Need to run applications using Windows and a powerful eGPU? Here's one way to do it!
Apple enabled eGPU functionality seemingly eons ago to make macOS a fully functional development platform for AR and VR. Sometimes, however, users might need to boot in Windows to test, compare, and simply run certain applications. Apple's hardware can make things problematic with this in mind. Adding hardware peripherals on a Windows-based PC is pretty straightforward. Adding hardware peripherals to a Mac running Windows is another matter. Now that eGPUs have been available for quite some time on macOS, things have improved. And since Microsoft has released an eGPU friendlier update to Windows 10 (update 1803), you can now take some 'easier' steps to get your eGPU to function on your Mac whilst running BootCamp.
The RTX 2080 makes for a potent Windows Boot Camp eGPU companion for the 2018 Mac mini with 6-core Intel i7 CPU. Featured In this video. 2018 i7 Mac min. Dec 31, 2018 After completing the Windows 10 Boot Camp tutorial above, you can now focus on connecting the eGPU to your Mac. Connect the Thunderbolt 3 cable from the eGPU to your Mac mini’s Thunderbolt 3 port. Apple’s newest macOS Catalina upgrade has been causing all kinds of havoc for some Mac users. One issue seems to be killing certain eGPU setups — especially for those with a Mac mini.
Install Windows with BootCamp
First, you need to install Windows via BootCamp. For detailed information on how to do that follow our how-to guide. Descent 3 mac os x download. Make certain you perform this step without the eGPU attached.
Prepare your Mac for special boot options
For our next steps, we will assume you are familiar with Disk Utility. If you need more information, please take the time to understand the basics of the application before using it. It can seriously bork your system to an unrecoverable state. You've been warned! Once you have Windows installed at the most basic level (no need to worry about updates yet), reboot into macOS. You can do this by:
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Once in macOS:
In order for us to be able to use the eGPU, we'll need to trick the hardware into thinking we are starting up in macOS when in reality we'll be starting it up into Windows. A utility will be needed during boot time to allow for the Intel GPU to be enabled. Although my MacBook Pro also has a secondary more powerful dGPU onboard, for some reason, the Radeon 560 GPU when paired with the eGPU causes system locks and blue screens. This will be our workaround.
Now we must set up the file structure to be able to be properly read by Mac's boot manager.
Next, we must copy the apple_set_os.efi file we download to the newly created directory structure we just created. I'm assuming you still have the same terminal application open as stated in the previous steps. Otherwise, ensure you're in the /Volumes/EFI directory.
Restart into Windows using the new EFI boot option
Similar to the way we booted into macOS, we'll now need to boot into Windows using our utility.
You'll now start back up into Windows with all of your connected GPUs visible to the OS. However, the non-Intel dGPU in your MacBook Pro will cause a conflict with your eGPU once you've installed the proper AMD Radeon drivers. So instead of using the AMD provided drivers for the internal dGPU, make certain you leave the driver installed as a Basic Display Adapter.
Allow the OS to automatically download and install the proper drivers for your eGPU adapter. Apple airprint mac os download. Once the certified versions of eGPU display adapter drivers have installed, you can then download and update drivers using the device manager. Using the manufacturer's display driver adapter installer causes my internal dGPU to be discovered prompting a driver upgrade and then a system freeze.
On top of that, updating my display driver with the Apple-provided BootCamp updater also causes a system hang. Avoid that as well for the time being. If you find yourself having made a driver installation mistake, restart in safe mode, delete the installed display adapters in device manager and start again.
Final comments
That's how I got my eGPU to run under BootCamp on my macOS on my 2016 MacBook Pro. If you've found better less intrusive methods, let us know in the comments! Best mac app udate software.
macOS CatalinaBlackmagic EgpuMain
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Created in close collaboration with Apple, Blackmagic Design's Blackmagic eGPU and Blackmagic eGPU Pro bring accelerated pro app workflows, smoother gameplay, and true-to-life VR content creation to your Mac.
Technical specifications
Blackmagic eGPU includes a Radeon Pro 580 graphics processor with 8GB DDR5 memory, giving your connected Mac graphics performance that's similar to a high-end 27-inch iMac.
Blackmagic eGPU Pro includes a Radeon RX Vega 56 graphics processor with 8GB HBM2 memory. Download files from ftp mac. This gives your connected Mac graphics performance that's similar to iMac Pro.
In addition to boosting graphics performance, both Blackmagic eGPUs provide 85 watts of charging power to MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
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Blackmagic eGPU has these ports to connect displays and VR accessories:
Blackmagic eGPU Pro has these ports:
System requirements
Blackmagic eGPU is compatible with any Thunderbolt 3-equipped Mac running macOS High Sierra 10.13.5 or later. Blackmagic eGPU Pro requires a Thunderbolt 3-equipped Mac and macOS Mojave 10.14.1 or later. Learn how to update the software on your Mac.
If you have a Mac mini (2018) with FileVault turned on, make sure to connect your primary display directly to Mac mini during startup. After you log in and see the macOS Desktop, you can unplug the display from Mac mini and connect it to Blackmagic eGPU.
Connect and use Blackmagic eGPU
When you connect Blackmagic eGPU or Blackmagic eGPU Pro to your Mac with a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable, the eGPU menu bar item appears, indicating that the eGPU is ready for use.
Blackmagic eGPU automatically accelerates the graphics from Metal-based apps on external displays and devices that are connected to the eGPU. You can use Activity Monitor to confirm that your eGPU is in use:
To disconnect Blackmagic eGPU, use the menu bar item to safely disconnect the eGPU from your Mac before unplugging the cable.
Use the 'Prefer external GPU' option
Starting with macOS Mojave 10.14, you can turn on 'Prefer external GPU' in a specific app's Get Info panel in the Finder. This option lets Blackmagic eGPU and Blackmagic eGPU Pro accelerate apps on any display connected to the Mac — including displays built in to the Mac:
External Gpu For Mac Mini
Egpu For Macbook Pro 2012
Learn more about using eGPUs with your Mac.
Egpu For Mac Vs Pc For ResolveLearn more
macOS currently doesn't support eGPUs in Windows using Boot Camp or when your Mac is in macOS Recovery, at FileVault login, or installing system updates.
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