Can you use an eGPU with Surface Pro 8?

Surface Pro 8 Hero Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Best answer: Yes. Microsoft has finally added Thunderbolt 4 to their Surface Pro 8, which allows you to connect an eGPU.

The Surface Pro 8 supports Thunderbolt 4

Surface Pro 8 Studio Mode Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

It's been fashion besides long for Microsoft to add Thunderbolt 4 back up for Surface Pro devices. For whatever reason, the visitor skipped Thunderbolt 3 and left a lot of people without a proper way to connect an eGPU to devices. With the Surface Pro viii, yous finally can make use of that Thunderbolt iv port and increase the power of your tablet.

Thunderbolt 4 combines USB 3.1, DisplayPort one.two, and PCIe into a unmarried cable. PCIe is the central interface type y'all'll care most if you plan on plugging in an eGPU to your Surface Pro 8. Thunderbolt 3, the previous iteration of the cable, supports eGPUs too, simply no Surface Pro has that technology. So, if you want the capability to use an eGPU, you'll have to pick up the latest Surface Pro 8.

Why should you utilise an eGPU?

Surface Pro 8 Hero Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Optional eGPUs exist to permit you to add graphics horsepower to devices that otherwise don't have it, or have aging GPUs inside of them. eGPUs are for the people that desire to play modernistic games or perform intensive 3D or video rendering and editing on devices not particularly built for that. It'due south also a way to lengthen the lifespan of your laptop or tablet if information technology begins to drag in graphics-related tasks.

For the Surface Pro 8 specifically, y'all'll want an eGPU if you plan on playing anything more than than playing games from several years ago or are doing intensive rendering work. For gaming specifically, trying to play a recent release on the Surface Pro 8'due south 2880x1920 screen at a consequent 30 FPS will exist tricky. And it's probably not even worth thinking virtually trying to striking 60 FPS with annihilation that came out in the concluding few years either.

What yous need to connect an eGPU to your Surface Pro eight

Razer blade Source: Windows Central

The setup process for connecting an eGPU to your Surface Pro viii is pretty easy. Y'all'll demand an eGPU continued to power and a Thunderbolt 4 cable. Then, all yous demand to do is connect the cable to the Surface Pro 8 and it'll work. It's not any harder than that! The merely thing to continue in mind is that using an external monitor tin help reduce stress on the Thunderbolt 4 cablevision and actually reduce the lag betwixt the GPU and the display.

Once it's continued, you'll exist able to run more powerful programs and games co-ordinate to any GPU you take in your eGPU enclosure. Even something modest can meliorate the Surface Pro viii's capabilities a lot, considering its internal Intel Iris Xe graphics aren't going to pinnacle a defended graphics bill of fare. From at that place, you might call up virtually picking up a stand and connecting a keyboard, and you lot'll barely know the difference between a gaming PC and your Surface Pro 8.

Our pick

Razer Core X Chroma

A solid, 700W eGPU enclosure that'll bulldoze the most powerful cards.

If you need an eGPU enclosure for your Surface Pro 8, the Razer Core X Chroma is an splendid option. It's 700W PSU and RGB brand it a swell selection.

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