Razer Core GPU Expander
To Razer Blade Stealth laptop
via Thunderbolt 3
Posted May 27th, 2016 by rob-ART morgan, mad scientist
The Razer Blade Stealth got our attention for at least two reasons: Thunderbolt 3 and optional external GPU expander called 'Core.' We finally got our hands on the Razer Core and installed an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti desktop GPU to see what would happen. And we compared those results with the same GTX 980 Ti inside a 2010 Mac Pro tower running both OS X and Windows.
LuxMark 3 (OpenCL)
Using just the GPU, we rendered the LuxBall scene. (HIGHEST in Average KSamples per Second = FASTEST)
GPU GRAPH LEGEND
Blade + Core 980 Ti = 'early 2016' Razer Blade Stealth connected to Razer Core with GeForce GTX 980 TI installed; Windows 10 OS.
cMP 980 Ti Win 7 = 'mid 2010' Mac Pro Tower with GeForce GTX 980 Ti installed; Windows 7 in BootCamp partition.
cMP 980 Ti OS X = 'mid 2010' Mac Pro Tower with GeForce GTX 980 Ti installed; OS X 10.11.4
Blade HD 520 = 'early 2016' Razer Blade Stealth using only integrated Intel HD Graphics 520; Windows 10 OS.
Batman: Arkham City
Set to 1280x720, Medium Detail, 4X Anti-Aliasing, all effects ON, we ran the built-in benchmark. (HIGHEST in Average Frames per Second = FASTEST)
Tomb Raider
Set to 1280x720 and "NORMAL" preset, we ran the built-in benchmark. (HIGHEST in Average Frames per Second = FASTEST)
GPUtest FurMark
Known as the "GPU burner", it is a quick take on graphics processor speed potential. (HIGHEST number in Average Frames per Second = FASTEST)
GFXBench OpenGL
The T-Rex chasing a motocross rider is typical of game play. We ran in OFFscreen 1080p mode. (HIGHEST number in Average Frames per Second = FASTEST)
Unigine Heaven Benchmark
This GPU-intensive benchmark that hammers graphics cards to the limits. It flies through a magical steampunk world of shiny brass, wood and gears, leveraging the most advanced capabilities of graphics APIs. We selected the BASIC preset. (HIGHEST number in Average Frames per Second = FASTEST)
ANALYSIS
The Razer Blade Stealth's integrated Intel HD Graphics 520 is fine for light, on-the-road GPU intensive apps but for serious OpenGL (aka Gaming) and OpenCL rendering, you really want a serious GPU. The Razer Core enables you to connect a serious desktop GPU like the GeForce GTX 980 Ti (inside the Razer Core) to the Razer Blade Stealth laptop via Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable. And as you can see, it produces serious performance.
If Apple doesn't include Thunderbolt 3 in the next MacBook Pro, it will be a crying shame. And if they don't provide an external desktop GPU box, it will be a crime.
NOTE: Many thanks to MacVidCards for the loan of the GeForce GTX 980 Ti.
Comments? Suggestions? Feel free to email me,
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WHERE TO BUY RAZER CORE AND RAZER BLADE STEALTH
Order direct from the RazerZone or from B&H Photo/Video.
WHERE TO ORDER DESKTOP GPUs
Order the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 from B&H Photo/Video,
