External graphics card for macbook pro update#
External graphics card for macbook pro manual#
External graphics card for macbook pro full#
External graphics card for macbook pro windows 10#
External graphics card for macbook pro windows#

Due to desktop-only use, Apple deemed there’s no need for multiple GPU configuration like the 15″ MacBook Pro.

External graphics card for macbook pro windows#

With the exception of a few base 21″ models, the iMac lineup is perhaps the most complicated for eGPU use in Windows Boot Camp.

External graphics card for macbook pro update#

Apple makes constant changes with each macOS system update and the Mac mini has been suffering black screen as well as boot hang issues when an eGPU is connected.Ģ019 13″ Macbook Pro + Visiontek Mini eGFX RX 480 + RX Vega Nano Gaming Box One major concern with the Thunderbolt 3 Mac mini its firmware. Similar to the TB3 15″ MacBook Pro, the x16 PCI Express Controller is reserved for the optional 10Gb Ethernet card (uses 8 PCIe lanes), the x8 PCI Express Controller connects to the two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports closest to Ethernet port (uses 4 PCIe lanes), and the x4 PCI Express Controller connects to the two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports closest to the HDMI port (uses 4 PCIe lanes). On top of that is a pair of Thunderbolt 3 controllers to power four Thunderbolt 3 ports. In a way the Mac mini combines the most desirable elements of a powerful quad-core+ processor with iGPU-only graphics.

Also more encouraging is the 65W processor and direct Thunderbolt 3 to CPU connection. This is great news for eGPU users, especially in Boot Camp mode. The 2018/2020 Mac mini is one of the very few desktop Macs without a discrete graphics card. Overview of PCIe Lane Arrangement in Thunderbolt 3 MacBook Pro We captured the PCIe arrangement of the Thunderbolt 3 15″ MacBook Pro (shown on the left) and Thunderbolt 3 Touch Bar 13″ MacBook Pro (shown on the right) in HWiNFO64 and labeled them for reference. The left-side Thunderbolt 3 ports attach to x4 PCI Express Root Port #5 – 9D14.

External graphics card for macbook pro full#

Therefore the right-side Thunderbolt 3 ports on these newer 13″ MacBook Pros have full x4 PCIe bandwidth. 2018 & 2019 13″ models use Intel 8th generation quad-core U-processors that provides more PCIe lanes. This is due to the x2 PCI Express Root Port #9 – 9D18 to which these ports attach. Apple Thunderbolt 3 support article states that the right-side Thunderbolt 3 ports on the 2016 & 2017 13″ Touch Bar MacBook Pro have lower bandwidth than the left-side ports. All PCIe lanes are routed through the platform controller hub (PCH). Prior to the 2020 13″ MacBook Pros which use Intel Ice Lake processors (on-die Titan Ridge Thunderbolt 3 controller) all ULV-processor Macs have no direct Thunderbolt 3 to CPU connection. * Indicates a Mac with discrete graphics card as standard equipment MacBook Pro (15-inch, T2 Chip, Mid 2018) * MacBook Air (13-inch, T2 Chip, Late 2018) MacBook Pro (15-inch, T2 Chip, Mid 2019) * MacBook Pro (16-inch, T2 Chip, Late 2019) * MacBook Air (13-inch, T2 Chip, Early 2020) Here’s the list of Thunderbolt 3 Macs that can work with eGPU in Boot Camp. They account for 16 total PCIe lanes directly off the CPU. The x4 PCI Express Controller connects to the right-side USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports (uses 4 PCIe lanes). The x8 PCI Express Controller connects to the left-side USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports (uses 4 PCIe lanes). The x16 PCI Express Controller connects to the Radeon Pro dGPU (uses 8 PCIe lanes). For example we used HWiNFO64 to check the arrangement of PCIe controllers and lane allocation on a Late 2016 15″ MacBook Pro (same as 2017 to 2019 model). Prior to setting up an external GPU, it’s a good idea to identify the routing of the PCIe connection over Thunderbolt 3 for your host Mac computer to learn about its capabilities. Therefore the ideal Boot Camp eGPU environment is an Intel iGPU-only Mac.Ģ018 15″ Macbook Pro + Radeon VII eGPU – Windows Graphics Settings

External graphics card for macbook pro manual#

Win10 1803+ provides manual graphics switching per app/game through Graphics Settings. In a Mac that has an AMD discrete graphics card and no functional iGPU, you would need Windor newer. AMD XConnect/Nvidia Optimus provides internal display loopback acceleration through the Intel iGPU with a Radeon/GeForce eGPU. In order for automatic graphics switching to work, the crucial prerequisite is the Intel integrated graphics card.

External graphics card for macbook pro windows 10#

Forum member Sky11 explained the three modes in Windows 10 (AMD XConnect, Nvidia Optimus, and Microsoft Hybrid Graphics) in this post. Let’s discuss graphics switching in Windows briefly. Razer Core X Chroma + RX Vega 64 LC + MacBook Pro + 49″ and 5K Monitors