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AKiTiO Node vs StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis: Comparison
AKiTiO Node vs StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe psu wattage compared
The gap that matters here is psu wattage: AKiTiO Node 500 W against StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe 6 W, which puts AKiTiO Node 99% ahead.
Who each one is for
The AKiTiO Node is the one to take 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 also earns its place with simple builds that don't need USB hub or Ethernet ports on the box. It is not the one for buyers who could instead get the Node Titan's 650W PSU for a modest premium. The StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe suits DIY builders wanting a compact bare Thunderbolt 3 PCIe enclosure and users pairing the box with lower-power single or dual-slot cards, though it is the wrong buy for anyone wanting to run a high-wattage flagship GPU and buyers wanting the newest USB4/Thunderbolt 4 chipset bandwidth. It is the wrong buy for laptop users who want the enclosure to also charge their machine. 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 StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe?
At the last price check the AKiTiO Node was $299 and the StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe $330, a 10% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AKiTiO Node and StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe differ on cooling type?
Yes. Cooling Type reads Active Fan on the AKiTiO Node versus Passive chassis venting; relies on the installed card's own... on the StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe.
Is the Connection Standard the same on the AKiTiO Node and StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe?
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
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- StarTech.com
Connection Standard
- AKiTiO Node
- Thunderbolt 3
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- AKiTiO Node
- Node
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- TB31PCIEX16
Extra Ports
- AKiTiO Node
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- 1
PSU Wattage
- AKiTiO Node
- 500 WBest
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- 6 W-99%
Cooling Type
- AKiTiO Node
- Active Fan
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- Passive chassis venting; relies on the installed card's own cooler
Price
- AKiTiO Node
- Launched around $299 (2017)
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- Launched around $329.99
Which one should you pick?
Choose AKiTiO Node if you want the higher PSU wattage (500 W vs 6 W).
Choose StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AKiTiO Node | StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis |
|---|---|---|
| B&H Photo | $299.00 View on B&H Photo | |
| Consumercarts listing | $329.99 View on Consumercarts listing |
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.
StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
5.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A capable, inexpensive DIY PCIe expansion box, but its limited power delivery and lack of laptop charging make it a compromise pick next to purpose-built gaming eGPU enclosures.