Possible Broader Native Support for eGPU?

[Rian Gray]

One of the major features of High Sierra would be the native support for eGPU. But recently I learned that Apple is supporting only a specific set of GPUs (RX 470/480/570/580).

All of which happens to be part of cryptocurrency-hyped graphic cards that are either hard to get your hands on or ridiculously expensive, probably jumped 2-3 times more than it used to from April. Considering bitcoin and others are not going away in any time soon, I don't see how Apple can pull this off with only 4 options.

So I am wondering, if Apple had made any announcements on expanding the supports (drivers are definitely already there) or is it even possible to use 3rd party scripts. (perhaps even simply jailbreak from what Apple is intentionally blocking) I did do a little digging, but all I could find was that it is becoming more and more impossible to use 3rd party scripts to enable eGPU on Mac.

 

[lJoSquaredl]

I thought I've seen some youtube videos of people using 980s and 1060s tho. Either way I was def curious if I had to use an AMD to get better results out of FCPX using OpenCL. My main reason for getting it was gaming so I could get rid of my Windows PC finally, but I completely forgot about it giving a healthy buff to my FCPX exports as well.

 

[cynics]

One of the major features of High Sierra would be the native support for eGPU. But recently I learned that Apple is supporting only a specific set of GPUs (RX 470/480/570/580).

All of which happens to be part of cryptocurrency-hyped graphic cards that are either hard to get your hands on or ridiculously expensive, probably jumped 2-3 times more than it used to from April. Considering bitcoin and others are not going away in any time soon, I don't see how Apple can pull this off with only 4 options.

So I am wondering, if Apple had made any announcements on expanding the supports (drivers are definitely already there) or is it even possible to use 3rd party scripts. (perhaps even simply jailbreak from what Apple is intentionally blocking) I did do a little digging, but all I could find was that it is becoming more and more impossible to use 3rd party scripts to enable eGPU on Mac.

To the best of my knowledge the drivers are their for Sierra and with some tinkering plenty of people are using nvidia based eGPUs on it. They are waiting for High Sierra drivers.

1080 Ti

 

[Rian Gray]

I've actually tried running RX 560 on High Sierra, and Mac does recognize an eGPU connected via Thunderbolt. The problem is, it can't utilize it contrary to what the beta's driver list says. To the best of my knowledge, unless one has one of those cards, it's nearly impossible to use them as eGPU on High Sierra.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

GPU mining is in its death throes and cards are being dumped on the market now. The only crypto that will remain mineable will be too cheap to be worthwhile.

Prices will be realistic by the time High Sierra is out.

As long as eGPU support remains, all we need is AMD, Apple and Nvidia to treat macOS users with the same respect Windows users get.

 

[ryxn]

As long as eGPU support remains, all we need is AMD, Apple and Nvidia to treat macOS users with the same respect Windows users get.

AGREED.

And I think with Apple's push into eGPUs, that'll happen. It would be nice to have manufacturers develop at least one model that's tailored to Metal 2 and includes some cool specs Apple users may find handy.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

AGREED.

And I think with Apple's push into eGPUs, that'll happen. It would be nice to have manufacturers develop at least one model that's tailored to Metal 2 and includes some cool specs Apple users may find handy.

The eGPU cases out now are a mixed bunch. Some have great posts but ugly design. Some have great design and no ports. They all need a new firmware update to utilise full bandwidth.

Apple should build their own eGPU case with SSD drive bays and hub. This could encourage PC users who already own a GPU to buy a Mac and eGPU case.

 

[cmaier]

The eGPU cases out now are a mixed bunch. Some have great posts but ugly design. Some have great design and no ports. They all need a new firmware update to utilise full bandwidth.

Apple should build their own eGPU case with SSD drive bays and hub. This could encourage PC users who already own a GPU to buy a Mac and eGPU case.

They probably think the market is too small - they didn't even want to make monitors anymore, though thankfully they are revisiting.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

They probably think the market is too small - they didn't even want to make monitors anymore, though thankfully they are revisiting.

It's bigger than we think. eGPU makers are selling their cases as fast as they can make them. If the AMD cards were in short supply the orders would be higher. There's a large enough number of users who want a portable machine that can turn into a more powerful desktop.