Offloading GPU work to Quadro 4000 via Thunderbolt

I did a quick search and I've not really found an answer so here goes. If this has been discussed already can you kindly point me to the thread?

Questions relates to using a MacBook Pro 17" or iMac for Resolve work. I'm not investing in a MacPro at the moment as I'd like Thunderbolt in the MacPro.

So... would this work, all footage is sitting on a Promis Pegasus Thunderbolt RAID:

1: Simple set-up in the studio, connected to a MacBook Pro 17" or iMac via Thunderbolt:
Sonnet Echo Express (±£460)
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/echoe ... assis.html
plus
nVidea Quadro 4000 (±£800)
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-qu ... ac-us.html

2: More complex & expensive set-up but it adds HDMI monitoring:
Magma ExpressBox 3T (£900)
http://www.magma.com/thunderbolt
plus
2 x nVidea Quadro 4000 (±£1600)
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-qu ... ac-us.html
plus
Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro (±£140)
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/intensity/

Would that work? It seems similar to the set-up many are using on the Mac Pro to offload the GPU work to external cases holding nVidea Quadro 4000 (or other graphics cards).

Hi Adam,

My first thought is that the slots in the expansion units are not really fast enough for graphics card use, but I suppose they may be OK just to use the GPU's as co-processors.

My second thought is that the Nvidia Quadro 4000 has been seriously outclassed by the latest Kepler cards. You could save yourself a lot of money by going for a GTX 660ti or GTX 670, or even the GTX 570

The Quadro 4000 has 256 CUDA cores, The GTX 660ti has 1344 CUDA cores and costs less than a third of the price

I'm running a PC GTX 660ti in a MacPro under Mountain Lion with no modifications.

see nrsotw.blogspot.co.uk for more info

Thanks Neil

Had not really looked into other card yet as the Nvidia Quadro 4000 seems to be the most common one used in Mac Pro Resolve set-ups.

Does make sense to go for a better card if I'm gonna get more back for my buck.

The Magma does support 16x in one slot. So I guess I might get better performance out of running 1 new card in that slot??

Hi Adam,

I think the main reason people use the Quadro 4000 is they don't realise they can now use PC cards in a Mac. It's only been since Lion 10.7.3 that it was possible without hacking the firmware.

If you are restricted to one x16 slot maybe go for the GTX 690, it's a single card but with twin GPU's. You should be able to pick one up for around 850. Its got 3072 CUDA cores But does need 300W of power.

There is also the Quadro K5000 which is coming in October but that will be around 1500

After a bit more research I found the following limitations:
- Thunderbolt is limited to 4 lanes. So even if 16x is supported by the external chassis you'll only get 4x speeds.
- Apple does not have GPU over Thunderbolt enabled.
– The power supplies in chassis are not powerful enough. (15oW in the Sonnet & 250W in the Magma)

Looks like this is a dead end.

According to Sonnet this wont work with their Echo Express Pro.
I tried myself with a Quadro 4000 and got as far as looking for the place to plug the power in...there was no place for that in the Sonnet Echo Express Pro
Here is the support pages http://www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb ... ction=b663
Good thing is I got the the Sonnet Tempo SSD Pro running like mad in that Echo attached to a Retina.
I also got the BMD Intensity Pro installed but havent tested yet.
For the record, a lot of us knew about using hacked cards for GPU.
But trying to get something like that approved with the people you work is like pulling teeth
It works for folks that run their own show but some of like to be compliant.
Now that more cards are available, then future set-ups will get a chance to try cheaper faster cards

Edit: tested Media Express and Resolve 9. Only footage I had was Jon Carrs offering. God I want this camera bad now