MINISFORUM DEG1 vs DEG2
The MINISFORUM DEG2 is a significant upgrade over the DEG1. While both are open-frame eGPU docks, the DEG2 has evolved from a simple PCIe adapter into a full-featured expansion hub with Thunderbolt 5 support and multiple I/O ports.
Key Difference:
-
DEG1: OCuLink only
-
DEG2: OCuLink + Thunderbolt 5 (dual mode), plus SSD slot, USB ports, and Ethernet
|
Feature |
DEG1 |
DEG2 |
|
Connection |
OCuLink only (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
OCuLink + Thunderbolt 5 (dual mode) |
|
Max Bandwidth |
64 Gbps (GPU only) |
Thunderbolt 5: 80 Gbps (up to 120 Gbps in Boost mode); GPU via OCuLink: 64 Gbps |
|
Extra Ports |
None |
Rich expansion: - 2× Thunderbolt 5 (upstream 140W PD / downstream 30W) - 1× M.2 2280 SSD slot - 2× USB-A (10Gbps + 5Gbps) - 1× 2.5GbE LAN |
|
Chipset |
Signal ReDriver (amplifier) |
Intel JHL9480 Thunderbolt 5 controller |
|
Power |
Requires ATX/SFX PSU; auto power sync |
Requires ATX/SFX PSU (24-pin + 8-pin) |
|
Compatibility |
Devices with OCuLink port (e.g., MINISFORUM UM780 XTX) |
Wide compatibility: Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, USB4, and OCuLink devices |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose DEG1 if:
-
You want the best value
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Your mini PC or laptop has an OCuLink port
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You only need GPU expansion and want to minimize cost
Choose DEG2 if:
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You own a Thunderbolt 5 device, or want to use one dock across multiple devices (Mac via Thunderbolt, PC via OCuLink)
-
You want the built-in SSD slot and 2.5GbE LAN for a complete docking station setup
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You prefer future-proof connectivity and don't mind paying extra
