Asus Unveils 2025 XG Cell: World’s First Thunderbolt 5 eGPU

Throughout CES 2025 Asus has launched the world’s first Thunderbolt 5 exterior graphics card (eGPU) and docking station, the 2025 XG Cell. This compact gadget provides a strong single-cable answer for laptops and handhelds, combining Nvidia’s high-performance GeForce RTX 5090 cellular GPU, 140W energy supply, multi-monitor assist, and a flexible hub with USB, SD card, and 5Gbps Ethernet connectivity.

Leveraging Thunderbolt 5’s 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth, the XG Cell offers as much as 64Gbps for its GPU, enabling spectacular efficiency. In contrast to its proprietary predecessor, which was restricted to sure Asus gadgets, this new mannequin is suitable with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 programs, although Thunderbolt 5 is really useful for optimum GPU bandwidth.

Weighing beneath 2.2 kilos and that includes a fold-out kickstand, the XG Cell is 25% lighter and 18% smaller than its predecessor. It integrates a 350W inner energy provide, eliminating the necessity for an exterior energy brick. The gadget additionally contains HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 for video output and two 10Gbps USB-A ports.

Pricing for the XG Cell displays its portability and efficiency. The highest-tier mannequin with an RTX 5090 cellular GPU will price $2,199.99, whereas a lower-tier model that includes an RTX 5070 Ti will probably be priced at $1,199.99. Whereas these costs are larger than conventional desktop eGPU options, the XG Cell targets customers in search of compact, travel-friendly energy fairly than most price effectivity.

Set to launch in Q1 2025, the XG Cell represents a cutting-edge possibility for thin-and-light laptops and handhelds, doubtlessly enabling them to double as high-performance desktops. Nonetheless, discovering suitable Thunderbolt 5 gadgets with out built-in discrete GPUs could also be a problem.

Filed in Computers >Gaming. Learn extra about Asus, CES, CES 2025, Geforce and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).