Blackmagic eGPU and Windows

Does the Blackmagic eGPUs still not work for Windows? And if so, why is that? I would love to able to use it in Bootcamp, or a Windows Laptop.

Yes it works.

As far as the Pro goes, it does not. Windows detects it, but can fine no drivers to get it to work.

As far as the Pro goes, it does not. Windows detects it, but can fine no drivers to get it to work.

Try this https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/release-notes/apple-boot-camp

As far as the Pro goes, it does not. Windows detects it, but can fine no drivers to get it to work.

Try this https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/release-notes/apple-boot-camp

Not seeing Mac Mini on that list.

Not seeing Mac Mini on that list.

Mac Mini has a intel iGPU.

I thought that you wanted a driver for your eGPU for windows(bootcamp).

Not seeing Mac Mini on that list.

Mac Mini has a intel iGPU.

I thought that you wanted a driver for your eGPU for windows(bootcamp).

Yes, Mac Mini’s internal is Intel. That’s why I got the Blackmagic external AMD gpu to make up for it. But it doesn’t seem to work in Windows bootcamp.

Not seeing Mac Mini on that list.

Mac Mini has a intel iGPU.

I thought that you wanted a driver for your eGPU for windows(bootcamp).

Yes, Mac Mini’s internal is Intel. That’s why I got the Blackmagic external AMD gpu to make up for it. But it doesn’t seem to work in Windows bootcamp.

https://support.apple.com/mac/mac-mini

Or call Apple, you paid enough to expect some service.

Check out egpu.io and if those folks don't have a solution, you can forget it.

Check out egpu.io and if those folks don't have a solution, you can forget it.

Their solution is a mod, specifically to remove Apple’s drivers, and replace them with bootcamp drivers that void the warranty. Which was not what I was looking for. Gonna assume it simply doesn’t work officially since Blackmagic says on their own page that it doesn’t work yet. Which sucks, since I like the device. Guess I’ll just return it.

Hi!

Blackmagic eGPU workes with my Windows Laptop. I only needed to install the drivers. But if you mean Windows on a dual MacBook boot, I don´t have experiences.

I do have another issue though, my egpu works but it is not charging the laptop, anyone knows what could it be? It should charge out 85W and my laptop only needs 65W, so I guess it should work?

Tnx for any suggestions!

Does the Blackmagic eGPU work with the Mac Mini 2018 i7?

Yes.
But if you don't have it yet, I'd think twice. It'll be obsolete with M1 Macs and even the Mac mini M1 is faster without it than the Intel ones. On Windows, the popularity of eGPU is also declining, since you can get pretty strong GPUs in a laptop these days.

Yes.
But if you don't have it yet, I'd think twice. It'll be obsolete with M1 Macs and even the Mac mini M1 is faster without it than the Intel ones. On Windows, the popularity of eGPU is also declining, since you can get pretty strong GPUs in a laptop these days.

Thanks Uli. So you are saying that the Mac mini M1 is faster than a Mac mini Intel + eGPUD. Do you know if the Mac Mini M1 can use the BM eGPU and is there an advantage? I'd like to get a Mac Mini as my secondary workstation.

So you are saying that the Mac mini M1 is faster than a Mac mini Intel + eGPUD.

This will vary depending on the specific task. The current crop of Apple Silicon chips are all laptop-focused rather than desktop-level performance focused. The GPUs they include are very powerful for their class of chip, but they are not quite competitive with high-end GPUs as one would want for every-day color grading, compositing and the like.

It kind of makes sense that Apple would hit this area first as a significant part of their sales is made up of portable (laptop) solutions. I would expect more performance-focused pro-level solutions to be out soon though as they are already over a year into their transition.

Do you know if the Mac Mini M1 can use the BM eGPU and is there an advantage?

There is no eGPU support at all on the Apple Silicon machines.

It also depends on the eGPU. If it's the older mid-level Radeon 580, yes, it'll be faster in most tasks.
For the price of the eGPU Pro plus a mini M1 (since you considered that), I'd rather get the MacBook M1 Pro base model. It'll be twice as fast. Oh, and it'll save quite a bit on your bill for electric power.

Yes.
But if you don't have it yet, I'd think twice. It'll be obsolete with M1 Macs and even the Mac mini M1 is faster without it than the Intel ones. On Windows, the popularity of eGPU is also declining, since you can get pretty strong GPUs in a laptop these days.

Thanks Uli. So you are saying that the Mac mini M1 is faster than a Mac mini Intel + eGPUD. Do you know if the Mac Mini M1 can use the BM eGPU and is there an advantage? I'd like to get a Mac Mini as my secondary workstation.

Currently Apple Silicon does not support eGPU and, in my honest opinion, they will never do. At least M1, M1Pro and M1Max

Correct. I was referring to the Intel mini with eGPU vs the M1 without one.

Now is July 2022 and it still does not work a PC. I am able to install the latest AMD Pro drivers on Windows 11 Pro since it will detect the Blackmagic eGPU as a Thunderbolt 3 Device but then that's it. If anyone managed to get it Work on a Windows PC I would be interested to know how.

The best place to get help is egpu.io .

The best place to get help is egpu.io .

Thanks, I am trying there too. The Blackmagic is an awesome product in design and is small and quite. I just cannot believe that I am the only one with this issue.

Yes.
But if you don't have it yet, I'd think twice. It'll be obsolete with M1 Macs and even the Mac mini M1 is faster without it than the Intel ones. <SNIP>

No, this is nonsense.

A MacBook with M2 for example scored a CL test at around 25k while a DELL Win 11 Notebook using the eGPU in question easily obtained 45k on the same test using Geekbench 6, a cross platform benachmarking software.

The best solution I found for this exact problem was on reddit. I will include the original link down below but for your convenience I copied the list:

• Download and Install: https://www(DOT)amd(DOT)com/en/support/graphics/radeon-500-series/radeon-rx-500-series/radeon-rx-580 -> "Radeon Software" (Revision Number: Adrenalin 21.10.2 Recommended (WHQL)), File Size: 456 MB. Run the executable - it doesn't matter if it succeeds or not. A new directory will be created under C:\AMD\...
  
• Open the Device Manager -> "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter" -> Update Driver Software -> Browse my Computer for driver software -> Let me Pick from a list... -> Click: Have Disk -> Search and Select the Path from the previous Installation Step:C:\AMD\Non-WHQL-Radeon-Software-Adrenalin-2020-22.2.1-Win10-Win11-64Bit-Feb3\Packages\Drivers\Display\WT6A_INF -> OK (_INF selection)
  
• Then there should be a list of all AMD graphics Drivers shipped with the previous installation. Select the desired one. (like mine: "AMD Radeon (TM) RX580")
  
• Approve and the Installation starts-> Wait (After LogOut the Display will be detected but wait until the Installation has finfished. Restart your Notebook.
  
• After restart - after login -> There should appear a little red ribbon for AMD XConnect Technology in the Taskbar instantly.
  
• Finally -> Open the Device Manager and disable the integrated display device to fully switch over the load to your egpu - Yours might be named different (this depends on your device). Disable: Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620
  
• This should be detected automatically by a Notification: "External AMD Radeon graphics card has been activated")

Original link: www(DOT)reddit(DOT)com/r/eGPU/comments/l7er2t/blackmagic_egpu_w_windows/

Worked absolutely fine for me using a DELL XPS 13 with Thunderbolt 3 and Blackmagic eGPU RX580

Yes.
But if you don't have it yet, I'd think twice. It'll be obsolete with M1 Macs and even the Mac mini M1 is faster without it than the Intel ones. <SNIP>

No, this is nonsense.

A MacBook with M2 for example scored a CL test at around 25k while a DELL Win 11 Notebook using the eGPU in question easily obtained 45k on the same test using Geekbench 6, a cross platform benachmarking software.

While you are right about benchmarks, they are only telling half the truth.
When using DR on either machine, a lot depends on the codec of your media. Try to play UHD H.264 in 4:2:2 on either machine and compare.

I’m using the BlackMagic eGPU with an Intel iMac Pro that has the same internal gpu so I am using dual gpu. Where I see it working is when I am doing NR or effects filtering. It does help with those heavy processing but if you’re just doing simple edits and color correction, it doesn’t really make much difference. I agree that h.264 codecs are not efficient however I rarely or don’t use those codecs since I always transcode to ProRes before importing to DR. Rendering to H.264/5 too could take a while depending on the timeline and length of the picture. But I don’t think that’s an issue cause that’s when I let it do its thing and grab a cup of joe for a bit of a break.