The GPD G1 with Oculink sounds like an interesting addition to the external GPU market. With its portable design and utilization of Oculink technology, it offers a different approach compared to the Thunderbolt-based enclosures commonly seen. It’s always exciting to see new options and innovations in the external GPU space, providing users with more flexibility and choice for enhancing their computing power.
The GPD G1 with Oculink takes a different approach by focusing on portability, making it easy to carry along with handheld devices such as laptops and gaming consoles. To fully leverage the capabilities of this device, it is recommended to use it with systems equipped with Oculink (63 Gbps) connectors, which GPD has integrated into their latest models. By doing so, users can maximize the potential of this gadget and enjoy enhanced graphics performance on the go.
According to the company, the G1 dock offers support for three USB 3.2 Type-A ports, one USB4 Type C port, DisplayPort 1.4a, HDMI 2.1 connectors, and even includes an SD 4.0 card reader. The dimensions of the full graphics card measure 22.5×11.1×2.98 cm, which happens to be the same size as the GPD WIN4 console. An advantageous aspect of this dock is its built-in 240W GaN power supply, which means that it only requires a power cable. In theory, this single cable connection should be sufficient to power the console (up to 60W), making it a convenient setup.
An important aspect to note is that the mobile portable GPU support of the GPD G1 extends beyond Oculink, as the USB4 connector also supports Thunderbolt4. This compatibility makes it usable with any device that features Thunderbolt3/4/USB4 interfaces. Consequently, the G1 should be compatible with various devices, including Mini-PCs, handheld consoles from other manufacturers, and ultra-light laptops without discrete GPUs. This versatility serves as a strong selling point for the G1, as it expands its usability across a wide range of devices.
However, the official promotional materials for the GPD G1 can be quite confusing, to say the least. The renders used in the spec sheet do not accurately represent the small Navi 33 GPU. Instead, GPD showcases Navi 31 and Aldebaran GPUs. The Aldebaran GPU is an MI210 accelerator not intended for gaming, while the Navi 31 is a large desktop GPU with six memory chiplets, which the Navi 33 does not possess. Additionally, the mention of FSR3.0 in the promotional materials is puzzling since AMD has not released or even mentioned it for months. This is certainly not a feature that should be advertised with a new GPU. Lastly, there is an error in indicating PCIe Gen5 support, which is clearly untrue.
The G1 is equipped with the AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT GPU, which, unfortunately, remains the most high-end RDNA3 mobile graphics option for gamers. This GPU boasts 32 Compute Units (2048 Shader Processors) and 32MB of Infinity Cache. GPD states that the GPU operates within a TGP (Total Graphics Power) range of 75 to 120W.
During the crowdfunding period, the G1 is officially listed at $655, which reflects its current price. However, once it reaches the retail market, the price will increase significantly to $795. Even at this higher price point, it still remains $100 cheaper than some RTX 4060 gaming laptops, which are currently priced at $899.
Via Indiegogo