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AOOSTAR AG02 vs GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box: Comparison
What is the difference between AOOSTAR AG02 and GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box?
The gap that matters here is psu wattage: AOOSTAR AG02 800 W against GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box 2080 W, which puts GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box 62% ahead. Cooling type is not the same on both, Open-Air on the AOOSTAR AG02 versus All-in-one liquid cooling with internal radiator/pump, first water-cooled eGPU... on the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box. They differ on connection standard too, OCuLink on the AOOSTAR AG02 versus Thunderbolt 3 on the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box.
AOOSTAR AG02 vs GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box: which one fits your build
Take the AOOSTAR AG02 for handhelds and mini PCs with a native OCuLink port. Nothing else gives this much bandwidth for the money. It is equally the pick for RTX 4090-class cards, where the 800W supply and open frame remove both the power and thermal limits. It is the wrong buy for anyone who needs the dock to charge the host. OCuLink carries no power at all. The GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box suits buyers wanting flagship Turing performance with minimal fan noise and enthusiasts interested in liquid-cooled eGPU novelty, though it is not the pick for budget buyers and anyone wanting to upgrade the GPU later. Avoid it for users worried about long-term AIO pump reliability in a sealed unit. Our rating of the AOOSTAR AG02 (7/10): the fastest eGPU link you can buy for under $200, with a power button that does not work. Buy it for the bandwidth, plan around the defect. Our rating of the GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box (7.5/10): A genuinely novel liquid-cooled eGPU that delivered flagship 2019-era performance quietly, at a steep fixed-GPU price.
Which is cheaper, AOOSTAR AG02 or GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box?
Cost splits them too. AOOSTAR AG02 sits at $200, GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box at $1,100, 450% more.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AOOSTAR AG02
- AOOSTAR
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box
- GIGABYTE / AORUS
Connection Standard
- AOOSTAR AG02
- OCuLink
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- AOOSTAR AG02
- AG02
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box
- GV-N208TIXEB-11GC
PSU Wattage
- AOOSTAR AG02
- 800 W-62%
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box
- 2080 WBest
Cooling Type
- AOOSTAR AG02
- Open-Air
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box
- All-in-one liquid cooling (AIO) with internal radiator/pump, first water-cooled eGPU on the market
Price
- AOOSTAR AG02
- Under $200
- GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box
- Launched around $1,099.99 (CES 2020)
Which one should you pick?
Choose AOOSTAR AG02 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box if you want the higher PSU wattage (2080 W vs 800 W).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AOOSTAR AG02 | GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $200.00 View on Amazon | |
| Consumercarts listing | $1,099.99 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
AOOSTAR AG02
7 / 10 Expert Rating
The fastest eGPU link you can buy for under $200, with a power button that does not work.
GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box
7.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely novel liquid-cooled eGPU that delivered flagship 2019-era performance quietly, at a steep fixed-GPU price.