System specs
27" iMac late 2015 17,1, (thunderbolt 2)
3.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
32GB Ram
1 TB Fusion
AMD Radeon R9 M390 2GB
MacOS Catalina 10.15.1
eGPU hardware
AMD Sapphire Pulse RX 580 8GB GDDR5
Apple TB3->TB2 adapter + OWC 0.5m TB2 -> TB2 cable
Display port cable to Samsung UE590 28" 4k monitor
Installation steps
Followed the steps outlined here: https://github.com/mayankk2308/purge-wrangler/blob/master/README.md
For disabling the SIP, I left out the "$" in the instructions linked above. This maybe code speak that I was to ignore regardless.
Benchmarks
I bought this egpu purely for 4k video worki n davinci resolve. This is really all I can benchmark. This is exporting a 1 minute h.264 4k file to 422 LT 4k without using optimized media or render cache and it took 1:54. The 5700 XT ran this test in 2:40. The internal GPU ran this is 4:44.
Here is the same test as above, but with using optimized media and render cache: 0:34. The internal GPU ran this same test in a staggering 0:36. The 5700 XT ran this test in 0:41.
For fun, here are some gaming benchmarks:
Comments
The benchmarks are what they are but this computer can now play diablo 3 on near top settings and still get decent FPS. This is the only computer game I own. This system was really put together for Davinci Resolve. I will say DR 16 is better optimized than 15 was. The same test yielded worse results until I upgraded to 16. Once there is render cache in davinci resolve, the timeline holds true at the timeline frame rate with 4k h.264 footage. I've only tried 23.976. The internal gpu could not play back the footage under any circumstance unless it was 1080p or less. Adobe Photoshop CC 2020 runs a little smoother. Certain tools don't lag now.
I also bought the XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT. In most tests, it performed worse except for the Unigine test. in Unigine, it blows the RX580 out of the water. But when I turned on Diablo 3, it was nearly as bad as the internal GPU! Also, the 5700 XT DOES NOT work with DR15! This GPU's drivers have a long way to go and I just can't justify the extra cost nor do I want to wait for it to be optimized. I'll be returning it.
@koncept_zero Thank you for sharing a nice build guide! I agree the Navi drivers need a lot more work.
• external graphics card builds
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2013 Mac Pro (FP D500 x2) [3rd,12C,E] + RX 5700 XT @ 16Gbps-TB2>TB3 (Mantiz Saturn Pro) + macOS 11 [build link]
@koncept_zero Thank you for sharing a nice build guide! I agree the Navi drivers need a lot more work.
You're welcome. My guess it's the drivers and the fact I'm using a TB2 setup. Definitely a bottleneck.
My Davinci Resolve 16 benchmarks thread: https://egpu.io/forums/pro-applications/davinci-resolve-16-tb2-egpu-rx580-benchmarks/
I have a question. When we want to create a configuration with imac, do we need an external display or is this a requirement?
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
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I have a question since macOS has already integrated Metal in almost all creative applications. Would Metal make the most of an eGPU during this time?
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
macOS Catalina 10.15.3
Mainly using Final Cut Pro X and Da Vinci Resolve. Thanks for answers!
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
.I have a question. When we want to create a configuration with imac, do we need an external display or is this a requirement?
You do not need an external display. For best performance, I would recommend one. You'll see limited gains without an external monitor.
I have a question since macOS has already integrated Metal in almost all creative applications. Would Metal make the most of an eGPU during this time?
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
macOS Catalina 10.15.3
Mainly using Final Cut Pro X and Da Vinci Resolve. Thanks for answers!
As of 10.15.2, Open GL still provided the best performance in my testing. I don't think there would be any improvement in 10.15.3. The only benefit with Metal within DR is getting to select which GPU you want to use.
Thanks for your reply mate! This will surely help. I am concerned primarily is in render performance in Final Cut Pro. Will it utilize the eGPU once used?
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
.I don't know as I don't use Final Cut. I've heard FC has mixed results using eGPU's. You'll need to do some more digging.
Thanks for letting me know mate! I'll definitely have to research more.
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
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😉 Here is your homework:
https://egpu.io/forums/pro-applications/insights-into-macos-video-editing-performance/#post-73416
2018 Mac Mini i5 / 6-core 3.0-4.1 Ghz / 32GB / 256GB / Intel UHD 630 / PowerColor Gaming Station / PowerColor dual-fan RX 5700 XT / Mac OS 10.15.6 Catalina / Windows 2004 😏 / Dual LG 27" 4K displays