Portable eGPU? Gigabyte’s ‘RX 580 Gaming Box’ packs a punch! [9to5Mac]

43 Comments on Portable eGPU? Gigabyte’s ‘RX 580 Gaming Box’ packs a punch! [9to5Mac]

1. Will an external GPU outperform the dedicated graphics in a MacBook pro 15inch? I want to upgrade my 2015 MacBook after the summer refresh and happy with the 13inch and like that i could upgrade a GPU over the 3-4years i typically keep my MacBooks, but considering the cost is equivalent to a 15inch MacBook i’m not sure it’s worth it?

   • Problem is that eGPUs don’t work that well with the internal display, since supporting that requires developer work

   • I think that’ll get sorted with patches down the line as it’s to do with the communication between CPU – internal/dedicated graphs and EGPU, a patch will take the internal options out of the loop and let the EGPU take over.

     Think most cases where EGPU’s will be used i’d be through an external monitor, however Linus tech tips did a video recently using a Razer blade stealth and compact EGPU like this at a hotel, using the internal display, worth a watch.

   • Phoenix-2063 let’s see a 13” destroy a 15” https://www.macgamerhq.com/reviews/rise-of-the-tomb-raider-mac-review/

   • Cheers shall have a read, other thing to note is that next chip set will be quad core for the 13inch and six core fo 15inch which’ll certainly help for games and editing on either, but makes the 13inch with EGPU much better.

   • may I know if you play those games on macOS or bootcamp windows? Thanks!

2. Can’t wait for the Modular Mac.

   • Can’t wait for them to place another processor inside the bundle to have double processing power. Like integrated i7 xyz card.

3. I have the Mantiz eGPU. I like it.

4. too weak for VR

   • Allan Sh
     No it’s not, VR itself doesn’t need power it just needs support.

5. Now let’s see developers bring the big gaming titles to the Mac. That’d be awesome.

6. Can I mine bitcoin though?! /s

7. Will this make DaVinci Resolve or PhaseOne Capture One Pro faster?

   • memostothefuture yes a lot, check these numbers pretty impressive from 23 to 8 minutes with just a 570 https://www.egpu.it/community/egpu_mac_pro/9to5mac-testa-davinci-resolve-con-2-egpu/#post-166

   • you are very helpful. much appreciated! All the best from Shanghai.

   • I contacted Phase One support, and they assured me their program was compatible with eGPU’s. Hoping to put that to the test someday, since I can’t find anyone who’s actually tried it yet.

8. How’s it ply Fortnite?

9. How quickly she works in FCP?

   • Aleksey Konovalov к сожалению, грамматически верный смысл предложения потерялся где-то по дороге из Google-переводчика)

   • Final Cut Pro doesn’t work with external GPU’s yet, unfortunately.

   • Yeah. I still dont get it – why its not like “system-vide” kind of work. What a fuckup from apple… I wonder if c4d uses it?

10. What’s the difference between an apple recommended egpu and this? I don’t see this listed on their support site of recommended egpu’s – are there any consequences of buying this for the longterm?

    • It basically is because it uses a RX 580 which is supported by Apple, it is just the gaming box that Apple has not disclosed any information, maybe because they haven’t been able to test them thoroughly.

11. Hey, could you please test the „Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 Aorus Gaming Box“. This is a product nearly the same like the product from this video but with a GTX 1070 inside. It does cost exactly the same.
    My questions about it:
    Does it work on a mac?
    How does it compare to the 580 gaming box?

    Thanks a lot
    Robin

    • check out egpu.io for tutorials on how to enable Nvidia cards in both OSX and BOOTCAMP

    • I had that eGPU (1070) and can tell you the follwoing: because of the super short cable, it is wayy too close to your Mac and its fans are too loud for my taste (especially the extra one for the PSU cannot be accessed or turned off).
      I had a Dell XPS running on that machine and for some reason, it wasn’t being recognized anymore. Turns out this issue is not too seldom and you have to unplug the eGPU from power for some hours for itself to reset… I mainly wanted to use it as a thunderbolt dock but the noise killed it for me. I realized I didn’t need this device at all and therefore sold it. Now I use a monitor with Type C so there you go. if you have questions, I’ll try and answer them. Btw that carrying bag is *really* cool!!! Huge plus for that one

      And since Gigabyte has a 1080 Mini too, you can swap the GPU too. Disassembly is easy.

    • Ka Rim Yeah, I found out that they are selling the 1080 Gaming box either, so you don‘t have to disassemble it.

    • Sure. I put my old fanless 1050 inside for less noise and power consumption, I just wanted to note that disassembly is straight-forward and you are not even that limited to upgradeability (for those who care)

    • ใช้กล่องของแบรนด์ไหนอยู่ครับ?

12. Irregardless is not a word.

    • Yep, it always does… sound cool that is. I had a Daughter in law once, that was an English Major, and that word was one of her pet peeves. Ruined me.

13. Hopefully there will be Vega 56/64 versions of this someday. So hard to get ahold of the actual card without massive markups.

    • Yeah the GPU situation right now is anything but ideal

14. Would this be the answer for doing most editing tasks on a 13inch macbook pro? I would get the 15 inch but maybe this will solve my concerns. Aside from the slower processor on the 13inch i am able to purchase.

15. I do A LOT of Video Editing on my MacBook Pro, but this would be pretty amazing especially, having to work in Hotel Rooms, etc. Does this work with Davinci Resolve 14/15 well?

16. Is it possible to use with the built-in display of a laptop or external monitor/tv is required? Have anybody use it with built in?

17. Could I use this with a Thunderbolt 2 adapter? (MacBook pro mid 2012)

    • i have seen other people use a tb 2 to 3 cable with other egpus on youtube so quite possibly.

18. If I buy it for macbook pro 15 inch, do I need uninstall mbp15’s own AMD graphics drive?

19. any chance of a test with davinci resolve for render times?

    • Roland Lawrence
      No, it doesn’t work with davinci I believe

20. Would this be good for windows?