MacMini 2018 Catalina 10.15.7 + Sonnet Puck RX 560 eGPU

[Susurs]

Hi,

I have MacMini 2018 / i7 / 32GB which runs macOS Catalina 10.15.7. (the latest updates). I am planning to add Sonnet Puck RX 560 eGPU to the system.

I am a bit confused regarding the support of RX 560 in Catalina, though.

1) Is Sonnet Puck - RX 560 natively supported in 10.15.7+?

2) When I connect my primary display via eGPU’s HDMI or DP in 10.15.7. - will Mac Mini be able to boot up and display apple logo / loading screen? No monitor would be connected to the internal ports of Mac Mini.

3) Can I switch to iGPU when only Thunderbolt 3 eGPU (Sonnet Puck) is connected via Thunderbolt?

4) Is it supported and working in macOS Big Sur in case I would like to upgrade the software later?

5) Do Parallels support RX 560?

6) Anyone has any experience with this eGPU and Bootcamp?

 

[N9JIG]

1) Works like a champ in Catalina (and Big Sur when it comes to that).

2) Yes, but it takes a few seconds longer to view. The only time I have had an issue was when installing Big Sur last week. I had to to plug in to the HDMI port for that, but once it was complete all was well with the world again.

3) Not sure, I would presume so as long as a monitor is connected to the Mini's HDMI or TB3 port.

4) Yep, works fine.

5) I run Parallels 16 and it works just fine.

6) I have not used it with Bootcamp, nor have I used Bootcamp with the Mini. The last time I used Bootcamp was with mu old pre-5K iMac.

As an aside, if it matters: The 56 based Sonnet Puck also works well with Windows 10 on my Hades Canyon NUC.

 

[Susurs]

Excellent, thank you!

P.S. Is there any performance difference fow Windows itself in Parallels when using the eGPU. Smoother GUI, generally faster system?

 

[N9JIG]

I have not noticed any differences , but then I don't do anything in Windows that might make that an issue. I mostly do pretty mundane tasks like run our phone system and program radios, neither of which tax the graphics much.