- Humbird 3 doubles Thunderbolt bandwidth, reaching up to 120 Gbps in single display mode
- CNC-machined aluminum body gives this eGPU dock a desktop-like structural finish
- Its modular PCIe slot allows for seamless GPU, SSD or workstation switching
Humbird 3 entered the eGPU market with a combination of bold promises and elegant design choices.
Billed as the world’s first “desktop Thunderbolt 5 eGPU dock,” it claims to offer workstation-level speed and versatility in a slimmer body than most gaming laptops.
With its 500W GaN power system, integrated 1-inch LCD display, SSD slot, and a full range of ports, the device looks set to replace multiple desktop accessories at once.
A jump in bandwidth and performance claims
At its core, the Humbird 3 uses Intel’s JHL9480 controller, which supposedly doubles bandwidth from 40Gbps to 80Gbps and can reach up to 120Gbps in single-screen mode.
The company describes it as the first Thunderbolt 5 dock capable of supporting external GPUs and it is very slim, looking like a pocketable device.
In theory, this device allows users to connect a full desktop GPU and experience much higher performance.
Reported figures suggest up to 2.3x higher frame rates in games, with triple performance in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 when paired with an RTX 4080.
Still, these figures are not yet verified and may largely depend on CPU and GPU pairing, driver optimization, and thermal headroom.
Beyond performance, the dock’s design has generated as much discussion as its specifications.
The aluminum alloy chassis is CNC machined from a single block and optionally finished with a natural wood accent.
While the LCD screen provides real-time system information, Humbird’s modular PCIe slot allows users to switch between eGPU mode, SSD mode, or professional multimedia workstations without tools.
The same slot also supports network expansion cards, enabling ultra-fast server and NAS configurations that could appeal to studio users or developers working with high data throughput.
The base is powered by an integrated micro-SOC powered by “Humbird OS”, which manages power and performance automatically.
It also supports NVMe SSDs with claimed speeds of up to 7 GB/s, although actual results will depend on the efficiency of the drive and interface.
This device includes multiple Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, DisplayPort 2.1, Ethernet, and five USB connections, creating a wide range of connectivity for Mac and Windows users.
The Humbird 3 GaN DC-DC pump is designed to replace the need for bulky external power supplies, and the use of gallium nitride promises better power conversion efficiency and lower heat production.
However, delivering clean power for high-end GPUs under sustained load will be the true test of this claim.
Available configurations include adapters up to 300W, with GPU support limited to 380W TDP, depending on the charging demand of the connected laptop.
With its Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign surpassing $60,000 from 169 backers, the Humbird 3 has certainly garnered attention.
Disclaimer: We do not recommend or endorse any crowdfunding projects. All crowdfunding campaigns carry inherent risks, including the possibility of delays, changes or non-delivery of products. Potential sponsors should carefully evaluate the details and proceed at their own discretion.
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