eGPU Recommendation for both Apple Metal and Adobe CC

[nfable]

I have a 5k iMac Late 2014, iMac15,1 4GB AMD Radeon R9 M295X

It is experiencing a fairly well echoed issue of GPU overheating due to thermal paste breakdown / misapplication during initial build. I'm looking at the spectre of diving into it to re-paste the GPU.

This got me thinking on an eGPU solution for the future and I see it's possible from researching even with Thunderbolt 2 ports I have. I primarly use FCPX and Photoshop but would like the ability to grow into using After Effects more.

So I'm at a point of wanting a Metal-happy GPU that Adobe will also utilize <$400.

Schooling myself on GPUs have made my brain hurt. RX vs PRO, seemingly different manufacturers of the same GPU identifier in some cases, etc.

I'm at *at the moment* looking at AMD Radeon RX 480 and AMD Radeon RX 580.

So any anecdotal experience from people's experiences with a GPU that plays well with FCPX / Apple Metal and Adobe CC would be great.

Much thanks!

 

[multimania]

Hi there! Unfortunately I don't have the answer for you, but I have a similar need. I have a 2017 Mbp and whilst the internal AMD chip does do it thing, I'd really like to know whether I would see a performance boost by getting an egpu for use with FCPX and Motion.

If the Blackmagic gpus were still available I'd probably go for one of those, but as they aren't I've looked at a Razer Core X enclosure but don't have a clue what AMD card to get. Any help/advice available would be really helpful.

Thanks

 

[nfable]

You can start w/Apple's GPU compatibility list over here: Graphics card compatibility for Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, and Compressor 4. For your eGPU box, do some research and try to find one that will offer charging to your MBP - not critical , but one less wire - I think the BM ones had it, but they're pretty well regarded as overpriced vs. assembling your own. 8gb on GPU will do you fine for some time, I think. Find the most recent, best benchmarked out of that list in your price range. Useful for benchmark results. If you're not flirting with the Adobe world, then you really only have to concern yourself with Metal support and the Apple thumbs up.

Good luck.

 

[multimania]

Thanks very much nfable. That's really useful to me. I'll take a look at the benchmark results. Hope you get some joy on your decision too.

 

[nfable]

You're welcome - let us know how it turns out.

 

[sevoneone]

If you can find one for a good price, an RX 580 or an 8GB version of an RX 570 will give you a good value. Either are around $200 new. The RX 5500 XT is available for a little more money. It performs very close to the 580 and also has 8GB of VRAM, but it is a much newer chipset, so it uses less power and runs much cooler to do the same workload. Even though the 5500 XT is not listed on Apple's official support list, it will work with macOS 10.15.1 and newer. Apple offers a version of both of these cards in the latest MacPro, if you compare the Radeon Pro 580X to the W5500X that will give you a good idea of how similar they are in performance. The RX 580 is what was in the lower end Blackmagic eGPU.

The higher-end BM eGPU contained a Vega 56. The Vega 56 and 64 are not produced any more and are rather expensive for their performance when you can find them. The RX 5700 XT performs slightly better than the Vega 56, and uses a lot less power/generates much less heat. It'll max out your $400 budget not including an eGPU housing. A version of the 5700 XT is offered in the 27" iMac and also in the MacPro as the W5700X if you want to look at performance.

The best possible performing aftermarket GPU for Mac/Metal performance currently is the Radeon VII. It is essentially the same as a Radeon Pro Vega II single chip card in the new Mac Pro, but with 16GB of memory instead of 32GB. This card is extremely rare and way overpriced when you can find one. $1,100+ in some cases.

 

[CC88]

After some trouble I have found a stable and realiable solution using a Razer Core X + MSI Radeon Vega 56 in my sign. No kernel panic, no hang.

I use my eGPU setup both in FCP, LR and Photoshop. Blazing fast and responsive setup. Also really rock solid without hang or beach ball. Really happy with it.

I got some problems (lkernel panic, hang) using Sapphire Radeon RX580 nitro+, Sapphire Radeon RX580 Pulse, ASUS ROG Vega56.