Razer Core X V2 eGPU Review

Razer was one of the first entries in the eGPU market with the original Razer Core, providing an option for people who wanted a full-size graphics card with an easy connection to their laptop. Now, Razer is returning to the market with its latest enclosure, the Razer Core X V2. Revealed in mid-2025, the Core X V2 is the company’s first model with Thunderbolt 5 support, following the widely recognized Core X Chroma. For people who rely on laptops for work or gaming and want desktop-class graphics, the Core X V2 arrives promising strong performance and flexible compatibility, although it also comes with a few notable issues that we will address.

Out of the box, the Razer Core X V2 features a steel chassis that supports full-sized PCIe Gen 4 GPUs, including quad-slot cards from current NVIDIA and AMD lines (dealer’s choice, really). This gives users several options to add graphics performance to any supported laptop. Razer has taken a different approach this time because, unlike earlier models, users must now install their own ATX power supply. Integrated power supplies are no longer part of the Core X line. This modularity may appeal to enthusiasts who already own high-wattage units, although it adds setup complexity for others and introduces an extra cost that must be considered.

Visually, the Core X V2 adopts a mature, boxier look and moves away from the flashy RGB lighting associated with earlier Razer gear. Its design is understated and blends easily into professional workspaces, although users who like colour accents may miss the Chroma lighting. The enclosure is lighter than previous generations, reduced to 3.9 kg compared with the 6.48 kg of the Core X Chroma, in part because the built-in power supply has been removed, so it does make sense

Internally, the chassis is more spacious, supporting four-slot cards and offering compatibility with everything from NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 to the GTX 10-series, as well as AMD’s Radeon RX 9000, RX 7000, RX 6000 and RX 5000 lines. For testing, we used the RX 9070 XT and also tested an RTX 5080, and there was ample room to install either card, with space left over to route cables.

Now, for the features that should interest gamers, the Razer Core X V2 supports Thunderbolt 5. This addition gives the Core X V2 improved bandwidth, up to 120 Gbps in one direction and 80 Gbps bidirectionally, although the enclosure is limited by PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds, which cap bandwidth at 64 Gbps. This is a considerable step up from Thunderbolt 3 and 4, although it remains a bottleneck for eGPU performance compared with desktop PCIe slots.

For reference, although the Thunderbolt 5 standard supports impressive speeds, it cannot match the performance of an internal 16x PCIe slot, although it can still provide a significant improvement over most internal graphics solutions, depending on how much you are willing to drop on a GPU to spec out your Razer Core X V2. In our testing across a range of games with a Radeon RX 9700 XT, the same GPU saw about a 10 percent reduction in performance compared with the card installed internally. 

In some games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, we recorded close to a 10 FPS difference between the two tests. Even so, connecting through Thunderbolt 5 provides fast transfers and smooth frame rates for creative workflows or modern AAA games. It also allows a laptop that struggles with creative software such as DaVinci Resolve to run it more smoothly, with more effective processing, without bringing the computer to a crawl, depending on the GPU installed in the chassis.

If the story ended there, there would be a lot to like about what the Core X V2 offers, although there are issues we need to address, and the biggest one is value. At $349.99, the Core X V2 is more expensive than the original Core X, yet it arrives with fewer features. Razer has removed all I/O expansion, which had helped the earlier versions function like a hub, along with integrated lighting and macOS support. The company is now focusing strictly on Windows and compatible handheld PCs. There are no USB ports or built-in Ethernet, so users will need to look elsewhere or invest in Razer’s new Thunderbolt 5 Dock if they want broader connectivity.

“The Razer Core X V2 is now strictly a PC-focused solution, aimed at users who own or plan to buy laptops equipped with Thunderbolt 5.”

This feels like a step backward. The Core X Chroma, for example, included RGB lighting, network connections, extra USB ports and an integrated power supply for only $100 more than the V2. For users who already own a previous version of the Core, that difference is difficult to justify. It may be a solid unit, and Razer has built an easy-to-use and easy-to-configure eGPU, although with less industry support for eGPUs as a concept, it is now a device aimed mostly at the PC market. It has also lost some of the appeal that the idea carried a few years ago.

Apple’s move away from eGPU support, beginning with Apple Silicon, means Razer no longer supports macOS in its new products. The Razer Core X V2 is now strictly a PC-focused solution, aimed at users who own or plan to buy laptops equipped with Thunderbolt 5. These devices mostly appear in the upper tier of current notebooks and workstations. For many people, the possibility of external desktop graphics remains appealing, especially for those who rely on lighter ultrabooks or for creative professionals who want strong graphics performance without carrying a mobile workstation.

While I am skeptical of the limited features offered with the Core X V2, I have to say that I like what Thunderbolt 5 brings to the table, and it provides a range of potential for creators and gamers that elevates what an eGPU can deliver. Performance gains are meaningful, especially when paired with Thunderbolt 5 devices. Bandwidth now keeps a better pace with premium GPUs, and users can daisy-chain multiple displays or storage devices, particularly when a reliable Thunderbolt 5 dock is part of the setup.

The Core X V2 supplies up to 140 W of charging power to connected laptops, which reduces cable clutter for people who use their eGPU in a productivity-focused workspace. Razer’s dock adds further enhancements, including triple 4K display outputs, SD card slots for creators, USB-C and USB-A ports, gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5 mm audio combo jack and support for fast Gen 4 SSDs. These features come at a premium because the dock starts at nearly $400, making the full Razer setup a significant investment. Other docks are available on the market, although choosing the complete Razer aesthetic increases the overall cost.

I understand that with the introduction of a Thunderbolt 5 dock, there is less reason to include every feature within the eGPU itself. Still, anyone who does not already own a Thunderbolt 5 dock, or wants to avoid the extra cost of buying both products together, will face limitations and will lose access to many features offered by earlier Core enclosures.

The Core X V2 feels like a more stripped-back approach to the challenge, designed to work as part of a complete setup rather than as a full solution on its own, and that does limit it in some ways. It does not aim to function as the all-in-one hub that earlier generations offered. Instead, it leaves expansion to separate accessories. For some users, this is an advantage, because they may not want additional gear connected without a purpose. Others who prefer an all-in-one solution will find the approach limiting.

I find myself somewhere in the middle. I have easy access to Thunderbolt 5 docks at CGM headquarters, which makes my situation somewhat unique, although having those extra ports does make the full experience feel more complete.

Despite its improved performance and Thunderbolt 5 compatibility, the Razer Core X V2’s value will depend on your needs and on whether Razer’s new approach fits your gaming or creative workflow. Gamers who want desktop-level performance from lightweight laptops, and creatives who need extra GPU power, may find the Core X V2 a worthwhile solution. People who require additional connectivity or a single-box setup might prefer other options, especially given the growing DIY eGPU market and competing standards such as OCuLink.

For now, the Razer Core X V2 stands as the most future-focused eGPU chassis in Razer’s line-up. Its modular design, improved speeds, and support for modern GPUs meet current technology demands, although users should be prepared for a setup that requires some assembly and a potentially high total cost if paired with Razer’s companion dock, even if the complete setup delivers the Razer aesthetic that I love to see on my gaming setups. 

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