eGPU (Macs)

[D3monw3st]

Hello,

 

I currently have a 2015 iMac 5k, and a 2017 MacBook Pro 15 inch. I'm looking to game on these machines and as you might've heard in the Mojave OS they're adding eGPU support. Now, my 2015 iMac has a Thunderbolt 2 port and my MBP is completely usb-c.

What kind of case should I be looking to purchase, that'll allow me to use the eGPU on either computer?  


Thanks.

[DrMacintosh]

The 2015 5K iMac is not officially supported with eGPUs due to the lack of not having Thunderbolt 3, However, there are ways to get it working, but it would not make a lot of sense in your case. It would be your best bet to hook up an eGPU enclosure to the MBP and plug the GPU from that into an external monitor.  

 

The MacBook Pro is supported right out of the box. Apple has a page on their website with a list of recommended enclosures:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208544 

 

You should purchases any of those enclosures on that list and they will work with macOS High Sierra and later on any Thunderbolt 3 equipped Mac.  

[D3monw3st]

2 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

The 2015 5K iMac is not officially supported with eGPUs due to the lack of not having Thunderbolt 3, However, there are ways to get it working, but it would not make a lot of sense in your case. It would be your best bet to hook up an eGPU enclosure to the MBP and plug the GPU from that into an external monitor.  

 

The MacBook Pro is supported right out of the box. Apple has a page on their website with a list of recommended enclosures:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208544 

 

You should purchases any of those enclosures on that list and they will work with macOS High Sierra and later on any Thunderbolt 3 equipped Mac.  

Ah okay, is there any way to utilize the 5k iMac as a display? Would really like to game in 4k+

[DrMacintosh]

2 minutes ago, D3monw3st12345 said:

Ah okay, is there any way to utilize the 5k iMac as a display? Would really like to game in 4k+

iMacs past 2014 can no longer be used as external displays thanks to their unique display controllers. 

[D3monw3st]

Just now, DrMacintosh said:

iMacs past 2014 can no longer be used as external displays thanks to their unique display controllers. 

Sigh... At this point then I can't use my iMac 5k?

[DrMacintosh]

1 minute ago, D3monw3st12345 said:

Sigh... At this point then I can't use my iMac 5k?

Unfortunately not. 

 

Thunderbolt 2 doesn't have enough bandwidth for a usable experience and would require older hardware to do it. Your MBP is going to be the platform for gaming on a eGPU. 

 

 

[D3monw3st]

1 minute ago, DrMacintosh said:

Unfortunately not. 

 

Thunderbolt 2 doesn't have enough bandwidth for a usable experience and would require older hardware to do it. Your MBP is going to be the platform for gaming on a eGPU. 

 

 

Awh, that's what I feared.