1. System specs
- Mac Pro 2013 / Intel 6-core Xeon E5-1650 @ 3.50Ghz / Dual AMD FirePro D500
- 1TB SSD (Sabrent PCIe M.2 upgrade)
- 16GB DDR3 RAM
- macOS Catalina (10.15)
- Boot ROM 133.0.0.0.0
- Bootcamp partition with Windows 10 Home version 1809 OS build 17763.1039
- HP2210i (1080p) monitor on TB2 port 1
2. eGPU hardware
- Razer Core X
- Sapphire Vega 56 8GB
- Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter
- Cable Matters TB2 to TB2 cable, 1m
- TB2 to eGPU on TB2 port 5
- Iiyama PL2792Q (1440p) monitor
3. Installation steps
3.a macOS eGPU setup
csrutil disable (or if required: csrutil enable)
Install and run Purge-wrangler - easy and works a dream
3.b Windows 10 eGPU setup
Step 0. Install Windows version 1809
Version 1903 cripples eGPU is some way. Therefore you will need to install or rollback to 1809
Download the 1809 ISO image from Microsoft download site (or wherever)
Step 1. Create a dsdt-modified.aml DSDT file with a 36-bit root bridge
Steps i, ii, iii then
Option 1: Intel Method i, ii, iii, iv
Note my own DSDT-modified.dsl compiled without error after one minor change so I did not need to use the pre-compiled one.
Step 2. Load your dsdt-modified.aml as registry override or in-memory substitution
Option 1, steps: i, ii, iii
Step 3. Confirm success with a ‘Large Memory’ area in Device Manager
Success!
Note that the desktop now shows the following in the bottom right-hand corner:
Test Mode
Windows 10 Home
Build 17763.rs5_release.180914-1434
Step 4. Disable PCI Resources
I then had many hours of Error code 12 or Error code 43 issues. Progressively disable/enable PCI-to-PCI Bridges. Finally achieved success with four disabled:
-
PCI slot 4 (PCI bus 21, device 5, function 0)
-
PCI bus 17, device 10, function 0
-
PCI bus 21, device 0, function 0
-
PCI bus 0, device 30, function 0
Step 5. Bootcampdrivers
Head over to bootcampdrivers.com and download and install the latest AMD driver.
It is only after these drivers have been applied will the eGPU and second monitor work.
4. Performance
Luxmark / macOS
2xD500 = 16,743
2xD500 + Vega 56 = 43,026
Luxmark / Win10
2xD500 = 17,983
2xD500 + Vega 56 = 46,620
5. Side Effects
Windows machine will not mount external hard drives
6. Comments
I play World of Tanks on this rig and am able to load the full HD version of the game. All settings are at 'Ultra' and I get >80 fps in most scenes.
Mac Pro (2013) / Apple TB3 to TB2 adapter / Razer Core X / Saphire Vega 56 / Bootcamp: Windows10
2013 Mac Pro (FP D500 x2) [3rd,6C,E] + RX Vega 56 @ 16Gbps-TB2>TB3 (Razer Core X) + macOS 10.15 & Win10 1809 [build link]
• external graphics card builds
• best laptops for external GPU
• eGPU enclosure buyer's guide
2013 Mac Pro (FP D500 x2) [3rd,12C,E] + RX 5700 XT @ 16Gbps-TB2>TB3 (Mantiz Saturn Pro) + macOS 11 [build link]
Finally trashcan got egpu in Windows! Great job!
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
.
Hi @jcp-123 , forgive my ignorance but I'm very new to egpus and I'm looking to replicate this build for my own trashcan. Am I right in thinking that this is the same GPU you used: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sapphire-Radeon-RX-Vega-56-Pulse-GPU-8gb-HBM2-RAM-PCI-E-3-0-4K-3x-DP-1x-HDMI-2b/223946299608
Thanks!
Mac Pro 2013 + Razer Core X + Vega 64
@jcp-123, I got razer core with amd 5700 xt but every time i plug the thunderbolt 2 to the case its restart after a few seconds, same happen in mac mini late 2014 and mac pro late 2013, any tip?
I downloaded purge sh and manuall try to install amd drivers but it restart again Y_Y
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
.@barrycraig, apologies for delay in responding. I bought AMD's own brand version. Please see stock image picture of the card used... 
Mac Pro (2013) / Apple TB3 to TB2 adapter / Razer Core X / Saphire Vega 56 / Bootcamp: Windows10
2013 Mac Pro (FP D500 x2) [3rd,6C,E] + RX Vega 56 @ 16Gbps-TB2>TB3 (Razer Core X) + macOS 10.15 & Win10 1809 [build link]
@indiefist_games_and_music, your rig sounds very similar to mine so it should work. Only thing I can think of is I installed and ran Purge before connecting the eGPU.
Mac Pro (2013) / Apple TB3 to TB2 adapter / Razer Core X / Saphire Vega 56 / Bootcamp: Windows10
2013 Mac Pro (FP D500 x2) [3rd,6C,E] + RX Vega 56 @ 16Gbps-TB2>TB3 (Razer Core X) + macOS 10.15 & Win10 1809 [build link]
@jcp-123, yes is working right now, but only get 5gb of speed so poor =(
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
.
I have looked everywhere trying to find windows 10 build 1809. Pages upon pages in google just all say the same thing and all lead to the most recent build, 1909 version of windows 10. I just want to make this eGPU work with my trashcan Mac Pro 2013 in bootcamp. I've been following eGPU guide
Please please please ... Does anyone know where I can download a safe copy of Windows 10 Build 1809 and proper instructions / method on how to install it to override the version 1909 I have installed without erasing my stuff?
Who put a stop payment on my reality check
I'm completely stuck on step 3b because my bootcamp is running win10 v 1909 and not 1809. Where can I get a copy of Win10 build 1809? I've check the MS website and they only offer the most recent. You'd think they'd have an archive allowing you to dl previous versions.
Who put a stop payment on my reality check