[Teardown] Late 2020 Mac mini: Apple Silicon M1, Thunderbolt 4, USB4, PCIe 4.0  

When connecting the M1 Mini to the XDR 6K 60Hz display, would the usb-c hub

- run at usb 2.0 speed like on non-Navi macs

- run at usb 3.0 speed like on Navi macs

are we 100% sure M1 macs have DP 1.4 with DSC?

A modern DSC-based 4K 144Hz monitor like the LG 27GN950 would work without resorting to chroma subsampling, right?

This is proof that it works in the first place (posted on reddit from a guy with an M1 mac):

@high-sir, I'm pretty sure it's DSC

 #31 

Need someone to test the USB port for 400 MB/s file I/O to be sure it's getting 5 Gbps.

Not 100% clear about HBR3 or HBR3 + DSC yet. Need someone to test 8 bpc modes that require that bandwidth (I say 8 bpc because 10bpc modes could transmit as 8bpc to meet the bandwidth restriction - macOS doesn't use 6bpc modes).

 For 1920x1080, you need to go higher than 240 Hz to get beyond HBR2 for 10bpc. HBR3 can do something like 360 Hz for 8 bpc.

@weslay_xu, It's a CHOETECH TB3 to dual DP adapter but I think many brands share the same manufacturer. 

So all that is missing to use an eGPU are drivers?

I am able to play non AAA games just fine on the MacBook Pro M1.  But it cannot even remotely handle my 38" monitor.  Would be in heaven if I could connect an eGPU.

@joey_roman, 

Yep, Mac OS (Radeon) GPU drivers for ARM M1 models are the missing link.

Posted by: @joey_roman

So all that is missing to use an eGPU are drivers?

 

I am able to play non AAA games just fine on the MacBook Pro M1.  But it cannot even remotely handle my 38" monitor.  Would be in heaven if I could connect an eGPU.

I have it connected to a 49 inch 4K display and the interface speed is better than the 5700 XT, especially video playback. Rendering in Media Encoder is another story, but not too bad.

Interestingly enough there’s some kind of bug on Big Sur with non M1 Macs regarding DSC...it seems that it’s not working at all anymore. Not sure if it’s related, just thought I would mention it! Monitors that use DSC to achieve high refresh rates without chroma subsampling are rate limited on Big Sur, it’s affecting all brands too (ASUS, Lg, etc).

Posted by: @mini-i5

@joey_roman, 

Yep, Mac OS (Radeon) GPU drivers for ARM M1 models are the missing link.

 

Won't happen until they have an M1 Mac with a Radeon GPU, if ever, but fingers crossed they support people who have an eGPU.

There might be some difficulty making a discrete or external GPU work with the unified memory architecture because they have to make sure the video signals, decoding, 3D models and textures are sent to the video card's memory without causing conflicts with the taks UMA does.

Hi,
I have Mac mini 2018 8th i7 64GB, I want buy a Blackmagic magic EGPU and also i'm working with FCX and Davinci resolve. Is it good or not?

Posted by: @craftsman

Posted by: @joey_roman

So all that is missing to use an eGPU are drivers?

 

I am able to play non AAA games just fine on the MacBook Pro M1.  But it cannot even remotely handle my 38" monitor.  Would be in heaven if I could connect an eGPU.

I have it connected to a 49 inch 4K display and the interface speed is better than the 5700 XT, especially video playback. Rendering in Media Encoder is another story, but not too bad.

Oh, I just meant gaming on my 38” is a no go lol. Everything else works fine. If I want to play games I just use the native Mac screen and 1650x1050 resolution.