This is still a good solution for people who don't want to have a laptop or Alpha that has a GPU that cannot be upgraded. You might be able to get 5-7 years out of a high end system now.
I have an i7 6700t alpha and a i7 7700 Alienware 17 r4 and both of them let me use RTX 3080 with the graphics amp. The amp is like a life support that just keeps the devices relevant for longer than Dell may have intended. No need to buy a new computer if you have the amp. No need to have a big desktop computer anywhere in my house.
Does the R2 struggle with bottlenecks because of its CPU and does the lid shut fully on the amp with the RTX 3080 in it? What about the temps in the amp like with the lid shut in use because the 3080 is open air cooled instead of blower cooled? I have an R2 and just picked up an amp so I’m lost on what GPU to put in it for minimal bottlenecks, good temps in the amp and one where the lid can close fully. Any help would be greatly appreciated 😊
The technology behind that graphics amp is really interesting. Do they offer any details on the type of PCI express connection that custom connector offers? If it can pipe in a 16X PCI express 3.0 connection, then there is a good chance that the graphic amp will have no noticeable performance penalty other than a few nanoseconds of additional latency due to the cable length.
7Ameer7 It would be interesting to see if they can get it working with a thunderbolt enabled desktop PC with top of the line specs. Basically ruling out CPU bottlenecks, and various other limitations, then doing something like take a GTX 1080XP, and try it in a slot on the motherboard, and then in the external enclosure, and compare results.
It's a T series CPU, as I said. This means two things; 1. It's the low power optimised design. 2. It is socketed. So yes, you can replace the CPU. HOWEVER, because of thermal and power issues, it is really not a great idea to replace it with a non T series chip... so just buy the Alpha that has the CPU power level you want from the start.
SSJ Godemis only realy advantage an i7 has over an i5 is hyperthreading, and that's a pretty minimal jump. if the i5 is obsolete, the i7 will be as well, but with 1 more fps.
But remember, that connector is just a pci interface in some new connector alienware made, so unless they can cram a motherboard that supports 4 pci lanes in any PC that tiny... Not possible. Unless daisy chaining is a thing.
+Blunty you mentioned in your video that throughput would be hindered since the protocols of thunderbolt 3 handle more than just pcie. but even though the AW graphics amp is also only rated at pcie 3.0 x4 i would expect the same speed from both
Just because thunderbolt USES the PCIE lanes, doesn't mean it's as fast as true NAKED pcie access like this uses.... Thunderbolt, like USB, has it's own overheads built in to the protocol to make it work as it does, and enable things like hot-swapping. as i said (I thought quite clearly).
![[TF2] The Russian Bear Trap](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YFNSwz2_rOA/mqdefault.jpg)
I just bought the i7 with 16 gab of ram and the graphics amplifier with a gtx 1060. I love it.
This is still a good solution for people who don't want to have a laptop or Alpha that has a GPU that cannot be upgraded. You might be able to get 5-7 years out of a high end system now.
I'm actually thankful for your channel I've learnt so much stuff
Damn you are so good you are really really professional man thanks so much.
I have an i7 6700t alpha and a i7 7700 Alienware 17 r4 and both of them let me use RTX 3080 with the graphics amp. The amp is like a life support that just keeps the devices relevant for longer than Dell may have intended. No need to buy a new computer if you have the amp. No need to have a big desktop computer anywhere in my house.
Does the R2 struggle with bottlenecks because of its CPU and does the lid shut fully on the amp with the RTX 3080 in it? What about the temps in the amp like with the lid shut in use because the 3080 is open air cooled instead of blower cooled? I have an R2 and just picked up an amp so I’m lost on what GPU to put in it for minimal bottlenecks, good temps in the amp and one where the lid can close fully. Any help would be greatly appreciated 😊
Sweet vid blunty
definitely a good option.. that skylake i7 will be fine for several years.. be nice in a few years to have the option of just buying a new GPU.
its also useable with the x51 desktop which gives it duel graphics card capability
Great comparison!
great video! i thinking i might buy a alpha and a amp
The technology behind that graphics amp is really interesting. Do they offer any details on the type of PCI express connection that custom connector offers? If it can pipe in a 16X PCI express 3.0 connection, then there is a good chance that the graphic amp will have no noticeable performance penalty other than a few nanoseconds of additional latency due to the cable length.
well its display port which is 10gbps which is absolutely fine
actually it's pcie x4 3.0! do you believe it'll bottleneck the gpu?
7Ameer7 It would be interesting to see if they can get it working with a thunderbolt enabled desktop PC with top of the line specs. Basically ruling out CPU bottlenecks, and various other limitations, then doing something like take a GTX 1080XP, and try it in a slot on the motherboard, and then in the external enclosure, and compare results.
Great Video
Lol i had a alpha r2 and upgrade everything. I7, 16gb ddr4, m.2 and an ssd. Plus an amplifier with a 1060. Used it for vr. Was amazing!
Is the CPU soldered to the motherboard? Ive been planning on buying this for the past few months but no one has the answer to this question.
It's a T series CPU, as I said.
This means two things;
1. It's the low power optimised design.
2. It is socketed.
So yes, you can replace the CPU. HOWEVER, because of thermal and power issues, it is really not a great idea to replace it with a non T series chip... so just buy the Alpha that has the CPU power level you want from the start.
Blunty ok thanks, Would I need an i7 for future proofing or would the i5 last a few more years
SSJ Godemis only realy advantage an i7 has over an i5 is hyperthreading, and that's a pretty minimal jump. if the i5 is obsolete, the i7 will be as well, but with 1 more fps.
My brother has an r2, i think I'm gonna grab him one of these used then try and find a cheap 1080 to throw in it
and here's me rocking a HD 5800. so much power in one video.
i have a fucking a4-4400m(apu from 2007)
1060 masterrace here
Ideas for mods, SLI capabilities?
SLI would be impossible, unless someone made a PCI splitter on the R2 (or other Alienware products that support this) But even then it wouldn't work
+Tedward Long SLI bridges
MrKidofminecraft But there is only one port for the card, you need PCI for both cards, it doesn't just work over an SLI Bridge
***** add a new version with up to 4way sli... idk
But remember, that connector is just a pci interface in some new connector alienware made, so unless they can cram a motherboard that supports 4 pci lanes in any PC that tiny... Not possible. Unless daisy chaining is a thing.
I want one of those for a nintendo!!!!
+MrMe01 if you could upgrade console graphics, then what would pc's be good for besides using Windows
you get asmuch speed in thunderbolt 3. thunderbolt is built on pcie. both throughput is pcie 3.0 x4.
Yes. Thunderbolt is very fast, that's why Apple and Intel invented it. .... and?
+Blunty you mentioned in your video that throughput would be hindered since the protocols of thunderbolt 3 handle more than just pcie. but even though the AW graphics amp is also only rated at pcie 3.0 x4 i would expect the same speed from both
Just because thunderbolt USES the PCIE lanes, doesn't mean it's as fast as true NAKED pcie access like this uses.... Thunderbolt, like USB, has it's own overheads built in to the protocol to make it work as it does, and enable things like hot-swapping. as i said (I thought quite clearly).