External GPU suggestions for new Mini?

[pup]

I'm guessing that a lot of people will be looking at a new Mini/eGPU combination as an alternative to the current iMac lineup or iMac Pro, especially since it doesn't look like the iMacs are getting an upgrade.

I'm up against GPU limits right now in my work (3D Cad and Photoshop) but I'm lost at where to start with GPU's. $5 grand hurts to think about for the iMac Pro and I'm reluctant to invest in the un-upgraded iMacs at this point. So the Mini may be the way to go. Any recommendations on cards and enclosures that will be compatible with the new Minis?

 

[Boil]

I'm guessing that a lot of people will be looking at a new Mini/eGPU combination as an alternative to the current iMac lineup or iMac Pro, especially since it doesn't look like the iMacs are getting an upgrade.

I'm up against GPU limits right now in my work (3D Cad and Photoshop) but I'm lost at where to start with GPU's. $5 grand hurts to think about for the iMac Pro and I'm reluctant to invest in the un-upgraded iMacs at this point. So the Mini may be the way to go. Any recommendations on cards and enclosures that will be compatible with the new Minis?

There are the Apple-approved Blackmagic Design eGPUs; $699 for the RX580 & $1,199 for the Vega 56...

Obviously, those prices are a bit steep...

And honestly, the base iMac Pro is cheaper than an equal SG Mac mini (w/Apple keyboard/mouse, LG TB3 5K monitor, & Blackmagic Design Vega 56 eGPU)...

 

[Kurri]

Is the blackmagic the only option for Mac users? seems overpriced to me.

 

[OldMike]

I just picked up a Gigabyte Gaming Box RX580 eGPU for about $300 after rebates from Newegg (the promotion has ended, but I think Gigabyte is still offering a $40 rebate that might end today or tomorrow - which would bring it down to $360). It is also available on Amazon.

Since it is the same GPU as the Blackmagic eGPU (and is considerably smaller) for about half the price, I figured it was worth trying out. I am planning on using it with a Windows laptop, and my Mac Pro as well (it is arriving today - so I haven't had a chance to try it out).

This is a review of it from 9 to 5 Mac:
https://9to5mac.com/2018/05/01/hand...e-rx-580-gaming-box-egpu-packs-a-punch-video/

 

[Kurri]

I just picked up a Gigabyte Gaming Box RX580 eGPU for about $300 after rebates from Newegg (the promotion has ended, but I think Gigabyte is still offering a $40 rebate that might end today or tomorrow - which would bring it down to $360). It is also available on Amazon.

Since it is the same GPU as the Blackmagic eGPU (and is considerably smaller) for about half the price, I figured it was worth trying out. I am planning on using it with a Windows laptop, and my Mac Pro as well (it is arriving today - so I haven't had a chance to try it out).

This is a review of it from 9 to 5 Mac:
https://9to5mac.com/2018/05/01/hand...e-rx-580-gaming-box-egpu-packs-a-punch-video/

Please let us know how it works! with no imac announced today I am looking at a mac mini, will definitely need one of these for editing video

 

[Dreday24]

I bought Vega 64 to try with it.

 

[padams35]

The only thing special about the BlackMagic is the BlackMagic supports Thunderbolt monitors like the UltraFine displays. If you have a more conventional HDMI or DisplayPort monitor then anything marketed as an eGFX enclosure and equipped with an AMD RX470/480/570/580/Vega should work.

 

[mkelly]

Is the blackmagic the only option for Mac users? seems overpriced to me.

No. Many external GPU enclosures will work with the Mac. Whether or not their manufacturers directly acknowledge/support macOS is another matter. Razer for instance, has one designed to work with macOS in addition to Windows, and is marketed as such (the Razer Core X). However, their Razer Core V2 product also works with macOS, despite Razer making no mention of said support.

https://www.razer.com/ca-en/gaming-laptops/razer-core-x

 

[iAssimilated]

The ASUS XG Station Pro is also a great option for an eGPU enclosure. It can handle an AMD Radeon RX 580 as well as a RX Vega 56 graphics card.
https://www.asus.com/us/Graphics-Cards-Accessories/XG-STATION-PRO/

 

[Spytap]

I'm planning on getting a Razer Core X and a Vega 56.