Computers are getting smaller and more efficient, but that trend has come at the cost of balance, forcing us to leave more powerful functions aside. Although the market offers very attractive mobile options, desktop graphics cards remain the performance kings. Thunderbolt 3 technology is expected to help develop external units, but AMD's latest words speak of "standardized connectors"…
The Push for External Graphics Cards
All-in-one PCs, NUC systems, HDMI dongles, smartphones that seek to function as PCs… the path seems quite clear. Even though big towers will never disappear, their place in the market is growing smaller, and only the most stubborn enthusiasts still defend that format. These days, computing is dynamic and mobile above all else. The convenience of carrying a laptop in a backpack is unquestionable, but a price had to be paid for that benefit. By achieving greater integration, compact computers lost flexibility, and when it comes time to game, the hardware simply isn't there. For a while now, external graphics cards have been whispered about. With the arrival of Thunderbolt 3, the dream is very close to becoming a reality. And out of nowhere, AMD appears…
AMD's Standardized Connector Dreams
According to Robert Hallock, AMD's top Technical Marketing spokesperson, gaming-oriented laptops are excellent, but nobody is willing to carry one around all day. The exact opposite is true of ultraportables: a marvel to transport... and nobody can play on them. With that in mind, Hallock talks about a "huge appetite" in the market for ultraportables capable of running the latest titles, and the intention to "condense" devices into one. The answer is external graphics cards, but in his announcement he says nothing about Thunderbolt 3, instead hinting at the possibility of news regarding standardized connectors, cables, drivers, and operating system support.
Now the question is: Is Thunderbolt 3 and USB Type-C not enough? I imagine AMD's plan is to develop something similar to Thunderbolt 3, and from those two technologies create a new standard with common connectors. Another detail to keep in mind is that AMD already tried this with its XGH system seven years ago, and its failure was spectacular. All arrows point to the next GDC on March 14. At this point, I'm willing to grant AMD that external graphics cards have a lot of room for improvement. Their special enclosures are larger than an external hard drive, and they need a dedicated ATX power supply. Any progress that leads to miniaturizing the entire assembly will be more than welcome.
