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Hands-On With Apple's New $699 Blackmagic eGPU
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If this were compatible with my MacMini, it would have been an insta-buy! This is seriously a waste of money in 2018 since you can buy cheaper alternatives. BlackMagic could have at the very least given users options. Buy this one for $599 and a higher end card (Vega) for $799.
There isn’t many cheaper alternatives which also act as a dock. The Razer score X is cheaper but it doesn’t provide you with ports as a dock.
It is true that this isn’t customisable nor upgradable - but it is a smaller all-in-one solution which at least for MacBooks, will still be powerful 3-5 years down the line.
But yes, I wish you had the option of a Vega GPU, not just the 580.
I bet it’s an MXM card, but those are hardly ever upgradeable because of compatibility issues.
Some people mentioned price. It's really 3 things in 1.
Thunderbolt hub - $200+
eGPU - $200+
Graphics Card - $250+
You pay a premium for the design (which is well done), all in one package, and the fact "it just works." Personally I'd jump on this in a heartbeat if it were upgradable but, alas, it is not. Also the graphics card is behind in the times but that is due more to Apple going with AMD over Nvidia.
As it stands Ill wait until I can get one for $300-$400.
I picked up the Ultrafine Monitor 5K & 4K together for under $650. Just have to have patience, wait for tech prices to drop, and look for good deals.
Thunderbolt hub - $200+
eGPU - $200+
Graphics Card - $250+
You pay a premium for the design (which is well done), all in one package, and the fact "it just works." Personally I'd jump on this in a heartbeat if it were upgradable but, alas, it is not. Also the graphics card is behind in the times but that is due more to Apple going with AMD over Nvidia.
As it stands Ill wait until I can get one for $300-$400.
I picked up the Ultrafine Monitor 5K & 4K together for under $650. Just have to have patience, wait for tech prices to drop, and look for good deals.
Its very likely possible.
Especially under Bootcamp. Many people have done this already with razer core and other eGPU solution.
The downside is you will lose some of the performance due to bandwidth limitation.
Apple hasn't wanted you to upgrade anything for a while now. Why do you think this would be any different?
I feel if you considering this eGPU, you should get a PC with user replaceable GPU, not a laptop, for your high end graphics work.
"Unfortunately, the Blackmagic eGPU is not upgradeable, so you're not going to be able to swap out the included graphics card for an upgraded version in the future, which is one of the major downsides to the accessory."
Don't understand how this is a problem. the big bucks are in the video card, aren't they? so you can't upgrade a power supply and a few ports? ummm, I must be missing something
Don't understand how this is a problem. the big bucks are in the video card, aren't they? so you can't upgrade a power supply and a few ports? ummm, I must be missing something
Seeing a lot of mixed information on this. Can somebody please point to a definitive source on whether or not this thing will drive the built-in display of a new 13" MacBook Pro?
so says the mighty idiot shamer! Can't you at least admit that someone else may have different needs/interests than you and that does not make them an idiot. A great man once said, "to gain respect, give respect".
It's clearly stated on the Blackmagic site. Yes.
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There are other eGPU options which allow you to install your own card. For instance, the Mercury Helios FS allows you to install your own PCIe graphics card. It's $299 and works with Mac or Windows.
Apologies for some noobish questions on this subject:
Would this add any processing power to an iMac or iMac Pro which already has a similar/better GPU installed? I'm assuming software would need to take advantage of multiple GPUs.
Does it need a second monitor attached to work correctly when doing GPU render tasks?
Does having an external monitor on a single GPU machine render more slowly than no external monitor?
I appreciate that multiple GPU focused software isn't very common which lead to criticism of the nMP, but there are some applications (Resolve etc) that make some use of it.
Would this add any processing power to an iMac or iMac Pro which already has a similar/better GPU installed? I'm assuming software would need to take advantage of multiple GPUs.
Does it need a second monitor attached to work correctly when doing GPU render tasks?
Does having an external monitor on a single GPU machine render more slowly than no external monitor?
I appreciate that multiple GPU focused software isn't very common which lead to criticism of the nMP, but there are some applications (Resolve etc) that make some use of it.
Well.. as said there are many other alternatives. Gigabyte’s rx580 gaming box costs 500$ and it’s roughly 1/3 size of this.
Btw, any other port usage will reduce the bandwith of gpu, so egpu+dock together is not a good idea actually.
Btw, any other port usage will reduce the bandwith of gpu, so egpu+dock together is not a good idea actually.
Because they don't have to. Those who want it will buy it regardless. Their marketing people have already determined that making it upgradable wouldn't entice enough additional people to offset the loss of sales of the next version.
How stupid... what's the point if you can't replace / change the external video card!!