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rjtiedeman

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 29, 2010
337
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Stamford, CT
Now that OS 10.13.4 supports eGPU it would be a way to have the a start up screen and almost new performance with out switching to an Imac Pro. Also it could be a solution for those of us who don't want to figure out cables, PSUs and home made software patches.
 
Now that OS 10.13.4 supports eGPU it would be a way to have the a start up screen and almost new performance with out switching to an Imac Pro. Also it could be a solution for those of us who don't want to figure out cables, PSUs and home made software patches.
https://www.onestopsystems.com/product/cube2-metal-expansion-enclosure-5-pcie-slots

Metal-CUBE2-tb[1].png
 
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Now that OS 10.13.4 supports eGPU it would be a way to have the a start up screen and almost new performance with out switching to an Imac Pro. Also it could be a solution for those of us who don't want to figure out cables, PSUs and home made software patches.

I don't think eGPU would give you a startup screen on a cMP even if it could be done.

I'm not totally sure it gives a startup screen on Thunderbolt 3 Macs.
 
eGPUs have been compatible with the cMP for a long time in the form of Pcie expansion boxes.

As for what you’re thinking the answer to that is that you of course still need an EFI card to get bootscreen.

And performance wise, it really depends on which application you are using
 
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The old Nvidia Quadro Plex 2200d2 works with my 4,1/5,1 MacPro.
The 2200 version was made I think from 2008 to 2011, and its PCIE Host card, is PCIE 2.0 so matches the MP.
There is even a dual PCIE Host card that would allow you to connect two of them, and have 4 external GPU with one internal.
It gives two PCIE slots in the box with a 750watt PSU. The cables in it are 6pin + 8pin for each card.
After upgrading the cards in it to two K5000 Mac Editions, it has EFI boot screens too.
Since the Quadro Plex was never sold as a Mac item, it does have a few quirks relating to multiple monitors.
If you just want the Plex as a compute box, it works perfectly with MacPro 2009-2012.
It should be ok in slot 1 of a 2008 since its PCIE 2.0.

It works fine now with the new 10.13.4 and its EFI update.
 
There is even a dual PCIE Host card that would allow you to connect two of them, and have 4 external GPU with one internal.

...as long as you are still running 10.9. The limit has been 3 since 10.10 (someone correct me if I'm wrong, it'll make my day).
 
Hello @Flint Ironstag - can you provide a model number for the Nvidia Plex PCIe GPU chassis mentioned above..? Are they, by and large, equivalent to a Netstor Turbobox or CUBIX Xpander?
 
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