type:
    • Single / Double Slot, Full Length, PCI-Express x16 Graphics Cards
  • GPU Max. Dimension:
    • 266 mm (L) x 125 mm (H) / 10.5" (L) x 4.9" (H)
  • GPU Max. Power support:
    • 300 Watts
  • Graphics Outputs:
    • Depends on the capabilities of installed graphics card

PCI-Express Bus

PCI-Express x16 Gen 3.0

Input

Thunderbolt™ 3 (USB-C for connection to PC)

Output

  • 2 x USB 3.0
  • Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000

Internal Power Supply

500 Watts

Supporting Operating System

Apple macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later
Windows 10 64-bit

Note

Graphics cards use varied designs based around a common graphics chip. Please ensure the GPU selected meets all size, power, and additional requirements.

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