Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box eGPU Advise

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Adam ilyas

(@adam_ilyas)

Active Member

Joined: 6 months ago

Posts: 7

March 1, 2019 12:19 am

Hi need some advise.......

Will this eGPU work with this mac? Plug and play or is there is additional parts to purchase? and can I use the iMac screen or I have use ex-display?

Mac specs - Apple iMac late 2013 3.5 GHz Intel Core i7 GTX 780M/ 24GB PCIe Flash Drive – High MacOS 10.12.6 Sierra

I spoke to a tech staff at BIZON they told me this would be the best best package for me

below...............

The best option for your tasks would be - This configuration includes everything: REMOVED

For $795, you will get the Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box, GTX 1080 graphics card, an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable.

I recommend you to upgrade to Windows 10, Windows 7 is not compatible with eGPUs.

There is no need to purchase any additional software. You will get a detailed step-by-step installation manual. You will be able to use the iMac screen.

Then from Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box eGPU support team

There is no official support for your setup of Thunderbolt 2, and the Sierra Operating System.

That being said, we do have an old setup guide that may or may not help you. You can find it here.

Please be aware of these other issues with compatibility.

1) Nvidia drivers are currently not supported for use as an eGPU on Mac. See here.

2) Only certain GPU’s will work in certain breakaway boxes, and several will not work on MacOS. See here for a full compatibility list.

3) If you want plug-and-play ability, use these select AMD graphics cards.

4) Keep in mind these can only work in 10.12.6 - 10.13.3. Apple has officially dropped support for TB2 Macs like yours in 10.13.4, so you could never update past 10.13.3. For that you need to upgrade to a TB3 Mac.

If you are an expert user, and must to use this setup, please refer to egpu.io under the software tab, and choose MacOS.

Keep in mind that neither Apple nor Sonnet can support egpu.io or other setups at the current time.

Despite all of these current caveats, we expect support and compatibility to grow over time.

I would be grateful if you can advise as I'm confused now on what will work

Many Thanks

This topic was modified 6 months ago

Pending: Add my system information and expected eGPU configuration to my signature to give context to my posts

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Jyin

(@jyin)

Estimable Member

Joined: 2 years ago

Builds: 1

Posts: 181

March 1, 2019 4:42 am

My advices are
1) Stay away from BIZON.
2) Sonnet knows what they are doing.
3) Get TB3 machine.

Beyond that, answers depends on your specific needs.
What do you use the eGPU for?
How good of a GPU do you need?
Do you need eGPU on the OS X? Windows (Bootcamp)? or both?
How technically inclined are you?
Are you willing to tinker on your own, or are you looking for a supported solutions?

2017 iMac 5k 27inch RP580 TB3 + Vega FE/LC + Sonnet 550 + EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 ULTRA GAMING + Sonnet 550 + Mac/Win10

itsage and joysthokkins liked

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Adam ilyas

(@adam_ilyas)

Active Member

Joined: 6 months ago

Posts: 7

March 1, 2019 11:42 am

many thanks for info thats what tech guy said at BIZON - NVIDIA GTX 1080, 8 GB, DVI, 3 DP, HDMI (2560 CUDA Cores) memory - 10bps
Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 350W, I don't need too much power as I'm not a heavy game user, want use both for MAC OS and windows via bootcamp

I seen positive review on the company Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box eGPU
overall package deal $795

can't be that bad, a lot people their is away around it make it work via software too etc.

sorry no expert in this

not a big fan of new macs nomore with AMD cards

in terms being technical only good mac stuff and design.........PC gaming still a beginner

This post was modified 6 months ago

Pending: Add my system information and expected eGPU configuration to my signature to give context to my posts

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Adam ilyas

(@adam_ilyas)

Active Member

Joined: 6 months ago