Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Begins Exclusively Selling 'Blackmagic eGPU' for $699, Aimed at New MacBook Pros
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
so technically, you should just spec the base graphics cards to keep initial outlay down and worse case just buy this if you need it in the future?
I think this is a first that can use an external one. All the other ones were for the macbook display only.
I think the new HDMI 2.1 supports 4k freezync, Now even it was capped if it could do 4k at 75 that would be pretty good, sure no cap would be better
[doublepost=1531422315][/doublepost]I wonder if eGPUs can use low end or mid end MacBooks, that way you save on money, and you can just run these to run games on giant external monitors. This is assuming 8th gen comes to the MacBook
Ummmmm.....
Let’s think this through, shall we?
Does the G4 Cube have a TB3 connection to plug it in? No.
Does it have TB2 connection so you could use an adapter & use it at a lower speed? No.
Does it have USB3 or even USB2 to connect, were that even an option (which it is NOT)? No.
Does it support 2018’s macOS “Mojave”, necessary to run an eGPU? No. (topped out w/ 2005’s OS X “Tiger”)
So- a resounding no, all the way around.
The 85W is what it takes to power a MacBook Pro, so with one cable you can have eGPU acceleration, power, HDMI output, daisy chaining another Thunderbolt 3 device, and use USB-A ports. Pretty incredible!
GPUs are still pretty expensive. The RX 580 started at $230, but the best I've seen it recently is around $300 and I've seen it around $500 as well. I'm not entirely defending the price of that eGPU, but GPUs are still pretty expensive. And enclosures themselves usually cost around $300.
God, Apple hardware is pitiful. $700 for a GPU that costs under $300... so $400 for a case? The thing is garbage too, makes more sense to get a Nvidia 1070 which consumes less power and runs faster.
[doublepost=1531425547][/doublepost]Yes, PLEASE give us an Nvidia GPU. In my area of science, structural biology, most people use Macs but we all need CUDA support to do serious work. Please, please give us a 1080Ti or some such!!!
Apple.com today gained a new and exclusive external GPU aimed at the MacBook Pro, called the Blackmagic eGPU. According to TechCrunch, the unit's appearance exclusively on Apple's website comes in the wake of a partnership between the two companies as Apple aims to widen the eGPU market after launching support for eGPUs this past spring.
Running for $699.00, the Blackmagic eGPU provides desktop-class graphics performance on a MacBook Pro, through a Radeon Pro 580 graphics processor with 8GB of GDDR5 memory. The accessory connects via Thunderbolt 3, includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI 2.0 port, and 85W power delivery. A Thunderbolt 3 cable also comes in the box.
With external GPUs, users can take advantage of smoother gaming experiences, boost graphics-intensive app workflows, enable virtual reality experiences, and even build VR content. Apple leaned into virtual reality as a selling point of eGPUs following the announcement of eGPU support at WWDC 2017, offering eGPU enclosures to developers who want to work on graphically intensive VR applications and games that run on macOS.
Those interested can purchase the Blackmagic eGPU today for $699.00, and the first units are expected to arrive in two days, on Saturday, July 14. Order pickup is also available at nearby Apple retail stores.
Article Link: Apple Begins Exclusively Selling 'Blackmagic eGPU' for $699, Aimed at New MacBook Pros
Here's a neat alternative: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814932055&cm_re=rx_580-_-14-932-055-_-Product
$200 less than Apple's new solution and with four display connections, three of which are Displayport.
$200 less than Apple's new solution and with four display connections, three of which are Displayport.
The ignorance of IT hardware still in 2018 complaining about this price is staggering. The 2TB3/4USB3 ports, 85W USB power and HDMI 2.0 certified with OS X and Metal 2 API hastle free is well worth this price.
Complete with a one-star review that complains it is not even remotely Mac compatible! That's some alternative, huh?
Clueless "Anonymous" reviewer should be ignored as I'm using the same eGPU on a 2011 MBP.
This is outstanding!! Have been waiting since the start of the year for an egpu to support the LG 5K displays. Will buy one now!! What a great deal! No other egpu enclosure have dual TB3 ports (one connected to the graphics card) hopefully in time card manufacturers get with times and drop the display port connection and adopt TB3!!
I'm pretty sure you can put an Nvidia GPU into the enclosure. If not, then just buy an eGPU enclosure by itself without the GPU.Dumb. And useless.
Nope, Nvidia is terrible at Mac drivers. AMD shines. Cuda is still widely popular but only works with Nvidia. Radeon is retaking the market, strategically has better mid and mid-high range, better eGPU support, better Linux and macOS support. in Mac land, Metal will become more important every year, Cuda will become less important. Blame Nvidia for terrible metal and macOS drivers. eGPU are Radeon based, also on Windows thanks to XConnect.
[doublepost=1531433882][/doublepost]
You are just trolling. eGPU is an incredible handy tech for PROs, high end users and gamers too. Power, dedicated GPU, connectivity with one cable. I get 6x performance thanks to eGPU.Dumb. And useless.
[doublepost=1531434106][/doublepost]
It runs quite similar ut has better performance in Metal and OpenCL. Also macOS drivers are very good, compared to Nvidia. Yes eGPU box cost quite a lot, but it is like having PCI express eternal, you need ventilation, power delivery and also gives you many port and connectivity. It is not for everyone, but calling trash a really great solution is ap roof you don't understand its use our you are close minded "Nvidia only" which is not true since more than a year. And even if you are blind Nvidia fan, sadly you should blame them.
[doublepost=1531434188][/doublepost]
You mean OpenGL or forcing everything. Metal and OpenCl accelerate any display by default.
Dudes with too much time looking at charts and FPS benchmarks on YouTube tech-boi channels …
Unless it plays Overwatch at 200FPS it is garbage, ya know?
You're right. I will just take my business elsewhere. Thanks.
Is this better than the one inside the current 27" iMac since it has GDDR5 memory? iMac has DDR4 right?
Would this work to drive the LG 4K Ultrafine display?
Would this work to drive the LG 4K Ultrafine display?
External monitor only.
[doublepost=1531441358][/doublepost]
Are you sure? Someone on one of these forums told me external only, which would prevent me from using it with my iMac.
Apple.com today gained a new and exclusive external GPU aimed at the MacBook Pro, called the Blackmagic eGPU. According to TechCrunch, the unit's appearance exclusively on Apple's website comes in the wake of a partnership between the two companies as Apple aims to widen the eGPU market after launching support for eGPUs this past spring.
Running for $699.00, the Blackmagic eGPU provides desktop-class graphics performance on a MacBook Pro, through a Radeon Pro 580 graphics processor with 8GB of GDDR5 memory. The accessory connects via Thunderbolt 3, includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI 2.0 port, and 85W power delivery. A Thunderbolt 3 cable also comes in the box.
With external GPUs, users can take advantage of smoother gaming experiences, boost graphics-intensive app workflows, enable virtual reality experiences, and even build VR content. Apple leaned into virtual reality as a selling point of eGPUs following the announcement of eGPU support at WWDC 2017, offering eGPU enclosures to developers who want to work on graphically intensive VR applications and games that run on macOS.
Those interested can purchase the Blackmagic eGPU today for $699.00, and the first units are expected to arrive in two days, on Saturday, July 14. Order pickup is also available at nearby Apple retail stores.
Article Link: Apple Begins Exclusively Selling 'Blackmagic eGPU' for $699, Aimed at New MacBook Pros
Meanwhile for $700, I got an MSI gaming laptop with a GTX 1050, which surpasses the eGPU's performance in every way. It even has USB-A ports, an SD card reader, USB-C, and an Ethernet port for low latency! Don't even get me started on the wonderful keyboard which gives satisfying feedback when typing!
Apple is just milking you users. When will you realise that? There is a PC or laptop for every kind of user. Take the leap and you will find that you were being fed lies by Apple.
(Pardon grammatical errors, if any. Non-native English speaker).
I think this is a fair analysis. Recall, for Pro's (whatever that means---I know it's not me), this is an incredibly versatile solution for the problem of a lack of Mac Pro or other high end hardware.
[doublepost=1531441599][/doublepost]
Many of us dislike Windows. Personally, I use a Mac for the software and interoperability with iOS devices. Because of that, Windows is a non-starter for me.Meanwhile for $700, I got an MSI gaming laptop with a GTX 1050, which surpasses the eGPU's performance in every way. It even has USB-A ports, an SD card reader, USB-C, and an Ethernet port for low latency! Don't even get me started on the wonderful keyboard which gives satisfying feedback when typing!
Apple is just milking you users. When will you realise that? There is a PC or laptop for every kind of user. Take the leap and you will find that you were being fed lies by Apple.
(Pardon grammatical errors, if any. Non-native English speaker).
it like all other thunderolt 3 e-gpus that work with mac will work with any thunderbolt mac 2011+ if you use the thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 adapter.
[doublepost=1531444341][/doublepost]
yes it will, you will need the apple thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 adapter like any other Thunderbolt3 e-gpu.
both nvidia and AMD cards work as for the bandwidth constraint on thunderbolt 2 for example gaming its about double what it is on thunderbolt 3 (compared the native gpu in a desktop eg. cheesegrater or hackintosh) on internal display.
on a external display Thunderbolt2 & Thunderbolt3 are close to identical performers heck Thunderbolt1 is only slightly worse externally (TB1 on internal display is unusable though)
outside of gaming ive had no issues with CUDA support on Thunderbolt1 or Thunderbolt2 devices.
currently talking to you on a 2015 MBP with a gtx1080
so much misinformation on these forums about e-GPU's, if your curious i'd recommend checking out the eGPU.IO forums, i imagine people will post about this specific eGPU soon, but even see other people's senerios now will give you a idea in the meantime
Last edited: