OWC launches Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU, new portable storage, USB-C 'ClingOn' cable stabi...

Comments

• Reply 1 of 11

  randominternetperson Posts: 3,089member

  January 6, 2019 5:19PM

  That ClingOn device is rather clever.  If I were OWC, I would make a point of including one for free with every USB-C device I sold.  They probably cost about 50c to make, and it would be a nice differentiator.
  
  As annoying as the early heavy duty computer connectors were--with screws and clamps keeping them in place (like on the first Mac)--they stayed in place infinitely better than today's tiny connectors.  USB-C trades off a lot of connection integrity for it's virtues of compactness and symmetry.

  edited January 2019
• Reply 2 of 11

  mikethemartian Posts: 1,321member

  January 6, 2019 5:33PM

  Did OWC ever bring the DEC to market? All the references I see to it are from two years ago.

  
• Reply 3 of 11

  Mike Wuerthele Posts: 6,861administrator

  January 6, 2019 5:52PM

  mikethemartian said:

  Did OWC ever bring the DEC to market? All the references I see to it are from two years ago.

  No, or not yet. Either.
  
  

  We'll ask at CES.

  edited January 2019
• Reply 4 of 11

  lorin schultz Posts: 2,771member

  January 6, 2019 7:17PM

  AppleInsider said:

  
  

  
  OWC Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU enclosure

  
  
  The Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is a graphics card enclosure that connects over Thunderbolt 3 to similarly-equipped Mac and MacBook models, as well as some PCs that use the connection. The chassis has a heftier power supply than previous models, and is upgradable allowing users to place their graphics card of choice and to switch it out with another in the future.
  
  Offering connections to displays using HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI, the plug-and-play unit is also capable of providing power to its Thunderbolt 3-connected host, with its 100W power delivery capable of powering and recharging a MacBook Pro.
  
  Supporting a graphics card inside the enclosure is a large variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan, which stays quiet when the inside of the enclosure is cool, but spins up to help chill the card down when it is under load. The enclosure is also made from recyclable materials, making it easier to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner in the future.
  
  Supplied with a Thunderbolt 3 cable, the Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is available to buy now, starting from $399 for the enclosure, rising to $549 in a bundle with a Radeon RX 580 graphics card.

  One of the topics that comes up whenever eGPUs are discussed is how the Blackmagic units can not be upgraded with a better graphics card in the future whereas this one can. The question that comes up for me is whether or not that matters. Is this enclosure something that's likely to still be serviceable by the time one would want to upgrade the card? Won't newer Macs have moved on to newer interface busses by then? Will future graphics cards even use the same connections they do now? By the time tech has advanced to the point that one would be inclined to upgrade the card, isn't it likely the enclosure will be similarly outdated?
  
  The second issue is noise. When Apple first introduced the smaller Mac mini body style, it offered us a look into how they mitigate fan noise. According to Apple, designers put a lot of effort into tweaking airflow to minimize turbulence, used high-quality fans that generate less noise to start with, and "tuned" the ports so the noise that does escape is in a frequency range that is less bothersome to human ears. It seems like at least some of that design approach has been applied to the Blackmagic eGPUs (I assume, based only on the fact that they're pretty quiet, not because of anything Apple or Blackmagic have published), but other suppliers seem focussed on power (which is good) but not so much on noise.
  
  Is it a daunting task to make an enclosure that is powerful, upgradable, AND quiet?

  
• Reply 5 of 11

  macxpress Posts: 5,808member

  January 6, 2019 8:53PM

  lorin schultz said:

  AppleInsider said:

  
  

  
  OWC Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU enclosure

  
  
  The Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is a graphics card enclosure that connects over Thunderbolt 3 to similarly-equipped Mac and MacBook models, as well as some PCs that use the connection. The chassis has a heftier power supply than previous models, and is upgradable allowing users to place their graphics card of choice and to switch it out with another in the future.
  
  Offering connections to displays using HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI, the plug-and-play unit is also capable of providing power to its Thunderbolt 3-connected host, with its 100W power delivery capable of powering and recharging a MacBook Pro.
  
  Supporting a graphics card inside the enclosure is a large variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan, which stays quiet when the inside of the enclosure is cool, but spins up to help chill the card down when it is under load. The enclosure is also made from recyclable materials, making it easier to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner in the future.
  
  Supplied with a Thunderbolt 3 cable, the Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is available to buy now, starting from $399 for the enclosure, rising to $549 in a bundle with a Radeon RX 580 graphics card.

  One of the topics that comes up whenever eGPUs are discussed is how the Blackmagic units can not be upgraded with a better graphics card in the future whereas this one can. The question that comes up for me is whether or not that matters. Is this enclosure something that's likely to still be serviceable by the time one would want to upgrade the card? Won't newer Macs have moved on to newer interface busses by then? Will future graphics cards even use the same connections they do now? By the time tech has advanced to the point that one would be inclined to upgrade the card, isn't it likely the enclosure will be similarly outdated?
  
  The second issue is noise. When Apple first introduced the smaller Mac mini body style, it offered us a look into how they mitigate fan noise. According to Apple, designers put a lot of effort into tweaking airflow to minimize turbulence, used high-quality fans that generate less noise to start with, and "tuned" the ports so the noise that does escape is in a frequency range that is less bothersome to human ears. It seems like at least some of that design approach has been applied to the Blackmagic eGPUs (I assume, based only on the fact that they're pretty quiet, not because of anything Apple or Blackmagic have published), but other suppliers seem focussed on power (which is good) but not so much on noise.
  
  Is it a daunting task to make an enclosure that is powerful, upgradable, AND quiet?

  
  I can't see USB-C going away anytime soon. How long do you think people are going to wait to change this card? People who are interested in this will change around 2-3yrs, maybe sooner if something good comes out. USB-C is only going to continue to grow IMO. I have a 2018 Mac mini with an eGPU case and I like it a lot. Works really well in both macOS and Windows 10. I just like the fact that I can install my own graphics card inside it whenever I want and yes, its pretty serviceable. Has a standard power supply and everything inside it. 

  edited January 2019
• Reply 6 of 11

  Mike Wuerthele Posts: 6,861administrator

  January 6, 2019 11:39PM

  macxpress said:

  lorin schultz said:

  AppleInsider said:

  
  

  
  OWC Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU enclosure

  
  
  The Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is a graphics card enclosure that connects over Thunderbolt 3 to similarly-equipped Mac and MacBook models, as well as some PCs that use the connection. The chassis has a heftier power supply than previous models, and is upgradable allowing users to place their graphics card of choice and to switch it out with another in the future.
  
  Offering connections to displays using HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI, the plug-and-play unit is also capable of providing power to its Thunderbolt 3-connected host, with its 100W power delivery capable of powering and recharging a MacBook Pro.
  
  Supporting a graphics card inside the enclosure is a large variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan, which stays quiet when the inside of the enclosure is cool, but spins up to help chill the card down when it is under load. The enclosure is also made from recyclable materials, making it easier to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner in the future.
  
  Supplied with a Thunderbolt 3 cable, the Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is available to buy now, starting from $399 for the enclosure, rising to $549 in a bundle with a Radeon RX 580 graphics card.

  One of the topics that comes up whenever eGPUs are discussed is how the Blackmagic units can not be upgraded with a better graphics card in the future whereas this one can. The question that comes up for me is whether or not that matters. Is this enclosure something that's likely to still be serviceable by the time one would want to upgrade the card? Won't newer Macs have moved on to newer interface busses by then? Will future graphics cards even use the same connections they do now? By the time tech has advanced to the point that one would be inclined to upgrade the card, isn't it likely the enclosure will be similarly outdated?
  
  The second issue is noise. When Apple first introduced the smaller Mac mini body style, it offered us a look into how they mitigate fan noise. According to Apple, designers put a lot of effort into tweaking airflow to minimize turbulence, used high-quality fans that generate less noise to start with, and "tuned" the ports so the noise that does escape is in a frequency range that is less bothersome to human ears. It seems like at least some of that design approach has been applied to the Blackmagic eGPUs (I assume, based only on the fact that they're pretty quiet, not because of anything Apple or Blackmagic have published), but other suppliers seem focussed on power (which is good) but not so much on noise.
  
  Is it a daunting task to make an enclosure that is powerful, upgradable, AND quiet?

  
  I can't see USB-C going away anytime soon. How long do you think people are going to wait to change this card? People who are interested in this will change around 2-3yrs, maybe sooner if something good comes out. USB-C is only going to continue to grow IMO. I have a 2018 Mac mini with an eGPU case and I like it a lot. Works really well in both macOS and Windows 10. I just like the fact that I can install my own graphics card inside it whenever I want and yes, its pretty serviceable. Has a standard power supply and everything inside it. 

  What enclosure did you get?
• Reply 7 of 11

  ravnorodom Posts: 697member

  January 7, 2019 12:11AM

  ClingOn for USB-C. Clever. The slightest movement on USB-C causes my external hard drives disconnected. I hope the new upcoming MacPro has some sort of secure lock for this insecure connector.

  
• Reply 8 of 11

  lorin schultz Posts: 2,771member

  January 7, 2019 3:00AM

  macxpress said:

  lorin schultz said:

  AppleInsider said:

  
  

  
  OWC Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU enclosure

  
  
  The Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is a graphics card enclosure that connects over Thunderbolt 3 to similarly-equipped Mac and MacBook models, as well as some PCs that use the connection. The chassis has a heftier power supply than previous models, and is upgradable allowing users to place their graphics card of choice and to switch it out with another in the future.
  
  Offering connections to displays using HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI, the plug-and-play unit is also capable of providing power to its Thunderbolt 3-connected host, with its 100W power delivery capable of powering and recharging a MacBook Pro.
  
  Supporting a graphics card inside the enclosure is a large variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan, which stays quiet when the inside of the enclosure is cool, but spins up to help chill the card down when it is under load. The enclosure is also made from recyclable materials, making it easier to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner in the future.
  
  Supplied with a Thunderbolt 3 cable, the Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is available to buy now, starting from $399 for the enclosure, rising to $549 in a bundle with a Radeon RX 580 graphics card.

  One of the topics that comes up whenever eGPUs are discussed is how the Blackmagic units can not be upgraded with a better graphics card in the future whereas this one can. The question that comes up for me is whether or not that matters. Is this enclosure something that's likely to still be serviceable by the time one would want to upgrade the card? Won't newer Macs have moved on to newer interface busses by then? Will future graphics cards even use the same connections they do now? By the time tech has advanced to the point that one would be inclined to upgrade the card, isn't it likely the enclosure will be similarly outdated?
  
  The second issue is noise. When Apple first introduced the smaller Mac mini body style, it offered us a look into how they mitigate fan noise. According to Apple, designers put a lot of effort into tweaking airflow to minimize turbulence, used high-quality fans that generate less noise to start with, and "tuned" the ports so the noise that does escape is in a frequency range that is less bothersome to human ears. It seems like at least some of that design approach has been applied to the Blackmagic eGPUs (I assume, based only on the fact that they're pretty quiet, not because of anything Apple or Blackmagic have published), but other suppliers seem focussed on power (which is good) but not so much on noise.
  
  Is it a daunting task to make an enclosure that is powerful, upgradable, AND quiet?

  
  I can't see USB-C going away anytime soon. How long do you think people are going to wait to change this card? People who are interested in this will change around 2-3yrs, maybe sooner if something good comes out. USB-C is only going to continue to grow IMO. I have a 2018 Mac mini with an eGPU case and I like it a lot. Works really well in both macOS and Windows 10. I just like the fact that I can install my own graphics card inside it whenever I want and yes, its pretty serviceable. Has a standard power supply and everything inside it. 

  USB-C is a connector, not an interface protocol. Right now it usually carries USB 3.1 Gen.2 and sometimes also Thunderbolt 3, but it doesn't even have to be either of those. Some of my devices with USB-C connectors still only transfer data via USB 2.0. Who knows what it will be in three years?
  
  My three-year-old RAID has USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 2. If I was going to replace the drives today, I would probably be giving serious consideration to just replacing the entire box with one that doubles the speed of both interfaces. I suspect the same will be true of eGPU enclosures, By the time one gets around to feeling the need for a new graphics card, something else will also have changed enough to prompt the desire for a new enclosure anyway.

  edited January 2019
• Reply 9 of 11

  jellybelly Posts: 111member

  January 8, 2019 10:24AM

  Isn’t Thunderbolt 3 at about the same speed as the internal bus (PCI Express?). I believe I’ve heard Thunderbolt 4 may be incubating in the labs, but that would imply a new internal bus, wouldn’t it? Or would TB4 just carry more lanes of data?

  
• Reply 10 of 11

  lorin schultz Posts: 2,771member

  January 8, 2019 6:23PM

  jellybelly said:

  Isn’t Thunderbolt 3 at about the same speed as the internal bus (PCI Express?).

  According to this article, it's about as fast as X4 slot, but not a X16 slot:
  
  

  • "40Gbps (~5,000MB/s) of bandwidth over Thunderbolt 3 might sound high (and it certainly is compared to the 10Gbps bandwidth of USB 3.1), but it pales in comparison to a standard 16X PCIe 3.0 slot, which offers a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 15,760MB/s. Thunderbolt 3 effectively runs at an x4 PCIe 3.0 connection (around 3940MB/s), which is where you start to see performance degradation, particularly with high-end graphics cards. That's not to mention that while Thunderbolt 3 is an extension of the PCIe bus, there is some overhead attached to the protocol that drops bandwidth and latency compared to a native connection."

  
  

  jellybelly said:

  I believe I’ve heard Thunderbolt 4 may be incubating in the labs, but that would imply a new internal bus, wouldn’t it? Or would TB4 just carry more lanes of data?

  Based on the above, probably just more lanes. Or maybe PCIe 4 rather than 3? I have no idea. The only aspect on which I'd be willing to bet real money is the maximum cable length for full bandwidth will be 4.5 inches!
  

  edited January 2019
• Reply 11 of 11

  mac4evar Posts: 1member

  January 11, 2019 5:26PM

  
  

  
  

  
  OWC ClingOn cable stabilizer

  
  
  Lastly, the OWC ClingOn cable stabilizer is an add-on to ports that helps keep drives connected to a Mac or other devices. Attached around the port using a strong adhesive, the ClingOn uses its soft foam interior to create a snug fit between the connector and the port, minimizing any wiggling and pulling that could cause the cable to slip out or otherwise drop the connection to external drives.
  
  

  Somebody at OWC had to take a look at that product name and think to themselves "You know, we need more scatalogical product names".