Remove Ethernet Card and replace with eGPU

Hello again,

I wasn't sure whether to put this in networking but I guess this is more about GPU's anyway.

I was wondering if I could take out my gigabit ethernet controller which is connected to a PCIe x1 in my All in One/Laptop and in its place, put in an eGPU which connects into that PCI x1 place. I know all of that will work, i'm just interested to know if having the ethernet controller is mandatory.

Thanks