OWC AKiTiO Node Titan Thunderbolt 3 External GPU Enclosure – Empower Your Setup

While building your own high-performance gaming desktop PC isn’t impossible, one thing is certain. Getting a powerhouse of a machine with a decent GPU that’s meant to be used for gaming, video editing, and graphics simulations can literally hurt your wallet – meaning it can cost you a ton of money. That’s because, to support any high-end GPU, you’ll obviously need other powerful components like a reliable power supply, a proper cooler-unit (either an air cooler or a liquid cooling unit), a decent motherboard, a powerful and high-end CPU that’s compatible with your chosen GPU, some suitable memory sticks (RAM), an HDD and/or an SDD, and then around 2~5 reliable fans that can keep everything within your system properly cooled. However, if you already own a built gaming/video-editing system, there’s no reason for you to put a huge dent in your wallet. Instead, if you need some extra graphics power, consider getting an eGPU (external graphics processing unit) enclosure like the OWC AKiTiO Node Titan.

This Thunderbolt 3 external GPU enclosure is literally (trust my word for it) the ultimate Plug & Play solution for any Windows or Mac laptop, as well as for any small form factor computer, and is designed for both professional graphics work as well as for high-end gaming. With this powerful external GPU system users can get up to 6.4 times their normal FPS count, up to 20 times faster effects and renders for both video editing and graphics simulations and even run both VR and AR Apps with no stutters whatsoever.

Basically, the Node Titan can be used as an external graphics processing unit (eGPU) that lets you transform your notebook/laptop or any other slotless (referring to GPUs) computer – A.K.A. small form factor computers without expansion slots like the Mac mini, iMac, NUC, etc. – into a high-performance gaming, video editing, and graphics workstation for a fraction of the cost of buying or building an entirely new machine.

This versatile external GPU solution works flawlessly by connecting it to a Thunderbolt 3-equipped computer, offering its users both the power and space needed for today’s most popular double-wide full-length/full-height AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards.

Ultimately, the extremely power AKiTiO Node Titan Thunderbolt 3 eGPU brings you a desktop-class gaming, professional video editing, and graphics performance to any notebook and/or small form factor computer that you might have.

As such, you’re guaranteed to be able to play stunningly realistic high FPS games (including most of the latest releases), as well as perform quick video renders and also enjoy a buttery smooth playback. Furthermore, by using this system you could also run VR, AR, and animation Apps, and even use VR headsets without any compromise.

This thing is literally a beast, coming accompanied by a ton (and I really mean a ton) of certifications that assure the system’s high-fidelity / high-quality, and those are CE, FCC, VCCI, BSMI, RCM, and (obviously) the company’s patented Thunderbolt technology.

Basically, these certifications just mean that the product is in conformity with all health, safety and environmental standards for all different continents’ IT markets (so it has already been certified worldwide).

While for most people this wouldn’t be that much of a “feature” per say, the simple fact that this system is approved around the entire globe ultimately means that you can empower either an already owned Thunderbolt 3-compatible laptop and/or Thunderbolt 3-compatible small form computer without having to worry about any shutdowns and/or power-overloads by using it together with the OWC AKiTiO Node Titan.

Let’s take a more detailed look at this feature-packed Thunderbolt 3 external GPU Enclosure and check everything it has to offer.

DESIGN & SPECS

First of all, the entire system/unit features a very sleek and compact design, and the enclosure itself measures exactly 14.06 inches inches long by 5.31 inches wide by 10.47 inches tall (35.7 x 13.5 x 26.6 cm), which actually makes it somewhat more compact than its predecessor.

Secondly, the system as a whole actually features a very durable build, as the entire unit is made of SECC sheet metal, meaning stainless steel, and not aluminum.

While that doesn’t really ensure a very lightweight design for the system’s portability, it still brings you an ultra-durable design that allows the entire unit to last you a very long time while keeping any GPU you might choose to go with fully protected.

However, speaking of portability, the OWC AKiTiO Node Titan can also be used as an “On-The-Go Graphics Processing System”, and it is all thanks to the system’s versatile built-in retractable carrying handle, which makes transporting the system a super easy task.

At the same time, the system’s included Thunderbolt 3 cable assures that the entire unit works as a versatile Plug and play solution for immediate use.

The unit’s included thumb screws not only allow for a toolless access, but also make installing and/or swapping GPU cards a very easy task at the same time, and after you’re done, they also ensure that everything stays in place, ensuring a very rigid and compact “fastening” to the entire unit.

Additionally, this eGPU Enclosure unit also comes equipped with a two very quiet 1 × 120 mm Cooling Fans that operate at just 36 dB(A). These two super quiet fans ensure that the cards used inside AKiTiO’s Node Titan can get enough cooling.

One fan is used for the PSU while the other fan cools down the system’s board itself.

The OWC AKiTiO Node Titan’s spacious design allows its users to go for any large double-width graphics cards (discussed in detail further ahead).

Furthermore, the system’s Thunderbolt 3 port not only ensures that you always get lightning-fast graphics for up to 40Gb/s speed, but also allows you to play high-end video games or do some professional and demanding graphics processing work (basically running graphics intensive apps) while charging up to 85W for notebook charging.

The unit also integrates a highly reliable high-end 650W power supply that can easily satisfy any power-hungry GPU cards.

Lastly, the OWC AKiTiO Node Titan is NLE ready, which means that it can quickly turn any notebook that’s Thunderbolt 3-compatible into a mobile video editing system.

Not only that, but this system gives you an immediate ROI (Return of Investment), as it instantly empowers you with vastly reduced edit and render times for your graphics work (or even for gaming purposes), all while its 3D realism technology enables the effective use of any VR headsets you choose to go with.

POWER SPECS

The system’s internal power supply features a AC 100-240V, 50Hz-60Hz energy input and a DC +12V/54A energy output.

The AKiTiO Node Titan can be used between 5°C ~ 35°C (41°F ~ 95°F) and at around 8% ~ 90% humidity (non-condensing), as well as stored at a min. and max. temperatures of -20°C ~ 60°C (-4°F ~ 140°F) and at around 5% ~ 95% humidity (non-condensing) while you’re not using it.

INTERFACE/PORTS (SPACIOUS DESIGN FOR LARGE GPUs)

The OWC AKiTiO Node Titan’s featured graphics card / PCIe slot measures exactly 12.59 inches long by 2.36 inches wide (2.5 slots) by 6.69 inches tall (32 x 6 x 17 cm).

As such, the AKiTiO Node Titan’s Thunderbolt 3 port supports a power delivery (PD) that can go as high as 85W, as well as a PCIe slot (x16 mechanical) with a 4-lane PCI Express 3.0 interface (all x4 are electrical) that supports power delivery (PD) up to 75W.

Thanks to the Node Titan’s previously mentioned spacious design, the system works great with any single full-length, full-height and double-width graphics card.

Both the 4-lane PCI Express 3.0 bus as well as the Thunderbolt 3 interface are capable of transfer rates up to 40 Gb/s.

Lastly, there’s also two (x2) included 8-pin (6+2) PCIe power connectors that can provide up to 500W of power to the system’s graphics card.

Thanks to all of this, you can seamlessly enjoy your gaming sessions and/or create any of your content to post online (live-streamed or simply uploaded) without any limits/boundaries.

It’s also worthy to mention that if your graphics card actually requires more than the system’s x16 PCIe slot industry standard 75W output, then you’ve got nothing to worry about.

Thanks because the Node Titan’s highly reliable 650W power supply can handle high-consumption “power hungry” GPU cards (like the Nvidia GTX 1080, the Radeon RX Vega 64, or even the NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000).

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS / COMPATIBILITY (PC/MAC)

The OWC AKiTiO Node Titan is fully compatible with any Windows 10 (64-bit) laptop and/or small form factor computer (both need to come with a Thunderbolt 3 port) as well as any macOS (10.13.4 or later) laptop and/or small form factor computer (both need to come with a Thunderbolt 3 port).

Obviously, your laptop or small form factor computer must support external graphics cards (eGPUs), as not all Thunderbolt 3 PCs actually support external GPUs.

For Mac system’s specifically, click here to check how to use an eGPU on a Mac.

As soon as you connect your Node Titan to both power and your computer, the system will be immediately recognized in “About This Mac” on systems running macOS 10.14.5 and later.

If you’re wondering what specific GPUs are compatible with/supported by the OWC AKiTiO Node Titan, you can check the company’s graphics cards compatibility chart by clicking here.

It’s important to note that the system always needs to be connected directly to your computer, and never in a daisy chain.

HOW TO SETUP?

Setting up the is also fairly easy, and as soon as you’re done, you can get the ultimate visual experience for your video editing, gaming, and graphics intensive apps.

Start by lifting and sliding the Node Titan’s cover from the unit’s back side to open the enclosure.

After that, carefully insert your GPU card into the system’s PCIe slot and secure everything together with the included extended length thumb screws.

Then, connect one (or both) of the Node Titan’s 8-pin PCIe power connectors to your GPU card (and this will obviously depend on your GPU’s power requirements).

Then, all you have left to do is slide your Node Titan’s cover back on and secure the unit’s cover with its external thumb screws.

Now, just connect your already prepared Node Titan to your Thunderbolt 3-equipped computer via the included Thunderbolt 3 cable and you’re good to go.

Remember that you should always uninstall graphics cards when transporting the device to prevent any damage.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

Inside each package users will find: their OWC AKiTiO Node Titan Thunderbolt 3 eGPU Enclosure (with a built-in 650W PSU [Power Supply Unit]), the system’s included Thunderbolt 3 cable, and a Setup guide.

NOTABLE FEATURES / POSSIBLE USES

Turn Your Computer Into a Graphics Powerhouse

While this Thunderbolt 3 system is ideally suited for using it with graphics cards and used as a eGPU solution, the Node Titan can also use other PCIe cards for professional-class video production, transcoding, audio processing, data storage, and high-speed network connectivity.

Accelerates Pro Apps and Games

The Node Titan really works like a wonderful mobile work and entertainment game-changer.

This ultra-powerful system can accelerate any 3D graphics-based pro apps, as well as high-end games, and even VR setups.

When used in either a macOS 10.14 system (or later), just turn on “Prefer external GPU”, while on Windows 10 you just need to adjust your display graphics settings in your app/game to “High performance”.

As soon as your done configuring your graphics settings on either OS, you can experience “a vastly improved lighting, richly detailed textures, and breathtaking visual effects”.

VR & AR Compatibility – Explore A Different Reality

Without an eGPU like Node Titan, exploring new dimensions with an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive VR headset on a standard notebook was pure fantasy.

However, this system changes it all, as all you have to do is quickly plug a VR headset directly into your graphics card’s DisplayPort and enjoy a new reality.

You should also know that you can also connect a second or third external display for some extra workspace.

Designed w/ Expandability in Mind – Flexible & Expandable for Future Needs

Unlike other eGPUs that come as a bundled solution and cannot be upgraded in the future, the Node Titan gives you the power of choice in deciding what graphics card to install for your present needs.

That basically means that if your needs would ever change in the future, all you have to do is swap the system’s GPU cards to keep your graphics performance on the cutting edge.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The OWC AKiTiO Node Titan is a Thunderbolt 3 external GPU Enclosure that lets you transform both laptops and slotless (GPU) small form factor computers into a high-performance gaming, video editing, and graphics workstation for a fraction of the cost of buying or building an entirely new machine.

As such, this Thunderbolt 3 external GPU enclosure is literally the ultimate Plug & Play solution for any Windows or Mac laptop, as well as for any small form factor computer, and is designed for both professional graphics work as well as for high-end gaming, delivering up to 6.4 times their normal FPS count, up to 20 times faster effects and renders for both video editing and graphics simulations and even run both VR and AR Apps with no stutters whatsoever.

This versatile external GPU solution works via a Thunderbolt 3 cable and can be used with most of today’s most popular double-wide full-length/full-height AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards to ultimately bring you a desktop-class gaming, professional video editing, and graphics performance to any notebook and/or small form factor computer that you might have.

Use it to easily perform quick video renders, to enjoy a buttery smooth playback, or ultimately, to run VR, AR, and animation Apps as well as use VR headsets without any compromise.

If you’re interested in buying OWC AKiTiO Node Titan, each unit is going for a very affordable and super accessible $335, and also comes with a 3-year limited warranty. You can order yours online right now, directly from the company’s official shopping page, which you can access via this link.