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OWC Mercury Helios 3 vs Razer Core V2: Comparison
OWC Mercury Helios 3 vs Razer Core V2: the psu wattage difference
On psu wattage the spread is 20%, OWC Mercury Helios 3 400 W against Razer Core V2 500 W, so Razer Core V2 takes it. Host power delivery runs the same way, 85 W on the OWC Mercury Helios 3 versus 100 W on the Razer Core V2, another win for Razer Core V2.
OWC Mercury Helios 3 vs Razer Core V2: which one fits your build
The OWC Mercury Helios 3 suits simple, no-frills dual-slot GPU builds under 400W, though it is the wrong buy for cards that need more than 290mm of clearance and Windows users wanting extra I/O built into the box. The same goes for Mac users who find a used unit cheap and just need a bare Thunderbolt 3 enclosure. Avoid it for anyone buying new, since the Mercury Helios FX replaced it with more PSU headroom. it is not built for buyers who want current warranty support from Razer. It is equally the pick for owners of an older Thunderbolt 3 MacBook Pro or Blade Stealth wanting a budget used eGPU box. It is not the one for anyone buying new in 2026, since it's long discontinued and Thunderbolt 3 caps bandwidth well below TB5 boxes. Our rating of the OWC Mercury Helios 3 (6/10): solid basic Mac eGPU box, superseded by the Helios FX which OWC still actively sells. Our rating of the Razer Core V2 (6/10): A capable but dated TB3 box. Fine secondhand, not worth seeking out new.
Which is cheaper, OWC Mercury Helios 3 or Razer Core V2?
They cost within a few percent of each other, $299 versus $300 when we last looked.
Frequently asked questions
Do the OWC Mercury Helios 3 and Razer Core V2 differ on max gpu length?
Yes. Max GPU Length reads 290 mm on the OWC Mercury Helios 3 versus 310 mm on the Razer Core V2.
Is the Cooling Type the same on the OWC Mercury Helios 3 and Razer Core V2?
It is. Both are listed at Active Fan, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- OWC
- Razer Core V2
- Razer
Connection Standard
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Thunderbolt 3
- Razer Core V2
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Mercury Helios 3
- Razer Core V2
- Core V2
Extra Ports
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
- Razer Core V2
- 4
PSU Wattage
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- 400 W-20%
- Razer Core V2
- 500 WBest
Host Power Delivery
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- 85 W-15%
- Razer Core V2
- 100 WBest
Max GPU Length
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- 290 mm-6%
- Razer Core V2
- 310 mmBest
Cooling Type
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Active Fan
- Razer Core V2
- Active Fan
GPU Compatibility
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- GTX 10-series through RTX 20-series, dual-slot cards
- Razer Core V2
- GTX 10-series through RTX 20-series, dual-slot cards
Price
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Launched around $299 (2018)
- Razer Core V2
- Launched at $299.99 (2017)
Which one should you pick?
Choose OWC Mercury Helios 3 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Razer Core V2 if you want the higher PSU wattage (500 W vs 400 W), the higher host power delivery (100 W vs 85 W) and the higher max GPU length (310 mm vs 290 mm).
Price comparison
| Retailer | OWC Mercury Helios 3 | Razer Core V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $299.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $299.99 View on Amazon |
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
OWC Mercury Helios 3
6 / 10 Expert Rating
Solid basic Mac eGPU box, superseded by the Helios FX which OWC still actively sells.
Razer Core V2
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A capable but dated TB3 box.