- Humbird 3 doubles Thunderbolt bandwidth, pushing up to 120 Gbps in single display mode
- CNC machined aluminum body gives this eGPU dock a desktop-class structural finish
- Its modular PCIe slot allows seamless switching between GPU, SSD or workstation
The Humbird 3 entered the eGPU market with a mix of bold promises and sleek design choices.
Billed as the world’s first “desktop Thunderbolt 5 eGPU dock”, it claims to offer workstation-like speed and versatility in a body thinner than most gaming laptops.
With its 500W GaN power supply, integrated 1-inch LCD screen, SSD slot, and a full range of ports, the device looks ready to replace several desktop accessories at once.
A leap forward in bandwidth and performance claims
At its core, the Humbird 3 uses the Intel JHL9480 controller, which is said to double the bandwidth from 40Gbps to 80Gbps and can reach up to 120Gbps in single display mode.
The company describes it as the first Thunderbolt 5 dock capable of fully supporting external GPUs, and it’s very thin, resembling 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 gaming, with triple the performance in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 when paired with an RTX 4080.
Yet these figures remain unverified and may depend heavily on CPU and GPU coupling, 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 touch of natural wood.
While the LCD display provides real-time system information, the Humbird’s modular PCIe slot allows users to switch between eGPU, SSD, or professional multimedia workstations without tools.
The same slot also supports network expansion cards, enabling lightning-fast NAS and server setups that might appeal to studio users or developers working with high data throughput.
The dock runs on an integrated micro-SOC powered by “Humbird OS”, which automatically manages power and performance.
It also supports NVMe SSDs with claimed speeds of up to 7GB/s, although actual results depend on drive and interface efficiency.
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 generation.
However, delivering clean power to high-end GPUs under sustained load will be the real test of this claim.
Available configurations include adapters up to 300W, with GPU support capped at 380W TDP, depending on the charging demand of the connected laptop.
With its Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign topping $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 have inherent risks, including the possibility of delays, changes or non-delivery of products. Potential funders should carefully evaluate the details and proceed at their own discretion.
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