Blackmagic Forum

I had posted a question about the Blackmagic eGPU in another section. I truly don’t want to muck up the threads with redundant questions. But I’m just desperate for answers.

In short, I would like to use the studio version of Resolve but I don’t want to end up running into problems because my MacBook is underpowered. So I found this eGPU online and I was wondering if anybody has experience with editing, color grading, rendering, etc. using MacBook Pro...specifically using external GPUs.

I have the MacBook Pro 15” (2017, I believe). It has the dedicated Radeon Pro 560 graphics. But I figured my machine would still be inadequate. So this eGPU looks pretty neat. I just want to make sure it actually improves performance.

Also, apparently the studio version allows you to select specific GPU to work off of...more than one. So if I were to select my laptop’s graphics in addition to the Blackmagic eGPU, would that help me out?

Please help. I just don’t want to get hosed.

Thanks guys

For some formats even that combination would not suffice. Please tell us first which camera(s) and which resolution you’ll work with.

I’m watching the eGpu space and this thread on lift gamma gain is what I’m thinking of modelling
https://www.liftgammagain.com/forum/ind ... 2017.9514/

Uli Plank wrote:For some formats even that combination would not suffice. Please tell us first which camera(s) and which resolution you’ll work with.

I plan on buying the new BMPCC 4K. I’ve never owned a Blackmagic camera so this is a first for me. I’m still shooting on an old DSLR right now. So this is uncharted territory for me.

I specifically purchased this new MacBook for video editing. I went with a laptop because I need portability and I’m too stupid to do a “build”.

I use a different NLE at the moment, but it would be a shame to waste the opportunity to use Resolve studio since it comes with the camera.

This Davinci eGPU boasts brining “High-end desktop graphics processing to your laptop”. I didn’t see mention of “...depending on the format”.

Joakley wrote:

Uli Plank wrote:For some formats even that combination would not suffice. Please tell us first which camera(s) and which resolution you’ll work with.

I plan on buying the new BMPCC 4K. I’ve never owned a Blackmagic camera so this is a first for me. I’m still shooting on an old DSLR right now. So this is uncharted territory for me.

I specifically purchased this new MacBook for video editing. I went with a laptop because I need portability and I’m too stupid to do a “build”.

I use a different NLE at the moment, but it would be a shame to waste the opportunity to use Resolve studio since it comes with the camera.

This Davinci eGPU boasts brining “High-end desktop graphics processing to your laptop”. I didn’t see mention of “...depending on the format”.

Have a look overhere http://barefeats.com/

Misha, thank you for making my day! I hadn’t looked at the Barefeats test until your post. I recently bought two of those lowly 13” MacBook Pro laptops for the girls. Now I know I can add the eGPU and get amazing performance from the little things (if they’ll let me borrow one).


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Joakley wrote:I specifically purchased this new MacBook for video editing. I went with a laptop because I need portability and I’m too stupid to do a “build”.

Choosing a laptop wasn't a bad idea, you just chose one that isn't designed around what you need.

I use a different NLE at the moment, but it would be a shame to waste the opportunity to use Resolve studio since it comes with the camera.

Resolve is generally among the fastest of the NLEs if you throw enough horsepower at it. It consumes a lot, but it scales well (far better than the Adobe's).

This Davinci eGPU boasts brining “High-end desktop graphics processing to your laptop”. I didn’t see mention of “...depending on the format”.

It was high end once. Now it's just old. Not that it was even competitive when it WAS high end, though.

However, there are plenty of options out there that will allow you to choose a more modern card like a Vega 64 which is almost as fast as an nVidia 1080, and for things like color grading and Fusion will in the long run be a better option.

Resolve works pretty well with eGPUs; I've been using it on an HP Spectre x360 with an eGPU housing a 1080Ti, and ended up using that configuration to grade and render a feature film shot in 8K. It's not ideal, but it does work. Sapphire didn't like that configuration too much though; it crashed my renders in a few places (consistently enough that the only option was to remove the effect from those clips).

My system is CPU gated. It's an ultrabook (for budget reasons) and an older ULV quad-core model (15 watt TDP), so it can't saturate the eGPU because it can't decode the raw datastream quickly enough to give my GPU a workout.

You'll get a bit better performance since your machine has a 45-watt version of the same processor, but it's hard to predict a percentage.

Rakesh Malik wrote:

Joakley wrote:I specifically purchased this new MacBook for video editing. I went with a laptop because I need portability and I’m too stupid to do a “build”.

Choosing a laptop wasn't a bad idea, you just chose one that isn't designed around what you need.

I use a different NLE at the moment, but it would be a shame to waste the opportunity to use Resolve studio since it comes with the camera.

Resolve is generally among the fastest of the NLEs if you throw enough horsepower at it. It consumes a lot, but it scales well (far better than the Adobe's).

This Davinci eGPU boasts brining “High-end desktop graphics processing to your laptop”. I didn’t see mention of “...depending on the format”.

It was high end once. Now it's just old. Not that it was even competitive when it WAS high end, though.

However, there are plenty of options out there that will allow you to choose a more modern card like a Vega 64 which is almost as fast as an nVidia 1080, and for things like color grading and Fusion will in the long run be a better option.

Resolve works pretty well with eGPUs; I've been using it on an HP Spectre x360 with an eGPU housing a 1080Ti, and ended up using that configuration to grade and render a feature film shot in 8K. It's not ideal, but it does work. Sapphire didn't like that configuration too much though; it crashed my renders in a few places (consistently enough that the only option was to remove the effect from those clips).

My system is CPU gated. It's an ultrabook (for budget reasons) and an older ULV quad-core model (15 watt TDP), so it can't saturate the eGPU because it can't decode the raw datastream quickly enough to give my GPU a workout.

You'll get a bit better performance since your machine has a 45-watt version of the same processor, but it's hard to predict a percentage.

So I should hold off on getting the Blackmagic eGPU and look into a better one?

Sorry, I’m not a techie guy. I don’t really know my way around computers and drives and building GPUs and whatnot.

From what I understand From your post, I will most likely need to buy an eGPU, a card (this Vega 64 you mention) and physically install the card in the unit? Again, sorry I’m so ignorant here. I’m learning as I go. When I started, I just wanted to make cool stuff...but I spend most of my time trying to interpret computing/tech language. Every other day I’m presented with new challenges that completely distract me from actual filmmaking.

I’m so lost. I just searched “external GPU for Mac” and the Blackmagic one showed up. I thought it would be pretty straightforward, especially since I’m now edging my way into the Blackmagic world.

Now I don’t even know where to start when looking for a “better” eGPU.

Joakley wrote:I’m so lost. I just searched “external GPU for Mac” and the Blackmagic one showed up. I thought it would be pretty straightforward, especially since I’m now edging my way into the Blackmagic world.

Now I don’t even know where to start when looking for a “better” eGPU.

Upto 4...6k the Blackmagic eGPU is pretty good 5.8..6.2 TFlops, 8 GB, 256 GB/s mem. bandwidth $ 700
Upto 4...6k a eGPU box $ 300 + RX VEGA 64 $ 600 11.6..13.1 TFlops, 8 GB, 484 GB/s mem. bandwidth $ 900

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814126236

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131734&cm_re=rx_vega_64-_-14-131-734-_-Product

For $200 more you get around 100% more Davinci Resolve speed.

MishaEngel wrote:

Joakley wrote:I’m so lost. I just searched “external GPU for Mac” and the Blackmagic one showed up. I thought it would be pretty straightforward, especially since I’m now edging my way into the Blackmagic world.

Now I don’t even know where to start when looking for a “better” eGPU.

Upto 4...6k the Blackmagic eGPU is pretty good 5.8..6.2 TFlops, 8 GB, 256 GB/s mem. bandwidth $ 700
Upto 4...6k a eGPU box $ 300 + RX VEGA 64 $ 600 11.6..13.1 TFlops, 8 GB, 484 GB/s mem. bandwidth $ 900

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814126236

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131734&cm_re=rx_vega_64-_-14-131-734-_-Product

For $200 more you get around 100% more Davinci Resolve speed.

I guess this helps.

So...I work a bunch of overtime, get some scratch together, and buy these two things (the chassis and the card). I just...stick the card in the thingy and I’m good to go?

Like, can a monkey do this? Or am I going to be spicing blue wires and cutting red ones like I’m assembling a bomb or what?

RTFM and do what the M says and your done.
Maybe you have to install somedrivers but that is it.

The Barefeats tests show the 13” MacBook Pro with the BMD eGPU is a respectable performer compared to the iMac Pro with the Vega 64. In some of the tests it’s the second best option beating the 15” MacBook Pro with the same eGPU. That seems a very good value option to me. After seeing that, I look forward to adding it when I can manage the budget. And it’s Plug-n-Play with a TB3 connection and the other goodies you may add with the second TB3 on the eGPU.


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Read the F@$&!ng manual. 10-4.

I’ve never messed with this stuff. For all I know they sell these things to you with the understanding that you’ll know what the hell to do with them...FM or no FM.

Joakley wrote:Read the F@$&!ng manual. 10-4.

I’ve never messed with this stuff. For all I know they sell these things to you with the understanding that you’ll know what the hell to do with them...FM or no FM.

It's easy, plug and play, just follow the manual.

Some info from the fruit company

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209134

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208544

Thanks

I recon if you are not confident with diy get someone to build it or get the BMD egpu, it has the same gpu as the one in the top end iMac and it works really well for me.
Sometimes it’s good to just get on with it and get to the colour grading part and not spend the time fiddling around the edges. (The BMD egpu does have drawbacks tho , like non upgrade-able)

The eGPU by BM and Apple is truly plug-and-play, typical Apple.
There are lots of other housings where you can throw in your own choice of a card, some faster or cheaper than the turnkey solution. You can find excellent advice and knowledgeable users here: egpu.io