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Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU vs PowerColor Gaming Station: Comparison
What is the difference between Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU and PowerColor Gaming Station?
The gap that matters here is extra ports: Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU 2 against PowerColor Gaming Station 1, which puts Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU 50% ahead. Cooling type is not the same on both, Active fan, designed by Apple for quiet operation on the Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU versus Active Fan on the PowerColor Gaming Station. Host power delivery runs the same way, 85 W on the Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU versus 60 W on the PowerColor Gaming Station, another win for Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU. Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU also leads on psu wattage, 580 W on the Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU versus 500 W on the PowerColor Gaming Station.
Which should you buy, Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU or PowerColor Gaming Station?
The Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU suits Mac users on Intel-based Macs wanting a first-party-feeling eGPU and editors needing extra Thunderbolt 3 and video-out ports, though it is not built for Apple Silicon Mac owners (eGPU support was dropped) and anyone wanting to upgrade the GPU later. Buy the PowerColor Gaming Station for buyers who find remaining new-old-stock at a discount and anyone wanting a plain, RGB-free eGPU box with decent I/O, though it is not the pick for anyone wanting Thunderbolt 4/5 or USB4 bandwidth and buyers who need more than 60W of laptop charging. It is the wrong buy for cards drawing near or above 375W, which push past its comfortable PSU headroom. Our rating of the Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU (6.5/10): A clean, quiet, Mac-tailored eGPU that was easy to buy and use, but has been discontinued for years and can't be upgraded. Our rating of the PowerColor Gaming Station (6/10): competent Thunderbolt 3 box from a GPU maker, but discontinued and outpaced by newer standards.
Which is cheaper, Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU or PowerColor Gaming Station?
Cost splits them too. PowerColor Gaming Station sits at $329, Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU at $699, 112% more.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU
- Blackmagic Design
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- PowerColor
Connection Standard
- Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU
- Thunderbolt 3 (dual ports for daisy-chaining)
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU
- Blackmagic eGPU
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- Gaming Station
Extra Ports
- Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU
- 2Best
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- 1-50%
PSU Wattage
- Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU
- 580 WBest
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- 500 W-14%
Host Power Delivery
- Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU
- 85 WBest
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- 60 W-29%
Cooling Type
- Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU
- Active fan, designed by Apple for quiet operation
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- Active Fan
Price
- Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU
- Launched at $699 (2018), discontinued
- PowerColor Gaming Station
- Launched around $329 (2018)
Which one should you pick?
Choose Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU if you want the higher extra ports (2 vs 1), the higher PSU wattage (580 W vs 500 W) and the higher host power delivery (85 W vs 60 W).
Choose PowerColor Gaming Station if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU | PowerColor Gaming Station |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $699.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $329.00 View on Amazon | |
| PowerColor | View on PowerColor |
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
Blackmagic Design Blackmagic eGPU
6.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A clean, quiet, Mac-tailored eGPU that was easy to buy and use, but has been discontinued for years and can't be upgraded.
PowerColor Gaming Station
6 / 10 Expert Rating
Competent Thunderbolt 3 box from a GPU maker, but discontinued and outpaced by newer standards.