Do External Graphics Cards Work for Laptops? eGPUs Explained

The external graphics processing unit (eGPU) revolution is transforming laptop computing across Australia, from the bustling tech hubs of Sydney and Melbourne to the growing creative communities in Perth and Brisbane. Before these innovative devices arrived, gamers, creative professionals, and other high-performance computer users had to turn to desktops for intensive computing needs. Now, eGPUs allow laptop users to achieve desktop-class performance for gaming, 4K video rendering, and AI workloads, but at a considerable cost.

The short answer: Yes, external GPUs work with laptops, but with important caveats about performance and cost that every Australian buyer should understand.

These components are quickly gaining popularity as one of the most sought-after laptop upgrade options and are establishing a devoted fan base amongst tech enthusiasts and professionals.

This comprehensive guide explores the current state of external graphics cards (eGPUs) for laptops in 2025, addressing whether they truly deliver on their promises and if they’re worth the investment for Australian users. We’ll examine how eGPUs function, setup requirements, real-world performance benchmarks, compatibility challenges, and practical use cases. Plus, we’ll cover the latest Thunderbolt 5 technology, discuss performance trade-offs with actual numbers, and help you determine if an eGPU solution fits your needs or if alternatives like HP’s dedicated gaming laptops might better serve your requirements.

How External Graphics Cards Work with Laptops

An eGPU setup transforms your laptop into a desktop-class workstation, but understanding the technology is crucial before investing your hard-earned dollars.

An external GPU (or eGPU) setup consists of an eGPU box, a desktop-grade graphics card, and a laptop with Thunderbolt connectivity. Most eGPU boxes also come with a built-in power supply and device ports, for USB, Ethernet, and additional displays. Once you dock your laptop to an external monitor, you’ll transform it into a desktop replacement that’s capable of running high-end games, professional creative software, and compute-intensive applications.

Key Components Explained

• eGPU Enclosure: Houses the graphics card and provides power
• Desktop Graphics Card: The actual GPU (NVIDIA RTX 40-series, AMD RX 7000-series)
• Thunderbolt Connection: The data highway between laptop and eGPU
• External Monitor: Essential for optimal performance (connecting directly to the eGPU)

The beauty of this setup lies in its versatility. During the day, you can use your lightweight laptop for presentations and meetings around the office. When you return to your home workspace in the evening, a simple Thunderbolt connection transforms your machine into a gaming powerhouse or professional workstation.

Thunderbolt Connections: Which Version Do You Need?

When it comes to connecting your laptop to an eGPU enclosure, there are three main Thunderbolt standards available in the Australian market. Each comes with its own power delivery and bandwidth capabilities.

Thunderbolt 3 (2015): The most widely compatible option with 40 Gbps bandwidth, 100W power delivery, and support for 4 PCIe 3.0 lanes. This represents only 25% of a desktop PCIe x16 slot’s bandwidth, creating the biggest performance bottleneck. However, it’s the most affordable entry point for eGPU setups.

Thunderbolt 4 (2020): Maintains the same 40 Gbps bandwidth as TB3, but adds better reliability, cross-device compatibility, and enhanced security features. It also supports 100W charging and guarantees 4K display compatibility. This is the sweet spot for most Australian users seeking reliable eGPU performance.

Thunderbolt 5 (2024): The latest-generation connection offering 80 Gbps bandwidth (with Bandwidth Boost mode reaching 120 Gbps), up to 240W power delivery, and native support for multiple 4K or 8K displays. This is the best option for minimising eGPU performance bottlenecks, though compatible laptops are still emerging in the Australian market.

Setting Up an External GPU: What You Actually Need

Before you set up your eGPU, here’s your complete shopping list for Australian buyers:

Essential Requirements

• Thunderbolt 3/4/5 port on your laptop
• eGPU enclosure (budget AU$300-900)
• Desktop graphics card (budget AU$450-2,250+)
• External monitor (for optimal performance)
• Updated drivers and BIOS

Pre-Purchase Verification Steps

Thunderbolt Port Check: Verify your laptop has a Thunderbolt port (not just USB-C). Look for the lightning bolt symbol next to the port. Many budget laptops sold in Australia only have standard USB-C ports.

eGPU Enclosure Selection: Choose an enclosure that provides sufficient power for your chosen graphics card. A high-end RTX 4080 needs different power requirements than a mid-range RTX 4060. Popular brands available through Australian retailers include Razer Core X, ASUS XG Mobile, and Alienware Graphics Amplifier.

Graphics Card Compatibility: Purchase a full-size desktop graphics card. The best current options are NVIDIA RTX 40-series or AMD RX 7000-series cards. Consider Australian warranty terms when choosing between local and imported cards.

Monitor Connection: Connect your display directly to the eGPU’s video outputs, not your laptop’s built-in screen. This avoids major performance penalties. Australian users often benefit from larger displays due to our typically spacious home offices.

Software Updates: Update your laptop’s BIOS, Thunderbolt drivers, and operating system before installation. This is particularly important for laptops purchased through Australian retailers, as they may ship with older firmware versions.

How to Install an External GPU for Your Laptop

Follow this step-by-step installation guide designed for Australian users:

Step 1: Verify compatibility between your laptop’s Thunderbolt port and chosen eGPU enclosure. Check manufacturer websites for Australian-specific compatibility lists.

Step 2: Install the graphics card in your eGPU enclosure. Insert the card firmly into the PCIe slot and secure it with the provided screws. Work in a well-ventilated area, as Australian summers can make electronics warm quickly.

Step 3: Connect the eGPU enclosure to your laptop using the appropriate Thunderbolt cable (included with most enclosures purchased from Australian retailers).

Step 4: Connect the power cable to your eGPU enclosure and power it on. Ensure your power point can handle the additional load - most eGPU setups draw 300-750W.

Step 5: Boot your laptop and check Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (Mac) to verify the GPU is detected. Install GPU drivers if not automatically downloaded.

Step 6: Connect your external monitor directly to the eGPU’s video outputs and set it as your primary display.

Step 7: Test performance with your intended applications. Run benchmarks or games to verify everything functions correctly under Australian network conditions.

Common Challenges & Solutions to eGPU Installation

Laptop Doesn’t Recognise GPU

Most modern Windows 11 laptops automatically detect eGPUs, but if yours doesn’t: Enable the Thunderbolt device in BIOS settings and manually download GPU drivers from NVIDIA or AMD’s Australian websites. Local tech support may be required for older laptop models.

Dealing with Old Driver Conflicts

Clean driver installation prevents conflicts. Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove old GPU drivers before installing new ones for your eGPU. This is particularly important for laptops that have been upgraded or refurbished in the Australian market.

GPU Fails to Power On

Power supply mismatch is the most common cause. Verify your eGPU enclosure provides sufficient wattage for your graphics card. High-end cards like RTX 4080/4090 need 650W+ enclosures. Australian power outlets provide 240V, which actually helps with power efficiency compared to 120V regions.

Poor Performance Issues

Performance issues usually stem from using your laptop’s internal display. For best results, always connect an external monitor directly to your eGPU and set it as the primary display. This is especially important for high-refresh gaming popular among Australian esports enthusiasts.

Image Placeholder: Image of troubleshooting steps diagram. Alt text: Common eGPU troubleshooting solutions for Australian laptop users

Performance Reality Check with Real Numbers

eGPUs deliver impressive performance gains, but with measurable limitations compared to desktop setups available from Australian PC retailers.

Gaming Performance Benchmarks

• Desktop RTX 4070: ~100% performance baseline
• eGPU RTX 4070 (external monitor): ~85-90% of desktop performance
• eGPU RTX 4070 (laptop screen): ~70-80% of desktop performance

The performance gap comes from Thunderbolt bandwidth limitations. Even Thunderbolt 5’s 120 Gbps can’t match a desktop PCIe x16 slot’s 256 Gbps bandwidth.

Content Creation Performance

Video editing, 3D rendering, and AI workloads see smaller performance penalties (typically 5-15%) because these tasks aren’t as bandwidth-sensitive as real-time gaming. This makes eGPUs particularly attractive for Australian creative professionals working in film, advertising, and digital media.

Specific Use Case Performance

• 4K video editing: 90-95% of desktop performance
• 3D rendering: 85-95% of desktop performance
• Gaming at 1440p: 80-90% of desktop performance
• Gaming at 4K: 85-92% of desktop performance

Even the top-of-the-line Thunderbolt 5 eGPU, with speeds reaching 120 Gbps, won’t match the speed of a desktop’s PCIe x16 slot. As a result, you can expect some performance loss in an eGPU compared to a desktop. This translates into a 10-20% performance drop for gaming—and this may be even greater if you’re using your laptop’s built-in display.

When it comes to video editing, 3D rendering, and high-intensity AI workloads, you’ll be able to achieve PC-like performance. Bandwidth bottlenecks shrink to nearly zero here, since these aren’t real-time tasks.

HP’s eGPU Philosophy

Rather than competing in the crowded eGPU enclosure market, HP focuses on creating laptops that work flawlessly with existing eGPU solutions while offering superior built-in graphics performance in their gaming lineup. This approach ensures Australian users get the best of both worlds: portability when needed and desktop-class performance when docked.

Should You Buy an eGPU in 2025?

eGPUs make sense for specific Australian users, but aren’t the right solution for everyone.

You SHOULD Consider an eGPU if:

• You have a premium laptop with Thunderbolt 3/4/5
• You need occasional high-performance graphics for work or gaming
• You want to extend your current laptop’s lifespan
• You have a dedicated workspace with external monitors
• You frequently travel but need desktop performance when stationary
• Your work involves GPU-accelerated tasks like video editing or 3D rendering

You Should AVOID eGPUs if:

• You’re on a tight budget (total cost often exceeds AU$1,200)
• You need maximum portability for Australian business travel
• You game primarily on your laptop’s built-in screen
• A dedicated gaming laptop would cost less than your eGPU setup
• You lack a permanent workspace for the eGPU enclosure
• Your internet connection can’t support the large driver downloads required

Cost Considerations for Australian Buyers

When calculating eGPU costs, Australian users should factor in:

• eGPU Enclosure: AU$300-900
• Graphics Card: AU$450-2,250+
• External Monitor: AU$200-800
• Total Investment: AU$950-3,950+

Compare this to complete gaming solutions like the HP OMEN series, which often provide better value and performance for dedicated gaming or creative work.

The Bottom Line for Australian Users

eGPUs represent an exciting technology that bridges the gap between laptop portability and desktop performance. For Australian users with specific needs—such as creative professionals who need occasional GPU acceleration or tech enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering with cutting-edge technology—eGPUs can be transformative.

However, for most Australian consumers, the combination of high costs, setup complexity, and performance limitations makes dedicated solutions more practical. Whether that’s a powerful gaming laptop for mobile performance or a desktop system for maximum value, HP’s range of purpose-built solutions often delivers better results for less money.

Before investing in an eGPU setup, carefully evaluate your usage patterns, budget constraints, and performance requirements. While eGPUs work with laptops, the question isn’t whether they can—it’s whether they should for your specific Australian use case.

The technology will undoubtedly improve as Thunderbolt 5 becomes more widespread and eGPU enclosures become more affordable. For now, most Australian users will find better value and performance in HP’s comprehensive range of gaming and professional laptops designed to meet demanding performance requirements right out of the box.