eGPU make Dx00 irrelevant?

[MarkJames68]

My current nMP has a D300, and I have an opportunity to pick up a D700 system for a great price, so I could then sell the existing system and recoup most of my investment. But since running an RX580 eGPU I wonder if there’s any point.

Thoughts?

 

[AidenShaw]

My current nMP has a D300, and I have an opportunity to pick up a D700 system for a great price, so I could then sell the existing system and recoup most of my investment. But since running an RX580 eGPU I wonder if there’s any point.

Thoughts?

If you're not gaining cores or RAM, it seems like it's a bunch of work for little benefit.

Plus, if your current D300 system isn't having the endemic driver issues, you might end up with a D700 that hangs or crashes.

 

[MarkJames68]

I do have lockups and beach balls, but not with the eGPU. Probably better value to upgrade to a Vega 64 anyway. Thanks.

 

[Flint Ironstag]

It's going to become irrelevant with time, but for now, having a baseline 7 TFLOPs to begin with is still a decent boost in a small workstation.

If I were GPU bound, and my app scaled with multiple GPUs, it would be worth considering the upgrade to the d700 machine.

What's your primary app(s)?

 

[bsbeamer]

Depends on the apps you're running, if they can utilize dual GPUs or eGPU properly, and/or if eGPU support becomes "official" soon. Expecting it in 10.13.4 or 10.13.5 and that MAY start to increase the number of apps that can utilize eGPU/multiple GPUs.

If you're doing VR or 4K video work, there may be benefits in upgrading if you're also increasing your clock speed.

 

[MarkJames68]

Primary apps are Logic Pro X and the Adobe suite. Already running an 8 core 2667 v2 so maxed out there. 64GB memory and 2TB 860 Pro NVMe SSD.

A year ago I would have jumped on the switch, but the eGPU is working well for me...and if it becomes “official” I can buy time until a 7,1.

 

[Flint Ironstag]

I'd definitely get those beachballs and lockups sorted first, then look at the math. Sorry going off rough figures from memory.

RX580 6 TFLOPs + D700 7 TFLOPs = 13 TFLOPs

RX580 6 TFLOPs + D300 4 TFLOPs = 10 TFLOPs

If time is money and your deliverables rely on hours of crunch time on the GPU, I'd do it. Would feel better having a backup workstation just in case

 

[MarkJames68]

I'd definitely get those beachballs and lockups sorted first, then look at the math. Sorry going off rough figures from memory.

RX580 6 TFLOPs + D700 7 TFLOPs = 13 TFLOPs

RX580 6 TFLOPs + D300 4 TFLOPs = 10 TFLOPs

If time is money and your deliverables rely on hours of crunch time on the GPU, I'd do it. Would feel better having a backup workstation just in case

Thanks - ended up picking up an Apple warrantied refurb D700 8 core for $2500. Will add AppleCare and then thrash the living crap out of it to make sure I don’t get issues on the new system. Then may keep or sell my Frankenstein 8 core...