External Video Cards (Macintosh)

Ron Knights

I noticed some similar topics already. I hope you don't mind that I start my own. I don't want to hijack someone else's posts.

I'm a determined Macintosh user. Unfortunately Apple doesn't think Mac users need to expand their computers. Apple apparently doesn't like nVidia either. Their Mac Pro has ATI cards. I have more time than money, so I'm attempting my own research into external Thunderbolt devices for the Mac.

The first concern I noticed was that some devices require a power source (PSU) that doesn't come with the device. I've skimmed through some device descriptions, and can't seem to find any info on a PSU. I'd really want to know if I need to buy one, and know my options.

The second concern is which video cards would fit into the enclosure. I'd prefer to see a list of appropriate video cards. I haven't seen much information readily available. The closest I've come was wtih the Sonnet Echo Express device on Amazon.com. 

https://www.amazon.com/Sonnet-Express-Thunderbolt-Expansion-Chassis/dp/B00IPSJLXG/ref=sr_1_8?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471529821&sr=1-8&keywords=thunderbolt+expansion

Here is Sonnet's list of compatible video cards. http://www.sonnettech.com/support/charts/thunderbolt/index.html

nelsonsmith

Good post.  I've never considered external graphics cards before, but as I get more into Daz and my renders get more complex, it's obvious I'm going to need more processing pwr sooner rather than later, and I'm not ready to simply buy another computer.

 

Ron Knights

Thanks, nelsonsmith. BIZON offers an external video card for Macs, where you can configure your choices, including case, power supply, etc. I haven't done any research for reviews, but here is the link.

https://bizon-tech.com/us/bizonbox2-egpu.html/

StratDragon

My concern with this is Apple is providing no longer Nvidia cards with their current computer line and as OS X continues to be a hardware closed platform that Apple may drop all internal support for recognizing Nvidia hardware as the requirements for newer OS's will no longer include legacy systems with Nvidia GPU's and you could be stuck with an expensive box your computer refuse to recognize.

TangoAlpha

Just looking through the  product description, that chassis only supports one half-height half-length card, which isn't going to be much use.

("The Echo Express SEL supports one half-length (up to 6.6" long), low-profile, single-width PCIe card.")

Sonnet do have bigger chassis -- the III-D and III-R (desktop / rack mount), you can find out about them on their site: sonnettech dot com, but even then, I don't know if they'd take something the size of a 980Ti - that's a looong card! I'm sure I've seen photos of cards hanging out the end of the chassis box. They're about £750 & £850 in the UK

(Mac user with an interest, although not a budget to do anything about it!)

Ron Knights

Yeah, you have a point there. I have a "new" 27" iMac that we purchased on March 21, 2015, for my birthday. It has an nVidia card. You got me wondering now, if this is a futile exercise.

Ron Knights

I provided a link to Sonnet's list showing which cards work with their various models. That should help.

mambanegra

Apparently, when you purchase Bison, you are paying for them to do a little work for you, but otherwise, you can get the very same parts and build your own for nearly half the cost. I've done a little reading, and at this point, I am not convinced external is in my personal best interests but that might not be the case for everyone. 

Ron Knights

I agree! It didn't take me long to give up on the idea.