eGPU that works with a late 2013 21.5" iMac

[RenegadfeMonste]

I currently have a late 2013 21.5" iMac with Iris Pro. I have already upgraded my iMac to SSD and the 8GB of ram to 16GB.

The Iris Pro is one of the limiting factors that is wanting me to upgrade. Being able to get Steam Games to run at a better frame rate so they don't look like stop action. Maybe later on add a 4k display to my setup.

Doing some digging Google, I have found that some people have successfully gotten the Akitio Node and Akitio Node Pro to work with 2012 15" MacBook Pros using the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt adapter.

One thing I did read was that someone who had a nVideo 1070 in a Akitio Node with a 2012 MacBook Pro had to upgrade the GPU with a Vega 56 to be able to upgrade to MacOS 10.14


Does anyone know of a eGPU and and graphics card option that I could actually get to work on the late 2013 iMac and MacOS 10.15?

Thanks

 

[ruslan120]

Sonnet eGFX Breakway Box (350w)
AMD RX 580

That was my setup with a 2013 Macbook Pro and it was cheap, reliable, and performant.

If you want to use the eGPU after you upgrade then maybe it’s worth going for an AMD 5700 XT graphics card.

To answer your question regarding supported cards, there’s a list on Apple’s site (Google “Apple Supported eGPU”).

Update: Here it is (at the bottom of the page are all supported enclosures and cards).

You’ll need Purge Wrangler to enable eGPU over Thunderbolt 1/2.
[automerge]1587180113[/automerge]
Purge Wrangler Tutorial - eGPU Support on Macs with Thunderbolt 1 and 2

 

[RenegadeMonster]

Would the Sonnet eDFX Breakaway Puck 560-s be an option. It seems to be the best budget option.

Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 560-S (Thunderbolt 3 only)

Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 560-S (Thunderbolt 3 only)

www.amazon.com

Reading through the questions on Amazon the Seller said the 570 unit would be with the thunderbolt adaptor and purge-wrangler but did not confirm if the 560 would work or not. Customers have answered other peoples similar questions with no, this is thunderbolt 3 only or thunderbolt does not provide enough bandwidth.

I can't find the 570 unit on Amazon

 

[ruslan120]

Not sure to be honest. But probably yes.

I could share another link - the website egpu.io is a great resource and has searchable examples of build configurations! Including Macs with Thunderbolt 1 and 2.

 

[RenegadeMonster]

Just got a reply from Sonnet, They are saying no. That I would need a RX 570, RX 580, Vega 56 or Vega 64 to get something to work on my iMac. They also let me know if I have NVIDIA Graphics in my iMac then nothing would work for me. I don't, I only have Iris Pro so I should be good there.

They also reminded me that neither they, Apple or AMD support purge-wrangler or non thunderbolt 3 macs.

As for that site you listed. I already have a post in there asking for advice as well. Still awaiting a reply.

Looking through the builds, I only see 2 2013 iMac builds and both are the 27" for Catalina. I have not been able to find a single 21.5" build, and there is a 1 build of a 2013 21" with MacOS 10.13.

Trying to find information on the forums it seems most everyone is using these on MacBook Pros.

Edit:

@ruslan120 , I can't find the 350w Sonnet box you mentioned. Only the 550 and 650.

Also, would this be the RX 580 card I would want to get?

SAPPHIRE Radeon 11265-05-20G Pulse RX 580 8GB GDDR5 Dual HDMI/ DVI-D/ Dual DP OC with Backplate (UEFI) PCI-E Graphics Card Graphic Cards

Sapphire Radeon Pulse RX 580 8 GB GDDR5 Dual HDMI/DVI-D/Dual DP OC w/backplate (UEFI) PCI-E Graphics Card.

www.amazon.com

 

[ruslan120]

550w also works. Even better since 550w supports higher end cards and OC cards.

Full Sonnet compatibility list (you’d have to peruse to check if the specific model works): https://www.sonnettech.com/support/downloads/manuals/Compatibility_Graphics_Cards.pdf

21.5” iMac should work fine if the 27” works.

 

[RenegadfeMonste]

Still no reply on egpu.io, but I have decided to hold off for now. If we get another stimulus payment I might just go for a MacBook Pro with a RX 5500 in it.