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Hands-On With Sonnet's DuoModo Modular Desktop Enclosures and eGPU

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Sonnet in June announced a new DuoModo series of mix and match modular Thunderbolt expansion options both for the desktop and for rack installation, and we thought we'd take a hands-on look at the new offerings for MacRumors readers who are looking to power up their desktops.


There are three interchangeable expansion modules that are part of the DuoModo line, including a three-slot PCIe card system, an eGPU card system, and a Mac mini mounting system with an integrated Thunderbolt storage dock, plus a series of enclosures. Since these are mix and match you can pick and choose, but Sonnet also offers a few preconfigured options.

The DuoModo Echo III includes one x16 and two x8 PCIe slots that connect to a Mac's Thunderbolt port, along with a 400W power supply and a 75W auxiliary power connector for cards that require additional power.

Sonnet's DuoModo eGPU Module, which is what most MacRumors readers may be interested in, supports full-length, full-height 2.5-slot width GPU cards, and it has built-in variable-speed fans for cooling purposes. It's future proof with an 800W power supply. We used an AMD Radeon 6800 in the eGPU with an Intel Mac mini and saw OpenCL and Metal scores of 97499 and 132543, respectively, vastly outperforming the 4561 OpenCL and 4522 Metal scores from the integrated Graphics 630 card.

There's also a DuoModo xMac mini Module that holds an Intel or M1 Mac mini and allows it to be mounted in an enclosure. There's a built-in Thunderbolt 3 storage dock with two 10Gb/s USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and one 40Gb/s Thunderbolt 3 port. It also has two M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD sockets to let users add up to 16TB of storage.

These modules can go in one of Sonnet's enclosures, such as the Dual-Module Desktop Enclosure. Sonnet's dual enclosure holds any two of the DuoModo modules, and there's also a single-module option.

Sonnet's DuoModo system is comprehensive, versatile, and easy to use for those who need professional expansion options. Make sure to check out our video up above to see the DuoModo in action.

Article Link: Hands-On With Sonnet's DuoModo Modular Desktop Enclosures and eGPU
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/07/28/hands-on-sonnet-duomodo/
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Do these companies continuing to develop EGPU know something we don't about apple's future plans with thunderbolt (maybe M2 eGPU compatibility?) or are they basically just developing these for the PC market and what remains of the legacy intel macs?

It really doesn't make sense to me to keep releasing these products with the apparent depreciation of eGPU thunderbolt support.
 
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Richdmoore said:
Do these companies continuing to develop EGPU know something we don't about apple's future plans with thunderbolt (maybe M2 eGPU compatibility?) or are they basically just developing these for the PC market and what remains of the legacy intel macs?

It really doesn't make sense to me to keep releasing these products with the apparent depreciation of eGPU thunderbolt support.
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These where developed before the Apple silicon announcement, almost bought one in 2018 but build a hackintosh instead.
 
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nerdo said:
Not sure why you mention the M1 in this post, this is just going to cause trouble for a lot of people who don't do their research.
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The DuoModo website lists the M1 for just the xMac mini Module (Mac mini Mounting Module + Thunderbolt SSD Storage Dock), which isn't for the eGPU, I don't think... although it's hard to tell, the website is a little hard to follow.
 
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Bonte said:
This is basically an eGPU PC case with room for a Mac Mini, technically not that special anymore.

It gives you more power for about 2000 bucks, it's a segment that Apple does not serve.
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But its a dwindling segment, in the sense there won't be any new intel Macs next year if Apple sticks to its game plan. Seems like a lot of development effort/cost for a small and shrinking market. Maybe existing Mac mini owners will get excited but...again how big of a market is existing owners not looking to upgrade to Apple Silicon? I suppose the answer is they started this effort prior to details on Apple Silicon was announced?
 
A bit late for my 2018 Mini. I would have loved this if it had come out earlier so I wouldn't have a fire hazard of cables and power supplies all around my desk.
I still need a Thunderbolt PCIe card for my BlackMagic card, maybe I'll pick this up later down the road.
 
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Richdmoore said:
Do these companies continuing to develop EGPU know something we don't about apple's future plans with thunderbolt (maybe M2 eGPU compatibility?) or are they basically just developing these for the PC market and what remains of the legacy intel macs?

It really doesn't make sense to me to keep releasing these products with the apparent depreciation of eGPU thunderbolt support.
Click to expand...
With millions of non-M series Macs you see this as pointless?
 
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eGPU is one of the biggest failed attempts in Apple history. The enclosure is expensive, the cards are expensive, compatibility is not universal and in the end the performance is much less than a directly connected GPU.

Who needs or wants such a setup? Just buy a PC or Mac Pro. The price of the enclosure+GPU is probably nearing enough to build a better dedicated PC.
 
MacBH928 said:
eGPU is one of the biggest failed attempts in Apple history. The enclosure is expensive, the cards are expensive, compatibility is not universal and in the end the performance is much less than a directly connected GPU.

Who needs or wants such a setup? Just buy a PC or Mac Pro. The price of the enclosure+GPU is probably nearing enough to build a better dedicated PC.
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Given the price difference between the 2018 i7 Mac Mini and the lowest end 2019 Mac Pro is $4700, this is a pretty good stop gap for the semi-pro/pro that needs some but not all of what the Mac Pro offers.
Gotta love the ole' Macrumors "I don't get it therefore nobody wants or needs it".
 
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I may not be appreciating some additional functions of the Echo III, but why is it ~ 3 times more expensive than for instance a Razer Core X?

I was half tempted, judging by the pretty basic appearance it seemed to be a budget eGPU 😂 Unfortunately not!
 
InuNacho said:
Given the price difference between the 2018 i7 Mac Mini and the lowest end 2019 Mac Pro is $4700, this is a pretty good stop gap for the semi-pro/pro that needs some but not all of what the Mac Pro offers.
Gotta love the ole' Macrumors "I don't get it therefore nobody wants or needs it".
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I agree if you want a desktop solution dont get an eGPU, as the desktop will be about 20-30% quicker [i did this and was blown away at the difference].
However if you need a mobile solution, they are great.
 
iZac said:
I may not be appreciating some additional functions of the Echo III, but why is it ~ 3 times more expensive than for instance a Razer Core X?

I was half tempted, judging by the pretty basic appearance it seemed to be a budget eGPU 😂 Unfortunately not!
Click to expand...
Because you can buy it in a version with 2 ears for rack mounting? Honestly, I wouldn't mind a good rack mount solution as I'm planning to have a small rack on my studio desk anyway. But at €11400? Perhaps I can manage with a couple of cables on a €15 rack shelf.
 
Meh. I would have like to have seen more ports. I do appreciate the fact that it's rack mountable; although, I can't imagine the application that would require a Mac Mini + an eGPU in a rack mounted form factor. At that point, you're probably in the market for a Mac Pro. As is, I think the Razer Core X remains the best eGPU enclosure for the Mac.
 
InuNacho said:
Given the price difference between the 2018 i7 Mac Mini and the lowest end 2019 Mac Pro is $4700, this is a pretty good stop gap for the semi-pro/pro that needs some but not all of what the Mac Pro offers.
Gotta love the ole' Macrumors "I don't get it therefore nobody wants or needs it".
Click to expand...

The word Mac Mini and semi-pro/pro should not be used in the same sentence as the Mac Mini is an entry level model to the mac line. There is a problem with your choice making if you use a Mac Mini for semi-pro work.

You are looking at least for a maxed out iMac which will cost near $2500. If that is not enough, at that point the price difference of the entry model Mac Pro of $2200 should be negligible for anyone who calls himself semi-pro.

The area where you are willing to pay for $300 GPU and $200 enclosure to recieve 70% of the GPU performance is really tight. If price is your problem, you should get a PC in the first place as you will get a lot more bang for your buck and for your PRO work.
 
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MacBH928 said:
The word Mac Mini and semi-pro/pro should not be used in the same sentence as the Mac Mini is an entry level model to the mac line. There is a problem with your choice making if you use a Mac Mini for semi-pro work.
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People should really stop equating the marketing moniker "Pro" with pro work. What is Pro anyway? Not everybody is into high end graphics or AI. I just got 5 people in my management team an MBA M1 16/512 and I know for a fact that plenty of professional musicians can cope just fine with the same config in a mac mini. GPU is not the only parameter turning a machine pro. In my case, it's more about the amount of storage (though 2TB would probably be enough - there's servers, too).
 
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MacBH928 said:
The word Mac Mini and semi-pro/pro should not be used in the same sentence as the Mac Mini is an entry level model to the mac line. There is a problem with your choice making if you use a Mac Mini for semi-pro work.

You are looking at least for a maxed out iMac which will cost near $2500. If that is not enough, at that point the price difference of the entry model Mac Pro of $2200 should be negligible for anyone who calls himself semi-pro.

The area where you are willing to pay for $300 GPU and $200 enclosure to recieve 70% of the GPU performance is really tight. If price is your problem, you should get a PC in the first place as you will get a lot more bang for your buck and for your PRO work.
Click to expand...
Tell me, if the Mini is a kiddie computer then why my Hex i7 Mini exists? Why does Apple support eGPUs on any Thunderbolt 3 Intel Mac or unofficially on TB 1/2? Why did Apple purposefully create this stack to illustrate it's heavy lifting abilities? Seems pretty "Pro" to me.

Lol, iMac? No thanks. I have two perfectly color calibrated monitors.

On the same token, why are there "Pro" contractors driving around in 2000s Tacomas instead F150 Raptors? Oh yeah, it gets the job done at a fraction the price.

Apple's "Pro" moniker is pure BS. You know it, we all know it but some want to believe that there is some magic that makes it better.

Thanks for the heads up on the PC, I already have a PC laptop.
 

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