Questions & Answers for Blackmagic eGPU
51 Questions from the Community
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can i use the blackmagic egpu on my older macbook pro retina A1502
- Asked by Mitchell B from Redland Bay
- 17/12/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (can i use the blackmagic egpu on my older macbook pro retina A1502)
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Can anyone speak to real-world performance benefits?
- Asked by Bong V from Phnom Penh
- 04/12/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Can anyone speak to real-world performance benefits?)
AnswerYes, I play Star Craft 2 and with this eGPU my MacBook Pro 2016 modle went from averaging 50 - 60 frames per second (FPS) to 120 FPS consistent.
For Final Cut Pro, I noticed render times were dramatcially decreased (I don't have exact numbers for you there, but my projects did go much more quickly)
The 2016 MBP modle has an issue with the eGPU as it will restart automatically on shut down with the unit attached.- Answered by Geoffrey P from Tinley Park
- 09/12/2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can anyone speak to real-world performance benefits?)
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What’s are the capabilities of the HDMI port? 4K 30hz or 60hz?
- Asked by Oliver C from Lafayette
- 13/07/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (What’s are the capabilities of the HDMI port? 4K 30hz or 60hz?)
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Is the Blackmagic eGPU upgradeable? Meaning, when new, more powerful AMD graphics cards become available can the older AMD 580 be replaced.
- Asked by Bryan M from St. Thomas
- 13/07/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Is the Blackmagic eGPU upgradeable? Meaning, when new, more powerful AMD graphics cards become available can the older AMD 580 be replaced.)
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Is this compatible with a windows PC equipped with a thunderbolt 3 port?
- Asked by Madan P from Pleasanton
- 13/07/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Is this compatible with a windows PC equipped with a thunderbolt 3 port?)
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If I use the Blackmagic eGPU, can I use three LG ultra 5k monitors with my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, 4 TBT3) ???
I have three 5K LG monitors.
The two monitors are connected like this.
Plug one display into a Thunderbolt 3 port on the left side of my MBP, and the other display into a Thunderbolt 3 port on the right side.
If I use the Blackmagic eGPU, can I use three LG ultra 5k monitors?AnswerYes, that should be possible.
The MacBook Pro has two Thunderbolt 3 controllers, one on each side. Each Thunderbolt 3 controller takes two DisplayPort inputs from the GPU of the MacBook Pro. Both DisplayPort signals can be transmitted down a single Thunderbolt 3 cable.
Each LG UltraFine 5K display requires two DisplayPort signals over Thunderbolt to support 5K 60Hz resolution. This is why each LG UltraFine 5K requires a separate Thunderbolt controller (one on each side of the MacBook Pro). The Thunderbolt controller in the LG UltraFine 5K uses both DisplayPort signals, that is why it does not have a second Thunderbolt 3 port to daisy chain other Thunderbolt devices.
The Blackmagic eGPU has a Thunderbolt 3 controller which takes two DisplayPort inputs from the GPU of the BlackMagic eGPU. Both DisplayPort signals can be transmitted down a single Thunderbolt 3 cable.
Because the GPU of the Blackmagic eGPU is separate from the MacBook Pro GPU, and because the LG UltraFine 5K connected to the Blackmagic GPU takes DisplayPort signals from the GPU of the Blackmagic eGPU, there will be no conflict. This is not possible with other eGPU solutions unless you have a Thunderbolt 3 add-in card (with DisplayPort inputs) between the Thunderbolt display and the GPU of the eGPU.
If the OS doesn't allow it, then that's a bug that should be reported.
The displays connected to the MacBook Pro will not be accelerated like the display connected to the Blackmagic eGPU. They might see some improvement, depending on the software.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 17/10/2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (If I use the Blackmagic eGPU, can I use three LG ultra 5k monitors with my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, 4 TBT3) ???)
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Will this speed up my 2016 13inch MacBook pro when attached to a LG ultrafine or a 4kTV? Mac runs slow when connected currently?
I have a 2016 13inch MacBook pro base model with 8gb ram. I notice a speed difference when connecting the computer to a 4k or 5k external monitor.
- Asked by John M. D from Victoria
- 14/07/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this speed up my 2016 13inch MacBook pro when attached to a LG ultrafine or a 4kTV? Mac runs slow when connected currently?)
AnswerYES it is actually highly recommended to use this egpu for MacBooks when running high resolution external displays
- Answered by James T from Porter Ranch
- 16/11/2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this speed up my 2016 13inch MacBook pro when attached to a LG ultrafine or a 4kTV? Mac runs slow when connected currently?)
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Can anyone speak to real-world performance benefits?
I own a 2016 13" MacbookPro and the LG 5k display. Typically I use it for programming (VSCode, XCode etc.), occasional light gaming. Drawn to this product as it works with the display and would make a decent desktop dock with its extra ports and power.
I do notice windows get a bit choppy on the 5k display, so I'm curious the benefits that this eGPU will bring - essentially will it be enough to notice in my every day? Benchmarks seem to focus on either heavy 3D games or video rendering.- Asked by Chris K from Brooklyn
- 09/08/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Can anyone speak to real-world performance benefits?)
AnswerYes. The choppiness comes from tearing and stuttering because your internal integrated GPU is way to weak to export 5k video at 60hz. however I would suggest using the pro version of this egpu with a Vega 56 for great performance on a 5k monitor
- Answered by James T from Porter Ranch
- 16/11/2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can anyone speak to real-world performance benefits?)
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Will this product have any benefits for Logic Pro X users or sound designers in general?
Will it help free up processing for running more plugins or adding track counts since it will be handling most of the graphics load? ...Or, maybe if running multiple external monitors while editing? Thanks in advance!
I’m running a built out 15” MBpro w/ touchbar (Summer 2017) and 27” 4k Samsung monitor.- Asked by Mark V from Minneapolis
- 13/07/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this product have any benefits for Logic Pro X users or sound designers in general?)
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Will a USB C adaptor to an HDMI 4k monitor work if I am using 2 monitors?
I currently have 2 4K monitors with HDMI & Displayport, I have one of the monitors connected to HDMI but the other will need an adaptor of some sort. Will the eGPU have an issue with the adaptor?
- Asked by Bespoke D from New York
- 02/10/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Will a USB C adaptor to an HDMI 4k monitor work if I am using 2 monitors?)
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Would this be additional GPU with 8gb, or a substitutional GPU with 8gb? The new MacBookPro has 4gb, would this give me 12gb for programs? or 8?
Understanding the Performance increase with Blackmagic eGPU and MacBookPro
- Asked by Marlon A from Blacksburg
- 13/07/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Would this be additional GPU with 8gb, or a substitutional GPU with 8gb? The new MacBookPro has 4gb, would this give me 12gb for programs? or 8?)
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Does this offer any measurable increased performance for Adobe Premiere Pro ( editing, viewing, rendering, exporting.... )?
- Asked by John M from Hendersonville
- 13/07/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Does this offer any measurable increased performance for Adobe Premiere Pro ( editing, viewing, rendering, exporting.... )?)
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Will the Blackmagic eGPU enhance Final Cut Pro X?
- Asked by Patrick O from Regina
- 13/07/2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Will the Blackmagic eGPU enhance Final Cut Pro X?)
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Answer
Not out of the box, because the late 2013 MacBook Pro does not have Thunderbolt 3 and Apple does not support eGPUs on Thunderbolt 2 Macs. The eGPU.io website might have a solution.
- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- 02/09/2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (15" late 2013 macbook pro compatibility?....ambiguous confusing answers on this site)