Connecting an external graphics card (gpu) via PCIe via M.2 (via NVM Express slot)

[Grundundit]

Hello everyone,
 

I own an Acer Nitro 5 AN515-44-R2ZW (model code NH.Q9GER.00G) and am considering connecting an external GPU, ideally an RTX 3060 or better.

Since my laptop doesn’t have Thunderbolt, a simple solution is off the table. As far as I understand, it has an NVMe PCIe SSD with PCIe 3.0 x4, which theoretically could be used to connect a GPU via adapters. Based on what I’ve read online, this setup should result in only a 10-15% performance loss.

However, theory and practice often differ. What potential issues might arise during this upgrade?

For instance, I’ve heard that some BIOS setups have a whitelist that blocks non-standard connected devices. But from what I’ve seen, users have successfully swapped Wi-Fi modules in my laptop model, which suggests this kind of restriction might not apply in my case.

That said, other problems could still occur — for example, the laptop might not recognize the GPU, or something else might go wrong. I’d like to hear your opinion on this topic.

And if this upgrade is indeed feasible, could you recommend where to find high-quality adapters? Ideally, I’d like something that allows part of the adapter to be fixed into the laptop’s body, with a cover for the slot. This way, I could use my laptop on the go, and when at home, I could connect the bulky GPU setup without having to disassemble the laptop every time.