External GPU for Photo Editing -- advise appreciated

I edit photos using the ON1 program that requires a recommended " DirectX 12, DirectML, Vulkan 1.1, and OpenGL 4.2 compatible dedicated video card with 8GB VRAM, 1920x1080 resolution (at 100% scale factor) - Intel GPUs (integrated or discrete) are NOT supported. Integrated AMD graphics are also not recommended. Dedicated AMD and Nvidia GPUs are recommended."

My Batch 3 Framework has the integrated Xe GPU so I wish to purchase an external GPU to meet the requirements.

My Framework build includes:
DIY Edition
Dual boot Windows 11 Build 22000
Ubuntu 24.04
11th Gen i7-1165G7 @2.80GHz
GPU integrated Xe/Arc chipset
BIOS 03.19
32 GB RAM
SN850 NVMe
2 USB-C Expansion cards…

I’m looking to purchase this external GPU from Amazon: GPD G1 eGPU Graphic Card Dock Expansion Card with Radeon RX 7600XT 8GB GDDR6 RDNA3.0 6nm 8GB GDDR6 Oculink SFF-8612 Thunderbolt connectivity

The ON1 program only works with Windows – no Linux version.

Would anyone know if this or a similar GPU would work with Windows?
Is a thunderbolt port required or will it work with the USB-C ports?

Is there a better alternative such as buying an enclosure and GPU card separately?

I don’t use the laptop for gaming, just photo editing.

Any advice much appreciated.

Jesus christ that’s an expensive egpu.

If you are a little handy and don’t need it to be ultra compact I’d get a TH3P4G3, plus an atx power supply and a gpu of your choice.

Could also go with the new asmedia based ADT-Link
UT3G though it lacks power delivery and daisy chaining and with 11th gen intel you won’t really see the bandwidth advantage of usb4 so I’d go with the TH3P4G3.

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Thanks Adrian – yes, I thought that it was expensive as well and am looking for alternatives. I don’t mind building my own and I’ll look into the parts you mention.

The only I have to add to this is that if your budget allows for it, I would future-proof your configuration by choosing a GPU with 12 or 16Gb VRAM, a bit more high end than a RX 7600, like a 6800 or the 6800xt, that still have very decent performance and way better pricing than 7000 series cards. Maybe the savings from a custom eGPU can allow for that. Today, 8gb is a bit small for 1440p High gaming, and really small for 4K, I don’t know what this software really needs as i don’t use it but I wouldn’t hesitate to future proof my config if I was spending this much. imo, the savings are well invested into something with a little bit more VRAM.

I would also advise very good guides like this [GUIDE] [Ubuntu] Razer Core X Chroma eGPU + AMD RX 7900 XTX

Thank you all for the advice and info. I’m looking at a set up like this:

# TH3P4G3 Graphics Docking Station
for 325$
# MSI MAG A750GL PCIE 5 Gaming Power Supply - Full Modular - 80 Plus Gold Certified 750W - Compact Size - ATX PSU
for 125$
and either…
# PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT Graphics Card with 8GB GDDR6 Memory for 378$
-OR-
# GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G Graphics Card, 3X WINDFORCE Fans 16GB 128-bit GDDR6, GV-R76XTGAMING OC-16GD Video Card for 448$

I worry that that 16G Gigabyte RX7600 card may be to long/large for the docking station or that it may not have the open source drivers for Linux that ought to be available for the older 8GB RX6650.

At 70$ more for the RX7600 – is that worth it for the extra RAM?

That’s a ripoff, you can pretty reliably get that thing for a smidge over 100$(us) shipped, don’t think the canadian one got that weak

You could likely get away with a much smaller psu, if you want to go fancy get a 80 plus titanium ~500W one instead

It’s open frame so that won’t be an issue, my chonky asrock 7900xtx fit on there just fine XD.

Linux open source drivers for 7000 series are fine. Also weren’t you saying the thing only works on windows?

It’s also a whole generation newer

Anyway you may want to look into what your program actually requires/likes both cards may be massive overkill. You could also take a look at the used market, for the price of that 7600 I could probably get a used 6800xt with a little patience.

Thanks Adrain – good advice.