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2019 15" MacBook Pro (RP555X) [9th,6C,H] + RX 5700 XT @ 32Gbps-TB3 (AKiTiO Node) + macOS 10.15.3 & Win10 1909 [moltentofu]  

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moltentofu
 moltentofu
(@moltentofu)
Active Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Builds: 1
Posts: 5
January 7, 2020 12:15 am  

System specs

  • 2019 15" Macbook Pro
  • Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9750H CPU @ 2.60GHz
  • Intel UHD Graphics 630
  • AMD Radeon Pro 555X
  • OS X 10.15.3 beta 1 (noted in case firmware updates in 15.3 affect this build)
  • Win10 10.0.18363 Build 18363 (latest general release)

 

eGPU hardware

  • Akitio Node (non-Pro; never updated firmware)
  • Noctua 120mm front fan; replacement PSU fan (didn't like the whir of the original)
  • PowerColor Red Dragon Radeon RX 5700 XT
  • Apple-brand TB3 cable
  • External monitor: Dell S2719DC

 

Hardware pictures 

 

Installation steps

(Whole process took less than 2 hours including waiting around for stuff to install)

  1. Apple Developer Program > update to 10.15.3 beta ("beta 1" was released when I did this - https://developer.apple.com/programs/)
  2. Download November Update ISO from Microsoft (as of publishing date, is the default ISO)
  3. Unplug all Thunderbolt devices
  4. Bootcamp Assistant > Partition Drive > Complete Bootcamp Assistant (all defaults, I installed Windows Pro)
  5. Reboot into Windows > complete installation including all Apple drivers (all defaults again - for some reason this failed several times inc. once with a BSOD, but eventually all was installed by just trying repeatedly)
  6. Run Windows Update (installed all available updates inc. Dec roll-up & security patches; did NOT select to install "other Microsoft products")
  7. Run Apple Software Update (installed all available updates)
  8. Download DDU / Adrenaline 2020 Red Gaming edition drivers from bootcampdrivers.com
  9. Reboot into Safe Mode w/NO networking, per DDU instructions
  10. Run DDU (set last option in the list to block auto-installing drivers for newly discovered display adapters)
  11. Install Adrenaline 2020 drivers from bootcampdrivers.com (all defaults, also said "yes" when prompted if I wanted to remove old drivers which triggered a reboot to complete the install)
  12. Shut down laptop
  13. Plug in eGPU (no other devices), and UNPLUG external monitor from eGPU (unplug monitor otherwise just boots to black screen and cannot proceed)
  14. Boot into Windows
  15. Confirm 5700 XT is (1) recognized and (2) Error 12
  16. Download the file hosted on this comment: https://egpu.io/forums/pc-setup/egpu-fail-after-update-to-windows-19-03/paged/11/#post-71374
  17. Follow instructions on this comment to replace pci.sys and remove access for "TrustedInstaller": https://egpu.io/forums/pc-setup/egpu-fail-after-update-to-windows-19-03/paged/11/#post-71355
  18. Reboot into Windows without unplugging eGPU
  19. Confirm 5700 XT Error 12 is resolved and all appears to be working
  20. Plug external monitor back into eGPU
  21. Done

 

Result:

Fully functional bootcamp setup on latest version of Windows Pro - reboot / cold boot w/eGPU always plugged in and awaken from sleep both working perfectly. Reboot into OS X and back to Windows with no issues or unplugging / hot plugging required. All other thunderbolt ports appear completely functional as well.

 

Benchmarks

4 lanes of PCI-E:


7713 in Time Spy (external monitor only):

 

Comments

Now I can play Squad again. Save goodbye to my loved ones for me.

This topic was modified 3 years ago
2019 15" MacBook Pro (RP555X) [9th,6C,H] + RX 5700 XT @ 32Gbps-TB3 (AKiTiO Node) + macOS 10.15.3 & Win10 1909 [build link]  

mac_editor, Eightarmedpet and Florin Samareanu liked
ReplyQuote
 kaelig
(@kaelig)
New Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 2
January 18, 2020 11:35 pm  

Thank you for sharing! I followed the same steps, however I did it with the latest Windows insiders build, latest version of all drivers, and Catalina 10.15.3 beta 2. 

After step 18, instead of getting error 12 resolved, the 5700 XT stops being recognized and instead is showing up as a "PCI Express Downstream Switch Port" (status: Code 12).

Any help would be appreciated. 

XFX 5700 XT Ultra, Razer Core X Chroma, MacBook Pro 15 (late 2016 with RP460), macOS Catalina 10.15.3 Public beta 2, windows insiders build on an external SSD.


ReplyQuote
 @Os
(@os)
Active Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 18
January 18, 2020 11:55 pm  

Does this work for mac mini? 

Mac mini + Razer Core x + PowerColor RX 5700XT + Catalina 10.15.2


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nakronne
 nakronne
(@nakronne)
Active Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 14
July 10, 2020 10:53 pm  

Thank you for sharing!

So the RX 5700 XT doesn't need a PSU replacement with the Aikitio Node?

MacBook Pro (mid 2018, i9, 32gb, Radeon Pro 560X) + Akitio Node + Nvidia GTX980TI


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Marlon Brenes
 Marlon Brenes
(@marlon_brenes)
New Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 1
October 16, 2020 2:34 am  

@moltentofu, 

Lovely build, thanks for sharing. 

I was also wondering about the power consumption of the 5700 xt. Did you run into any power-related problems with the stock PSU of the Akitio Node?

 

To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.

.

nakronne liked
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