eGPU or new Macbook Pro?

[Morten_Hjort]

I work as a creative professional, but rarely with video. I uses Affinitys apps, which are usually very efficient, but as I'm using the LG Ultrafine 5K screen at home, I sometimes have a somewhat bad framerate or sluggish performance even though my UI-work shouldn't be very taxing. My 2016 MBP 15" with the Radeon Pro 450 should on paper be ok, but I feel I need a bit more power, so the process is a bit more enjoyful. I need transportability as I work a few days a week outside my home, so an iMac is a not really a good idea.

TL;DR
Since I don't really need much more power, would it make sense to get the Blackmagic eGPU (Pro?) to use with my system or should I consider to sell my 2016 model and buy a fully spec'ed 15" Vega 20 MBP? I can deduct some of the costs and I'm able to do whatever that makes the most sense, but I dont want to waste unnecessary money on something I dont need. And right now it seems in iStat its only the GPU-power I lack.

Any advice is highly appreciated

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BM's eGPU are the only eGPU-options that I can use because of the 5K monitor (that I dont want to sell). I know AMD just released the Navi-cards, but I'm not sure I want to wait 5 months because BM makes an update.

 

[mdbradigan]

Fwiw - you can get something like the Razer Core EGPU box for $299 plus a radeon 580 for another ~$250 and then get the same performance for a good deal less than Black Magic's very pretty but crazy over-priced boxes. No technical skills required - is plug and play.

 

[Morten_Hjort]

Fwiw - you can get something like the Razer Core EGPU box for $299 plus a radeon 580 for another ~$250 and then get the same performance for a good deal less than Black Magic's very pretty but crazy over-priced boxes. No technical skills required - is plug and play.

Then I need to sell my Ultrafine 5K screen and I'm not so keen for doing that as I haven't found a proper alternative for it :/

 

[mdbradigan]

Not sure I follow. Why would you not be able to use your Ultrafine 5k on a non-BM eGPU?

 

[Morten_Hjort]

Not sure I follow. Why would you not be able to use your Ultrafine 5k on a non-BM eGPU?

Because you need two TB3 ports for it to run. I was close to buying a Razor Core a few weeks back, but then stumbled upon this issue in various forums (incl. here).

 

[LorenK]

This discussion intrigued me since I am interested in learning more about egpus, and I found this: "https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/02/2018-macbook-pro-amd-vega-64-egpu-video/". The comparison suggests that the Blackmagic may be the best way to go, but I admit to my ignorance and leave that recommendation to more tech expert readers.