Note: Workaround for (at least some) cards not working in the AGB!
I decided to try and compile a list of cards that do work with the AORUS Gaming box in place of the GTX1070/1080 it ships with. Since these enclosures are available for sale on ebay after people have removed the cards from within, and for sub-200$ prices, which makes them attractive options, it seems like a relevant collection of info to compile. Not all of these have build guides in the implementation list, so they are not all easy to locate.
The links are to the sources. In some of the cases the make and model of the card and/or laptop is not clear. If you know this (or you are the source), please let us know so we can keep this updated. If you have additional cards that you have gotten to work in these boxes, please let us know as well.
Important Note: Removing the PCB from the AORUS Gaming Box will not help you fit a longer card on it. The power connector providing power to the slot and TB3 controller is taller than the PCIe slot itself and will prevent a long card from being plugged in even when you remove the PCB from the enclosure. Using a riser is an alternative.
The following combinations have been shown to work with the AORUS:
-
HP Spectre x360: PNY GTX670 (with cooler shroud removed), Sapphire R9 285 ITX.
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Early 2015 13" MBP + Apple TB<->TB3 Adapter: EVGA GTX1050Ti.
- Lenovo Miix 720: Inno3D GTX1060 6GB.
- Late 2011 MBP 17" + Apple TB<->TB3 Adapter: PNY Quadro K1200.
- Late 2013 MBP 15" + Apple TB<->TB3 Adapter: PNY Quadro K1200.
- 2017 Dell XPS 9365 + Asus GTX970 Strix (First implementation using a riser, as the card is too large to fit the AORUS).
- Late 2012 Mac Mini (i5) + Apple TB<->TB3 Adapter: EVGA GTX1060 3GB, Sparkle GTX650.
- Mid 2011 Mac Mini Server + Apple TB<->TB3 Adapter: EVGA GTX 960 2GB, EVGA GTX 1060 6GB, MSI RX 560 ITX 4GB.
- Lenovo T470: Zotac GTX1060 Mini.
- Dell XPS (Unknown Specific Model) + Gigabyte Vega Nano.
The following combinations did NOT work:
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T430s + Apple TB<->TB3 Adapter: Gigabyte GTX1050Ti (Source: My own testing).
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Unknown Laptop: OEM RX 580 ITX.
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Asus Transformer (Model: Asus Transformer T305CA (m3-7y30/8G/256G)): Sapphire RX570 Pulse ITX.
About the only takeaway that is rather consistent is that RX470/RX570/RX580 cards should be avoided. I'd throw the RX480 in as well just to be on the safe side. On the positive side, the R9 285 seems reliable enough. Other cases are a lot less clear (such as the Gigabyte GTX1050Ti working with the ZBook 15 G4 and not working with the Spectre x360).
There is no real consistency with regards to whether the card must have an 8-pin power input to work, as some 6-pin cards work, and others don't. Some cards with no power inputs work, but others do not (at least not with all host laptops).
My eGPU Zoo - Link to my Implementations.
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
Asus Transformer (Unknown Specific Model): Asus R9 Nano, MSI RX560 4GB, GALAX GTX1050 LP.
=> Model: Asus Transformer T305CA (m3-7y30/8G/256G)
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Good initiative! I've been trying to test my GTX670 in the 1070 enclosure, but no luck so far.
Not sure yet as whether my OS (Bootcamp + .13.4 beta) or the GPU is to blame.
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Has someone ever tried to add a bigger card like a gtx 980ti or rx580 to the AORUS gaming box?
It is too small as i found out, but just for the technical components, would it work to use them in a selfmade box with a different card than the gtx 60/70/80 ? I am thinking of driver issues. I would have an additional PSU, this isnt a problem, only the extra cables that hang around.
I hope someone already had the same idea or even experiences! 🙂
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1) See the important note in the original post.
2) Do not use two different power supplies to power the same electronic device. Doing so may cause improper operation and/or damage, immediately, or over time.
My eGPU Zoo - Link to my Implementations.
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
Hi! Today I was able to connect the AORUS gaming box with PNY Quadro k1200 card inside with TB2->TB3 apple adapter to MBP 17" late 2011 and 15" late 2013 on mac os 10.11.6 both with success. But what I've noticed is that the gpu inside desktop machine give more result. I run specially Cinebench R15 and that what I got on external full-hd displays (results I got with internal screen is much less because of tb2 bandwidth I think):
17 late 2011 (i7-2760QM 2.4/4gb(1333)) - 60fps,
15 late 2013 (i7-4960HQ 2.6/16gb(1600)) - 80fps,
Custom desktop mini-itx (i7-3770 3.4/16gb(1600)) - 108(!)fps.
After this experiment, I'm not sure that a more powerful GPU will show the result much higher than the custom desktop with the k1200 quadro inside and maybe it's worth selling at all to TB3-notebook user..
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I saw another user's implementation (GTX 670 using a modified 8 pin to dual 6 pin connector) and I wonder if there has to be some load detected on the +2 pin? Perhaps simply shorting it isn't sufficient for the PSU to trigger. Perhaps is there a way to hack together an 8 pin to single 6 pin connector, which would be able to put a load on the +2 pin.
Edit: Doing some searching, I came across this post on reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/eGPU/comments/6ogmdj/replacing_the_gpu_inside_aorus_gaming_box/
It looks like this user was able to run the 1060 3gb, which is a 6 pin card, without shorting out the +2pin. Is it possible that gigabyte has a firmware level lock against polaris cards?(as some users have pointed towards) It would make sense in the context of their upcoming product line, featuring an RX 580 (which they also down-branded to just the gigabyte name).
If this is the case I would be interested in seeing the potential of flashing the RX 580 Gaming Box firmware over to the Aorus Box.
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If this is the case I would be interested in seeing the potential of flashing the RX 580 Gaming Box firmware over to the Aorus Box.
You can't program the GTX1070 Box FW on the 1080 Box, and those two boxes are identical, so I highly doubt you will be able to do what you propose here.
My eGPU Zoo - Link to my Implementations.
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
I can confirm I was able to connect my freshly received EVGA GTX1060 3GB (Mini ITX) on the 1070 Aorus Box!
The platform is a MBP TB 13'' (late 2016) running Windows 10 CU on BootCamp. I hot-plugged (at the dots-stage), got error 31 and just had to install the drivers. I was able to flash the firmware and confirm a 22k H2D.
Edit: The USB hub works has intended, and so does the MBP charging feature. Mouse, ethernet (through an adapter) and iPhone super-charging worked all at the same time.
Many thanks to all for the advice and support!
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A sparkle Geforce 650 GTX and an EVGA Geforce 1060 3 GB both work in Windows 10 rs3 and Mac OS 10.13.3 on my late 2012 i5 mac mini.
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A sparkle Geforce 650 GTX and an EVGA Geforce 1060 3 GB both work in Windows 10 rs3 and Mac OS 10.13.3 on my late 2012 i5 mac mini.
Thank you for the update. I added this to the opening post.
My eGPU Zoo - Link to my Implementations.
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
@yukikaze could you please update your initial post with the following? Pretty sure that would help future enthusiasts 🙂
Did work:
MBP13 TB (Late 2016), EVGA 1060 3GB
Did NOT work:
MBP13 TB (Late 2016), ASUS 670 Mini
Thanks!
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Razer Blade 2016 12" + EVGA 1050 SC
I tried to connect the Gaming Box to my laptop without the 1050 and it acted identically to when the 1050 was seated.
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Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but since yall are poking around inside the Aorus Gaming Box...
Is there any way to permanently disable the LEDs? I've seen fan mods, for the annoyingly whiny 40mm fans, but nothing to do with the LEDs. They're part of the circuit-board, so I'm at a loss. Maybe there's a pin or a small power cable somewhere? Any help would be really appreciated; hate those lights.
Doesn't the software it come with allow control over the LEDs? I never actually tried it with mine since I don't mind the lights and I don't run a GB (or even an NVidia) GPU with it.
My eGPU Zoo - Link to my Implementations.
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
Interesting, so @yukikaze you like the enclosure but use it with different cards? Did you mod the fans?
Well the software I think you mean is the Aorus Graphics Engine, and it isn't available for macOS, to my knowledge. In Windows it might give me control if I was using TB3, but with Tb2 the software only recognized the GPU (calling it a VGA).
I bought one of those empty and I am running it with a R9 285. I quite like it as the dock for a Spectre x360. I am yet to mod the fans, but it is on the list of things to do. And if the USB hub in that thing was reliable, it would be a perfect small dock, but even without it, it is a solid enclosure. You are right about the software only being available for Windows, I did not realize you were on a Mac, sorry!
I can't really come up with a permanent solution for you aside of physically destroying or removing the LEDs and hoping that their part of the circuit is not somehow responsible for something else (it probably isn't, as it would not make much sense, but I can't be sure). Can't you cover the LEDs with electric tape or something?
My eGPU Zoo - Link to my Implementations.
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
Oh alright! I saw the empty ones online. They're a great design and barring the lights and fan problems (maybe not problems for some), AND the USB through-put problems, it's perfect! I have considered de-soldering the LED lights; they're those super slim ones, so it'd be tricky. And like you said, I'd risk some unexpected failure. So yes, the mechanical solution comes next... some light barrier.
I'll be honest. This case HAS worked for me; I mean, it ran 4k gaming content in Win10 boot camp, and I've maybe played a hundred hours of various games (mostly Ghost Recon Wildlands). But the learning curve has been steep. And even when it was working I can't tell you how many times I've had games crash on me (due to my inexperience, other faulty hardware, or mysteries yet unsolved). Combined with the issues I mentioned earlier, not to mention the tens of hours learning how to get it detected and installed... I've had enough for now. I unplugged it, put it in the closet, and ordered myself a PS4 Pro.
Don't worry, I'll be back at it! Maybe when I have a TB3 computer...
The Gigabyte software for their headsets will allow you to tune and disable the leds. Tested and approved.
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@arthy I'm only seeing the Aorus Graphics Engine listed for their headset downloads. This is the same software I used in Windows 10, but there is a driver mix up because I'm using TB2, so the LEDs don't even turn on in this case (a plus in my mind); also the fans don't all work with TB2 in Win10. But in macOS the LEDs run white all the time, and the fans all work; still no software available to control the gaming box lights in macOS.
I'll check the name of the software next time I boot. I'm using native TB3 so using TB2 is probably the cause of the issue.
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Works fine with Zotac 1060 Mini connected to Thinkpad T470.
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UPDATE: Solution is to directly apply 12v from the rail to the slot (or do this on the gpu itself). In my case with the HP rx580, it was due to half the vrms being powered by the 6 pin and the other half by the pcie slot. However, since only half the vrms are powered by the 6 pin initially, the gpu does not send the signal to the AGB to activate power for the rest of the vrms. Result is no boot.
This solution is only for some cards. I tested cards that did not boot simply due to no present on the pcie slot. For this you just need to jump 16x pcie present to 8x pcie present on the slot, not the card.
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Anybody want to test the just released Powercolor RX Vega 56 Nano card in a AORUS Gaming Box?
It uses a 6P+8P PCIe input power cabling, so power budget is 300W, well under the Gaming Box's 444W 12W rail.
It should also fit into the Gaming Box chassis:
| Device | Size (mm) |
| Aorus Gaming Box | 212 x 96 x 162 |
| Gigabyte GTX1080 mini (factory card) | 169 x 37 x 131 |
| Powercolor RX Vega 56 Nano | 170 x 38 x 95 |
RRP is US$449 which is honored by Newegg. Ebay sellers adding a hefty upmark. Newegg US is showing it as sold out. The global Newegg site, which ships from the US, oddly does allow purchase to be made.
https://www.newegg.com/global/uk/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131741
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131741
2018 Razer 13" i7 quad core works with Auros 1080 box with an Evga 1060 3gb swapped in. Plug , load drivers, and Play no issues.
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So I found this thread this morning after failing to get my Dell X1 Carbon 5th gen working with an Aorus Gaming Box I got off eBay and a Gigabyte 1050Ti. I had the same issues some others stated (i.e. the box doesn't turn on when plugged in via thunderbolt 3).
So the first hypothesis was that this box was designed to work with exactly the GPU it came with, which has an 8-pin connector. I noticed that my GPU has the through-holes and traces for a connector, but doesn't have one present, since it doesn't need the extra power I guess (front/back).
Given that everyone's reporting success with the 1060, my hypothesis was that simply soldering a 6-pin connector onto the card would be enough to convince the PSU that the right GPU is indeed plugged in. Can't hurt to deliver more power to the card even if it doesn't need it, right?
I was pretty impatient and didn't want to order a connector online and wait for it to ship, so I just bought the cheapest thing I could source locally with a female 6-pin PCI-e power connector: a PCI-e riser card (this one). I un-soldered the PCI-e power connector, reversed the pins (diagnosed with a multimeter on the card that they were backwards relative to where they need to be), and soldered it on. Then I plugged it in and prayed I didn't kill my card/AGB/laptop. Here's what it looked like after my semi-janky soldering job: front/back
And OMG IT WORKED 😮 The GPU now appears under the device manager and all the USB stuff works. The only thing that's kind of odd is the USB + lights only work with one of the thunderbolt 3 connectors on my laptop... not sure why, but also not really an issue.
Anyway, not sure if this was already posted, but just thought I'd throw that tip out there to anyone with a card that isn't working and lacks PCI-e power connectors, but has traces for them.
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My gaming box recently died and I sent it into gigabyte for warranty. They wont fix it because I didnt include the card (Dont have the card, bought the box off somebody on ebay). The box worked for 2 months with my 1050 but then died. Seems like a PS issue. Other people mentioned the same problem. Gigabyte is refusing to honor the warranty if you dont have the original card so I wouldn't recommend buying this box. What makes it worse is when I put in the warranty request I mentioned to gigabyte that I would not be sending the video card back with the enclosure and they approved the RMA, yet changed their story once they got it, making me just waste money shipping it to them. Spoke with some guy and he just said "its our policy" and they wont fix the enclosure without the card. Their policy is just to screw over their customers and sell garbage it seems.
Now I'm out $200 from the ebay purchase and $30 for shipping it back to them. Now I got to go buy a real eGPU enclosure case that is not plagued with power issues. Which will prob run me $350.
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im using a riser, my card is 1050Ti gaming X full size, and it work well with my macbook pro 2016 13'' non touch bar
pic here https://www.instagram.com/p/BmoIC-CFCMc/?taken-by=truong.ati
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Hey thanks for this list
gigabyte 1060 mini itx confirmed working with MacBook Pro 2014 13” (TB3 to TB2) and on Lenovo X1 Carbon Thinkpad
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Would the new Nvidia GPUs (e.g. RTX 2080) work on Aorus Gaming Box, assuming RTX 2080/2070 mini will come out eventually that would fit inside the box?
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Just did mine using a single power brick
https://egpu.io/forums/thunderbolt-enclosures/akitio-thunder2-with-8-pin-made-possible-with-xbox-one-power-supply/
Macbook Pro 2015 13inch | Akitio Thunder2 | GTX 1070 mini | Mac OS High Sierra | Windows 10
Anybody want to test the just released Powercolor RX Vega 56 Nano card in a AORUS Gaming Box?
Going to get one ordered today. Will test with my 1070 gaming box.
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UPDATE: Solution is to directly apply 12v from the rail to the slot (or do this on the gpu itself). In my case with the HP rx580, it was due to half the vrms being powered by the 6 pin and the other half by the pcie slot. However, since only half the vrms are powered by the 6 pin initially, the gpu does not send the signal to the AGB to activate power for the rest of the vrms. Result is no boot.
This solution is only for some cards. I tested cards that did not boot simply due to no present on the pcie slot. For this you just need to jump 16x pcie present to 8x pcie present on the slot, not the card.
Can you give us some more info here? I am figuring you're meaning to run 12v+ sourced from the 8pin power rail of the PSU and connected parallel with the 12v+ pins of the PCIE slot itself. Will this retain normal automatic power on/off control of the GPU?
As far as jumping 16x, and 8x, what do you mean here?
I'm trying to understand why a GTX 1050Ti that doesn't have any external rail input power won't power up this box.
Appreciate more info.
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