Theoretically Running VR From A Mac

[Cyphr]

So, I've been thinking about my Mac. It's a Late 2015 15" MacBook Pro. I've been thinking about getting an eGPU but have also been looking into VR. 

 

So, with this topic I want to discuss has anyone else done this yet with a MacBook Pro? Also, is it possible? I've answered that myself, but only theoretically.

 

My Mac Specs are as followed:

CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4870HQ CPU @ 2.50GHz (Turbo 3.70GHz) (It's a Quad Core)

Ram: 16GB 1600MHz DDR3

Storage: 256GB SSD (Internal)

              4TB SSHD (External)

I am currently dual booting both OS X and Windows 10

 

The eGPU setup would be:

Box: AKiTiO Thunder2 PCIe Box

GPU: GTX 970 or 980 (not sure yet, is it worth it for the 980?)

 

The MINIMUM Requirements for VR (Oculus Rift and HTC Vive):

Rift: 

     CPU: Intel i5-6400/ i5-4590

     GPU: GTX 970

     RAM: 8GB or more (covered)

Vive:

     CPU: Intel i5-4590

     GPU: GTX 970

     RAM: 4GB or more (covered)

 

So, looking at CPU Boss's comparison of the 4870HQ and i5 4590, the HQ wins in performance, and looses slightly in Single-Core. I'm not looking at integrated graphics because I will be running an eGPU setup. In the end, my CPU beats the minimum requirement CPU by a score of 8.8 to 8.2, however you want to look at that it still gives me hope. 

My eGPU would also be meeting the GPU requirements, and my RAM is more than covered.

 

With that being said, here are the possible bottlenecks:

Heating issues...

CPU/ Heating combined

Bottleneck on Thunderbolt 2 with the eGPU?

 

Also, if necessary (thought one might ask this?) I am running my Mac as of right now off of a 4K monitor @ 60Hz off of one of my Thunderbolt 2 docks into DisplayPort (1.2?)

 

So, what are your thoughts? Is it possible? Has anyone else tried this? Should I go for it and post a follow up once I do, if it is possible? Like I said before, it is only theoretically possible for my Mac to run VR off of either of these headsets-- but I want some insight from others before I jump in headfirst with my wallet. 

 

FINALLY, this is my first post on this website, so any tips are greatly appreciated to help make this topic/article and my following posts better. If I missed anything, I'll be sure to add it ASAP.

 

Sources: 

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-4870HQ-vs-Intel-Core-i5-4590 (CPU)

https://www.reddit.com/r/oculus/wiki/requirements (Oculus Rift Requirements)

http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/can-i-run-the-htc-vive (HTC Vive Requirements)

[ZetZet]

Sure. Install windows and you're off. 

[Zambetti]

Considering a similar setup to get into VR.

Cyphr, did you try this?

How did it work out for you?

[TheDankKoosh]

On 4/14/2016 at 1:11 PM, Cyphr said:

So, I've been thinking about my Mac. It's a Late 2015 15" MacBook Pro. I've been thinking about getting an eGPU but have also been looking into VR. 

 

So, with this topic I want to discuss has anyone else done this yet with a MacBook Pro? Also, is it possible? I've answered that myself, but only theoretically.

 

My Mac Specs are as followed:

CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4870HQ CPU @ 2.50GHz (Turbo 3.70GHz) (It's a Quad Core)

Ram: 16GB 1600MHz DDR3

Storage: 256GB SSD (Internal)

              4TB SSHD (External)

I am currently dual booting both OS X and Windows 10

 

The eGPU setup would be:

Box: AKiTiO Thunder2 PCIe Box

GPU: GTX 970 or 980 (not sure yet, is it worth it for the 980?)

 

The MINIMUM Requirements for VR (Oculus Rift and HTC Vive):

Rift: 

     CPU: Intel i5-6400/ i5-4590

     GPU: GTX 970

     RAM: 8GB or more (covered)

Vive:

     CPU: Intel i5-4590

     GPU: GTX 970

     RAM: 4GB or more (covered)

 

So, looking at CPU Boss's comparison of the 4870HQ and i5 4590, the HQ wins in performance, and looses slightly in Single-Core. I'm not looking at integrated graphics because I will be running an eGPU setup. In the end, my CPU beats the minimum requirement CPU by a score of 8.8 to 8.2, however you want to look at that it still gives me hope. 

My eGPU would also be meeting the GPU requirements, and my RAM is more than covered.

 

With that being said, here are the possible bottlenecks:

Heating issues...

CPU/ Heating combined

Bottleneck on Thunderbolt 2 with the eGPU?

 

Also, if necessary (thought one might ask this?) I am running my Mac as of right now off of a 4K monitor @ 60Hz off of one of my Thunderbolt 2 docks into DisplayPort (1.2?)

 

So, what are your thoughts? Is it possible? Has anyone else tried this? Should I go for it and post a follow up once I do, if it is possible? Like I said before, it is only theoretically possible for my Mac to run VR off of either of these headsets-- but I want some insight from others before I jump in headfirst with my wallet. 

 

FINALLY, this is my first post on this website, so any tips are greatly appreciated to help make this topic/article and my following posts better. If I missed anything, I'll be sure to add it ASAP.

 

Sources: 

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-4870HQ-vs-Intel-Core-i5-4590 (CPU)

https://www.reddit.com/r/oculus/wiki/requirements (Oculus Rift Requirements)

http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/can-i-run-the-htc-vive (HTC Vive Requirements)

Thunderbolt 2 will definitely bottleneck any eGPU as the only eGPU solutions use thunderbolt 3 to simulate a pci-e 3 x4 which already bottlenecks any GPU put into one by about 5-10%