Current Events > External PCI-E, why is this not a thing

(+) Yeah! (+)

It would completely resolve any problems with external GPUs (which is becoming an issue even with towers, thanks to chonky bois like the 4090) but would also allow you to improve thermals. Would also be great for laptops in particular as it would allow full external GPU performance.

I feel like there's something I'm missing on putting graphic cards on the outside.

It is, its called risers

Cocytus posted...

I feel like there's something I'm missing on putting graphic cards on the outside.

The most common argument is that it would be hard to manage power supplies to the GPU.

Which is pretty easily resolved by having one power supply cable go outside the case.

Edge connectors exposed on the outside of the box seems kinda risky.

The tolerance for latency on newer PCIE standards are probably too strict. Even internal PCIE extenders can cause problems.

Rexdragon125 posted...

The tolerance for latency on newer PCIE standards are probably too strict. Even internal PCIE extenders can cause problems.

Werent they already tested and proven not to have any negative impact? Theres higher bandwidth now but latency is not a problem

you could even have one in another room

Rexdragon125 posted...

The tolerance for latency on newer PCIE standards are probably too strict. Even internal PCIE extenders can cause problems.

This I'm sure. The enclosures that do exist all use USB or Thunderbolt so you're not really getting the full bus speed.

Complain to PCI-SIG & OCuLink for not getting this reversible external PCIe cable out to the masses sooner.

https://www.connectortips.com/oculink-connectors-cables-support-new-pcie-standard/

Each basic OCuLink plug can handle PCIe 4.0 & 5.0 x4 lanes worth of bandwidth.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/2/3/AAAFvAAAD0K7.jpg
Amphenol, the company who makes the OCuLink plug was already working on a external version of this plug, but then COVID hit and somehow, the design of this external plug was put on hold for whatever reason.

Normal OCuLink already exists in the Enterprise space:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/2/4/AAAFvAAAD0K8.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/2/5/AAAFvAAAD0K9.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/2/6/AAAFvAAAD0K-.jpg

Go complain to PCI-SIG & Amphenol that you want your reversible external OCuLink Plug/Cable/Receptacle.

External PCIe connector 'OCuLink' to launch this fall
https://overclock3d.net/news/gpu_displays/external_pcie_connector_oculink_to_launch_this_fall/1
This article was written back in 26th June 2015

Something happened and external OCuLink plugs never got made.