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Hi! My iMAC is about 4 years old. I do graphic design, but an starting to use Premier Pro for videos. After a little research, I found that my computer doesn't have adequate memory (I have extra slots to add more) and someone recommended a GPU. I'm just starting to research GPUs, and saw that Apple has an eGPU. Is this something I can "add" to my 4-year-old iMAC?
iMac 27″, macOS 11.0
Unfortunately, you’re iMac does not meet the minimum qualifications for using an external GPU. Here is a link to the Apple Support Document that outlines the requirements,
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208544
The long and short of is it the GPU your iMac came with is soldered to the Logic Board and can’t be upgraded. Your iMac has Thunderbolt 2 ports for connecting to an external peripherals. As the support document states, Macs must have Thunderbolt 3 ports and controllers in order to recognize eGPU’s. While adapters exist to convert Thunderbolt 2 computers to Thunderbolt 3 devices, your iMac does not have the necessary hardware and firmware to recognize and utilize an eGPU. Sorry.
You may want to talk to the support people at OWC about upgrading your Ram (memory) and startup Hard Drive. Both of these upgrades can speed up your computer significantly. This may be sufficient to do the video editing you want to do. Good luck.
Unfortunately, you’re iMac does not meet the minimum qualifications for using an external GPU. Here is a link to the Apple Support Document that outlines the requirements,
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208544
The long and short of is it the GPU your iMac came with is soldered to the Logic Board and can’t be upgraded. Your iMac has Thunderbolt 2 ports for connecting to an external peripherals. As the support document states, Macs must have Thunderbolt 3 ports and controllers in order to recognize eGPU’s. While adapters exist to convert Thunderbolt 2 computers to Thunderbolt 3 devices, your iMac does not have the necessary hardware and firmware to recognize and utilize an eGPU. Sorry.
You may want to talk to the support people at OWC about upgrading your Ram (memory) and startup Hard Drive. Both of these upgrades can speed up your computer significantly. This may be sufficient to do the video editing you want to do. Good luck.
Hi Jeff. I bought my 27" iMAC in 2015. I'm attaching a screenshot of my info. Does this help? Thanks, Marilyn
What year/model iMac do you have?
Nope, it needs to be a 2017 or newer version to support an EGPU. The EGPUs that work on iMacs are Thunderbolt 3 devices, yours has Thunderbolt 2 and sorry there is no-way to upgrade yours to T3.
Wow....what a difference 5 years make! Thanks for your help. Your suggestions may be a good stop-gap measure until I upgrade to a new iMAC!
Thanks! I may have to upgrade to a new iMAC at some point. I appreciate your reply!
Yup, the good news is the new 2020's have some pretty good GPUs in them.
GPU for an older iMAC?
