Asus Unveils ROG XG Station 3: A Game-Changing eGPU with Thunderbolt 5

At the Computex trade show, Asus introduced the ROG XG Station 3, the latest iteration of its external graphics card dock designed for enhanced compatibility with high-performance GPUs. This new dock transitions from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 5 technology, effectively doubling the data transfer speed to nearly 7.9 GBytes per second. By utilizing four PCI-Express 4.0 lanes instead of the previous PCIe 3.0 lanes, the XG Station 3 aims to minimize performance bottlenecks typically associated with external graphics solutions, although it still may not match the output of a traditional desktop PC equipped with 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes.

Asus asserts that even a high-end graphics card like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, when used with the XG Station 3, will perform better than its mobile counterpart, which has reduced capabilities.

One of the standout features of the ROG XG Station 3 is its redesigned structure. Unlike its predecessors, this model does not encase the graphics card within a closed shell. Instead, the GPU is mounted openly at the top of the unit, which may require caution from users with pets or children. The dock is powered by an internal power supply capable of delivering over 600 watts, ensuring that even the latest graphics cards from the GeForce RTX 5000 and Radeon RX 9000 series receive adequate power.

In addition to its primary function, the XG Station 3 offers three USB-C ports, each supporting speeds of 10 Gbit/s, allowing users to connect various peripheral devices.

As a teaser, Asus also showcased a prototype of the GeForce RTX 5080, featuring an innovative cooling solution with three 120-mm fans designed by Noctua. This cooling system aims to operate quietly but requires substantial space within a computer case due to the size of the cooler. Earlier models, such as the GeForce RTX 4080, utilized two fans and were thus shorter. The RTX 5080 continues to occupy four expansion slots, maintaining its bulk.

For thermal management, the card employs a Vapour Chamber that effectively transports heat from the GPU to heatpipes and subsequently to the cooling fins. Instead of traditional thermal paste, a specialized pad that liquefies during operation is used to enhance heat transfer. The Noctua edition of the GeForce RTX 5080 is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2025, with pricing yet to be announced, though previous Noctua models have typically been among the more expensive offerings from manufacturers.