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AKiTiO Node vs Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350: Comparison
AKiTiO Node vs Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350 host power delivery compared
The gap that matters here is host power delivery: AKiTiO Node 85 W against Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350 15 W, which puts AKiTiO Node 82% ahead. AKiTiO Node also leads on psu wattage, 500 W on the AKiTiO Node versus 350 W on the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350. Add max gpu length to that, 300 mm on the AKiTiO Node versus 220 mm on the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350, and the pattern holds.
AKiTiO Node vs Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350: which one fits your build
The AKiTiO Node suits budget buyers running GTX 10-series or RTX 20-series dual-slot cards and anyone wanting the smallest, cheapest AKiTiO enclosure, though it is the wrong buy for cards drawing near or above the 500W ceiling and anyone wanting current Thunderbolt 4/5 or USB4 bandwidth. It also earns its place with simple builds that don't need USB hub or Ethernet ports on the box. It is the wrong buy for buyers who could instead get the Node Titan's 650W PSU for a modest premium. Buy the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350 for buyers who specifically want a quieter Noctua-fan enclosure and compact desk setups where a full double-wide box is overkill, though it is not built for buyers wanting real laptop charging power (only 15W here) and anyone chasing high frame rates on a modern RTX card. The same goes for video editors running single-slot acceleration cards for Avid HDX or similar workflows. Avoid it for any double-wide gaming GPU, since the chassis physically won't fit one.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AKiTiO Node and Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350 differ on cooling type?
Yes. Cooling Type reads Active Fan on the AKiTiO Node versus Active, ultra-low-noise Noctua fan on the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350.
Is the Connection Standard the same on the AKiTiO Node and Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350?
It is. Both are listed at Thunderbolt 3, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AKiTiO Node
- AKiTiO
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- Sonnet
Connection Standard
- AKiTiO Node
- Thunderbolt 3
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- AKiTiO Node
- Node
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- eGFX Breakaway Box 350
Extra Ports
- AKiTiO Node
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
PSU Wattage
- AKiTiO Node
- 500 WBest
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- 350 W-30%
Host Power Delivery
- AKiTiO Node
- 85 WBest
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- 15 W-82%
Max GPU Length
- AKiTiO Node
- 300 mmBest
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- 220 mm-27%
Cooling Type
- AKiTiO Node
- Active Fan
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- Active, ultra-low-noise Noctua fan
GPU Compatibility
- AKiTiO Node
- GTX 10-series through RTX 20-series, dual-slot cards
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- Single-slot cards, GTX 1050 Ti to mid-range single-slot workstation and gaming cards
Price
- AKiTiO Node
- Launched around $299 (2017)
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
- Launched around $299 (2017)
Which one should you pick?
Choose AKiTiO Node if you want the higher PSU wattage (500 W vs 350 W), the higher host power delivery (85 W vs 15 W) and the higher max GPU length (300 mm vs 220 mm).
Choose Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AKiTiO Node | Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350 |
|---|---|---|
| B&H Photo | $299.00 View on B&H Photo | |
| Full Compass | $299.00 View on Full Compass |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
AKiTiO Node
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A cheap, no-frills TB3 box that's been outclassed by AKiTiO's own Node Titan.
Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A niche but well-executed pick for single-slot cards and quiet operation, not for gaming-class GPUs.