Peladn Unveils Link S-3 External GPU Dock with Thunderbolt 5
Peladn has announced the Link S-3, the company’s first external GPU dock to feature Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. This new model follows the earlier Link S-1 and Link S-2, which used Thunderbolt 4 and OCuLink interfaces, respectively. Designed for users who need desktop GPU performance on systems without a dedicated graphics card, the Link S-3 offers updated connectivity and a range of additional features.
The Link S-3 uses a low-profile, open-frame design that allows a standard desktop graphics card to be installed directly into its PCIe 4.0 x4 slot. While Thunderbolt 5 provides up to 80 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth, the GPU dock connection is limited by the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface to a maximum of 64 Gbps. This limitation is common across external GPU docks and reflects the current constraints of PCIe lanes in such designs.
For power delivery, the dock supports both ATX and SFX power supplies, enabling it to handle a variety of GPUs, including high-performance models. The Thunderbolt 5 interface also provides up to 140 W Power Delivery, which can be used to charge laptops or other connected devices. The open-air construction leaves the installed graphics card exposed to ambient airflow, relying on the GPU’s own cooling solution instead of using built-in fans or a sealed enclosure.
Beyond GPU connectivity, the Link S-3 includes several useful expansion options. A 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port is integrated using Realtek’s RTL8156B controller for fast wired networking. There is also an M.2 2280 slot that supports PCIe 3.0 x1 SSDs for storage expansion, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port offering 10 Gbps transfer speeds, and an SD card reader for handling removable media.
Although Thunderbolt 5 delivers higher theoretical bandwidth than OCuLink’s 64 Gbps, the performance difference for GPU workloads may be small due to the PCIe limitation. However, Thunderbolt 5 brings additional connectivity features not available on OCuLink-based docks, making the Link S-3 more versatile for users who require multiple I/O options.
The Peladn Link S-3 is currently available for pre-order in China at a price of around $223. Shipments are scheduled to begin on July 26. The company has not yet announced details regarding global availability or pricing.
