Blackmagic Releases New eGPU Firmware With Pro Display XDR Support

[SteveW928]

This.
Apple are being an utter pain in the backside here, dangling proper eGPU usage, only to stick with precisely one massively overpriced out-dated non-upgradable model that offers the TWO TB3 ports required for XDR usage (or even LG 5K3K's with daisy chaining functionalities).

Why even bother Apple, go away, and go back to your little drawing board...again.

(and yes, this is Apple's fault, because they initiate third-party brands to offer products to fit their ranges, just as we have Promise and Blackmagic doing internal products for the new cg Mac Pro right from release.)

Well, consider why the other eGPUs can't do this... they need a particular TB controller, for one. If there is enough market for it, I'm sure someone will make one. But, don't expect it to be THAT much less expensive. It's going to cost more than a GPU and a case.

 

[malreynolds]

So my question is, who buys a $6k display but uses a <$1k computer to try to feed it?

I mean, I'm glad that you can, but why?

I thought a display like this was aimed at people with Mac Pro (or equivalent) money.

This is the only way to get an iMac Pro to use the XDR display at 6k. It's not natively supported.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

This is the only way to get an iMac Pro to use the XDR display at 6k. It's not natively supported.

I meant a display that costs six-thousand dollars, not 6K resolution... but OK.

 

[malreynolds]

So my question is, who buys a $6k display but uses a <$1k computer to try to feed it?

I mean, I'm glad that you can, but why?

I thought a display like this was aimed at people with Mac Pro (or equivalent) money.

I meant a display that costs six-thousand dollars, not 6K resolution... but OK.

Let me try again. The iMac Pro is a $5,000 computer, and needs this eGPU to be able to drive the XDR screen. I don't think it's a real scenario to use an eGPU for a $1,000 computer tbh.

 

[SteveW928]

Let me try again. The iMac Pro is a $5,000 computer, and needs this eGPU to be able to drive the XDR screen. I don't think it's a real scenario to use an eGPU for a $1,000 computer tbh.

Now I'm really confused... what's the $1,000 computer being referred to?

Yes, the iMac Pro can't natively drive it, because I think it lacks the right Thunderbolt controller to get enough throughput. So, essentially, the Blackmagic is providing that controller (and of course, the GPU in the Blackmagic can drive it... as could the GPU in the iMac Pro... it is about getting the signal there).

If the reference was to a Mac mini, first they don't cost under $1,000 in a configuration most people who'd hook up an XDR would use, but why not? Like I said in an earlier post, the Mac mini is faster than any Mac Apple makes besides the iMac Pro and Mac Pro, except for the most maxed out model of iMac 5k (and the iMac 5k doesn't have a T2 chip, nor could it drive the XDR).

A 6-core i7 with lots or RAM and a super-fast SSD is a pretty serious machine, even if it is in a tiny package and called a mini. That's why I think Apple gave it a kind of 'pro' treatment, even though it didn't get the pro name.

So, if you bought a mini, and did the kind of work that required an XDR, why wouldn't you hook it to a mini?

 

[macpro2000]

OK, so with a Mini, can the better Blackmagic, can one run an XDR and a 5k off it and still use an extra TB3 port off the mini for another 5k? So 3 displays total?

 

[SteveW928]

OK, so with a Mini, can the better Blackmagic, can one run an XDR and a 5k off it and still use an extra TB3 port off the mini for another 5k? So 3 displays total?

You'd probably want to seek out someone who knows for sure, but I think the mini supports a 5k off the TB3 port, and so if the BM Pro supports the other two, I don't see why not. I'm not sure about the XDR and 5k on the BM, though, either.

I'm pretty sure the mini has 2 TB3 controllers, so 2 independent channels. Two of the ports on one channel, two ports on the other. You'd want to make sure the BM is on one channel, and the monitor on the other. Also, note that you'd be fairly heavily using the bandwidth of both TB3 controllers, so that might impact performance of other external devices, like a TB3 SSD, etc.

 

[jimthing]

You'd probably want to seek out someone who knows for sure, but I think the mini supports a 5k off the TB3 port, and so if the BM Pro supports the other two, I don't see why not. I'm not sure about the XDR and 5k on the BM, though, either.

I'm pretty sure the mini has 2 TB3 controllers, so 2 independent channels. Two of the ports on one channel, two ports on the other. You'd want to make sure the BM is on one channel, and the monitor on the other. Also, note that you'd be fairly heavily using the bandwidth of both TB3 controllers, so that might impact performance of other external devices, like a TB3 SSD, etc.

I have exactly this: a maxed-out Mini with an LG 5K3K display (it supports one of these). So yes, if the BM Pro can handle more than just the 6K3K XDR, by handling another 5K3K, you'd be right. Who knows though, unless someone tries it (unlikely given it's a bit of a weird setup – though you could have the 6K centre and each 5K on either side, all offering the same 218ppi too! ;-).

 

[PickUrPoison]

<snip>
(and the iMac 5k doesn't have a T2 chip, nor could it drive the XDR).

A 6-core i7 with lots or RAM and a super-fast SSD is a pretty serious machine, even if it is in a tiny package and called a mini. That's why I think Apple gave it a kind of 'pro' treatment, even though it didn't get the pro name.

So, if you bought a mini, and did the kind of work that required an XDR, why wouldn't you hook it to a mini?

Actually both the 21.5” 4K iMac and the 27” 5K iMac can drive the 32” 6K3K XDR display—but only the 2019 models. Only the newest Macs have the Titan Ridge Thunderbolt 3 controller, which is required for native XDR compatibility. But Titan Ridge alone is not sufficient; the 2018 Mac mini has the Titan Ridge TB3 chip, but the mini’s Intel iGPU is unable to drive the XDR because it only supports DisplayPort 1.2

Here are the machines that natively support the XDR (other TB3 Macs can support it but require the Blackmagic eGPU):

• Mac Pro (2019) with MPX Module GPUs.
• 15-inch MacBook Pro (2018 or later)
• 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
• 21.5-inch iMac (2019)
• 27-inch iMac (2019)

Agree that the six-core (preferably the i7 with hyperthreading, so 6 cores/12 threads vs. the i5’s 6c/6t) mini is a pretty good platform for use with the Blackmagic eGPU and a 5K or the XDR monitor, as long as your workload doesn’t demand more than it can provide. The mini can’t much compete with the iMac Pro or Mac Pro wrt to CPU cores, RAM capacity or memory bandwidth. Or the Mac Pros optional GPUs

 

[SteveW928]

I have exactly this: a maxed-out Mini with an LG 5K3K display (it supports one of these). So yes, if the BM Pro can handle more than just the 6K3K XDR, by handling another 5K3K, you'd be right. Who knows though, unless someone tries it (unlikely given it's a bit of a weird setup – though you could have the 6K centre and each 5K on either side, all offering the same 218ppi too! ;-).

Yeah, maybe they should contact Blackmagic. It doesn't seem the BM site has been updated to reflect this firmware update or MR article, and the article is a bit vague in that regard, too. It is the 'in addition to' part that is sketchy. Can the BM drive only an XDR, or an XDR plus some other, and if so, what?

Actually both the 21.5” 4K iMac and the 27” 5K iMac can drive the 32” 6K3K XDR display—but only the 2019 models. Only the newest Macs have the Titan Ridge Thunderbolt 3 controller, which is required for native XDR compatibility. But Titan Ridge alone is not sufficient; the 2018 Mac mini has the Titan Ridge TB3 chip, but the mini’s Intel iGPU is unable to drive the XDR because it only supports DisplayPort 1.2

Here are the machines that natively support the XDR (other TB3 Macs can support it but require the Blackmagic eGPU):

• Mac Pro (2019) with MPX Module GPUs.
• 15-inch MacBook Pro (2018 or later)
• 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
• 21.5-inch iMac (2019)
• 27-inch iMac (2019)

Agree that the six-core (preferably the i7 with hyperthreading, so 6 cores/12 threads vs. the i5’s 6c/6t) mini is a pretty good platform for use with the Blackmagic eGPU and a 5K or the XDR monitor, as long as your workload doesn’t demand more than it can provide. The mini can’t much compete with the iMac Pro or Mac Pro wrt to CPU cores, RAM capacity or memory bandwidth. Or the Mac Pros optional GPUs

Thanks for the correction! I guess I was associating it with the T2 when I wrote that, instead of realizing the newer models had the Titan Ridge TB3? Anyway, that is interesting the 2019 non-Pro iMacs can do it.

 

[macpro2000]

Well I called Blackmagic and have found out that you can connect an XDR through TB3 and a 5K display through the DisplayPort. Obviously the other TB3 port needs to connect to the Mini. So in the end I feel I'm just doing a hatchet job with this setup. Just a whole lot easier to buy a new Mac Pro so that's what I'll do.

 

[SteveW928]

Well I called Blackmagic and have found out that you can connect an XDR through TB3 and a 5K display through the DisplayPort. Obviously the other TB3 port needs to connect to the Mini. So in the end I feel I'm just doing a hatchet job with this setup. Just a whole lot easier to buy a new Mac Pro so that's what I'll do.

Sure, a Mac Pro is going to be better suited, but that's great to hear in that the BM supports the XDR and a 5k display, and since the mini would support a 5k display as well, your initial setup was doable.

Remember, the mini has 4 TB3 ports physically. It is just 2 channels, so you'd have to keep in mind the possible data throughput limitations, and be aware which ports you're plugging things into.

That said, I don't know how much a BM on a TB3 port really maxes that port out going one-way (since the monitors are on the BM), so maybe there is plenty of room form some data transfer and such. Same for the TB3 port that would be driving the 5k display off the mini.
(Real-world, you could probably just plug it all in and be happy... I just mean if you're looking for optimal setup and max data throughput, etc.)

The advantage of the Mac Pro and I think even some of the MBP models, is that they have more TB3 controllers, so more of the ports have their own channel.

 

[jimthing]

Well I called Blackmagic and have found out that you can connect an XDR through TB3 and a 5K display through the DisplayPort. Obviously the other TB3 port needs to connect to the Mini. So in the end I feel I'm just doing a hatchet job with this setup. Just a whole lot easier to buy a new Mac Pro so that's what I'll do.

That's a problem then, as the second 5K3K LG uses TB3 and not DisplayPort. No other 5K3K exists that does it over DP either.

 

[PickUrPoison]

That's a problem then, as the second 5K3K LG uses TB3 and not DisplayPort. No other 5K3K exists that does it over DP either.

There seems to be a disconnect somewhere; the mini’s iGPU can drive a 5K TB3 monitor from a Thunderbolt 3 port. A Blackmagic eGPU itself will drive a 5K or an XDR 6K monitor.

As @SteveW928 mentions above, however, you do need to pay attention to which TB3 ports you’re using. On the mini, the two ports on the left are on one controller, and the two ports on the right are on the other controller. You should use ports from different controllers. For instance, plug the 5K monitor into one of the two leftmost ports, and plug the Blackmagic into one of the two rightmost ports.

 

[SteveW928]

That's a problem then, as the second 5K3K LG uses TB3 and not DisplayPort. No other 5K3K exists that does it over DP either.

Hmm, I don't know. Isn't TB3, DisplayPort, & USB-C all kind of similar with different physical cable ends, as in could you use some kind of adapter?

 

[jimthing]

Hmm, I don't know. Isn't TB3, DisplayPort, & USB-C all kind of similar with different physical cable ends, as in could you use some kind of adapter?

Not outputting signal into a TB3 display (DP source to TB3 display input). TB3 source can by adapted into DP or HDMI displays, but there are no 5K3K displays that input from a single DP connection (you need two DP connections: single TB3 that splits into two DP connectors).

 

[SteveW928]

Not outputting signal into a TB3 display (DP source to TB3 display input). TB3 source can by adapted into DP or HDMI displays, but there are no 5K3K displays that input from a single DP connection (you need two DP connections: single TB3 that splits into two DP connectors).

So, what Blackmagic told macpro2000 above isn't technically feasible (ie. you can't drive a 5k display off a DP connection)? Or, just that you'd need a 5k monitor with DP input (and there are none)?

 

[macpro2000]

Isn’t it nice to know the manufacturer doesn’t even know what is feasible with their product?

 

[jimthing]

So, what Blackmagic told macpro2000 above isn't technically feasible (ie. you can't drive a 5k display off a DP connection)? Or, just that you'd need a 5k monitor with DP input (and there are none)?

The latter (TB3 host Mac to dual DP ports on a 5K3K display*). The BM Pro eGPU has only one DP output (plus one HDMI output), so you cannot do both a 6K and 5K3K display from it.

*Actually, I remember... there is an Iiyama 5K3K display with dual DP inputs (plus 3x HDMI inputs). But AFAIR it's not very good quality apparently, and even worse, its controls for things like brightness doesn't work properly for MacOS connected host computers.

Isn’t it nice to know the manufacturer doesn’t even know what is feasible with their product?

Yes, clueless.

 

[SteveW928]

The latter (TB3 host Mac to dual DP ports on a 5K3K display*). The BM Pro eGPU has only one DP output (plus one HDMI output), so you cannot do both a 6K and 5K3K display from it.

*Actually, I remember... there is an Iiyama 5K3K display with dual DP inputs (plus 3x HDMI inputs). But AFAIR it's not very good quality apparently, and even worse, its controls for things like brightness doesn't work properly for MacOS connected host computers.

Thanks for the clarification and discussion everyone. It isn't something I'd try to do, so I'm not that up on how many of what kind of ports and such.