Sonnet Technologies has announced the launch of the eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT (US$599.99) and eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5700 ($899.99), the newest members of the company’s family of portable all-in-one Thunderbolt 3 external graphics processing (eGPU) systems.
Replacing the now discontinued eGFX Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 560 and Radeon RX 570 eGPUs, the new models retain the same form factor, but in many cases deliver more than 300% performance improvement over the previous-generation models, according to Sonnet. The new models now include two USB ports for connecting peripheral devices and a second Thunderbolt port for fully supporting a Thunderbolt/USB-C® display, including the 6K Apple Pro Display XDR.
eGPU systems boost a computer’s graphics performance by connecting a more powerful graphics processor via a Thunderbolt 3 connection and bypassing the computer’s onboard GPU to deliver enhanced graphics performance. Sonnet’s eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT and Radeon RX 5700 systems are designed for professionals who need to run graphics-intensive applications on their Intel-based MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, or iMac with Thunderbolt 3 ports. Currently, M1 Macs don’t support eGPUs.
Both eGPU Breakaway Puck models support up to three 4K @ 60 Hz displays (four with one of Sonnet’s dual-display adapters, sold separately) or one 6K plus two 4K displays at the same time. Through a second Thunderbolt 3 port, the Pucks provide both graphics and data to support all popular Thunderbolt/USB-C displays, including the LG UltraFine 4K and 5K displays sold in the Apple store.
Both models include two USB Type A ports to enable connection of peripherals — such as a keyboard, mouse, or even a software license authorization key dongle — to the computer without taking up its few onboard ports.
