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| An AG-series eGPU dock with an Nvidia graphics adapter installed, connected to a mini-PC. |
If you're deep into the world of compact computing, the name Aoostar likely rings a bell. The brand has carved out a solid reputation with its mini PCs and has been steadily making waves in the external GPU (eGPU) enclosure market. Hot on the heels of its AG01 model, Aoostar is back with a refined and significantly more powerful successor: the AG02 Graphics Dock.
But potential buyers should note a crucial update: earlier specifications have been quietly but substantially upgraded. Where initial information suggested a 500W power supply delivering 350W to the GPU, Aoostar has revised the AG02 to feature a robust 800W built-in PSU, capable of delivering a full 650 watts to your graphics card. This change positions the AG02 as a serious contender for housing high-end GPUs.
Familiar Design, Major Power Under the Hood
Visually, the AG02 walks a familiar path. It retains the compact, rectangular chassis of its predecessor, measuring 22.5 x 11 x 6 cm (approx. 8.9" x 4.3" x 2.4") and weighing 1.5 kg. The tweaks are subtle but meaningful. The star of the show is the exposed PCIe slot, which, thanks to that hefty 800W power supply, can now accommodate graphics cards with a Total Board Power (TBP) of up to 650W. This opens the door for a much wider range of modern, performance-hungry GPUs. A welcome feature for tinkerers is that the PSU is user-accessible for maintenance or potential future upgrades.
The OCuLink Advantage and Connectivity
Where the AG02 truly aims to shine is in its core connection. Like a growing number of cutting-edge docks, it forgoes the more common Thunderbolt or USB4 for an OCuLink interface. This direct PCIe connection offers a maximum transfer speed of 64 GT/s, which provides significantly higher bandwidth and lower latency compared to even USB4 v1.0, promising to minimize the performance penalty often associated with external graphics solutions.
For peripheral and charging needs, the dock includes a USB4 port with 100W Power Delivery. This means you can charge a connected laptop, tablet, or other device at high speed while gaming or working, streamlining your desk setup.
Curious about its predecessor? Check out the details and design lineage of the Aoostar AG01 eGPU Dock with OCuLink Port on the official Aoostar store to see how the new model compares.
Availability, Price, and the Trade-Off
As of December 2024, the Aoostar AG02 is available for pre-order directly from Aoostar for an attractive price of $219. Shipments are expected to begin by the end of January 2025.
The competitive price, however, comes with a notable omission. The AG02 is a pure, focused graphics dock. It does not include any onboard storage (like M.2 slots) or additional connectivity ports such as Ethernet, USB-A, or audio jacks. Your investment is going entirely toward the housing, power, and high-speed connection for your GPU. For users seeking a minimalist, high-performance eGPU solution, this is a fair trade. For those wanting a full docking station experience, it may require a second hub.
What GPU Pairs Well with the AG02?
With 650W of GPU power available, you have plenty of options. A great balance of performance and value for this dock could be a card like the ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7700 XT OC. It offers excellent 1440p gaming performance without pushing the AG02's power limits to the extreme.
*Ready to supercharge your mini PC or laptop? The Aoostar AG02 eGPU Dock is available for pre-order now, with shipments starting soon.*
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