mbp+egpu vs mac pro vs build my own pc

[wubsylol]

That's true. It's definitely the most convenient option. I'm absolutely hoping Apple announce some eGPU-related goodies at WWDC, whether it be an entire Apple-branded box, or just a way to use the UltraFine 5K with an eGPU.

 

[Schranke]

Now that this has come up I’m interested in the numbers too. I will try to run some tests this weekend.

I will look forward to it. I have not seen any data on performance for MBP's running a eGPU. Would be interesting to see how the whole lineup fare with an eGPU, especially how big a difference it makes in temps, RPM, throttling on machines with a dGPU.

 

[northernmunky]

Glad you posted this OP because I'm thinking the exact same thing.

I have a mini-ITX PC build already that not to shabby specs really for 3 years old, but I expect the new MBP assuming we get the 6-core Cannonlake will definitely be more powerful than my desktop so my thinking is to sell my desktop for parts, all except my GPU (I have a Titan Xp), stick that in an eGPU box and boot to windows via my MacBook for gaming purposes.

Even smaller footprint on my desk, and if I combine with a secondary external M.2 drive of maybe 1Tb to house all my games and Windows stuff, that should be all I need.

 

[ilikewhey]

i just came back from microcenter checking out gaming laptop and holy cow these things are heavy + loud. running cpu furmark bench on them wasn't so bad, the back of the laptop barely heats up, so from that indication i'm guessing cpu cooling on laptop nowadays are adequate.

 

[howiest]

It is pricey, but let me offer a counter argument. For the same price as a well-specced 15” MBP I got a 13” MBP and an eGPU with a Radeon RX 580 8GB. I have better GPU performance than the 15” MBP and I can enjoy the ability to upgrade my GPU at any time. I can also use the eGPU with any other thunderbolt equipped Mac I might purchase down the road and I don’t have to worry about maintaining an additional machine just for gaming.

It also lets me use a smaller Mac when traveling as I don’t need the GPU power on the go.

As you said, performance and stability in macOS continues to increase. It’s plug and play right now and I haven’t had any issues.

For me, in the long run the eGPU route is cheaper and more convenient.

For me, the show-stopper with this setup is you can’t use eGPUs in Windows through Boot Camp. And that's where the lions share of games are. If that changes in the future, then I'm interested. If they also add Nvidia support, then I'm even more interested.

 

[Acronyc]

For me, the show-stopper with this setup is you can’t use eGPUs in Windows through Boot Camp. And that's where the lions share of games are. If that changes in the future, then I'm interested. If they also add Nvidia support, then I'm even more interested.

I use my eGPU in Windows just fine. It’s not as plug and play as it is in macOS, but it just requires a bit of tinkering. Check out egpu.io for lots of implementation guides.

 

[hajime]

Do most of you use Nvidia or AMD GPU?
[doublepost=1527241576][/doublepost]

That's true. It's definitely the most convenient option. I'm absolutely hoping Apple announce some eGPU-related goodies at WWDC, whether it be an entire Apple-branded box, or just a way to use the UltraFine 5K with an eGPU.

If it is Apple branded, it may not accept Nvidia GPU.
[doublepost=1527241611][/doublepost]What is itx?

 

[howiest]

I use my eGPU in Windows just fine. It’s not as plug and play as it is in macOS, but it just requires a bit of tinkering. Check out egpu.io for lots of implementation guides.

Good to know Acronyc, I like that there's almost always a workaround.
I just wish Apple wouldn't put up roadblocks so often.

 

[swerve147]

I have never been a big Windows fan, never understood really what is going on in the depth of the OS. An OS with an X in the name is something you can talk to. So 2002 or so I bought my first Mac. My main machine is the good old Macbook Pro 17 from late 2011. It is still fine for my work stuff, but since some years not an option for gaming. That was about 2015 or so, eGPU was at least for Macs not a really an option. I was looking for a gaming capable device and a device for the road, so I ended up wirh an Alienware 13 and Graphics Amplifier.

During the last 3 years I had to deal with countless driver issues. Very often after shutting down the system, disconnect fomr eGPU unit, start the device without eGPU. Mouse not working, cannot detect internal GPU, sound driver problem. After fixing this issues and reconnectong eGPU some days later, guess what? Other driver problems with connected eGPU.

A friend of mine got a Razor Blade with eGPU and he has problems, too. So, from what I saw eGPU is a tricky thing you have to think abut.

But I am really thinking to give it a try again with OSX. Why? My beloved 17" is getting old and I am still looking for a good working / gaming combo. Without driver issues from 9 hells. I hope that WWDC will give some updates to eGPU.

Just to offer a counterpoint—an Alienware 13 R3 and eGPU setup with 1080 ti is my daily driver. After a clean install of Windows 10 I have had close to zero problems. Any problems I do have are weird one off “huh” scenarios (like a frozen desktop, for example) where a reboot or logging off and back on solved it. And I haven’t had one of those in a couple of months. Anyway, YMMV.

 

[hajime]

[doublepost=1527241576][/doublepost]

If it is Apple branded, it may not accept Nvidia GPU.
[doublepost=1527241611][/doublepost]What is itx?

 

[Acronyc]

Good to know Acronyc, I like that there's almost always a workaround.
I just wish Apple wouldn't put up roadblocks so often.

I agree, though last year Apple really started to improve the eGPU situation in macOS. Before High Sierra it wasn’t plug and play and, while I got it to work, it always required some tinkering. It is so much easier now and I hope Apple will make it easier with official boot camp support.
[doublepost=1527286698][/doublepost]

Do most of you use Nvidia or AMD GPU?
[doublepost=1527241576][/doublepost]

If it is Apple branded, it may not accept Nvidia GPU.
[doublepost=1527241611][/doublepost]What is itx?

I use an AMD card, but recently there are some workarounds for Nvidia support. I was using an Nvidia card for my old eGPU build.