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OWC Mercury Helios 3 vs UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock: Comparison
What is the difference between OWC Mercury Helios 3 and UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock?
The gap that matters here is host power delivery: OWC Mercury Helios 3 85 W against UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock 4 W, which puts OWC Mercury Helios 3 95% ahead. UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock also leads on max gpu length, 290 mm on the OWC Mercury Helios 3 versus 4090 mm on the UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock. UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock also leads on psu wattage, 400 W on the OWC Mercury Helios 3 versus 850 W on the UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock.
Who each one is for
The OWC Mercury Helios 3 is the one to take 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. The same goes for 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 UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock suits handheld PC and mini-PC owners wanting flagship GPU support and buyers wanting both OCuLink and USB4 flexibility, though it is not built for users needing Thunderbolt 5 specifically and buyers wanting a fully enclosed (non-vented) chassis.
Which is cheaper, OWC Mercury Helios 3 or UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock?
At the last price check the UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock was $269 and the OWC Mercury Helios 3 $299, a 11% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the OWC Mercury Helios 3 and UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock differ on cooling type?
Yes. Cooling Type reads Active Fan on the OWC Mercury Helios 3 versus Active fan plus open-frame chassis ventilation on the UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- OWC
- UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
- UGREEN
Connection Standard
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Thunderbolt 3
- UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
- OCuLink (64 Gbps) and USB4 (40 Gbps) dual connectivity
Model Number
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Mercury Helios 3
- UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
- CM980 LinkStation eGPU Dock
Extra Ports
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
- UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
- 50
PSU Wattage
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- 400 W-53%
- UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
- 850 WBest
Host Power Delivery
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- 85 WBest
- UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
- 4 W-95%
Max GPU Length
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- 290 mm-93%
- UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
- 4090 mmBest
Cooling Type
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Active Fan
- UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
- Active fan plus open-frame chassis ventilation
Price
- OWC Mercury Helios 3
- Launched around $299 (2018)
- UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
- Launched around $269-$299 (2025)
Which one should you pick?
Choose OWC Mercury Helios 3 if you want the higher host power delivery (85 W vs 4 W).
Choose UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock if you want the higher PSU wattage (850 W vs 400 W) and the higher max GPU length (4090 mm vs 290 mm).
Price comparison
| Retailer | OWC Mercury Helios 3 | UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $299.00 View on Consumercarts listing | $269.00 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
OWC Mercury Helios 3
6 / 10 Expert Rating
Solid basic Mac eGPU box, superseded by the Helios FX which OWC still actively sells.
UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock
7.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A strong-value, high-wattage dual-connectivity dock from a large, well-established accessories brand, a serious new competitor in the OCuLink space.