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Solution of playing games on MBP13 with eGPU

B

biopig

Suspended
Original poster
May 15, 2014
131
39
Hi,

Recently I got a need to play some game that is only available on Windows platform. I'm wondering how to use my existing hardware for the new need. I've always been on MacOS, with a virtual Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop. My setup is: MacBook Pro 13-inch (Customized: i7 cpu, 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD), a BlackMagic eGPU, and LG 4K display. I use only the external display.

This setup has been working perfectly for World of Warcraft on MacOS, but if I install the new game in PD, it seems like the PD won't utilize the eGPU because I found in settings it says "Windows will use system memory for graphic", despite in the eGPU there's 8GB graphic RAM.

So my plan is, get a Samsung T5 external SSD drive, and install another copy of Windows 10 using Boot Camp, and boot to Windows 10 whenever I want to play games in it. But my question is, is this feasible? Like, does Windows 10 support BlackMagic eGPU and being installed in external drive?
 
I was just referring to official Microsoft's boot from USB solution.

However, clean install it is easily doable for years now using WinToUSB soft, or Rufus on Windows 8 and up.
 
_Kiki_ said:
windows to go it's not the same, you can't compare this to clean installation, also has a limited functionality
Click to expand...
You said that there is no offical means to install windows on a USB - there is. You can't have it both ways, while there may be stipulations regarding windows to go, there is an offically supported version that is meant to be run on USB, pure and simple.

OP, do a search on installing windows on an external drive, there are actually quite a bit of tools available. I can't comment on the validity but it is possible. I did it once, but I used a manual process, looks like there are more robust methods now.

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3185777/how-to-install-windows-on-an-external-drive.html
https://www.trishtech.com/2018/12/how-to-install-windows-10-from-an-external-hard-drive/
 
owbp said:
I was just referring to official Microsoft's boot from USB solution.

However, clean install it is easily doable for years now using WinToUSB soft, or Rufus on Windows 8 and up.
Click to expand...

looks like WinToUSB it's still base on Windows To Go

maflynn said:
You said that there is no offical means to install windows on a USB - there is. You can't have it both ways, while there may be stipulations regarding windows to go, there is an offically supported version that is meant to be run on USB, pure and simple.

OP, do a search on installing windows on an external drive, there are actually quite a bit of tools available. I can't comment on the validity but it is possible. I did it once, but I used a manual process, looks like there are more robust methods now.

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3185777/how-to-install-windows-on-an-external-drive.html
https://www.trishtech.com/2018/12/how-to-install-windows-10-from-an-external-hard-drive/
Click to expand...
nonsense, windows to go it's not clean installation like said, you need computer with already installed windows to create windows to go, also in windows home edition you can't do this, you can't compare clean installation to windows to go, main drawback is limited functionality of windows to go
 
_Kiki_ said:
nonsense, windows to go it's not clean installation like said,
Click to expand...
What ever, I'm not looking to split hairs. The OP has enough info to install windows on an external drive and he can decide if its worth it or not.
 
biopig said:
Hi,

Recently I got a need to play some game that is only available on Windows platform. I'm wondering how to use my existing hardware for the new need. I've always been on MacOS, with a virtual Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop. My setup is: MacBook Pro 13-inch (Customized: i7 cpu, 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD), a BlackMagic eGPU, and LG 4K display. I use only the external display.

This setup has been working perfectly for World of Warcraft on MacOS, but if I install the new game in PD, it seems like the PD won't utilize the eGPU because I found in settings it says "Windows will use system memory for graphic", despite in the eGPU there's 8GB graphic RAM.

So my plan is, get a Samsung T5 external SSD drive, and install another copy of Windows 10 using Boot Camp, and boot to Windows 10 whenever I want to play games in it. But my question is, is this feasible? Like, does Windows 10 support BlackMagic eGPU and being installed in external drive?
Click to expand...
I can't speak specifically for the Blackmagic GPU, but I can say that you can install Windows 10 on a Samsung T5 with a. little finagling.

But my suggestion would be to install Windows system bootcamp on your internal hard drive, set to the minimum hard drive size (I believe it was 40gb), and use the Samsung T5 to store your games in Windows. You will get faster Windows functionality this way, instead of dealing with possible bottlenecks running through USB-C.

As for the BlackMagic eGPU, I haven't seen anyone specifically try it, but I would imagine with the correct drivers installed it should work. Windows bootcamp and eGPUs are totally possible just require some finesse in some cases. I am actually waiting on my Razer Core X and RX 580 GPU to arrive later this week to set mine up.
 
I am using the BM Pro for my LG UF 4K (22MD4KA) in native resolution instead of scaled resolution, because the panel is right in front of me, connected to MBA ´18 or if needed to MacMini ´18, I can play steam "mac os based games" in 4K like Metro 2033 / Last Light - Redux version.

Virtual Machine based games in VMware or Parallels differ as the eGPU will not "path through" in the VM for my last understanding reading the appropriate VMw/Parallels eGPU KB articles... so I really don't know if/how this is a benefit for you in case of gaming in a WIN VM (a shame for VMware that even VMDirectPathIO worked neither...)

The one for Parallels:
https://kb.parallels.com/124266

If you have an Apple Store or Reseller in the near do a test by yourself, so you have a "real world" scenario, to decide better.

Anyway, you can use RAZOR Core system with RTX/VEGA or higher to fulfill the needs, with triple slot GPU (cooler) you can be fine, in case of noise, but you really should do / try / research it before final purchase ...

Take care and best luck for your final solution ~ ciao
 
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