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OWC Mercury Helios 3 vs RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock: Comparison
OWC Mercury Helios 3 vs RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock: the max gpu length difference
The gap that matters here is max gpu length: OWC Mercury Helios 3 290 mm against RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock 4.0 mm, which puts OWC Mercury Helios 3 99% ahead.
Who each one is for
Buy the OWC Mercury Helios 3 for 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. It also earns its place with Mac users who find a used unit cheap and just need a bare Thunderbolt 3 enclosure. It is not the one for anyone buying new, since the Mercury Helios FX replaced it with more PSU headroom. The RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock is the one to take for absolute budget buyers with a spare PSU on hand and DIY-minded handheld/mini-PC modders, though it is not built for buyers wanting an all-in-one built-in PSU solution and anyone prioritizing brand support and warranty history. Our rating of the OWC Mercury Helios 3 (6/10): solid basic Mac eGPU box, superseded by the Helios FX which OWC still actively sells.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 RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock (4.5/10): the cheapest way into OCuLink eGPU, but a bare-bones product from a lesser-known brand with no built-in PSU convenience.
Which is cheaper, OWC Mercury Helios 3 or RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock?
At the last price check the RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock was $80.00 and the OWC Mercury Helios 3 $299, a 274% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the OWC Mercury Helios 3 and RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock differ on cooling type?
Yes. Cooling Type reads Active Fan on the OWC Mercury Helios 3 versus Open/vented enclosure, relies on the card's own cooler on the RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- OWC
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- RIITOP
Connection Standard
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Thunderbolt 3
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- OCuLink SFF-8612, 64 Gbps (PCIe 4.0 x4 link)
Model Number
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Mercury Helios 3
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- OCuLink eGPU Dock 64Gbps
Extra Ports
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- None beyond the OCuLink connector
Max GPU Length
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- 290 mmBest
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- 4.0 mm-99%
Cooling Type
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Active Fan
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- Open/vented enclosure, relies on the card's own cooler
Price
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Launched around $299 (2018)
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- Around $80-$130
Which one should you pick?
Choose OWC Mercury Helios 3 if you want the higher max GPU length (290 mm vs 4.0 mm).
Choose RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | OWC Mercury Helios 3 | RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $299.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $80.00 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.
RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
4.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The cheapest way into OCuLink eGPU, but a bare-bones product from a lesser-known brand with no built-in PSU convenience.