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AMD's XConnect Brings Native Driver Support For Thunderbolt 3 Graphics Cards

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the we-want-better-external-GPU-in-laptops dept.

AnandTech writes about AMD's XConnect technology: Last night AMD issued a driver update that brought support for a new technology, XConnect. In a nutshell, XConnect is AMD's trade name for running external video cards via Thunderbolt 3, a long-awaited development that Thunderbolt owner Intel is finally getting behind and allowing. [...] AMD is also laying out the technical requirements for supporting XConnect. Not just any laptop/desktop with Thunderbolt 3 can support an external GPU, as there are specific hardware and software requirements, which is why the Blade Stealth is the first qualified laptop. In particular, laptops need to support what is being called the Thunderbolt 3 external graphics standard, or eGFX for short.

6 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. Why not work on real pci-e ext cables / buses by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Why not work on real pci-e ext cables / buses that does not need bios or bridge chips and is not capped at pci-e 3.0 X4 (at best)

    1. Re:Why not work on real pci-e ext cables / buses by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Informative

      Why not work on real pci-e ext cables / buses that does not need bios or bridge chips and is not capped at pci-e 3.0 X4 (at best)

      1. Thunderbolt does not have a chicken-and-egg problem. There are plenty of Thunderbolt displays already available.
      2. Thunderbolt is "good enough". It can daisy chain multiple hi-res displays.

    2. Re:Why not work on real pci-e ext cables / buses by DRJlaw · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Why not work on real pci-e ext cables / buses that does not need bios or bridge chips and is not capped at pci-e 3.0 X4 (at best)

      Something about high bandwidth signals being more difficult to transport as conductor length increases, blah blah blah, more power/error correction/signal shenanigans (differential versus single-ended), and most users not wanting to pay so that Joe_Dragon can run a high end video card off of his laptop.

      I.e., physics, engineering, and economics.

  2. Re:Every thing as a perifiral by eumoria · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Many companies are making USB c-type thin laptops that act as as a charging port, external display connector and peripherals. Due to backwards compatibility USB is going to continue to crush thunderbolt for general usage especially with C-type being supported by many manufacturers for their upcoming products.

  3. Re:Every thing as a perifiral by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 2

    It wasn't too long ago companies were toying with their servers running the 3D game, and just piping you the video from it.

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  4. Re:ehhhhh by UnknowingFool · · Score: 2

    Were able to connect Ethernet, video, and USB to a single ExpressCard? The issue isn't that you can have thick laptops with a discrete GPU that connects externally. The current direction is to have really thin laptops but unfortunately they have a lack of power when it comes to GPUs. So create one of these universal docking stations. A TB connector (and maybe a power cable) and a laptop is connected to everything you would need.

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