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eGPU that can outperform the internal Vega 56 in an iMac Pro base model
- Thread starter gr8pics
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Depends, compute or gaming? If compute what tasks? If gaming at what resolution and on an internal or external monitor?
Radeon RX 5700 XT, macOS Catalina, and iMac Pro
real world speed test results for performance minded Macintosh users
barefeats.com
I don't have the Vega56 internal card but I have a Vega64 internal card and a couple eGPU's.
The Vega64 internal outperforms:
my Vega56 eGPU
my Vega64 watercooled eGPU
my Radeon 7 eGPU.
I don't have any of the current 5600-5700 cards to try but I would doubt they would be far ahead if at all over even the Radeon 7.
This is just based on some benchmarking software tests.
On Geekbench, the Vega48 in my other machines is almost completely even with the Vega56/64 eGPU.
Radeon RX 5700 XT, macOS Catalina, and iMac Pro
real world speed test results for performance minded Macintosh users
barefeats.com
If it's helpful for comparison, reports and benchmark scores using a "loaded" MBP16,1 with RX 5700 XT in eGPU are here:
forums.macrumors.com
MBP16,1 with RX 5700 XT via eGPU (Reports, Issues & Benchmarks)
Been running some tests with an MBP16,1 configured with 2.4GHz, 5500M 8GB, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD. Currently on 10.15.2. Have a Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 650 GPU-650WOC-TB3, which is the OC model that provides 100W power delivery (newest model). Been running a Sapphire Pulse RX 580 8GB in that...
forums.macrumors.com
Depends on work load compute vs games vs render etc.
I would say the Radeon 5700XT would be ahead of the Vega 56. Probably better thermals too. £350. If you already have the Vega 56, I'd wait until AMD 'FINALLY' release the RDNA 2 later this year Oct-Dec'.
If you're coming from a 580, you'll notice. But at over twice the cost does it perform twice as fast as the 580 in all situations? In some, maybe, on others, not as much. If from a Vega 56...you'll probably notice...but not by as much. You're buying seconds.
The uber fish Radeon 6900XT and 6800XT and various 4k gaming disruptors are pending. And it will probably be the equivalent of the NV flagship and then some. Blow the doors off. These will cost? $999 and $699 and probably a 6700XT variant for $399-499 which will have knock on pricing pressure for the 5700XT which is probably a low end card masquerading as a middle range card if we're being honest.
You'll get far more bang for your buck.
Azrael.
Thunderbolt 3 could be bottleneck here - never as fast as PCIE. It's about 20-30% performance drop comparing to internal GPU.
eGPU Performance Loss - PCI Express vs. Thunderbolt
This is the question that many users wants to know: How much performance drop of my Video Card i will have if i put it in the eGPU with Thunderbolt 1,...
egpu.io
Thunderbolt 3 could be bottleneck here - never as fast as PCIE. It's about 20-30% performance drop comparing to internal GPU.
eGPU Performance Loss - PCI Express vs. Thunderbolt
This is the question that many users wants to know: How much performance drop of my Video Card i will have if i put it in the eGPU with Thunderbolt 1,...
Internal is best (no jokes...)
And the performance drop can vary according to task. 10%-30%, sure. Again. Upon task.
As for PCIE. Be nice when Apple gets all their Macs on PCIE Express 4...
And if Intel updates Thunderbolt 3/4 to 5 with an actual bandwidth/performance boost.
And if Apple optimises their apps for eGPU further.
What's the original poster's spec? (Duh. I noticed thread title...iMac Pro base model.)
I'd wait until the end of the year for AMD's next gpu. 'Big Navi.'
Then you'll definitely notice the eGPU boost over the Vega 56. It's a decent card or was. But it's old now.
AMD/Mac have been hanging onto the Polaris 580s, Vega 56/64s for a while now. The Radeon VII stop gap. We've only just got the 5700XT which has been out ages.
If you want to pick up a cheap eGPU chass' plus another Vega 56 or Radeon 5700XT you'll get a boost on a rendering workload for something like Blender 3D. Sometimes it's less sometimes it's more dramatic. Again. Depending on task. Price for this could vary from £400-600. Depending on Chassis Sonnet/Razor vs Vega 56/5700XT.)
To be fair. It's hardly cutting edge.
Big Navi can't come soon enough. And then Apple will prob' only offer it on the Mac Pro for kidney prices.
So the only option will be to eGPU it.
Azrael.