Mini eGPU considerations (TB3 out)

[brentsg]

I'd like to put together an eGPU for my Mini, but I can't work with anything but Thunderbolt 3 output. I know the device that Apple sells directly will do this, but I don't want to be locked into one particular card.

Is there another way to use an eGPU with TB3 out, aside from that BlackMagic device?

The logic here is that I have a monitor with Thunderbolt input (it's TB2 but I currently use an adapter).

Note that I do have a Thunderbolt 3 (and 2 for that matter) add-in card that I could use, but the dual slot setups don't seem to really be built for a GPU so people having to do a lot of modding.

 

[awer25]

Sure, there are tons. Check out this link.

Note that there are still no Nvidia drivers for Mojave, so you have to stick with AMD for now.

 

[F-Train]

Sure, there are tons. Check out this link.

I could be wrong, but I think that @brentsg’s question is about the signal from the graphics card to the monitor.

There are still no AMD cards that come with TB 3 out.

As far as I know, the Black Magic enclosures are still the only ones that run Thunderbolt 3 from the enclosure/card to the monitor. Sapphire’s new enclosure, for example, doesn’t do this.

As noted in the first post, there are modifications that people talk about, but I don’t know what’s involved or how successful it is. Some of the people at egpu.io may know.

I also wonder whether a Black Magic would work if the connections are enclosure/card TB 3 port > TB 3 to TB 2 adapter > monitor TB 2 port.

 

[brentsg]

That's correct. There would need to be some way to jumper DisplayPort to any extra TB3 ports on the enclosure.

I also wondered what would happen with the TB3 to TB2 adapter but if I can't clear hurdle one then the next one doesn't matter.

 

[Jellyenzo]

As far as Im concerned, it’s kinda meh. Granted my circumstances are somewhat extra-ordinary.

I have an akitio node pro with an RX 480 full size graphics card inside and attached to a dell 38 inch widescreen for work. Its actually well priced for the eGPU (its only sold as enclosure).

Dont plan on playing any games unless you bootcamp (just buy a console or PC if you do). I tinkled with fortnite, star craft 2 and d3 and got less than 20fps on each respective game.

It’s alot of pixels to push for a 38 inch in an otherwise unfriendly gamer environment, but as a work horse; video editing and photoshop/illustrator are decently usable and the screen real estate is smooth. Its arguable I could use the 38 inch even without the eGPU as an addon..

Id recommend the akitio node pro as it has a carry on latch. Kinda like a briefcase. Good price and if I don’t connect the TB3 to my mac mini; I could connect it to my mbp.

Otherwise if I shelled out the money; the rezer core 2 looks sick.
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That's correct. There would need to be some way to jumper DisplayPort to any extra TB3 ports on the enclosure.

I also wondered what would happen with the TB3 to TB2 adapter but if I can't clear hurdle one then the next one doesn't matter.

TB3 to TB2 doesnt really seem worth. The adapter cable alone is over $40..