[detuur]

I can't believe that this is the closest we have to a compact, stand-alone GPU option. There's nothing like a M.2 format GPU out there. All I want is a stand-alone M.2 GPU with modest performance, something on the level of embedded GPUs like Intel UHD Graphics, AMD Radeon, or Qualcomm's Adreno.

I have an idea for a small embedded product which needs a lot of compute and networking, but only very modest graphical capabilities. The NXP Layerscape LX2160A [1] would be perfect, but I have to pass on it because it doesn't come with an embedded GPU. I just want a small GPU!

[1]: https://www.nxp.com/products/processors-and-microcontrollers...

[cpgxiii]

There's at least one m.2 GPU based on the Silicon Motion SM750 controller made by Asrock Rack. Similar products exist for mPCIe form factor.

Performance is nowhere near a modern iGPU, because an iGPU has access to all of the system memory and caches and power budget, and a simple m.2 device has node of that. Even low-end PCIe GPUs (single slot, half-length/half-height) struggle to outperform better iGPUs and really only make sense when you have to use them for basic display functionality.

[magixx]

What about MXM GPUs that used to be found in gaming laptops? I know the standard is very niche and thus expensive ($400 for a 3080M used on ebay) but it does exists and you could convert them to PCI-E and thus m.2

[t-3]

Maybe a little bit too low-powered for you, but: https://www.matrixorbital.com/ftdi-eve