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Plugable Thunderbolt 5 AI eGPU Enclosure & Dock vs UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock: Comparison
Plugable Thunderbolt 5 AI eGPU Enclosure & Dock and UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock separate most on host power delivery: Plugable Thunderbolt 5 AI eGPU Enclosure & Dock at 96, UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock at 4, 96% in favour of Plugable Thunderbolt 5 AI eGPU Enclosure & Dock. Max GPU Length splits them by another 92%, this time favouring UGREEN LinkStation eGPU Dock.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Connection Standard | Thunderbolt 5, 80Gbps (backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4 / USB4); internal PCIe Gen 4 x4 slot | OCuLink (64 Gbps) and USB4 (40 Gbps) dual connectivity |
| Brand | Plugable | UGREEN |
| Extra Ports | 1x downstream Thunderbolt 5 (15W PD), 1x USB-C 10Gbps (15W), 3x USB-A 10Gbps (7.5W each), 2.5GbE Ethernet | Partially open metal chassis for airflow; styled after RTX 50-series Founders Edition cards |
| PSU Wattage | 850 | 850 |
| Host Power Delivery | 96 | 4-96% |
| Max GPU Length | 346-92% | 4090 |
| Cooling Type | Single internal enclosure fan; GPU must supply its own cooling solution | Active fan plus open-frame chassis ventilation |
| Model | TBT5-AI | CM980 LinkStation eGPU Dock |
| Price | $629.99 launch price, enclosure only (GPU sold separately) | Launched around $269-$299 (2025) |
Verdict
Plugable Thunderbolt 5 AI eGPU Enclosure & Dock
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely differentiated, well-specced Thunderbolt 5 eGPU box for local-AI GPU hosting, but it's brand new, Windows-only, and still awaiting independent benchmarking — treat the manufacturer's numbers as a starting point, not a verified ceiling.
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.
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