Kudos: This build would not have been possible without @itsage.
System Specifications
- MacBook Pro 15" (Mid-2014)
- CPU: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 (i7-4870HQ)
- GPU(s): Intel Iris Pro 5200, NVIDIA GeForce GT750M
- macOS 10.14
eGPU Specifications
- Sonnet Breakaway eGFX 350W
- Sapphire R9 Fury Nitro
Note: Card is a tight fit. - Apple TB3->TB2 adapter
Installation
The installation process is usually straightforward if you use one of the solutions on this forum.
For macOS (10.13.4+)
- Use purge-wrangler.sh (Option #1).
v4.2.1 or later required.
When asked, choose to enable legacy GPUs. - Use purge-nvda.sh (Option #1) if an external display is required.
- If computer fails to boot after purge-nvda.sh, boot while pressing ⌘ + S, then type the following commands:
mount -uw / purge-nvda
Then choose Option #4 and reboot.
Few things to keep in mind:
- Hot-plugging/unplugging works fine.
- If you are using just the internal display, don't run purge-nvda.sh.
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
Installation is (too) easy:
- Boot with the eGPU plugged in.
- Windows will install drivers automatically, and everything will be set up.
Few things to keep in mind:
- Let Windows install it's drivers first - then update with the latest drivers.
- Under load, the eGPU sometimes disconnected. Might be insufficient power, but have to test more.
- Update: Swapping for a higher rated PSU resolved disconnection issues.
Benchmarks
Some interesting benchmarks:
|
GeForce GT 750M LuxMark
|
|
|
GT 750M Valley |
R9 Fury Valley Internal Display |
Note: The GTX 780 performed significantly better than the R9 Fury in macOS in Unigine benches. Some interesting stuff going on with Apple's drivers.
Comments
I only use the eGPU for testing purposes at this time, but my experience and benchmarks make the following clear:
- Compute performance over 750M: ~12x.
- Saying that Thunderbolt 1/2 are significant bottlenecks is not necessarily true.
Hi. I have a question about this build.
Can I configure egpu and use two graphics cards at the same time?
Or should we suppress and use the dgpu?
Pending: Add my system information and expected eGPU configuration to my signature to give context to my posts
Hi,
I had a question about the clock speeds of the Fury X. Like your Fury X I noticed mine seemed to only be running at about 500 MHz, and when looking around I noticed others (non eGPU but on macOS) which a higher clock speed on their Fury X. (r9-fury-x-luxmark-png.680766) ( https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/amd-radeon-r9-fury-x-in-mac-pro-5-1.2024656/)
Any ideas on how to edit the kext's to possibly correct the clock speed in macOS?
Thanks!
Pending: Add my system information and expected eGPU configuration to my signature to give context to my posts
I can confirm what @mac_editor said. The current Luxmark version in macOS has a bug. It reports the idle clock. RX 480/580 would show 300 MHz.
Ah, thank you for your replies @mac_editor and @itsage.
Pending: Add my system information and expected eGPU configuration to my signature to give context to my posts
@mac_editor a million thanks to you! I got my equipment today. Setting up the system is like a breeze by just following your steps. I'm having almost exactly the same system as yours except for the following items:
1. RX580
2. Sonnet 350 (Designer version)
The Sonnet box I got from eBay is the designer version so only 1x 8pin connector is available (actually it is 6pin+2pin), and the other 6 pin is sealed, not sure if i can just unseal it and plug it in.
Here are some benchmarks
Win10(1803): Unigine Valley @ 4K, High, no AA
Win10(1803): Unigine Valley @ 1080p, High, no AA
Mac OS Mojave(10.14.6): Unigine Valley @ 1080p, High, no AA
My Win10 happened to be 1803 version. Although I don't see "Large Memory" on the resource window it is totally not a problem for my case. It's literally plug'n'play on my machine. Setting up Win10 is easier than Mac OS.
On Mac OS, like everyone mentioned already, I'm using external monitor so I had to use SwitchResX to disable the internal display, but the apple light will be always on which is kind annoying during the night. Otherwise, it's all good 🙂
Pending: Add my system information and expected eGPU configuration to my signature to give context to my posts