Does OS 10.13.6 drivers utilize CUDA cores in Mac Edition EVGA GPU

[rjtiedeman]

My MAC EDITION GeForce GTX 680 appears to runs fine with out the NVIDA driver manager active. The CUDA driver is a separate component from the drive manager. Does the Mac OS built in graphic driver access the CUDA application and cores? Other than games most software uses the OpenGL engine and I am not sure anything I have installed will take advantage of the CUDA Cores.

The test scores are great comparisons in media reviews but what about actual day to day work. Feeling a little sucked in by marketing charts and dream scenarios. The world never jumped on the SONY BETA band wagon either. Now with metal coming to a mac near you it seams OpenCL and CUDA are past news and will live on in the test charts.

 

[bsbeamer]

I was told NO from NVIDIA support back when I was using the GTX 680 Mac Edition daily and asked the question when troubleshooting an Adobe GPU rendering issue. That was before 10.13.6 days, however. NVIDIA support said to make sure BOTH the CUDA driver and Web Driver were installed and updated. (Issue ended up being on Adobe's end.)

 

[rjtiedeman]

Thank you, I suspected this. Unless I play games my CUDA cores are useless. I have the same issues with Adobe CS products. The software that I use doesn't take full advantage of my old GPU. May be time to trade up.

 

[bsbeamer]

Adobe CC 2018 products DO take advantage of CUDA on macOS 10.13.X if the CUDA and NVIDIA Web Drivers drivers are installed. Was using the GTX 680 Mac Edition on a client machine and CUDA rendering in Premiere was an option and was being utilized properly.

The GTX 1080 FE is a much better performer than the GTX 680, but that is expected given the age.

If your software cannot or does not utilize CUDA, it might be worth looking at the Sapphire RX 580 PULSE 8GB. It's cheaper than a GTX 1080 FE and on the Mojave beta GPU list.

 

[rjtiedeman]

I have held off updating my Adobe CS software. I am running my (paid for) Adobe CS6 Design Suite to the end of days. However I suspect I will have to sign up for the monthly plan when OS 10.14 come out. My 2 office signed up 3 years ago and the monthly cost has gone up every year. Management is feeling the heat $$$$. ADOBE has a lock on the graphic design business since they purchased Macromedia (pagemaker/freehand). OUCH. HOOKED!

I have been looking at the Sapphire RX 580 or just upgrading to a Imac Pro when they have been out for a while.