Graphics Card help, 4x 4k Monitors on MacBook Pro

[JJBlackburn]

Hi

Wondered if anyone could offer some advice, I am currently running a 2019 MacBook Pro 16" spec'd up, currently running 4x 4k monitors via 2 thunderbolt docks.

What I would like is to get an external GPU inclosure (probably the Razor X) and then a GPU that works for me. I don't game and my 4 monitors are for work and to show different data sets. Ideally, it would be great to have one cable instead of the 2-3 I have at the moment and just have a thunderbolt cable going to the eGPU that runs my 4 monitors and leave my internal graphics card for other things.

What graphics card should I be looking for, I am guessing it has to be AMD (Mac) I am on a tight budget so probably looking second-hand?

Thanks

 

[eidairaman1]

Hi

Wondered if anyone could offer some advice, I am currently running a 2019 MacBook Pro 16" spec'd up, currently running 4x 4k monitors via 2 thunderbolt docks.

What I would like is to get an external GPU inclosure (probably the Razor X) and then a GPU that works for me. I don't game and my 4 monitors are for work and to show different data sets. Ideally, it would be great to have one cable instead of the 2-3 I have at the moment and just have a thunderbolt cable going to the eGPU that runs my 4 monitors and leave my internal graphics card for other things.

What graphics card should I be looking for, I am guessing it has to be AMD (Mac) I am on a tight budget so probably looking second-hand?

Thanks

See if the gpu boxes are mac compatible at all and if drivers can be obtained for them.

 

[JJBlackburn]

See if the gpu boxes are mac compatible at all and if drivers can be obtained for them.

Oh yes I know the eGPUs are compatible it is more I am after the best graphics card for the job

 

[Yukikaze]

Read this article.

Beyond that, you should get an AMD card that is listed on that page as supported and has 4 outputs that you would like to use for your monitors. A reference design RX470 is about the cheapest thing on that list that can do it (1 monitor via HDMI 2.0 and 3 via DisplayPort). If all you're looking for is the outputs, as opposed to gaming performance, then the cheapest card possible makes sense.

With respect to the enclosure itself, the cheapest eGPU TB3 enclosure you can get that provides enough charging power for your system is what you are after. The Core X will work just fine.

Finally, avoid XFX cards. A lot of them have a BIOS quirk that makes them essentially incompatible with Mac OS.

I have an oldie Mac Mini (Late 2012) with a Sapphire Nitro RX480 4GB connected to it. It works just fine, even though I had to use Kryptonite to get eGPU support over Thunderbolt1.

 

[eidairaman1]

Read this article.

Beyond that, you should get an AMD card that is listed on that page as supported and has 4 outputs that you would like to use for your monitors. A reference design RX470 is about the cheapest thing on that list that can do it (1 monitor via HDMI 2.0 and 3 via DisplayPort). If all you're looking for is the outputs, as opposed to gaming performance, then the cheapest card possible makes sense.

With respect to the enclosure itself, the cheapest eGPU TB3 enclosure you can get that provides enough charging power for your system is what you are after. The Core X will work just fine.

Finally, avoid XFX cards. A lot of them have a BIOS quirk that makes them essentially incompatible with Mac OS.

Sad enough to find a RX 400-500 brand new is nil. The best he could do is RX 5500/5600, 6400/6500 or newer.

 

[Yukikaze]

OP did mention second-hand being an option and price being a concern. RX470 cards are cheap nowdays. A reference RX470 is like $60-70 off ebay (example). A reference RX480 is $15-25 more expensive.

Also note that RX 5500/5600 and 6400/6500 are not listed as supported by Apple, so I'd avoid them. Some cards not listed there do work (AFAIK the RX460 and 560 do work despite not being on the list), but others do not (for example the RX550, despite being from the same generation does not work).

 

[eidairaman1]

OP did mention second-hand being an option and price being a concern. RX470 cards are cheap nowdays. A reference RX470 is like $60-70 off ebay (example). A reference RX480 is $15-25 more expensive.

Also note that RX 5500/5600 and 6400/6500 are not listed as supported by Apple, so I'd avoid them. Some cards not listed there do work (AFAIK the RX460 and 560 do work despite not being on the list), but others do not (for example the RX550, despite being from the same generation does not work).

Case in point most have been mining abused

 

[JJBlackburn]

Thanks for the help, what is the opinion on workstation cards, in AMds case the blue ones, as surely they are also designed exactly for what I want to do?

 

[shovenose]

WX3200 is cheap and has 4 miniDP outs. I have one of those in my Plex server.

 

[Solaris17]

For what its worth I used a razer core x and a 580 on a macbook to drive multiple displays no issue.

 

[AleXXX666]

For what its worth I used a razer core x and a 580 on a macbook to drive multiple displays no issue.

580 same as 480 is the most crazy scenario lmfao. Now that will be very abused from mining lol. 5500XT is to start with, but, better for this case workstation cards, really. And chances of being trashed from mining are way less.