Alienware Graphics Amplifier review

Right, so there's one huge caveat I think we should clear up right away before we get into this review. The Alienware Graphics Amplifier an EGPU that allows you to use a desktop graphics card with your laptop only works with Alienware laptops.

If you have an Alienware laptop it's the best option for an EGPU, if you don't have an Alienware laptop than it's not an option at all. It does not come with a graphics card.

Having said that, we've basically already explained what the graphics amplifier is and what it does. It allows you to connect a full desktop graphics card to your laptop. It does so via a proprietary port

That's faster than the thunderbolt equipped EGPUs because it uses full PCIE lanes (PCIE 3.0x4 unless using a ULV CPU with the older Alienware 13 series in which case it's PCIE 2.0x4)

So it's EXACTLY like having that card inside your PC. What can this do for you?

Obviously there's gaming purposes. Buy one and a GPU better than the laptop in your GPU and enjoy enhanced gaming at higher settings and faster framerates.

There's also an upgradability factor. It's the best way to upgrade a laptop's graphics. Most laptop GPU's cannot be updated. Even those that can laptop GPUs are WAY more expensive than desktop GPUs so maybe you get a laptop with a 1060 which is fine for today, not having to worry about future proofing and when Nvidia's next series comes out buy the graphics amplifier and a faster card.

You get ALL the GPU benefits so whether you want to use a GPU for compute, graphics intensive work, or even mining you can! If you have a freesync monitor or anything that needs AMD hardware put an AMD card in the Graphics Amplifier!

It has 4 USB slots allowing you to use it as a hub for keyboards, mice, whatever peripherals you need.

What can't it do?

Once again it cannot work with any PC that isn't Alienware(there are plenty of other options though)

You can't use the Graphics Amplifier with your laptop screen if you're already using a Gsync panel on your laptop but you can connect it to an external display.

Depending on how mismatched your CPU is to the GPU it could bottleneck please see my guide on this

You mainly want to stick to "stock" graphics cards as the headroom some custom cards use might be too much for the GA to close properly. At least cards you know stay close to the form factor

Besides that set up is super easy, it's documented both in the box and on Alienware's youtube but even if you've never installed a GPU before it's easy to open the box, unscrew the retention screw, insert your GPU, plug in the power, put the screw back in, close it and plug it in.

That's literally all you have to do besides remember to shut your PC off when plugging in or removing the graphics amplifier.

Some people find that final step kind of annoying but you'll get used to it. The fan can be a little loud(about as much as a PC, not even a ridiculous PC like some of the older iMacs) but the cord is long enough you can put it under a desk. Just make sure there's reasonable airflow so the card doesn't get too hot. You can also replace the power supply if you want.

The Graphics Amplifier is $159 and it's the best performer among EGPUs especially at that price. The only question is do you want an Alienware laptop to use it?