Gigabyte's AORUS RTX 5090 AI Box is its first Thunderbolt 5-based external GPU for enthusiasts, which can deliver desktop-equivalent gaming performance.
Gigabyte Debuts RTX 5090-Powered eGPU with WaterForce AIO Cooling; AORUS RTX 5090 AI Box Unveiled at Computex
Newer external GPUs/docks are being revealed at Computex, and after ASUS's ROG XG Station 3, Gigabyte has shown its own Thunderbolt 5-based eGPU called the AORUS RTX 5090 AI Box. The difference between the two is that while the ASUS eGPU Dock allows installing any compatible GPU, the AORUS RTX 5090 AI Box comes with a pre-installed RTX 5090 for maximum performance.
Since the GeForce RTX 5090 is the fastest gaming GPU on the planet at the moment, the AORUS RTX 5090 AI Box is technically the fastest eGPU. Not only does it bring the powerful GB202 chip to deliver 21,760 CUDA Cores for an enthusiast gaming experience, but it does so with a WaterForce all-in-one cooling system that helps the eGPU operate without thermal throttling. The box is properly ventilated on all sides for ample airflow as well.
This eGPU brings a Thunderbolt 5 port for establishing a connection with your laptop, which unlocks the 80 Gbps bandwidth for data transfer.
While not as fast as the PCI-E Gen 5.0, it is surely enough to crush the laptop RTX 5090 GPU in performance. Plus, there are a couple of latest-gen USB ports, including USB4 2.0 and USB 3.2 Gen 3 ports for peripheral connection. Not only does the AORUS RTX 5090 eGPU power the laptop with its graphics card, but it can also charge devices, thanks to Power Delivery 3.0 support.
The eGPU brings four connectors as display outputs, including 3x DisplayPorts and 1x HDMI 2.1b. There is a single RJ45 Ethernet cable for internet connectivity as well. The AORUS RTX 5090 eGPU enclosure is not just intended for regular gaming usage but also for AI workloads, and as per Gigabyte's slide, it can offer up to 3000+ AT TOPS of performance, which is three times higher than its AI TOP ATOM DGX Spark Box based on the NVIDIA GB10 chip.
The company hasn't confirmed the pricing, but we can expect it to be around $3000-$4000 when it finally hits retail in the coming months.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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