Quit any open apps that you want the eGPU to accelerate on the primary display.Since apps default to the GPU associated with the primary display, this option works with a variety of apps: If you have an external display connected to your eGPU, you can choose it as the primary display for all apps. Set an external eGPU-connected display as the primary display Some apps, such as Final Cut Pro, directly choose which graphics processors are used and will ignore the Prefer External GPU checkbox. You won't see this option if an eGPU isn't connected, if your Mac isn't running macOS Mojave or later, or if the app self-manages its GPU selection. Select the checkbox next to Prefer External GPU.Press Command-I to show the app's info window.If you open the app from an alias or launcher, Control-click the app's icon and choose Show Original from the pop-up menu. Most apps are in your Applications folder. This option lets the eGPU accelerate apps on any display connected to the Mac-including displays built in to iMac, iMac Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro: Starting with macOS Mojave 10.14, you can turn on Prefer External GPU in a specific app's Get Info panel in the Finder. You can configure applications to use an eGPU with one of the following methods.
Pro apps and 3D games that accelerate the built-in display of iMac, iMac Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro (This capability must be enabled by the app's developer.).VR apps, when the VR headset is attached directly to the eGPU.3D games, when an external monitor is attached directly to the eGPU.Pro apps designed to utilize multiple GPUs.In general, an eGPU can accelerate performance in these types of apps: Not all apps support eGPU acceleration check with the app's developer to learn more. View the activity levels of built-in and external GPUs (Open Activity Monitor, then choose Window > GPU History.)ĮGPU support in macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later is designed to accelerate Metal, OpenGL, and OpenCL apps that benefit from a powerful eGPU.Use the menu bar item to safely disconnect the eGPU.Connect more than one eGPU using the multiple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on your Mac 2.
Connect an eGPU while a user is logged in.Use an eGPU with your MacBook Pro while its built-in display is closed.
In Radeon settings, click the System Tab, then click the Software tab. Or choose AMD Radeon Settings from the Programs menu. Or click Radeon Settings in the notification area. Take any of these steps to open Radeon settings: Right-click your desktop and choose AMD Radeon Settings. Many apps are now using the GPU as much or more than the CPU for computational intensive apps. I already had Metal support for my Mac Pro (Radeon 7950), but needed a little more oomph in GPU performance.
Rating: 4/5 Excellent upgrade for the Mac Pro FebruI bought the Radeon RX 580 Bundle for Mac Pro (2010-2012) about three months ago. Selecting the Radeon Pro W5700X adds an additional $600 to the price of the Mac Pro, with Apple also offering an option to add two Radeon Pro W5700X graphics cards for a total of $1,600. Recommended Thunderbolt 3 chassis for these graphics cards: Sonnet eGFX Breakaway.Īn eGPU lets you do all this on your Mac: Recommended graphics cards include the AMD Radeon RX 5700, AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, and AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary. If you've installed macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or later, you can use these graphics cards that are based on the AMD Navi RDNA architecture.
Learn how to update the software on your Mac.