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eGPU and Apple Pro Display XDR?

O

oneafour

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 25, 2017
89
49
los angeles
Does anyone have any experience with this combination? Trying to get a 2017 15 mbp to play nicely, but would prefer to have a beefier GPU than the ones found in the black magic offerings.

From my understanding the unique aspect of the Black Magic EGPU is that they offer thunderbolt 3/usb-c display output which is, from my understanding, due to the limitation found in the XDR I/O options.
 
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Correct. Only the BlackMagic eGPUs will support the XDR. They are overdue for an update and the price : performance ratio is low and the only benefit is the additional port and XDR support.
 
I think they've recently pulled the black magic egpu pro, im gonna assume they're going to put the new AMD card in it...
 
can confirm the Blackmagic w/ the amd 580 + 2017 mbp works w/o a problem @6k

Radeon Pro 580:
Chipset Model: Radeon Pro 580
Type: External GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x4
VRAM (Total): 8 GB
Vendor: AMD (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x67df
Revision ID: 0x00c0
Automatic Graphics Switching: Supported
gMux Version: 4.0.29 [3.2.8]
Metal: Supported, feature set macOS GPUFamily2 v1
GPU is Removable: Yes
Displays:
Pro Display XDR:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 6016 x 3384
UI Looks like: 3008 x 1692 @ 59 Hz
Framebuffer Depth: 30-Bit Color (ARGB2101010)
Click to expand...
 
Alternative to the BlackMagic eGPU:
The W5700 has a USB-C port that you can connect the XDR. It supports DSC (Display Stream Compression) so Thunderbolt is not required for 6K.
The Nvidia RTX cards also have a USB-C port that supports DSC (Nvidia RTX cards only work in Windows or Boot Camp).

Even if you don't have a USB-C port, the RTX and Navi cards can do 6K with a bidirectional USB-C to DisplayPort cable but you will be missing the USB features of the XDR display such as brightness control and presets.
 
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would love to hear about someones w5700 egpu setup with an XDR display tried the above search and there were a lot of threads but those cards and an egpu, but nothing with an XDR setup.
 
I can confirm that this works with an AMD rx5700xt in a Razor Core X in native 6k res.

I’m using a Moshi DisplayPort to USB-C cable (5k rated). However I haven’t figured out if there’s a way to adjust the brightness up. It also seems like it doesn’t remember the brightness from when I’ve connected it to the internal GPU on my MBP16, so a bit unusable right now.

Will continue experimentation.
 
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That’s awesome. But how is it possible? Is the port on the w5700 Thunderbolt or USB C?

USB C doesn’t have the necessary bandwidth to power anything above 4K (in my understanding).
 
Ted Persson said:
I can confirm that this works with an AMD rx5700xt in a Razor Core X in native 6k res.

I’m using a Moshi DisplayPort to USB-C cable (5k rated). However I haven’t figured out if there’s a way to adjust the brightness up. It also seems like it doesn’t remember the brightness from when I’ve connected it to the internal GPU on my MBP16, so a bit unusable right now.

Will continue experimentation.
Click to expand...
If you're not going to use a full USB-C with DisplayPort alt-mode solution that includes USB, then you'll have to use an app that uses DDC to control brightness. There are a few that work with macOS. Does XDR allow DDC communication and DDC control of brightness?

Methods to add USB-C to a computer:

Page 4 | Does a USB-C monitor support DisplayPort input over...

Page 4 | I have the new generation of the LG Ultrafine 4k for Mac, which eschews DisplayPort and HDMI inputs for just two (2) Thunderbolt 3 inputs. L...
egpu.io egpu.io

ruslan120 said:
That’s awesome. But how is it possible? Is the port on the w5700 Thunderbolt or USB C?
Click to expand...
The W5700 has a USB-C with DisplayPort alt mode port (not sure if it also supports Virtual Link?)
Ted Persson used a RX 5700 XT with a bidirectional DisplayPort to USB-C cable. This connection method doesn't include USB so he can't use the USB features of the display (including brightness control and presets).

ruslan120 said:
USB C doesn’t have the necessary bandwidth to power anything above 4K (in my understanding).
Click to expand...
4K 60Hz 10bpc RGB only requires DisplayPort 1.2 with HBR2 signal.

Modern AMD GPUs (RX 580 and newer) support DisplayPort 1.4 which can support 5K 60Hz 8bpc RGB with an HBR3 signal. HBR3 is only 50% faster than HBR2. With these cards, The Apple Pro Display XDR uses two HBR3 signals over Thunderbolt to achieve 6K 60 Hz 10 bpc. I don't think the XDR will allow a single HBR3 connection for 5K (someone prove me wrong with some AGDCDiagnose output showing otherwise?)

Newer AMD Navi based GPUs (5300M, 5500M, 5600, 5700, 5600 XT, 5700 XT, W5700X, W5700) support DisplayPort 1.4 and Display Stream Compression (DSC). DSC is a visually lossless compression method. It effectively triples the bandwidth. The Apple Pro Display XDR only requires HBR2 with DSC to achieve 6K 60Hz 12 bpc. With a Thunderbolt connection, this allows USB 3.x speeds from the USB ports instead of just USB 2.0 speeds.
 
Exactly. The AMD rx5700xt has a DisplayPort output, and the cable is a bidirectional DisplayPort to USB-C cable from Moshi. Video works great, native 6k at 60Hz, but brightness control doesn’t work and the display is stuck in approx. 70% brightness, even after I’ve turned the brightness up to 100% using my MBP16s native 5500 GPU and then switch back to the eGPU. Annoying.

I’ve tried MonitorControl and Lunar.fyi with no luck, as well as various USB cables, hubs etc.

Thinking about the Huawei VR cable people are talking about in forums which has a DisplayPort and a USB-A input and USB-C output (but only DisplayPort 1.2).

Or switch to a w5700 with a usb-c output (Expensive, but read that it works on old MacPros at least with brightness etc), or - god forbid - a blackmagic egpu.
 
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Ted Persson said:
I’ve tried MonitorControl and Lunar.fyi with no luck, as well as various USB cables, hubs etc.
Click to expand...
I guess this means the XDR display doesn't support DDC for brightness control?

Ted Persson said:
Thinking about the Huawei VR cable people are talking about in forums which has a DisplayPort and a USB-A input and USB-C output (but only DisplayPort 1.2).
Click to expand...
Navi cards only use HBR2 link speed because they use DSC so the VR cable should be capable but DSC is a DisplayPort 1.4 feature which might be blocked by the cable if it has some chip that only allows DisplayPort 1.2. Someone said the DisplayPort + USB options for adding USB-C don't work because they're limited to DisplayPot 1.2 except the GC-TITAN RIDGE and W5700 options. The GC-TITAN RIDGE option isn't going to work for you until someone creates software to enable it in an external Thunderbolt 3 PCIe enclosure.
 
joevt said:
I guess this means the XDR display doesn't support DDC for brightness control?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately it seems like it.

joevt said:
Navi cards only use HBR2 link speed because they use DSC so the VR cable should be capable but DSC is a DisplayPort 1.4 feature which might be blocked by the cable if it has some chip that only allows DisplayPort 1.2. Someone said the DisplayPort + USB options for adding USB-C don't work because they're limited to DisplayPot 1.2 except the GC-TITAN RIDGE and W5700 options. The GC-TITAN RIDGE option isn't going to work for you until someone creates software to enable it in an external Thunderbolt 3 PCIe enclosure.
Click to expand...

I read on egpu.io about a guy who got it to work with a rx5700xt together with a Belkin cable for HUAWEI VR Glass (DisplayPort plus two USB-A inputs and a USB-C output). IT's 1.2 rated, but apparently supported 1.4 as well (in 6k@60Hz). I think he was running an old 5.1 Mac Pro (cheese grater). I ordered the cable today, as will try with the eGPU setup. Until then I'll run the ProDisplay XDR from the MacBook Pro's built in Radeon Pro 5500m, but the fans spin up after tree minutes and it's slooooowww.
 
Ted Persson said:
I read on egpu.io about a guy who got it to work with a rx5700xt together with a Belkin cable for HUAWEI VR Glass (DisplayPort plus two USB-A inputs and a USB-C output). IT's 1.2 rated, but apparently supported 1.4 as well (in 6k@60Hz). I think he was running an old 5.1 Mac Pro (cheese grater).
Click to expand...
I don't remember this. Do you have a link?
 
I have the Belkin Huawei VR cable with the Pro Display XDR, works great with DSC at 6k, and the USB connectors do indeed enable brightness control and such with the Pro Display XDR. I tested this with both a 2013 Mac Pro + Radeon 5700XT eGPU, and with a 2019 Mac Pro + W5700. I have to use this because I'm using a StarTech KVM switch in the middle, so that I can share the display with my work computer.
 
wago said:
I have the Belkin Huawei VR cable with the Pro Display XDR, works great with DSC at 6k, and the USB connectors do indeed enable brightness control and such with the Pro Display XDR. I tested this with both a 2013 Mac Pro + Radeon 5700XT eGPU, and with a 2019 Mac Pro + W5700. I have to use this because I'm using a StarTech KVM switch in the middle, so that I can share the display with my work computer.
Click to expand...
Oh, yes. You did mention success with that cable and your KVM switch in the other thread at #31 .
AGDCDiagnose is showing HBR2+DSC and pixel clock 1286 MHz?
 
wago said:
I have the Belkin Huawei VR cable with the Pro Display XDR, works great with DSC at 6k, and the USB connectors do indeed enable brightness control and such with the Pro Display XDR.
Click to expand...
Fantastic. Looking forward to receiving the cable soon.
 
Ted Persson said:
Fantastic. Looking forward to receiving the cable soon.
Click to expand...

Link to cable? I’d really appreciate an update to this thread when you receive it.

Also, what will the Windows (NOT bootcamp) performance be like? I currently use my Razer Core X Chroma eGPU in double-duty with my LG 27UL850-W monitor.. I use it with my Macs, but also with a Lenovo ThinkStation (w/TB3) for occasional gaming. Of course it requires unplugging/switching the TB3 cable from one computer to another, but that’s not really a headache for me.
 
BeatCrazy said:
Link to cable? I’d really appreciate an update to this thread when you receive it.

Also, what will the Windows (NOT bootcamp) performance be like? I currently use my Razer Core X Chroma eGPU in double-duty with my LG 27UL850-W monitor.. I use it with my Macs, but also with a Lenovo ThinkStation (w/TB3) for occasional gaming. Of course it requires unplugging/switching the TB3 cable from one computer to another, but that’s not really a headache for me.
Click to expand...
Google for "Belkin Charge and Sync Cable for Huawei VR Glass"
Here's one link: https://www.giztop.com/belkin-charge-and-sync-cable-for-huawei-vr-glass.html

I'm not sure what you mean be performance. It's a DisplayPort cable. It doesn't change performance.
 
BeatCrazy said:
Regarding Windows performance: I suppose I mean - what obstacles will I run into, using the 5700 XT + eGPU?
Click to expand...
The problem will not be the display. It will be with the GPU and Windows. I think you'll want to go to egpu.io and search the Builds list for a similar computer and the same GPU. I think Boot Camp on a Mac + eGPU has more issues than a PC + eGPU.
 
joevt said:
The problem will not be the display. It will be with the GPU and Windows. I think you'll want to go to egpu.io and search the Builds list for a similar computer and the same GPU. I think Boot Camp on a Mac + eGPU has more issues than a PC + eGPU.
Click to expand...
Well I’ve already got the Windows workstation + eGPU working just fine. I was just concerned that the XDR would be tricky as it doesn’t behave like a normal monitor.
 
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