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eGPU is the problem

Update: It didn't work. The mini kept booting to a black screen. The only way around it was to simultaneously connect the mini's HDMI to my monitor while the eGPU was connected to the DP input. And then, OS X insisted on making HDMI dominant. No matter how I fiddled with the settings, I was stuck with the Intel GPU at 1080p 30 hz. The way around that of course is to simply unplug the HDMI after I've booted. But that's a pain and shouldn't be necessary for something that Apple is supposed to be supporting.
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its not work when you connect the DP and HDMI output in one screen at the same time, you need 2 difference screen for each video output from your mini and Egpu
 
Outside of the problem of the mini not booting properly, the eGPU does make a significant difference. It cuts my Final Cut render time in half. Working with 3D graphics is smooth. I can play games at 4K 60fps without an issue. So when it works, it’s pretty great.
 
I'm running the 2018 MM i5 and have the Razer Core X with a Sapphire Nitro RX Vega64 inside and the only problem I've noticed is when the system comes from a cold start - I get the black screen. I've found the workaround to be:shut off the Razer, unplug the HDMI from it and go straight into the back of the MM. Then I reboot the MM and voila the screen reappears. Final step is to unplug the HDMI from the MM and insert it back into the Razer and flip the unit back on. The system recognizes the eGPU in about 5 seconds.
 
JaysonW said:
I'm running the 2018 MM i5 and have the Razer Core X with a Sapphire Nitro RX Vega64 inside and the only problem I've noticed is when the system comes from a cold start - I get the black screen. I've found the workaround to be:shut off the Razer, unplug the HDMI from it and go straight into the back of the MM. Then I reboot the MM and voila the screen reappears. Final step is to unplug the HDMI from the MM and insert it back into the Razer and flip the unit back on. The system recognizes the eGPU in about 5 seconds.
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That's become the 'standard' way to start for most eGPU Mac mini setups. I use it with my OWC Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU.
 
I agree that the workaround is effective. But we shouldn’t have to resort to that. If Apple claims to support eGPUs, having to swap cables around each time you boot up doesn’t count as “support”.

Update: This morning my system booted up just fine (with just the DP connection from the Razer). So it has to be some sort of bug, otherwise the behavior would be consistent.
 
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A lot of people are having issues with the 5700 GPUs. Even the 7,1 Mac Pro guys are seeing bugs with this card. Seems as though the drivers aren't quite up to snuff yet.

I had a older RX 480 in an eGPU with my 2018 Mini and had no issues at all. Same when I swapped it out for a Vega 64. Both were MSI cards. I'd be willing to bet if you swapped out that card for something more proven (like a Vega or RX 580), your troubles would vanish.
 
tpivette89 said:
I'd be willing to bet if you swapped out that card for something more proven (like a Vega or RX 580), your troubles would vanish.
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I'm almost positive you're correct, and I've thought about that. I was just hoping to get a more up-to-date card with more graphics power. The Vega 64 probably would have been fine for my needs, though.
 
Been having some probs with my Mini and Radeon RX 570 (not 5700) eGPU as well

Under Mojave and Big Sur, its rock solid

Under Windows, I get a buncha problems

For example, under Windows, common random disconnects for all my TB3 devices.

Can't say anything about Catalina because I don't use it.
 
jayducharme said:
Update: This morning my system booted up just fine (with just the DP connection from the Razer). So it has to be some sort of bug, otherwise the behavior would be consistent.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that really sucks. For me I gotta have the HDMI port plugged in with HDMI input selected on my display and wait til it hits login. Then I can pull my HDMI port out and switch my monitor input to DP.

That's only a problem in Mojave. For Big Sur it works without having to do that.
 
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q64ceo said:
For Big Sur it works without having to do that.
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That's what I'm hoping. I just ordered myself a Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT, a slightly updated card that Apple claims is supported. Apple specifies Sapphire as their choice manufacturer, so when it comes in I'll swap out my MSI and see if it makes any difference. I doubt it will, and I'm sure Big Sur will be the solution. Hopefully the new OS will drop next month. (I no longer do the public betas because Apple tech support won't talk to me if I've installed one.)
 
jayducharme said:
That's what I'm hoping. I just ordered myself a Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT, a slightly updated card that Apple claims is supported. Apple specifies Sapphire as their choice manufacturer, so when it comes in I'll swap out my MSI and see if it makes any difference. I doubt it will, and I'm sure Big Sur will be the solution. Hopefully the new OS will drop next month. (I no longer do the public betas because Apple tech support won't talk to me if I've installed one.)
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I can say that it works with that way in Big Sur with an RX570. It may not for the 5700. But hopefully it will.
 
I think my problem is solved. Apparently the issue was with my MSI Radeon card. Today I swapped it out with a Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT, and so far things seem to be working far better. Multiple reboots have worked smoothly. Gaming has higher frame rates. FCPX rendering time has been cut nearly in half compared to the MSI card. Previously, applying "Balance color" to a 30 minute 1080p clip would take about 15 minutes. With the Sapphire, it's down to about 8 minutes. That's the kind of performance I was looking for. The entire OS seems peppier and my 4k monitor seems sharper. So I'm happy.
 
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I have a disappointing update: I must have gotten lucky initially, because my mini is now reliably booting up about 50% of the time. So the new Sapphire card has helped a bit, but it seems the OS just isn't up to the task yet. Once I get the mini booted, it runs great. So I'm awaiting Big Sur to see if that fixes the problem.
 
I rarely power my mini down. On the occasion it does get powered down is from a update or outage. Then sometimes I am reminded I have a eGPU plugged in. And on occasion I have to force shutdown, turn off the eGPU and start the MM back up.

I can see this being more of an issue trying to run boot camp, basically running that daily would be frustrating.
 
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IngerMan said:
I rarely power my mini down.
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I used to leave it on, but I found it sucked the battery dry in my Magic Trackpad. I guess I could turn the trackpad off each night. But really, I shouldn't have to worry about booting up my computer, wondering whether it's actually going to start.
 
You try a PowerColor eGPU?

I use one and its perfect. Not the kinda GPU you can play Crysis on, but more than adequate to play GTA V
 
jayducharme said:
I used to leave it on, but I found it sucked the battery dry in my Magic Trackpad. I guess I could turn the trackpad off each night. But really, I shouldn't have to worry about booting up my computer, wondering whether it's actually going to start.
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I do not notice any battery drain on my track pad or my Logitech mouse from leaving the mm on, I usually tell MM to sleep when I leave it. My power settings are default. I also leave my monitor on as well, that sleeps too. I only charge the track pad maybe once a month. My Logitech mouse even less. My keyboard less than the track pad.

I am waisting energy though, but it sure beats powering up with a eGPU 😝.

I agree it should not be an issue, but sometimes it is. I wish it just hummed like an iMac, not sure why it can’t.
 
I'll try putting my mini to sleep this evening (I used to just leave it running) and see what happens.

Update: That worked. So maybe I'll just do that from now on instead of shutting down. Thanks for the tip!
 
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jayducharme said:
I hadn't heard of PowerColor. I think I'll stick with my new Sapphire, since that's the brand Apple recommends. (You'd think if they recommend it, they'd support it....)
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They're decent. Another MSI/XFX/Etc putting out their own.. With Apple though, anything other than what they recommend is a gamble, and even though something SHOULD just work, we got weird alien machines that dont exactly follow the rules from time to time. I was worried my MSI Armor RX570 might cause trouble but for less than $100 I took the chance and it worked great in my Pro. We'll see how it goes with the new Mini when I finally decide to buy the Sonnet box..
 
Monotremata said:
I was worried my MSI Armor RX570 might cause trouble but for less than $100 I took the chance and it worked great in my Pro. We'll see how it goes with the new Mini when I finally decide to buy the Sonnet box..
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If it's any consolation, my RX570 works flawlessly in my Sonnet Breakaway Puck on a 2018 Mini.
 
weaztek said:
If it's any consolation, my RX570 works flawlessly in my Sonnet Breakaway Puck on a 2018 Mini.
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Yeah Sonnet stuff has always been a bit more $$$, but as far as Macs go, its the one brand you know is going to work 100% with it. I was originally looking at the Razor but the Sonnet's the same price for the 650, might as well stick with the what's worked for decades now.
 
I have Mac mini 2018 with Asus box and their Radeon VII. I connect using HDMI out on the card to a tv via a receiver. It was rather unstable in the beginning, but with the latter Catalina upgrades it works fine without issues. Only thing because of FileVault I have to type my password blindly when I turn on the computer. But it is a minor hassle as I keep the Mac mini on most of the time. But I plan to switch to another egpu enclosure, because the Asus have power cable plug that is way too big and does not fit in my setup.
 
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