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AKiTiO Node vs Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550: Comparison
AKiTiO Node vs Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550: the psu wattage difference
On psu wattage the spread is 9%, AKiTiO Node 500 W against Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 550 W, so Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 takes it.
Who each one is for
Buy the AKiTiO Node for budget buyers running GTX 10-series or RTX 20-series dual-slot cards and anyone wanting the smallest, cheapest AKiTiO enclosure, though it is not the pick for cards drawing near or above the 500W ceiling and anyone wanting current Thunderbolt 4/5 or USB4 bandwidth. It is equally the pick for simple builds that don't need USB hub or Ethernet ports on the box. Avoid it for buyers who could instead get the Node Titan's 650W PSU for a modest premium. The Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 is the one to take for budget builds running GTX 10-series or RTX 20-series double-wide cards and buyers who find it discounted versus the newer 650, though it is the wrong buy for RTX 30-series or newer cards that want more PSU headroom and builds needing more than 300mm of card clearance. It also earns its place with Mac users wanting Sonnet's certified eGFX driver support on Thunderbolt 3. It is not the one for anyone who can spend a little more for the Breakaway Box 650's extra 100W. Our rating of the AKiTiO Node (6/10): A cheap, no-frills TB3 box that's been outclassed by AKiTiO's own Node Titan.
Which is cheaper, AKiTiO Node or Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550?
Cost splits them too. AKiTiO Node sits at $299, Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 at $399, 33% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AKiTiO Node and Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 differ on host power delivery?
Yes. Host Power Delivery reads 85 W on the AKiTiO Node versus 87 W on the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550.
Is the Cooling Type the same on the AKiTiO Node and Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550?
It is. Both are listed at Active Fan, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AKiTiO Node
- AKiTiO
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Sonnet
Connection Standard
- AKiTiO Node
- Thunderbolt 3
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- AKiTiO Node
- Node
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- eGFX Breakaway Box 550
Extra Ports
- AKiTiO Node
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
PSU Wattage
- AKiTiO Node
- 500 W-9%
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- 550 WBest
Host Power Delivery
- AKiTiO Node
- 85 W-2%
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- 87 WBest
Max GPU Length
- AKiTiO Node
- 300 mm
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- 300 mm
Cooling Type
- AKiTiO Node
- Active Fan
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Active Fan
GPU Compatibility
- AKiTiO Node
- GTX 10-series through RTX 20-series, dual-slot cards
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- GTX 10-series through RTX 20-series and equivalent AMD cards, double-wide
Price
- AKiTiO Node
- Launched around $299 (2017)
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Launched around $399 (2017)
Which one should you pick?
Choose AKiTiO Node if you want the higher max GPU length (300 mm vs 300 mm).
Choose Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 if you want the higher PSU wattage (550 W vs 500 W) and the higher host power delivery (87 W vs 85 W).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AKiTiO Node | Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 |
|---|---|---|
| B&H Photo | $299.00 View on B&H Photo | |
| Amazon | $399.00 View on Amazon |
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 550
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A solid early Sonnet box, but the 650 offers more headroom for little extra cost.
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