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RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock vs Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550: Comparison
What is the difference between RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock and Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550?
Max gpu length is where these two genuinely part company, RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock 4.0 mm against Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 300 mm, a 99% lead for Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550.
Which should you buy, RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock or Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550?
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. 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 the wrong buy for RTX 30-series or newer cards that want more PSU headroom and builds needing more than 300mm of card clearance. It also earns its place with Mac users wanting Sonnet's certified eGFX driver support on Thunderbolt 3. It is the wrong buy for anyone who can spend a little more for the Breakaway Box 650's extra 100W. 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. Our rating of the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 (6/10): A solid early Sonnet box, but the 650 offers more headroom for little extra cost.
RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock vs Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 price
At the last price check the RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock was $80.00 and the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 $399, a 399% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock and Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 differ on cooling type?
Yes. Cooling Type reads Open/vented enclosure, relies on the card's own cooler on the RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock versus Active Fan on the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- RIITOP
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Sonnet
Connection Standard
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- OCuLink SFF-8612, 64 Gbps (PCIe 4.0 x4 link)
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Thunderbolt 3
Model Number
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- OCuLink eGPU Dock 64Gbps
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- eGFX Breakaway Box 550
Extra Ports
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- None beyond the OCuLink connector
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- None onboard beyond the GPU's own outputs
Max GPU Length
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- 4.0 mm-99%
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- 300 mmBest
Cooling Type
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- Open/vented enclosure, relies on the card's own cooler
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Active Fan
Price
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- Around $80-$130
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- Launched around $399 (2017)
Included Cable
- RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock
- OCuLink SFF-8611 4i
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550
- 0.5 m Thunderbolt 3
Which one should you pick?
Choose RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 if you want the higher max GPU length (300 mm vs 4.0 mm).
Price comparison
| Retailer | RIITOP OCuLink eGPU Dock | Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $80.00 View on 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
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.
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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