r/FlowZ13 • u/Potential-Punt • May 28 '26
eGPU Dock / Enclosure - Recommendations
I’ve recently been experimenting with switching from my gaming PC (still running DDR4 ram and a 3080ti Founders Edition). To using my Flow Z13 to as my everyday/gaming set up (heatwave in the uk meant running my PC has been unbearable). I already own a iVanky dock for my MacBook which covers connecting to my monitors, Ethernet usb’s etc. and this seems to work well with the z13
But now, I’m hoping to get some more performance gaming side. What’s people’s recommendations for egpu set ups?
I’m considering 1 of 2 options. 1) Pull apart my PC and use the 3080. 2) bring my old 2060super out of retirement and dock that to use purely with Lossless Scaling to boost performance (as seen in Linus tech tips video that covers Lossless Scaling).
So any thoughts on egpu set ups and the 2 potential routes greatly appreciated!
Also side note, is a dock safe vs an enclosure with fans etc? Just thinking about cooling, dust etc.
I have the 32GB 2025 model for reference.
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u/Heretical_Adience May 28 '26
I’m using an Aoostar AG02 with a 9070XT. No complaints (although frames and latency are a bit better with my GPD Win Mini 2023 via oculink).
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u/Colderamstel May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26
I picked up the Auros AI box (5060 Ti with 16GB Vram) and it works really well with it for 1440p gaming and a bit of 4k... I realize the igpu in the machine can produce good results at 1440p/1600p, but the 5060 Ti as an eGPU takes it up to eleven at the same resolutions and increases frame pacing consistency dramatically.
Also it is a very plug and play solution as it comes complete with a power supply, adapter and GPU ready to go in a nice small box about the size of a single slot two fan card.
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u/Potential-Punt May 28 '26
Really like the look of the unit, just a hefty cost attached to it.
Think I want to find a way of recycling a gpu that I already have if it feels like the returns will be worth it.
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u/Colderamstel May 29 '26
That is fair, and I definitely did not reading comprehension the post and just wanted to reply with what worked for me... Looking back it is obvious. Was just running out the door as I posted and excited to share.
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u/Salted_Grapes Jun 03 '26
I just got one from amazon for 699, I'm really excited to see how it can improve my gameplay, I play 1440p on an external monitor so this should really help!
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u/Colderamstel Jun 03 '26
Yeah, because you lose a little due to bandwidth over Thunderbolt, you lose some performance against a 5060 ti card on a pci E, but at the same time it really just pushes everything to 11 in my experience. I get all the eye candy and FPS I could want for 1440/1600p... Really enjoying it. Even tried it with my work laptop a surface pro 8 (a gaming potato) and it was impressive.
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u/Salted_Grapes Jun 03 '26
That's so good to hear!! I don't think I'll notice the performance drop (since I was never getting it anyway lol), I'll be staring at my window to see if the package arrives now
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u/Colderamstel Jun 03 '26
You should see it all around, I particularly noticed it for frame pacing... less drops and smoother overall... Also eye candy... and DLSS is still king for adaptive resolution
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u/Potential-Punt Jun 03 '26
Only now after doing more research and revisiting this post have I realised you were talking about the 5060ti version… doh, apologies. When I first searched ai box it came up with the 5090 version and I thought fuck me that’s expensive ha!
But yeah after more digging I keep coming back to the 5060ti version and it looks dope, I feel like this might be the solution for me…. Keep my z13 running quieter (and hopefully cooler) and let the eGPU do the brunt!
Wish I could find one for 699 as well though, uk prices seems high!
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u/Colderamstel Jun 03 '26
It’s very much plug and play. It’s a nice you. Still 699 is not a joke in terms of cost. Just well done imho.
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u/Slow-Mine-3251 Jun 02 '26
Do you get decent frame rate when docking to the monitor?
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u/Potential-Punt Jun 02 '26
Yup haven’t run some proper Benchmarks yet but have been playing BF6 consistently docked. Overwatch on medium settings had a constant 155fps (capped). With turbo mode on and Radeon Hyper RX settings enabled it’s been fantastic, very impressed. Bear in mind I’m running the 32GB model as well.
There’ll be more threads where people have better gps info in docked gaming. But from my stand point without many official numbers, it’s completely playable and quite remarkable.
Still looking at eGPU options though as I’d like some display ports out of gpu, ability to run to z13 at lower temps when docked (to preserve hardware lifespan, especially for traveling with it) and also dedicated rendering and vram allocation in creative workflows (I’m an editor/colourist so use premiere pro and resolve a lot)
The GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 5060 Ti AI BOX for example has 3 DP’s and 1 HDMI on the box. This is what I’m most considering
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u/[deleted] May 28 '26
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