User profile for user: marksymms
marksymms Author
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Mac Pro 5,1 and eGPU

So, I have a 2010 Mac Pro that I have upgraded to two 6 core Xeons running High Sierra, but need upgraded graphics capability. I really don't want to lose the boot option and my GTX 120 works fine, although slow when in PS. I would like to add an eGPU and better graphics card, but don't want to spend all the money for naught. Is there anything special I need to do (other than correct Nvidia and CUDA drivers) to make this work OR will this even work? I assume I would need to add a thunderbolt expansion card.


TIA

Mark

Mac Pro, 10.13

Posted on Feb 6, 2019 10:16 AM

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User profile for user: John Lockwood
John Lockwood
User level: Level 6
13,697 points

Posted on Feb 8, 2019 5:50 AM

Apple's support for eGPU cards is only for Macs which have built-in Thunderbolt.


The Mac Pro 5,1 never has and never will have Thunderbolt support.


I believe in the dim and distant past it was possible to get PCIe expansion chassis for the MacPro5,1 but I have not seen one of these for a long time and even if they existed they are not supported by Apple. See above and https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208544

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User profile for user: John Lockwood
John Lockwood
User level: Level 6
13,697 points

Feb 8, 2019 5:50 AM in response to marksymms

Apple's support for eGPU cards is only for Macs which have built-in Thunderbolt.


The Mac Pro 5,1 never has and never will have Thunderbolt support.


I believe in the dim and distant past it was possible to get PCIe expansion chassis for the MacPro5,1 but I have not seen one of these for a long time and even if they existed they are not supported by Apple. See above and https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208544

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User profile for user: Sean Hockabout
Sean Hockabout
User level: Level 1
13 points

Feb 9, 2019 8:27 PM in response to marksymms

Get a used GTX 680. I upgraded my 2009 8-core to 2012 12-core specifications with a GTX 680 running natively in Mojave with boot screen. It must have a Mac Edition ROM.


The GTX 680 also works with Photoshop hardware acceleration the GT 120 does not.


Another option I've been thinking about is adding an RX series Radeon in the second slot to use for hardware acceleration. Which might be a better way to get acceleration and keeping your GT 120 which has more than enough power to process a video signal.

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Mac Pro 5,1 and eGPU

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