Will an eGPU help keep keep my MacMini cooler?

[N9JIG]

I have a 2018 Mac Mini (i7 6-C, 3.2 GHz, Intel UHD 630 Graphics) and am running 3 Asus VA32AQ 2560x1440 monitors (2 with USB-C to HDMI cables and the third directly connected to the HDMI port). It works well but the computer does run very hot, and I suspect running 3 monitors adds to the generated heat.

I have considered getting an eGPU for a while but so far I have not been able to justify it to myself or the boss (aka Wife). Having had heat related issues on my prior iMacs that created issues with the graphics I was wondering if offloading some of the work would make any appreciable reduction in the heat generated by my little Mac thus increasing the lifespan of it.

I am also considering getting a MBP soon so I might be able to leverage it with that but so far I am trying to see if it is worth investing in for the Mini.

 

[LeeW]

The heat comes from the CPU in the main, so the only way to reduce heat is to reduce the CPU load. Will moving 3 monitors to an eGPU solve that? It depends. It will certainly help to a degree but if your are doing CPU intensive operations an eGPU will not help.

We eally need to know what you are doing on the device.

 

[N9JIG]

During the day with my WFH job I run 4 browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari, Parallels (with Win10 and our phone software). After hours it is only FireFox with YouTube or other streaming videos the most common task.

I wonder seperately if an eGPU would allow me to add a fourth monitor to the MacMini?

 

[LeeW]

So 4 browsers operating concurrently is going to hit your CPU pretty hard as will parallels as it's a VM with CPU power allocated to it. An eGPU is not going to make a difference noticeable enough to justify it in my view.

Even if you pass all the onboard GPU processes out to an eGPU it does not bypass the mac entirely so negligible reductions in heat.

All that said, an eGPU will bring its own benefits which should not be overlooked in terms of additional performance gains. Depending on the choice of enclosure and card you mac could easily handle 4 monitors.

So whilst you probably will see some heat reduction, the gains in GPU processing power and being able to hook up 4 monitors may make it a good option.

 

[jayducharme]

I agree with LeeW. I have the 2018 mini with a Razer Core eGPU. Depending on the task, my mini can run really hot. The eGPU comes into play only with certain applications. Browsers might benefit a little from an eGPU depending upon what they're rendering. But mostly Safari will lean on the CPU. I use Fusion, and it really revs up my eGPU (though it doesn't seem to help performance-wise).

 

[ashleykaryl]

My daughter has a 2018 MBP and the moment you start a task like exporting an HD video or rendering frames from Maya the fans will race and it sounds really stressed. We picked up a cheap USB cooling pad with fans that sits underneath and like that it can work hard all day with barely a murmur, because the fan does such a good job in keeping it cool. It uses less battery power and I am fairly sure it will go a long way towards extending the life of the computer.

I have a new mini arriving in the next 10 days I may well do the same if it seems like heat will be an issue. Alternatively I guess a vertical stand might help with ventilation.

 

[ach]

I doubt with your usage the eGPU would make a big difference. There are utilities to look at the system utilization of the CPU/GPU, I use XRG. You can see the CPU/GPU and temperatures. I would keep the unused browser tabs closed if it is not being used. BTW, I am impressed that the mini can handle such a load.

 

[N9JIG]

So far the Mac Mini has handled everything i have thrown at it. There are times the temps run all the way at 100C but usually during the work day it runs in the 70's. At idle it is usually around 55C

I have the highest level 6-core processor and 32GB of RAM so horsepower is not a real problem for what I am doing. It does get mighty hot when I am watching streaming stuff on Hulu, NF etc.