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Mac mini 2018 eGPU TB3 bandwidth
- Thread starter avxkim
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I mean, there's only 2 TB3 controllers on the mac mini, for example, i plugged eGPU in a port 1, then external SSD on port 3. Is it ok? I just noticing that my FPS in games, are below the averages, e.g. dota 2 on max settings @1080p are hovering in 120-130FPS on iMac 5k Radeon Pro 580, but RX 580 is a bit better and i get 80-100 FPS.
Zdigital2015
macrumors 601
Yes, Port 1 and 2 are handled by one controller and Port 3 and 4 are handled by the other controller, so the eGPU in Port 1 and external SSD in a Port 3 are probably the best.
I cannot speak to FPS differences as I do not game, at least not on a Mac.
What averages? TB3 gives the GPU 4 PCIE lanes vs the usual 16 so there is always some compromise.
Zdigital2015
macrumors 601
For a game? You mean 80-100fps is not enough? Yeah, I am going to have to defer on that one before I get really snarky and says some something I should not...
Seriously...I would not spend money on a Vega 56 with Computex and AMD’s 7nm Navi GPU announcement right around the corner!
Source: https://wccftech.com/amd-navi-radeon-rx-gpu-rumors-navi-20-2020-rx-navi-graphics-cards/
Good luck!
EDIT: You also need to make sure the Thunderbolt 3 cable you are using can handle 40Gbps and is not a 20Gbps cable. Make sure you are using the cable that Sonnet shipped with the eGPU. If not, chances are you have a cable that can only handle 20GBps and not one of the more expensive active cables that sell for $40-$50.
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richpjr
macrumors 601
Depends on the game, but a 580 is not going to give 80-100fps on any demanding games. And since we don't know when the new Navi will actually be released considering a Vega 56 is not at all an unreasonable thing to do if an increase is needed today, instead of sometime in 2020.
As others have said, you’re connecting it right by keeping the eGPU on its own TB3 controller.
The higher you push frame rates, the more that PCIe bandwidth matters. On current gen hardware, TB3 will only give the eGPU about 22Gb/s (10Gb/s of the 32Gb/s is reserved by the controller). This is less than 3 full PCIe 3.0 lanes, compared to what the iMac’s GPU gets (at least 8, likely 16? Don’t quote me on that) or a full desktop that gets 16 lanes. Point being, you’re almost certainly bandwidth constrained.
If you’re booting into Windows, you can check this easily using GPU-Z, which can log bus utilization to a text file while you’re playing the game. If you’re regularly seeing instances of 100% utilization, those are moments when the FPS is bandwidth constrained.
If you want to get equivalent frame rates you’ll have to use a higher class of card (like a Vega). But this is an avenue of diminishing returns - you’re trying to compensate for the reduced bandwidth by cutting down frame render time by throwing more GPU at the problem. At some point the bus becomes the dominant factor.
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I know it seems absurd, but gaming (especially competitive multiplayer) is moving towards 120-144Hz. For many of us, it’s about time. The visual difference between 60 and 120Hz is remarkable.
As for competitive gaming, with double and triple buffering, the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz is human perceptible in terms of input lag. Granted, for 99%+ of players their skills are the bottleneck, not their frame rates, but it still “feels” nicer regardless.
Zdigital2015
macrumors 601
Make sure your eGPU can handle the power requirements of a Vega 56 before you buy one...
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For paying work that would benefit from a faster GPU, helping get the job done faster, make more money, sure...for some extra FPS on a game...no...unless that’s your profession.
richpjr
macrumors 601
I would say a hard core gamer would absolutely pay for extra FPS, but in reality a hard core gamer would likely get a Windows gaming PC and not play on a mini with an eGPU.
Zdigital2015
macrumors 601
Different strokes for different folks...faster editing, more effects, layers, LUTs, etc., quicker turnaround, more quality time and money - I'm there...probably why I don't pine for the return of NVIDIA GPUs, because unless it can speed up a workflow, I could care less how many FPS it can push in Far Cry 5, Anthem, Fortnite, et al.
My sympathy extends to people who want a Mac and need CUDA, but that's about it.
Again, different strokes for different folks...