Best eGPU setup for 2018 mac mini?

[Cheapassmac]

Which eGPU enclosure is best suited for a 2018 mac mini? I suppose I'll put up a poll, but would like some rationale.

The Sonnet box is quiet, but a i7 under load kinda makes that benefit moot. I hear the Mantiz can be hard to built/config and only goes up to Vega 56. Blackmagic is super expensive but the only one with usb c video output. I don't know about others boxes, but maybe people can share their experiences on them.

 

[F-Train]

There is extensive discussion about external GPU options for the 2018 Mac mini, including enclosures, in the following thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/external-gpu-egpu-resources.2154653/

Started just over two weeks ago, the thread currently runs eight pages, has 197 contributions and over 13,000 views. A good number of posts talk about enclosure options and the related issues of

• price
• ability to upgrade a GPU in the future (including AMD's GPU roadmap)
• footprint/size
• build quality
• aesthetics
• noise
• power needs (AMD's 500 series vs Vega GPUs)
• and cabling (including discussion of passive vs active Thunderbolt 3 cables).

 

[Cheapassmac]

Appreciate the heads up on that. You run a great thread (and thanks for finding out about the RX 590). But hoping to gain a quick tldr general consensus on which egpu to buy (based on what type of user)

 

[rmdeluca]

"Best suited" how? Price? Size? Noise? Maximum power? Connectivity? Aesthetics?

 

[Cheapassmac]

"Best suited" how? Price? Size? Noise? Maximum power? Connectivity? Aesthetics?

Yes.


In all seriousness, price and practicality.

 

[F-Train]

You run a great thread...

I'm not running anything. I'm just one of many beneficiaries of the contributions to that thread of a good number of knowledgeable people.