Disclaimer & buying options for OCuLink eGPU adapters for reliable up to 64Gbps ePCIe 4.0 x4 connectivity is here
I wasn't sure where to post this since it's more of a rumor than anything. Please move to the appropriate forum, whatever that may be.
https://www.idownloadblog.com/2019/04/22/macos-10-15-api-device-drivers/
Some kind of driver API is going to be unveiled at the next Apple WWDC. The devil is in the details, but this could potentially open an avenue for nVidia drivers on MacOS. If true, drivers probably won't be available until fall or winter of this year (if you're in the northern hemisphere).
Discuss.
2021 13" Framework Laptop 13 [11th,4C,G] + RTX 3090 x4 @ 32Gbps-TB4 (Razer Core X) + Win10 21H1 // first four GPU TB4 build [build link]
If I may quote:
"As AppleInsider separately noted, the only two Nvidia cards that continue to work with Mojave are the older GeForce GTX 680 and the Quadro K5000 models. But why is it that now, in 2019, there aren’t any functional Nvidia drivers for Mojave at all?"
This already shows that the writer has no idea about anything. GTX680 and K5000 are both Kepler cards and this why they work, together with many other models.
2018 15" MBP & 2015 13" MBP connected to RTX2080Ti GTX1080Ti GTX1080 Vega56 RX580 R9-290 GTX680
2018 15" MacBook Pro (RP560X) [8th,6C,H] + RX 5700 XT @ 32Gbps-TB3 (ASUS XG Station Pro) + macOS 10.15.4 & Win10 1809 // Navi vs Radeon VII vs GTX 1080 Ti [build link]
NVIDIA support for macOS honestly isn't hard for NVIDIA/Apple, given that they have a history. More so, it seems a political problem first, technical limitations second. Hopefully the news about new device driver APIs comes to fruition, along with the downfall of ridiculous policies.
"Desultory reading is delightful, but to be beneficial, our reading must be carefully directed." — Seneca
Author: kryptonite ✧ purge-wrangler ✧ tbt-flash ✧ purge-nvda ✧ set-eGPU
Insights Into macOS Video Editing Performance
Launching Apps on Specific (e)GPUs on macOS
Definitive macOS Thunderbolt eGFX Compatibility Registry
Master Threads:
2014 15-inch MacBook Pro 750M
2018 15-inch MacBook Pro
2019 13" MacBook Pro [8th,4C,U] + RX Vega 64 @ 32Gbps-TB3 (Mantiz Venus) + macOS 10.14.6 & Win10 [build link]
I never thought it was a technical issue and always thought it was political/business. I'm hoping this driver API thing means, the apple kingdom is going to be a little bit more friendly to outsiders. Currently: No nvidia. No linux. Seriously!?
2021 13" Framework Laptop 13 [11th,4C,G] + RTX 3090 x4 @ 32Gbps-TB4 (Razer Core X) + Win10 21H1 // first four GPU TB4 build [build link]
Super interesting, and almost sounds like a way of saving face while allowing Nvidia back into the macOS ecosystem!
Apple: "We've made it simple for ANYONE to write drivers for macOS"
Nvidia: "OH HAI"
Apple: "OHHH JEEEZEEEE... I guess that means you guys can too...."
2017 13" MacBook Pro Touch Bar
GTX1060 + AKiTiO Thunder3 + Win10
GTX1070 + Sonnet Breakaway Box + Win10
GTX1070 + Razer Core V1 + Win10
Vega 56 + Razer Core V1 + macOS + Win10
Vega 56 + Mantiz Venus + macOS + W10
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LG 5K Ultrafine flickering issue fix
2018 Mac Mini [8th,6C,B] + RX 5700 XT @ 32Gbps-TB3 (Mantiz Venus) + macOS 14 & Win11 22H2 [build link]
There is no explanation of how these new device driver APIs will differ from existing I/O Kit library APIs. There is no guarantee that these new device driver APIs will have anything to do with GPUs as documentation for creating GPU drivers is not publicly available for I/O Kit. You might be able to make an IOFrameBuffer but it won't have any acceleration.
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/kernel/ioframebuffer?language=objc
There is no explanation of how these new device driver APIs will differ from existing I/O Kit library APIs. There is no guarantee that these new device driver APIs will have anything to do with GPUs as documentation for creating GPU drivers is not publicly available for I/O Kit. You might be able to make an IOFrameBuffer but it won't have any acceleration.
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/kernel/ioframebuffer?language=objc
Interesting and not encouraging. Oh well...
2021 13" Framework Laptop 13 [11th,4C,G] + RTX 3090 x4 @ 32Gbps-TB4 (Razer Core X) + Win10 21H1 // first four GPU TB4 build [build link]
So... is it all smoke in the eyes?
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
.Look, I told you this before: We have three participating parties: Apple, AMD and nVidia. None of them is interested for full nVidia MacOSX support. It's a win/win/win situation for any of them. Why would anyone think this will change?
2018 15" MBP & 2015 13" MBP connected to RTX2080Ti GTX1080Ti GTX1080 Vega56 RX580 R9-290 GTX680
2018 15" MacBook Pro (RP560X) [8th,6C,H] + RX 5700 XT @ 32Gbps-TB3 (ASUS XG Station Pro) + macOS 10.15.4 & Win10 1809 // Navi vs Radeon VII vs GTX 1080 Ti [build link]
Got hopeful for a second with that post! Guess I'll just keep watching for Navi news and hope there is something decent I can swap in and out of a eGPU & Windows Desktop.
2019 Razer Blade Stealth GTX1650 Win10
Aorus Gaming Box RTX 2070
Asus XG Station Pro (RX570 8GB + RTX 2080)