Docking stations are merging with external GPU bases — Minisforum's DEG2 even has a free SSD slot and TB5 compatibility, but I just wish it had more ports
Minisforum DEG2 blends external GPU support with limited docking features, focusing on PCIe bandwidth, internal SSD expansion, and user-supplied components.
(Image credit: Minisforum)
- Minisforum DEG2 docking station prioritizes PCIe bandwidth over docking convenience
- Thunderbolt 5 and OCuLink define the entire design philosophy
- Internal M.2 support adds storage expansion directly inside the enclosure
Desktop-class expansion is increasingly being folded into what used to be simple laptop docking station designs.
The Minisforum DEG2 is a compact external GPU dock that combines high-bandwidth connectivity, internal storage support, and desktop-grade power flexibility in a single enclosure.
It focuses on PCIe-level performance rather than peripheral aggregation and targets users who want storage expansion without committing to a full desktop system.
DEG2 prioritizes bandwidth over ports
The DEG2 uses dual host connectivity, combining OCuLink based on PCIe 4.0 x4 with Thunderbolt 5 support.
OCuLink supports up to 64Gbps, while Thunderbolt 5 can reach 80Gbps under optimal conditions.
This design allows the dock to serve systems that support direct PCIe tunneling as well as systems limited to Thunderbolt connections.
Minisforum lists two Thunderbolt 5 ports on the rear, offering asymmetric power delivery depending on port usage, alongside a 2.5GbE Ethernet connection and USB 3.2 support.
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Like earlier Minisforum designs, the DEG2 does not include a built-in power supply.
Instead, it accepts both ATX and SFX units, allowing reuse of existing desktop components.
The internal layout includes a full-length PCIe x16 slot intended for a discrete GPU, with physical dimensions designed to accommodate standard desktop graphics cards.
This approach keeps the enclosure thin at 270 x 175 x 41mm, although it shifts additional cost and complexity to the buyer.
One of the more interesting features is the inclusion of an internal M.2 2280 slot.
This allows an SSD to be installed directly inside the dock, supported by a bundled heatsink.
While this does not replace dedicated storage solutions, it allows the enclosure to act as more than a graphics pass-through device, especially in desk-bound setups where cable reduction matters.
The DEG2’s feature set overlaps conceptually with Minisforum’s MGA1 external graphics solution, which relies on OCuLink connectivity to deliver discrete GPU performance.