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HP OMEN Accelerator vs StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis: Comparison
HP OMEN Accelerator vs StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe psu wattage compared
On psu wattage the spread is 99%, HP OMEN Accelerator 460 W against StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe 6 W, so HP OMEN Accelerator takes it. Add extra ports to that, 3 on the HP OMEN Accelerator versus 1 on the StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe, and the pattern holds.
Which should you buy, HP OMEN Accelerator or StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe?
The HP OMEN Accelerator suits buyers who find one bundled cheap with a compatible laptop and collectors of early proprietary eGPU solutions, though it is not the pick for any laptop without HP's specific proprietary Accelerator port and current HP OMEN laptops, which use standard Thunderbolt/USB-C instead. The same goes for owners of a compatible 2016-2017 HP OMEN laptop with the Accelerator port. Buy the StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe for 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 HP OMEN Accelerator (5/10): A niche, single-generation product locked to specific older OMEN laptops, not a general recommendation.
Which is cheaper, HP OMEN Accelerator or StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe?
The StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe asks 10% more, $330 against $299 for the HP OMEN Accelerator.
Frequently asked questions
Do the HP OMEN Accelerator and StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe differ on cooling type?
Yes. Cooling Type reads Active Fan on the HP OMEN Accelerator versus Passive chassis venting; relies on the installed card's own... on the StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe.
Which is cheaper, HP OMEN Accelerator or StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe?
The StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe asks 10% more, $330 against $299 for the HP OMEN Accelerator.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- HP OMEN Accelerator
- HP
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- StarTech.com
Connection Standard
- HP OMEN Accelerator
- Proprietary
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- HP OMEN Accelerator
- OMEN Accelerator
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- TB31PCIEX16
Extra Ports
- HP OMEN Accelerator
- 3Best
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- 1-67%
PSU Wattage
- HP OMEN Accelerator
- 460 WBest
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- 6 W-99%
Cooling Type
- HP OMEN Accelerator
- Active Fan
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- Passive chassis venting; relies on the installed card's own cooler
Price
- HP OMEN Accelerator
- Launched around $299 (2017)
- StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis
- Launched around $329.99
Which one should you pick?
Choose HP OMEN Accelerator if you want the higher extra ports (3 vs 1) and the higher PSU wattage (460 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 | HP OMEN Accelerator | StarTech.com StarTech Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Chassis |
|---|---|---|
| Newegg | $299.00 View on Newegg | |
| 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
HP OMEN Accelerator
5 / 10 Expert Rating
A niche, single-generation product locked to specific older OMEN laptops, not a general recommendation.
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.