2018 15" MacBook Pro (RP560X) [8th,6C,H] + RX 480 @ 32Gbps-TB3 (Sonnet Breakaway 350) + macOS 10.14 & Win10 [mac_editor]  

System Specifications

• MacBook Pro 15" (2018)
• CPU: 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (i7-8850H)
• GPU(s): Intel UHD 630, Radeon Pro 560X
• macOS 10.14.x & Windows 10

 

eGPU Specifications

• Sonnet Breakaway eGFX 350W -> 600W Corsair Upgraded
• MSI Armor RX 480 OC 4G
  
• Apple TB3 Cable

 

Installation

The installation process is usually straightforward if you use one of the solutions on this forum.

For macOS

Native compatibility: This eGPU setup has official support and does not require any additional software-work to get working. It is also easy to connect multiple such eGPUs.

Not all applications take advantage of external GPUs. For that, one can use set-eGPU.sh for High Sierra (10.13.4+) or use the Prefer External GPU option in Mojave.

 

For Windows 10

Drawback: Unable to use internal display, but performance gains worth it on external monitor(s).

The setup process is simple:

• Download a copy of AMD drivers from bootcampdrivers.com.
• Disconnect all internet connectivity and devices from Windows.
• Use DDU to uninstall Apple-provided drivers. It is recommended to do so in Windows Safe Mode.
• Boot back into Windows and install the downloaded drivers.
• Once the Radeon Pro 560X is up and running, reboot into Windows with eGPU plugged in or hot-plug.
• Ideally, the eGPU should begin functioning. If not, connect to the internet and let Windows set up the device.
• You will lose your internal display, so only plug in an eGPU which has a monitor connected.

 

Benchmarks

Some interesting benchmarks on macOS:

Valley, Radeon Pro 560X	Valley, RX 480
LuxMark, Radeon Pro 560X	LuxMark, RX 480

 

Comments

I only use the eGPU for testing purposes at this time, but my experience and benchmarks make the following clear:

• Compute performance over 560X: ~2.4x.
• Valley really does not do well on AMD cards, and both cards perform better on the bench in Windows.

 

Windows benchmarks will be added soon.