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PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro vs Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550: Comparison
What is the difference between PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro and Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550?
They are built to different briefs, and cooling type shows it, PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro Active fan in a pint-sized vented chassis against Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 Active Fan.
Who each one is for
The PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro is the one to take for frequent travelers needing a lighter eGPU box and simple single-card setups with no need for extra ports, though it is not the pick for owners of large triple-fan or triple-slot GPUs and buyers wanting USB/Ethernet hub features. It also earns its place with buyers wanting the smallest possible enclosure for an RX 570/580-class card. Buy the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 for budget builds running GTX 10-series or RTX 20-series double-wide cards and buyers who find it discounted versus the newer 650, though it is not built for RTX 30-series or newer cards that want more PSU headroom and builds needing more than 300mm of card clearance. It is equally the pick for Mac users wanting Sonnet's certified eGFX driver support on Thunderbolt 3. It is not the one for anyone who can spend a little more for the Breakaway Box 650's extra 100W. Our rating of the PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro (5.5/10): A genuinely compact eGPU box for mid-range cards, but its small chassis caps out well below flagship-GPU compatibility.
PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro vs Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 price
The PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro asks 406% more, $2,019 against $399 for the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550.
Frequently asked questions
Do the PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro and Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 differ on psu wattage?
Yes. PSU Wattage reads 570 W on the PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro versus 550 W on the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550.
Is the Connection Standard the same on the PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro and Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550?
It is. Both are listed at Thunderbolt 3, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro or Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550?
The PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro asks 406% more, $2,019 against $399 for the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro
- PowerColor
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Sonnet
Connection Standard
- PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro
- Thunderbolt 3
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro
- Gaming Station Mini Pro
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- eGFX Breakaway Box 550
Extra Ports
- PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro
- None beyond the PCIe slot
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
PSU Wattage
- PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro
- 570 WBest
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- 550 W-4%
Cooling Type
- PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro
- Active fan in a pint-sized vented chassis
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Active Fan
Price
- PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro
- Announced at CES 2019, around $329.99
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Launched around $399 (2017)
Dimensions
- PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro
- 215 x 153 x 68 mm
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- 18.5 x 34.0 x 20.2 cm
Which one should you pick?
Choose PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro if you want the higher PSU wattage (570 W vs 550 W).
Choose Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro | Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $2,019.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $399.00 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
PowerColor Gaming Station Mini Pro
5.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely compact eGPU box for mid-range cards, but its small chassis caps out well below flagship-GPU compatibility.
Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A solid early Sonnet box, but the 650 offers more headroom for little extra cost.
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