With the introduction of External Graphics Cards, high-end gaming has finally come to laptops. With an eGPU, you won’t need to upgrade your entire setup to get the best out of your graphics. Buying one of these external video cards can be tricky, though. So here’s our eGPU Buying Guide! This guide was created to walk you through all the basics of external graphics cards so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not they are right for you. As a newer technology, they can be a bit mystifying so we tell you everything you need to know to understand this incredible leap in graphical technology. We’ve also sifted through tons of options and selected the Affordable & Top Rated external graphics cards for gaming that you can find on the market today.

Razer Core X

Never one to rest on its laurels, Razer went back to the lab with the Core and came back with something bigger, more streamlined and affordable. The $299 Razer Core X offers a bigger chassis, perfect for installing massive GPUs like the Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan V while eliminating the USB and Ethernet ports. The Core X will be one of Razer’s first eGPUs to play nice with Macs. However, fans of Razer’s Chroma lighting will be disappointed as the Core X lacks the colorful customization feature.

Akitio Node – Thunderbolt3 eGPU for Windows

This one is the cheapest way to give your laptop a big boost when it comes to gaming better. The manufacturer did it a solid by equipping it with a 400-watt power supply unit. With this amount of power, it should not be a problem when it comes to dropping in any graphics card. Its power would easily run any graphics card on the market right now.

Alienware Graphics Amplifier (9R7XN)

The Alienware 9R7XN is the oldest item on this list but it also very affordable. When eGPU technology was in infancy Alienware devised a device that works a bit more like a docking station. The benefit to the 9R7XN is that an older Alienware laptop can get some continued life by using this Amplifier. The 9R7XN is only compatible with Alienware devices but offers a great solution. Just toss a cheap mid-range GTX in there and you can be playing modern games at great settings for an unbeatable price. This eGPU ONLY works with Alienware products so be aware that this is a proprietary device.

Sonnet EGFX Breakaway Box

A no-frills purchase, the Sonnet EFFX Breakaway Box offers little in the way of ports and design. However, it’s easy to get into and install the graphics card, and this box could be fine for people who just want to game on their laptops.

Gigabyte AORUS Gaming Box GTX 1070 Graphic Card

This external GPU comes from a top brand Gigabyte. This brand has been around long enough for it to earn respect from people. Mostly it is because of the type of performance they provide to the user. The same thing applies to make this external GPU. The manufacturer made it be compatible with the GeForce FTX 1070 graphics card. This is something that will enhance your gaming at all times. With 8GB of onboard video memory, there is so much performance you can expect at the end.