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AOOSTAR AG01 vs GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0: Comparison
AOOSTAR AG01 vs GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0: the cooling type difference
The first real difference is cooling type: AOOSTAR AG01 Passive / Open-Air against GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0 Active, WATERFORCE all-in-one liquid cooler. Gpu compatibility is not the same on both, GTX 10-series through RTX 40-series, TGX hot-swap interface on the AOOSTAR AG01 versus Fixed: pre-installed GeForce RTX 3080 10GB on the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0.
Who each one is for
it is the wrong buy for buyers who want laptop charging through the eGPU connection. It is equally the pick for handheld PC and mini PC owners with an OCuLink port looking for the cheapest real GPU upgrade. It is the wrong buy for laptops without an OCuLink port, since there's no Thunderbolt/USB4 fallback on this model. Buy the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0 for buyers who want zero-assembly, single-cable eGPU with no PC-building involved. It also earns its place with Thunderbolt 3 MacBook Pro or Windows ultrabook owners wanting reliable RTX 3080 performance. Avoid it for anyone who wants to upgrade the GPU later, since it's sealed and non-modular. Our rating of the AOOSTAR AG01 (7/10): unbeatable value for OCuLink-equipped mini PCs and handhelds, but strictly for OCuLink hosts only. Our rating of the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0 (7/10): excellent plug-and-play convenience, but the sealed design and price premium hurt long-term value versus a bare enclosure.
Which is cheaper, AOOSTAR AG01 or GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0?
The GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0 asks 906% more, $1,499 against $149 for the AOOSTAR AG01.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AOOSTAR AG01 and GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0 differ on connection standard?
Yes. Connection Standard reads OCuLink on the AOOSTAR AG01 versus Thunderbolt 3 on the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AOOSTAR AG01
- AOOSTAR
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0
- GIGABYTE
Connection Standard
- AOOSTAR AG01
- OCuLink
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- AOOSTAR AG01
- AG01
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0
- AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0
Extra Ports
- AOOSTAR AG01
- None onboard, GPU's own outputs pass through
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0
- 2
Cooling Type
- AOOSTAR AG01
- Passive / Open-Air
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0
- Active, WATERFORCE all-in-one liquid cooler
GPU Compatibility
- AOOSTAR AG01
- GTX 10-series through RTX 40-series, TGX hot-swap interface
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0
- Fixed: pre-installed GeForce RTX 3080 10GB (not swappable)
Price
- AOOSTAR AG01
- Launched at $149
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0
- Launched around $1,499 (2021)
Which one should you pick?
Choose AOOSTAR AG01 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AOOSTAR AG01 | GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| AOOSTAR | $149.00 View on AOOSTAR | |
| Amazon | $1,499.00 View on Amazon | |
| GIGABYTE | View on GIGABYTE |
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
AOOSTAR AG01
7 / 10 Expert Rating
Unbeatable value for OCuLink-equipped mini PCs and handhelds, but strictly for OCuLink hosts only.
GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 3080 Gaming Box Rev 2.0
7 / 10 Expert Rating
Excellent plug-and-play convenience, but the sealed design and price premium hurt long-term value versus a bare enclosure.