The only systems on which Dell supports eGPUs are Alienware models - though some have reported they do work on at least some XPS systems, and in some cases.
In other words: it's try it and see, so be sure you can return the hardware you buy if you find it does not work -there is no support from Dell.
I've seen several YouTube videos that connect eGPU that isn't Alienware. Interestingly, on the Alienware eGPU web pape, you do not see XPS as compatible device. Only Alienware devices are listed. I do acknowledge that Alienware is now part of Dell's and I'm sure it will also work properly if I connect two directly.
What I'm trying to figure out is that is it possible to relay eGPU to TB16 then plug TB16 to XPS for use. If so, will there be more performance loss compare to directly connect eGPU to XPS.
We can see that other than Alienware eGPU will work on XPS series. I also read article that there will be performance loss when you use eGPU compare to use it directly on computer. But I think that's acceptable for me to have ultimate portability and simplicity.
I'm running a 9575 with a 1080 GTX in a Razer Core v2 and it works like a champ. You get a lot of the same docking features as the TB16 out of the core as well although it is a bit spendy. https://www.razer.com/gaming-laptops/razer-core-v2
I am buying latitude 7490 and it has got thunderbolt usd c 3.1. Even googled it supports TB16. Could you please confirm can we connect to external GPU from latitude 7490.
@Axion_J if you're using a TB16 with an XPS 15 model, you need the version of the TB16 that comes with a 240W AC adapter, not the 180W version. The latter will only supply up to 90W to the attached system, and the XPS 15 models are designed for a 130W source, so if you only give them 90W, the system will charge its battery more slowly and/or reduce its performance to try to operate within the limits of the undersized power source. Take a look at the System Compatibility Matrix on the TB16 FAQ page .. If you can no longer return the TB16 at this point, you'd probably be better off just buying a Dell 240W AC adapter separately and using that.
I am buying latitude 7490 and it has got thunderbolt usd c 3.1. Even googled it supports TB16. Could you please confirm can we connect to external GPU from latitude 7490.
@Alok001 even if an eGPU works (and I can't confirm from personal experience that it will), it won't be a great experience, because the Latitude 7490 uses a low power U Series CPU, whereas the XPS 15 models use high performance H Series CPUs, so in many games your GPU will get bottlenecked by your CPU when paired with that system, to a point that the cost of the GPU plus the eGPU enclosure itself might not seem worth it.
I just want to point out that by the time of purchase, requirement of TB16 for XPS 15 9575 was 180W, not 240W. Fortunately, I was able to find the achieve from 12 March 2019 to proof it. Here's archive link:
As you can see, it was 180W until at least March 2019 and Dell has updated the documentation on 02 May 2019 without notifying the customers. From your comment, I am very concerns that now my TB16 is not comparable, it might damage my XPS by not providing enough wattage. What I'm trying to point out here is that this shouldn't be my end's fault. DELL had posted documentation without notifying the customers who might be affected and now they are in potential danger. I have talked to technical support this afternoon and they keep repeating to say update the software and firmware and didn't clarify the possible damage or defection of using ineligible device.
I have to say that I'm in deep disappointment of how DELL treat XPS community and unprofessional of technical support.
I just want to point out that by the time of purchase, requirement of TB16 for XPS 15 9575 was 180W, not 240W. Fortunately, I was able to find the achieve from 12 March 2019 to proof it. Here's archive link:
As you can see, it was 180W until at least March 2019 and Dell has updated the documentation on 02 May 2019 without notifying the customers. From your comment, I am very concerns that now my TB16 is not comparable, it might damage my XPS by not providing enough wattage. What I'm trying to point out here is that this shouldn't be my end's fault. DELL had posted documentation without notifying the customers who might be affected and now they are in potential danger. I have talked to technical support this afternoon and they keep repeating to say update the software and firmware and didn't clarify the possible damage or defection of using ineligible device.
I have to say that I'm in deep disappointment of how DELL treat XPS community and unprofessional of technical support.
@Axion_J that's very strange indeed. The XPS 15 9575 always came with a 130W AC adapter, and since all other XPS 15 models listed in that table also came with 130W AC adapters and were listed as requiring a TB16 with a 240W adapter, I simply knew that the 9575 would be the same. I guess I just never noticed that error on the page, but it seems Dell has corrected it. In any case, you won't be doing any damage to your system by running an undersized power source. You'll "just" experience slower battery charging and possible reduced performance as the system tries to operate within the limits of the undersized power source. As a last resort, it will continue drawing from the battery to make up the power deficit, but it tries to lower performance first in order to avoid creating a situation where you might completely drain your battery even while plugged in. Anyhow, given your finding, you might want to try working with Dell Support to see if they'll exchange your TB16 or at least send you a free 240W AC adapter that you can use going forward, since as you say their documentation was incorrect. And even if they don't offer to help, which would be disappointing, I would recommend purchasing a 240W AC adapter anyway. Any official Dell 240W AC adapter will work.
@Bahbert there are multiple reports of people successfully using eGPUs with older versions of the XPS 15, evne models where Thunderbolt Control Panel says "External GPUs Supported: No", so I would imagine that a newer version of the XPS 13 would also work . However, be aware that while the XPS 15 models use the higher performance H Series models of Intel CPUs, the XPS 13 models use the low power U Series CPUs. As a result, a high-end GPU would become somewhat bottlenecked by the CPU, so I wouldn't recommend going with a top-end GPU if you'll be pairing it with the XPS 13.
I use a TB16 daily at work. We have quite a few of them here. The cable is absolutely terrible, and fails frequently. We stocked up on replacement cables just so we can keep them working.
ejn63
10 Elder
•
30.7K Posts
0
November 21st, 2018 05:00
The only systems on which Dell supports eGPUs are Alienware models - though some have reported they do work on at least some XPS systems, and in some cases.
In other words: it's try it and see, so be sure you can return the hardware you buy if you find it does not work -there is no support from Dell.
Axion_J
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
0
November 21st, 2018 14:00
Thank you for reply!
I've seen several YouTube videos that connect eGPU that isn't Alienware. Interestingly, on the Alienware eGPU web pape, you do not see XPS as compatible device. Only Alienware devices are listed. I do acknowledge that Alienware is now part of Dell's and I'm sure it will also work properly if I connect two directly.
What I'm trying to figure out is that is it possible to relay eGPU to TB16 then plug TB16 to XPS for use. If so, will there be more performance loss compare to directly connect eGPU to XPS.
Here are videos I found on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/EK4tln2hFRo GTX 1080 Ti on DELL XPS 15 9560 with AKITIO Node Driving 4 4K Monitors
https://youtu.be/0EssLmiIy3Q Dell XPS Docking With Aorus Gaming Box
We can see that other than Alienware eGPU will work on XPS series. I also read article that there will be performance loss when you use eGPU compare to use it directly on computer. But I think that's acceptable for me to have ultimate portability and simplicity.
mawelsh
1 Message
0
November 21st, 2018 18:00
I'm running a 9575 with a 1080 GTX in a Razer Core v2 and it works like a champ. You get a lot of the same docking features as the TB16 out of the core as well although it is a bit spendy. https://www.razer.com/gaming-laptops/razer-core-v2
Alok001
3 Posts
0
June 3rd, 2019 05:00
Hello Mawlesh
I am buying latitude 7490 and it has got thunderbolt usd c 3.1. Even googled it supports TB16. Could you please confirm can we connect to external GPU from latitude 7490.
jphughan
9 Legend
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14K Posts
0
June 3rd, 2019 06:00
@Axion_J if you're using a TB16 with an XPS 15 model, you need the version of the TB16 that comes with a 240W AC adapter, not the 180W version. The latter will only supply up to 90W to the attached system, and the XPS 15 models are designed for a 130W source, so if you only give them 90W, the system will charge its battery more slowly and/or reduce its performance to try to operate within the limits of the undersized power source. Take a look at the System Compatibility Matrix on the TB16 FAQ page.. If you can no longer return the TB16 at this point, you'd probably be better off just buying a Dell 240W AC adapter separately and using that.
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
0
June 3rd, 2019 06:00
@Alok001 even if an eGPU works (and I can't confirm from personal experience that it will), it won't be a great experience, because the Latitude 7490 uses a low power U Series CPU, whereas the XPS 15 models use high performance H Series CPUs, so in many games your GPU will get bottlenecked by your CPU when paired with that system, to a point that the cost of the GPU plus the eGPU enclosure itself might not seem worth it.
Alok001
3 Posts
0
June 3rd, 2019 07:00
Thanks for clarifying, would i be able to play basic games ? Planning to buy Gigabyte Radeon RX 570 Gaming 4GB.
Axion_J
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
0
June 3rd, 2019 13:00
Thank you for your reply.
I just want to point out that by the time of purchase, requirement of TB16 for XPS 15 9575 was 180W, not 240W. Fortunately, I was able to find the achieve from 12 March 2019 to proof it. Here's archive link:
12 March 2019 Dell Thunderbolt Dock (TB16) Information and Specifications
As you can see, it was 180W until at least March 2019 and Dell has updated the documentation on 02 May 2019 without notifying the customers. From your comment, I am very concerns that now my TB16 is not comparable, it might damage my XPS by not providing enough wattage. What I'm trying to point out here is that this shouldn't be my end's fault. DELL had posted documentation without notifying the customers who might be affected and now they are in potential danger. I have talked to technical support this afternoon and they keep repeating to say update the software and firmware and didn't clarify the possible damage or defection of using ineligible device.
I have to say that I'm in deep disappointment of how DELL treat XPS community and unprofessional of technical support.
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
0
June 3rd, 2019 21:00
@Axion_J that's very strange indeed. The XPS 15 9575 always came with a 130W AC adapter, and since all other XPS 15 models listed in that table also came with 130W AC adapters and were listed as requiring a TB16 with a 240W adapter, I simply knew that the 9575 would be the same. I guess I just never noticed that error on the page, but it seems Dell has corrected it. In any case, you won't be doing any damage to your system by running an undersized power source. You'll "just" experience slower battery charging and possible reduced performance as the system tries to operate within the limits of the undersized power source. As a last resort, it will continue drawing from the battery to make up the power deficit, but it tries to lower performance first in order to avoid creating a situation where you might completely drain your battery even while plugged in. Anyhow, given your finding, you might want to try working with Dell Support to see if they'll exchange your TB16 or at least send you a free 240W AC adapter that you can use going forward, since as you say their documentation was incorrect. And even if they don't offer to help, which would be disappointing, I would recommend purchasing a 240W AC adapter anyway. Any official Dell 240W AC adapter will work.
Megich
20 Posts
0
October 25th, 2019 11:00
Hi guys!
I've just had a very nervous time connecting HP Omen Accelerator to my 9575 and it almost ruined my laptop, please see a thread here.
Maybe you have some ideas about it?
Thank you!
Bahbert
1 Message
0
November 1st, 2019 14:00
AxionJ, did you ever try this? What were your results?
I have an XPS 13 9380 and the TB16 that I'm looking to do the same thing with. I thought my gaming days were behind me but apparently not...
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
0
November 1st, 2019 16:00
@Bahbert there are multiple reports of people successfully using eGPUs with older versions of the XPS 15, evne models where Thunderbolt Control Panel says "External GPUs Supported: No", so I would imagine that a newer version of the XPS 13 would also work . However, be aware that while the XPS 15 models use the higher performance H Series models of Intel CPUs, the XPS 13 models use the low power U Series CPUs. As a result, a high-end GPU would become somewhat bottlenecked by the CPU, so I wouldn't recommend going with a top-end GPU if you'll be pairing it with the XPS 13.
rjraier
8 Posts
0
November 18th, 2019 09:00
I use a TB16 daily at work. We have quite a few of them here. The cable is absolutely terrible, and fails frequently. We stocked up on replacement cables just so we can keep them working.