Reddit reviews ASUS Expansion Card for Z170 & X99 Motherboards ThunderboltEX 3

The only way I know to do an external GPU is through a thunderbolt 3 connector which I have not yet seen built in to a desktop motherboard. You would need something like this to get the thunderbolt 3 port and then something like this to plug into it. I assume you have a full ATX motherboard and not a micro ATX. A case like this one would probably be a good option and keep your GPU internal. Cases that size always have some restrictions though like GPU height and CPU cooler height.

I have the same issue. Cannot find the ThunderboltEX 2 anywhere. Trying to get a Thunderbolt Display to connect to my PC with the ASUS Z97-A. Was thinking about buying the ThunderboltEX 3 and the Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter and updating the bios and drivers (If that will even make a difference). Were you able to find a solution or workaround?

This question is better posted in /r/techsupport or /r/buildapc

I am not sure which MBP you currently have and I also am not familiar with thunderbolt specifications.
I know that Gigabyte & Asus both offer thunderbolt 3 connections on their latest motherboards, with the Z170 & X99 chipsets. There are also PCI-e cards that offer thunderbolt 3 ports.

It's certainly possible, yes - but I would go to the other subreddits just to make sure.

Your motherboard would need an onboard Thunderbolt 3 header. And the expansion card you linked is not displayport alternate mode (it actually says it down near the bottom), so that specific card wouldn't do the job anyways. You need to be very careful about buying USB-C expansion cards, since only a couple are actually DP-alt Thunderbolt, and not all motherboards even have Thunderbolt headers. You would need this. After that, you would need an Asus motherboard with an onboard Thunderbolt header, meaning if you do want to go that route, you'd need to get a new motherboard as well as the expansion card. Asus offers great motherboards, but I highly suggest not doing that. It's not worth the money just to use Thunderbolt, and the expansion card itself isn't all that great.

The whole Thunderbolt thing is really only for Macs and other laptops at the moment - it's not meant for desktops currently. We just need to wait until we get a better option (hopefully in the form of thunderbolt ports on graphic cards) - we can get USB-C easily, and I myself have a few USB-C ports, but Thunderbolt is a different matter entirely. As of right now, the only real way to get Thunderbolt on a desktop is having an Intel CPU, the older Asus motherboards, then their expansion card. But even that is unreliable and too expensive for something you could get much cheaper by using the Wacom Link. After all, all Thunderbolt is is a spliced displayport + usb connection - there is no real difference between Thunderbolt and the Wacom Link. The wires can be a bit iffy, but it really isn't that bad.

USBC Device ----> TB3 Host - OK
TB3 Device ----> USBC Host - Not OK

Think of TB3 as an addon (it is in fact whats called a "superset" of USBC) You can tell a TB3 Port by the Thunderbolt symbol next to the port.

Now, you may still be able to add Thunderbolt 3 to that computer of your buddies. Via a Thunderbolt 3 Add in Card. IF you have a THB_C Connector on the motherboard, usually below the last PCIe slot, or above/below the first PCIe slot.

Tell us your buddies motherboard model and we can tell you right away if you can add a TB2 or TB3 card into the computer. Remember you MUST have a THB_C Connector.

Here

They could house the GPUs internally, not exposing their rear connectors and just have a cable going from the rear connector into the Thunderbolt controller chip. Similar to how many motherboard vendors allow you to use Thunderbolt with a PCIe GPU, but less janky looking because it's all housed inside the case.

This thing for instance is a way of using Thunderbolt with PCIe GPUs. You connect a DP cable from the GPU to this card, and then there is a Thunderbolt port with full video support from the PCIe GPU. So basically this, but better.

Can always get a TB 4 lane PCIe card.

Here's my accessories I prioritized weight and portability. I own the 13 in version

Sleeve
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N0TOQEO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
15 inch fits the 13 inch version nearly perfect. the edges are cushioned and the entire sleeve has the shock cushion bubbles. It also has a little storage pocket, that can fit all of these accessories including the pen's cigar case.

https://www.amazon.com/Thule-Gauntlet-TMPA-115-15-Inch-MacBook/dp/B006DUOMAK
I regret getting this case, not that it's bad, but adds a considerable amount of weight, it's kind of tacky and it's overkill for my everyday travel, and pricey, but it does provide a great deal of protection and you can use it as a stand somewhat and you can store a lot in it.

Stand
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M05SYJL/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Lightweight, portable, folds flat, supports 7 - 17" tablets, sturdy.

Bag
https://www.amazon.com/eBags-Professional-Laptop-Backpack-Solid/dp/B00OKXYUJ0/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1487197559&sr=1-2&keywords=ebags&th=1

Keyboard
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UBGU4PY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You can use the F1 stuff by pressing fn or something like that.

Adapter
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VTZ7GM0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Other than that I got the thunderbolt 3 cable and card to use it as a cintiq with my desktop

Thunderbolt 3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AS8U9KE/ref=twister_B01FH7NG8I?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Expansion card
https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Expansion-Card-Motherboards-ThunderboltEX/dp/B01HDUVJ54/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1487198287&sr=1-1&keywords=asus+thunderboltex+3

With that I wish there was a more compact charging cable, maybe the apple USB C wall charger will work and a portable battery. Does anyone know how much power is needed to charge the Mobile Studio? and a good desk arm for this thing.

Here is a useful app if you want to voice control your tablet, but I think it might cause battery drain

It does, if you buy the add in card :)

--Amazon search " 8 bay sas ":

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RAID Machine N1108RM 2.5" 8-bay 6G SAS / SATA Rackmount JBOD Enclosure

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RPC-2008 2U Server Case w/ 8 Hot-Swappable SATA/SAS Drive Bay

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--Literally took me less than 3 minutes...

--Amazon search " thunderbolt 3 pcie ":

ASUS Expansion Card for Z170 & X99 Motherboards ThunderboltEX 3

by Asus$61.07 $ 61 07