MM18 + Blackmagic eGPU + LG Ultrafine 4k

[F-Train]

The official Apple eGPU page does not mention the 590, neither does post 19.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208544

I didn’t say “post 19”, I said “ the thread mentioned in post 19”.

Before the RX 590 was released, there were several posts in that thread about whether Mojave would have to be updated for the card to work. The card worked fine from launch day. I received mine 48 hours after launch and there were no issues whatever in getting it to work.

The same question arises in relation to the new Radeon II. There is a very good chance that it will work from launch day, and if it doesn’t I’m pretty sure that it will work in short order.

The Apple support page is way out of date on gear. If you follow it, you won’t use an Asus enclosure either. Lots of people are using the Asus, which also works fine. Indeed, despite Apple’s enclosure “recommendations”, I believe that brand of enclosure is irrelevant. I’ve yet to see anyone say that one of the main enclosure brands won’t work.
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have you tried enabling it on the app?
https://9to5mac.com/2018/07/30/macos-mojave-beta-5-per-app-egpu-acceleration-built-in-mac-display/

Better yet, read the Apple eGPU support page, which specifically addresses creating a preference in “Info” for use of an external GPU.

However, this is a preference, not determinative. For example, Compressor will not currently use an external GPU regardless of whether one is “preferred” in “Info”.

Also, note that the Preference check box will only appear in Info if the mini is connected to the external GPU.

 

[Synchro3]

i tried plugging it into the mac mini and also into the Blackmagic directly. MOnitor works both ways but when i edit in FCPX, i don't see the blackmagic doing anything in activity monitor when LG is plugged into Mac Mini. My main purpose for this is to accelerate workflow. I wouldnt even mind if the intel 630 is running the monitor and the blackmagic running video rendering software. the point of this whole topic is the possibility to get a Razer Core x with Vega 64 and still be able to edit and render. THe monitor itself forks well plugged dorectly ito mac mini and running off the integrated 630

Did you edit FCP setting to 'prefer External GPU' ?

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

Did you edit FCP setting to 'prefer External GPU' ?

View attachment 817775

yes. thank you for pointing this out. Im still wondering how much of a performance hit one is taking when using an eGPU this way. Does it even make sense to have a vega 64 plugged into one TB3 and monitor plugged into a separate TB3 for great performance benefits? I don't know how to test this. I have the Blackmagic rx 580 but am thinking of returning it and getting a vega 64 in Razer Core X option but of course, I want to have a good reason for spending $700+ for this.

 

[Synchro3]

yes. thank you for pointing this out. Im still wondering how much of a performance hit one is taking when using an eGPU this way. Does it even make sense to have a vega 64 plugged into one TB3 and monitor plugged into a separate TB3 for great performance benefits? I don't know how to test this. I have the Blackmagic rx 580 but am thinking of returning it and getting a vega 64 in Razer Core X option but of course, I want to have a good reason for spending $700+ for this.

To enable 'prefer External GPU' is essential when using the eGPU only for compute without a display attached.

I don't know how much faster a Vega 64 will perform in compute vs e.g. RX 580, but without enabling 'prefer External GPU' the eGPU will not compute at all.

 

[Ploki]

yes. thank you for pointing this out. Im still wondering how much of a performance hit one is taking when using an eGPU this way. Does it even make sense to have a vega 64 plugged into one TB3 and monitor plugged into a separate TB3 for great performance benefits? I don't know how to test this. I have the Blackmagic rx 580 but am thinking of returning it and getting a vega 64 in Razer Core X option but of course, I want to have a good reason for spending $700+ for this.

i think roughly 50% performance hit?
i'm not sure about background GPU renders, those shouldnt take a hit.
it's not really a great idea lol

 

[LiE_]

I wasn’t aware of any adapter that would allow a display port to plug into the LG UltraFine 4K’s USB-C port.

 

[Ploki]

I wasn’t aware of any adapter that would allow a display port to plug into the LG UltraFine 4K’s USB-C port.

Only that I found:
https://egpu.io/forums/thunderbolt-...k-displays-with-a-single-thunderbolt-3-cable/

needless to say, it's less than ideal.

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

I tried the Blackmagic with color correction and playback on performance mode was smooth. I plugged LG 4k and Black magic separately into the MM18 and it played back like crap in performance mode. I unplugged the Blackmagic and only used intel 630 and playback was choppy on performance mode but maybe even better than the Blackmagic. Not sure what to think of this other than having a eGPU connected without monitor going through it performs questionably. Also video players must not be optimized for eGPU since playback is terrible with Blackmagic. I guess the only option for the LG Ultrafine monitors is a Blackmagic 580 or Vega 56

 

[Ploki]

People are more or less successfully running ultrafines with this:
https://www.amazon.com/Asrock-Thunderbolt-AIC-Express-DisplayPort/dp/B072JD1WWK