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jerseykid80

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 8, 2014
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Hello i have a 2018 i7 mac mini with 32 gb ram. I purchased an EGPU Razer chroma x along with amd sapphire 5700XT NITRO. I just connected it to the mac mini it shows its connected on the the top right. But under system info its showing the internal HD graphics right now i have the display connected to the mac mini not the egpu would this make the difference i dont think so? Anyone have any info on this??
 
My setup: Mini with a short TB3 cable to the eGPU and Display Port cable to the monitor. This is where I would start.
It can be a little hit or miss with the Mini and eGPU full compatibility.
I'm also using an HDMI cable from the Mini to a second monitor (TV) for a boot screen. Gotta love Apple >10.15.4
All working well now.
 
Ok i was able to figure it out i need to connect all displays that i want to use run the card with to the EGPU card it works amazing.
 
I am interested in a similar setup but with the regular Razer Core X - I was wondering how quiet it is? The Nitro has three fans? Thanks!
 
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Hello i have a 2018 i7 mac mini with 32 gb ram. I purchased an EGPU Razer chroma x along with amd sapphire 5700XT NITRO. I just connected it to the mac mini it shows its connected on the the top right. But under system info its showing the internal HD graphics right now i have the display connected to the mac mini not the egpu would this make the difference i dont think so? Anyone have any info on this??

What is the point of having eGPU if you are not going to connect the monitor to it? It is not surprising to see mini using internal GPU as it is where the monitor is connected.

Ok i was able to figure it out i need to connect all displays that i want to use run the card with to the EGPU card it works amazing.

Yes, if you have eGPU all monitors should be connected to eGPU if you want to use eGPU.
 
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I am interested in a similar setup but with the regular Razer Core X - I was wondering how quiet it is? The Nitro has three fans? Thanks!
I have the MSI version of the 5700 in my Core X and it’s whisper quiet. Even when it revs up, it’s quieter than my external hard drive’s fan.
 
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I am interested in a similar setup but with the regular Razer Core X - I was wondering how quiet it is? The Nitro has three fans? Thanks!


Hi i have only played DOTA 2 and its super super quiet I love the fact GPU only starts spinning when its needed
 
What games have you guys tried on your EGPU??? i may try witcher 2 today and see how it runs. I went with the 5700 XT its one of the newest and one of the best AMD gpu catalina supports.
 
@jerseykid80 which version of macOS are you running this on? I have issues with no video output on 10.15.4, I've tried two clean installs...
 
Hey I’m running it on Catalina 10.15.4 same as you what egpu and gpu are you using?
RX 5700 XT via a Razer Core X, Mac mini 2018, i7@3.2GHz, 32GB; so same as you?

I have 3 external monitors, all over eGPU (2x DP, 1x HDMI). You now have no issues at all? Do you see the Apple logo at startup?

I even tested 10.15.5 beta 2 and had the same issues
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I am interested in a similar setup but with the regular Razer Core X - I was wondering how quiet it is? The Nitro has three fans? Thanks!

Hey, I have the Razer Core X (not Chroma) and I notice an audible humming from my PSU fan, it's not crazy loud, but it's noticeably annoying me. No clue if the Chroma has the same PSU. The PSU is replaceable, but finding one the right size with the fans on the right side (and orientation) is not an easy task (and probably ~100£). Looks nice though!
 
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RX 5700 XT via a Razer Core X, Mac mini 2018, i7@3.2GHz, 32GB; so same as you?

I have 3 external monitors, all over eGPU (2x DP, 1x HDMI). You now have no issues at all? Do you see the Apple logo at startup?

I even tested 10.15.5 beta 2 and had the same issues
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Hey, I have the Razer Core X (not Chroma) and I notice an audible humming from my PSU fan, it's not crazy loud, but it's noticeably annoying me. No clue if the Chroma has the same PSU. The PSU is replaceable, but finding one the right size with the fans on the right side (and orientation) is not an easy task (and probably ~100£). Looks nice though!
@jerseykid80 which version of macOS are you running this on? I have issues with no video output on 10.15.4, I've tried two clean installs...

Have you ever got this to work? What exactly is happening? So when you plug into. Egpu to Mac mini via TB 3 cable it doesn’t recognize it? I believe the PSU unit for the core x is 600 no? The 5700 XT needs at least 650 psu I could be wrong on this. But I remember reading about this.
 
Have you ever got this to work? What exactly is happening? So when you plug into. Egpu to Mac mini via TB 3 cable it doesn’t recognize it? I believe the PSU unit for the core x is 600 no? The 5700 XT needs at least 650 psu I could be wrong on this. But I remember reading about this.

On 10.15.3, yep. I get the classic issues others have, though.


The Core X and AMD RX 5700 XT is a recommended configuration by Apple:

I went by that to be honest. The Razer Core X claims 650 watts (https://www.razer.com/gb-en/gaming-laptops/razer-core-x). Typical board power is then 225W, with PSU recommendations at 600W. So I'd hope it'd be fine.

I've played around with it on Windows without issue (after downgrading to the version prior to Windows breaking it... Which is supposedly fixed in the latest Insider build)
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I am tempted to upgrade the PSU anyway, I just need to work out which one I'm going for. I want the silence!
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Or maybe it's worth sending this back and switching to the chroma? Is it near-completely silent?
 
On 10.15.3, yep. I get the classic issues others have, though.


The Core X and AMD RX 5700 XT is a recommended configuration by Apple:

I went by that to be honest. The Razer Core X claims 650 watts (https://www.razer.com/gb-en/gaming-laptops/razer-core-x). Typical board power is then 225W, with PSU recommendations at 600W. So I'd hope it'd be fine.

I've played around with it on Windows without issue (after downgrading to the version prior to Windows breaking it... Which is supposedly fixed in the latest Insider build)
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I am tempted to upgrade the PSU anyway, I just need to work out which one I'm going for. I want the silence!
[automerge]1587675850[/automerge]
Or maybe it's worth sending this back and switching to the chroma? Is it near-completely silent?

I don’t hear anything but again I only tried dota 2 on max settings I want to try Witcher 2 to text.
 

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I don’t hear anything but again I only tried dota 2 on max settings I want to try Witcher 2 to text.
Good enough for me! I don't care if I can hear while making it work, but the constant fan noise when my Mac is idling (or even sleeping!) is killing me!

Are all your monitors plugged in via eGPU? Was it a fresh install?

I'm redownloading the 10.15.4 installer, I'll give that another shot on an external drive this time.
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Do you see the startup manager? When you hold down option at boot are you able to select the startup drive?

You keep your monitors & eGPU plugged in at boot? Nothing is connected over build-in HDMI, right?
 
Good enough for me! I don't care if I can hear while making it work, but the constant fan noise when my Mac is idling (or even sleeping!) is killing me!

Are all your monitors plugged in via eGPU? Was it a fresh install?

I'm redownloading the 10.15.4 installer, I'll give that another shot on an external drive this time.
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Do you see the startup manager? When you hold down option at boot are you able to select the startup drive?

You keep your monitors & eGPU plugged in at boot? Nothing is connected over build-in HDMI, right?


right now I’m using a dell 32 4K monitor plugged into DP of gpu. I will be connecting a 27 vertical into the DP as well. I have 34 inch alien ware ultra wide coming in next week that will be main. Selling the 4k sell it was the mac mini right out of the box. Nothing over HDMI just display port.
 
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right now I’m using a dell 32 4K monitor plugged into DP of gpu. I will be connecting a 27 vertical into the DP as well. I have 34 inch alien ware ultra wide coming in next week that will be main. Selling the 4k sell it was the mac mini right out of the box. Nothing over HDMI just display port.

Just tried another 10.15.4 clean install. Same issue, even when using just a single DP monitor via the GPU. Super weird!

I only bought all this stuff ~2 weeks ago, so I don't know whether to send it back or wait for Apple to fix it...
 
Just tried another 10.15.4 clean install. Same issue, even when using just a single DP monitor via the GPU. Super weird!

I only bought all this stuff ~2 weeks ago, so I don't know whether to send it back or wait for Apple to fix it...


Sorry if i missed it what exactly is the issue? Mac doesn't see the EGPU? what model card is it exactly
 
Sorry if i missed it what exactly is the issue? Mac doesn't see the EGPU? what model card is it exactly

No video out from the eGPU. If it’s plugged in at boot it just doesn’t work. The Mac recognised the GPU, but sees no displays.

If I plug it in after logging on WITHOUT monitors connected then plug the displays into the GPU about 10 seconds later, then it works
 
No video out from the eGPU. If it’s plugged in at boot it just doesn’t work. The Mac recognised the GPU, but sees no displays.

If I plug it in after logging on WITHOUT monitors connected then plug the displays into the GPU about 10 seconds later, then it works


I would swap out GPUS and see maybe its an issue with that? What monitors are you using and what connections are you using? I highly recommend getting the core x Chroma. Not for the RGB but for the 4 extra powered USB ports and I believe it has higher PSU then regular core x.
 
I would swap out GPUS and see maybe its an issue with that? What monitors are you using and what connections are you using? I highly recommend getting the core x Chroma. Not for the RGB but for the 4 extra powered USB ports and I believe it has higher PSU then regular core x.

I only have a GTX 1080 as an alternative, which I believe won't run on macOS sadly.

I've sent a message to Razer, so I'll see what they say regarding exchanging for a Chroma; the PSU might make it worth it.

Though my current setup was working on 10.15.3, and works fine on Windows. It's super peculiar that it's failing for me on .4, and not you. I've seen some others on the eGPU.io forums with black screen issues on .4 w/ an RX 5700 XT too
 
I don’t hear anything but again I only tried dota 2 on max settings I want to try Witcher 2 to text.
On 10.15.3, yep. I get the classic issues others have, though.


The Core X and AMD RX 5700 XT is a recommended configuration by Apple:

I went by that to be honest. The Razer Core X claims 650 watts (https://www.razer.com/gb-en/gaming-laptops/razer-core-x). Typical board power is then 225W, with PSU recommendations at 600W. So I'd hope it'd be fine.

I've played around with it on Windows without issue (after downgrading to the version prior to Windows breaking it... Which is supposedly fixed in the latest Insider build)
[automerge]1587675713[/automerge]
I am tempted to upgrade the PSU anyway, I just need to work out which one I'm going for. I want the silence!
[automerge]1587675850[/automerge]
Or maybe it's worth sending this back and switching to the chroma? Is it near-completely silent?

If you read the apple doc. "Use an external graphics processor with your Mac" At the bottom of the page, above the publish date. Read the small print. It basically nullifies everything stated in there Doc. Sad
 
I would swap out GPUS and see maybe its an issue with that? What monitors are you using and what connections are you using? I highly recommend getting the core x Chroma. Not for the RGB but for the 4 extra powered USB ports and I believe it has higher PSU then regular core x.

Which 5700 XT do you have? I think this is the one I'm using: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Powercolor-Radeon-5700XT-DUAL-8GB/dp/B07WW2SZRY

Going to exchange it and try another manufacturer's card instead I think
 
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Which 5700 XT do you have? I think this is the one I'm using: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Powercolor-Radeon-5700XT-DUAL-8GB/dp/B07WW2SZRY

Going to exchange it and try another manufacturer's card instead I think


this one the one i have price just went up its a really nice card.

 
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this one the one i have price just went up its a really nice card.


Just had Apple Care claim that the fact that I have to plug my eGPU after logging in is "as designed". 😂

I'm RMA'ing my RX 5700 XT; it's sad as I got such a great price on it. I'm now looking at a couple Sapphire and Gigabyte alternatives. I am also trying to get Razer to replace my Core X (or let me exchange for a Chroma). If I still face the same issues then I'll buy another Mac mini and see if I get the same issues on that, if it works there, I'll return my current one.
 
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