Gaming On A Mac With A Egpu
- Gaming On A Mac With A Egpu Laptop
- Mac Mini Windows Egpu
- Nvidia Mac Egpu
- Egpu For Mac Mini
- Gaming On Macbook Pro With Egpu
- Mac Mini Egpu Build
Let’s get this out of the way: Macs are not ideal for gaming. If you want a computer to mainly play video games, you’ll be better off with a Windows tower.
But you knew that already. If you’re here, it’s because you want a Mac. Heck, maybe you need one for work or school. But does that mean you’ll have to give up on gaming altogether? Not at all.
Depending on which Mac you decide to go for, playing video games can range from decent to great. If you’re thinking about getting a new Mac, the question isn’t Can I play games on Mac? but What is the best Mac for gaming?
Taking into account Apple prefers slim form factors and uses integrated graphics whenever possible, it goes without saying Macs are not designed for gaming. That said, many can get the job done. We benchmarked over 50+ gaming Macs and some are surprisingly capable gaming machines.
Apr 24, 2019 So it depends on what task you are doing. If your task is mostly CPU intensive, then your mini is going to be hot no matter of iGPU or eGPU. However, mac mini with 4k display with retina setting at 'looking like 2560.1440', the launchpad is stuttering,. Jan 11, 2019 How to turn the 2018 MacBook Air into a legit Windows gaming machine with an RTX 2080 eGPU! Read full tutorial: Items featured in t.
We’re here to show you which ones are true Apple gaming computers and which ones you should stay away from. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a laptop or a desktop. We cover both.
Model | ★ Best Overall | Best MacBook | Best Value |
Processor | 3.4 GHz Intel Core i5 | 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 | 3.0 GHz Intel Core i5 |
Graphics | Radeon Pro 570 | Radeon Pro 555X | Radeon Pro 555 |
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB |
Release date | June 2017 | July 2018 | July 2018 |
Our rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Price | $1,799 | $2,399 | $1,299 |
Last updated: March 28, 2019
A lot has changed since this guide was originally published in July 2018. Every Mac model has been upgraded with faster internals with some models receiving entirely new redesigns (such as the MacBook Air and Mac Mini).
All this additional processing power forced us to adapt. Instead of continuing to use Tomb Raider and GRID 2, we decided to replace them with the newer and more demanding Rise of the Tomb Raider and DiRT Rally and see how well Apple’s latest Macs can handle modern gaming.
Most articles covering the best Macs for gaming settle with listing all the models available and conclude the obvious:
- You should stay away from integrated graphics.
- And get the Mac with the most expensive graphics card you can afford.
We take a slightly different approach. We ran benchmarks on every single model Apple currently sells, including the latest iMacs; MacBook Airs and Mac Minis, and show you which ones deliver the best gaming performance, offer the best bang for the buck or both.
Expand to see the specs of every machine we tested
Real-world benchmarks
Standard benchmarks such as Geekbench could be a good start, but if we aim to accurately chose the best Macs for gaming, we have to use actual video games. For that purpose, we decided to go with Feral Interactive’s DiRT Rally and Rise of the Tomb Raider, two graphically impressive and demanding games released in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Our first version of this guide was created using the older Tomb Raider and GRID 2, but as Macs keep receiving updates and performance improvements, so our test games needed to be upgraded too.
We used the following settings:
- 1280×800 or equivalent resolution
- Medium/Normal Graphics Settings
- VSync: Off
- Anti-Aliasing: FXAA (Rise of the Tomb Raider)
- Multisampling: Off (DiRT Rally)
And then used the in-game benchmarking tools for both games to ensure identical testing conditions on all machines.
This is how each machine performed in FPS (in frames per second):
Glancing at these results is enough to see that some Macs can be good gaming machines. You just need to choose the right model. The same universal truths that apply to Windows gaming apply here too:
- Desktops offer better performance
- Graphics cards are the main driver of good gaming performance.
With that in mind, it’s not surprising the 27-inch iMacs and iMac Pro with high-end graphics are the fastest:
Expand to see how to interpret these results
For your reference, this is how we describe the different levels of performance (in frames per second):
Below 20 FPS | Unplayable | Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns. |
20-30 FPS | Borderline | Can be Ok in slow paced games. Still, not optimal. |
30-45 FPS | Playable | Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this). |
45-60 FPS | Smooth | Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters. |
60+ FPS | Very Smooth | For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most. |
If you’re serious about gaming, your best bet is the 27-inch iMac. The base model with a 4 GB Radeon Pro 570 delivers great performance and has a reasonable price-tag ($1,799).
Don’t get me wrong, an iMac isn’t cheap. But when you take built-quality, an amazing monitor, and performance into account, the 27-inch iMac delivers a lot of value.
If this Mac can run Rise of the Tomb Raider at an impressive 80.9 FPS and DiRT Rally at a baffling 123.4 FPS, it should be able to run anything you throw at it, including all the latest games at 1080p resolution and high settings.
Running our games at 102.2 FPS (frames per second) on average, this iMac offers both great performance and the best bang for the buck we’ve seen so far:
If you take a closer look at the $ per FPS (Dollar per Frame) column, the iMac family offers by far the best value for money when it comes to gaming performance.
To be fair, at $19 per FPS, the 21-inch 4K iMac also offers great value and good performance (it can run both games just fine). If you can only afford the 21-inch model, go for it, it is the best Apple gaming computer under $1,500. But if you can come up with the extra $300, the base model 27-inch iMac will take you further.
Free game mac downloads. Jan 23, 2014 The 10 Greatest Early Mac Games (And How to Play Them) The Mac, which turns 30 on Friday, wasn't known as a gaming platform in its early days, but there were some ground-breaking games. Nov 12, 2012 Spanning the history of the railroads from the steam engines of the 1830s to the bullet trains of today, Sid Meier’s Railroads! For Mac is a bold re-imagining of the legendary Railroad Tycoon (1990), the game that launched the “tycoon” genre. Oct 31, 2012 Spanning the history of the railroads from the steam engines of the 1830s to the bullet trains of today, Sid Meier’s Railroads! For Mac is a bold re-imagining of the legendary Railroad Tycoon (1990), the game that launched the “tycoon” genre. Important information regarding Sid Meier's Railroads!: The game is supported on the following Macs. Build a railroad empire and shape a nation! Lay track, route trains and watch the world come to life in this compelling mix of train set and business simulator. Become the ultimate railroad robber baron with the drive to shape a nation, build an empire and amass a fortune. Spanning the history of the railroads from the steam engines.
And if you have an even bigger budget, consider upgrading the 27-inch iMac’s graphics card. More on that below.
PS: A big thank you to Didier from Mac4Ever for providing results for the brand-new iMacs (released this week!).
The 27-inch iMac is the best Apple desktop for gaming, with the 21-inch iMac coming at a close second. But other desktop alternatives exist. Should they be completely discarded as decent gaming Macs?
iMac Pro gaming
The iMac Pro is the most powerful Mac available right now, surpassing even the infamous Mac Pro. That should make it an ideal gaming machine, right?
It goes without saying the iMac Pro is fast. In fact, if you’re a professional in need of raw power for video or 3D graphics editing, this is probably the Mac for you. But when it comes to gaming,
What gives? Professional applications such as Final Cut are optimized to take full advantage of everything the iMac Pro has to offer but most games don’t. That means a lot of the raw power the iMac Pro has to offer will be wasted on most games.
So, is the iMac Pro good for gaming? Unless your job demands it, the iMac Pro is overkill. You’ll be better off with an upgraded 27-inch iMac. It will be significantly cheaper while offering even better gaming performance.
Mac Mini gaming
After literally years without receiving a meaningful update, the Mac Mini seemed to be as good as dead. Apple took its time but it finally released the long-awaited New Mac Mini in late 2018.
The update brought huge performance improvements but also a significant price jump. Previously $499, the base model is now $799. The new Mac Mini may no longer be a “cheap” Apple computer, but at least it finally delivers good performance.
With an Intel 8th-gen Coffee Lake processor and Intel UHD Graphics 630 integrated card, the new Mac Mini is capable of decent gaming. It can run DiRT Rally at a good 46 FPS but it struggles running the graphically intensive Rise of the Tomb Raider at only 16 FPS.
So, is the Mac Mini good for gaming? While appealing because it’s so much cheaper than an iMac, the Mac Mini does not have the horsepower required by the latest and greatest games. Plus, you’ll also have to buy a monitor to use it (same goes for the Mac Pro). That said, a new Mac Mini + eGPU is probably the best gaming setup one could get. More on that below.
Mac Pro gaming
The current Mac Pro was supposed to revolutionize desktop computing. It didn’t. I won’t go into the whole story, but the Mac Pro was a failure and you should stay away from it too.
The iMac Pro was partially released to help Apple recover from that disaster and a new Mac Pro is coming… eventually. In the meantime, the current Mac Pro is overpriced and not that fast. With 80.7 FPS on average and a $2,999 price tag, an iMac is a cheaper and faster choice.
So, is the Mac Pro good for gaming? For the record, a Mac Pro is a capable gaming machine. It has what it takes to run even the most demanding games. It’s just not good value for money. If you have the money for a Mac Pro, and aren’t in a rush, wait for the new Mac Pro. If you need a new Mac now, an upgraded 27-inch iMac or iMac Pro are the way to go.
The best MacBook for gaming: The 15-inch MacBook Pro
Apple offers several MacBook models ranging from the cheaper (and recently updated) MacBook Air to the shiny new MacBook Pro (MBP) with a touch bar.
Each MacBook line serves a purpose, but if you’re looking for a capable gaming machine, the 15-inch MacBook Pro is the top choice. The entry 15-inch MBP with a Radeon Pro 555X ran our test games at an average 73.7 FPS. Not as fast as an iMac, but more than enough for the average gamer.
In fact, it has the power to comfortably run most modern games at 1080) and Medium settings.
This is how the 15-inch MBP compares with the other MacBooks offered by Apple:
At $2,399, the entry 15-inch MacBook Pro isn’t the fastest nor the cheapest. Why do we still think it’s the best Apple gaming laptop? Because it offers the best value for money. The other MacBooks are more affordable but their gaming capabilities are too limited. Looking at the $ per FPS (Dollars per Frame) column, the 15-inch MBP offers the best bang for the buck at $33 per Frame and 73.7 FPS on average.
As can be expected, the graphics card you chose will make all the difference. For example, an upgraded 15-inch MBP with a Radeon Pro 560X is also $33 per Frame but delivers more performance at 85 FPS on average. That said, the total price can quickly get out of hand… More on that below.
So, are MacBooks good for gaming? Some of them certainly are. But most MacBooks only have integrated graphics and that is a problem when it comes to playing video games.
PS: No matter which MacBook you end up buying, you should get started with one of our Top 20 MacBook games.
13-inch MacBook Pro gaming
What if you don’t have over $2,000 to put into a laptop? You can always get a 13-inch MacBook Pro. It won’t be as fast as a 15-inch model, but it’s $500 cheaper.
For $1,799, you can get the touch bar version with an Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655. With an average of 44.3 FPS, expect decent gaming performance except for on very demanding games (such as Rise of the Tomb Raider, which this Mac can only run at 19.5 FPS).
The 13-inch non-touch bar version may be cheaper but it probably be updated (or discontinued) soon. Unless you see it on sale, you should stay away from it.
So, is a 13-inch MacBook Pro good for gaming? If you can’t afford a 15-inch MBP, the touch bar 13-inch model is a good compromise. If won’t be as fast but it can certainly handle most modern games on Medium settings.
MacBook Air gaming (13-inch)
The MacBook Air (MBA) also received a huge update a few months ago. It may not be as cheap as it used to be (now $1,199 instead of $999) but it’s still the most affordable Mac laptop available.
Performance wise, it averages only 21.2 FPS on average, but that’s still surprisingly good for such a thin and sleek laptop. Don’t get me wrong, the list of games for MacBook Air is limited but still bigger than expected. DiRT Rally, for example, runs at 32 FPS which is more than enough to have an enjoyable experience (Rise of the Tomb Raider on the other hand barely runs at all).
So, is a MacBook Air good for gaming? The new MacBook Air wasn’t built for gaming so don’t be surprised if you can’t play all the latest and greatest on it. That said, it can still handle many popular games.
MacBook gaming (12-inch)
The 12-inch MacBook is an impressive machine. It’s so thin and small, it makes the MacBook Air feel bloated. Seeing it for the first time felt like catching a glimpse of the future.
The future is always exciting but it’s rarely a good value for money. The 12-inch MacBook is impressive and disappointing at the same time. Its form factor, size, and weight are spectacular but its performance is mediocre. And that is obviously not good for games. With a $1,549 price tag, this machine offers the worst bang for the buck.
So, is a MacBook good for gaming? The 12-inch MacBook is a very specific product made for very specific needs. Get it if you need extreme mobility but don’t count on it when it comes to playing the occasional game while on the road.
A top of the line 27-inch iMac or 15-inch MacBook Pro can both be excellent gaming machines, but I’m sure you noticed one big downside: their price tags.
Fitting powerful graphics into a slim machine has always been an expensive challenge, but the rise of eGPUs is slowly changing the game. Short for “external graphics card”, an eGPU lets you connect a full-sized graphics card into a Mac via the high-speed Thunderbolt 3 connection.
This is what Apple Insider‘s Mac eGPU setup looks like:
A Mac + eGPU combo can be cheaper and faster, and with High Sierra eGPU’s improvements, the setup is quick and simple. But buying an eGPU enclosure and a high-end graphics card is also expensive so buying the right components is key.
Let’s take for example the latest 2018 Mac Mini. On average, it runs our test games at 31 FPS for a cost of $35 per FPS. With different combinations of eGPU enclosures and graphics cards, that cost can dramatically get as low as $16 per FPS:
These are the components we used for our tests:
- Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Puck enclosure including a Radeon RX 570 ($499)
- AKiTiO Node enclosure ($230) + MSI Radeon RX 580 ARMOR MK2 ($230)
- AKiTiO Node Pro enclosure ($370) + MSI Radeon RX Vega 56 ($330)
To keep these comparisons as fair as possible, $400 were added to the total cost of all Mac Minis to cover the cost of a good monitor (all the other Macs, except the Mac Pro, have a monitor included) such as the 27-inch HP Z27n G2.
Bottom line: A Mac Mini coupled with an affordable eGPU enclosure and a Radeon RX 580 is both an excellent gaming machine and the best value for money you can have with a Mac computer. For the price of a base 27-inch iMac, you can get an upgradable setup that delivers more performance.
PS: A big thank you to Rob-Art from Bare Feats for testing several of the newer models for us (including all these Mac Mini eGPU setups!).
You now have a good idea of which Mac is right for you. But what about those upgrades Apple offers? You already know that some upgrades are more important than others when it comes to gaming. Also, some upgrades can only be performed by Apple while others you can do yourself for less money.
So which upgrades are worth it?
Graphics
It goes without saying that the faster your graphics card, the better your games will run. Unfortunately, graphics can rarely be upgraded on the base models. You’ll often have to choose the higher end model and then upgrade the graphics furthermore if you want.
For example, you can’t upgrade the Radeon Pro 570 graphics on a 27-inch iMac. You’ll have to choose the more expensive iMac model that comes with a faster processor, a bigger hard drive and a Radeon Pro 580. That will cost you $500 more. According to our results, that upgrade will result in a 26% boost in performance (going from 102 to 128 FPS on average) and roughly the same bang for the buck ($18 per FPS).
To take another example, if you chose the high-end 15-inch MacBook Pro with a Radeon Pro 560X, you can upgrade the graphics to Radeon Pro Vega 16 for an extra $250. That will result in 20% more performance (going from 85 to 102.5 FPS on average) and a slightly better value for money (going from $33 per FPS to $30 per FPS).
Bottom line: Upgrading the graphics card will always result in better gaming performance and slightly better value, but that will cost you up front.
Processor
If gaming is important to you, prioritize upgrading your graphics instead of your processor. Some games are sensitive to faster processors, but the vast majority will benefit more from an upgraded GPU.
To give you an example, a 15-inch MacBook Pro with an upgraded processor (a top of the line Intel Core i9) is only 0.5 FPS faster than the Intel Core i7 model but costs $300 more. That’s a lot of money for a barely noticeable improvement. Many applications will certainly benefit from an Intel Core i9 but most games won’t…
RAM
More RAM is always good, even if it will never have a significant impact on gaming (unless you have very little RAM, to begin with).
Unfortunately upgrading RAM on a Mac is extremely expensive. There was a time when most Macs could be upgraded by users for a fraction of the price, but those days are over.
You can’t upgrade the RAM yourself in any of the current models except the 21-inch iMacs, the 27-inch iMacs, and the Mac Pros. If you want one of these models, upgrade the RAM yourself. Otherwise, I don’t recommend paying for an upgrade from Apple.
It wasn’t easy choosing the best Apple machines among the several models available. As our target is to give you an unbiased and complete overview of the best Macs for gaming, we had to use multiple criteria to ensure things stay as objective and comparable as possible:
Raw Performance (FPS)
It’s no secret our most important criteria was performance. After all, modern video games require a decent amount of raw power. RAM and a speedy processor are certainly important, but for most games, a powerful graphics card will make the most difference.
It goes without saying that a dedicated graphics card will result in a much better gaming experience than an integrated card. Also, the more powerful the graphics card, the faster the game will run. But while most guides make do with simply listing the most powerful cards available, we ran real-world tests on games.
Gaming On A Mac With A Egpu Laptop
As you can see from our results, we used the frames per second metric to evaluate and compare the different machines we tested. That information should give you a realistic and accurate idea of how well each machine can run modern games.
Value for money
We could simply list the Macs with the most powerful graphics card and call it a day. Or we could test all current Macs and just recommend the ones with the highest FPS.
But if we stopped there, we would be ignoring a critical factor: money. Most of us can’t afford a $5,000 iMac Pro. We all have limited budgets and are forced to always be in the lookout for the best value for money. That’s why every model was evaluated taking both performance and value into account.
To keep things in check, we calculated a Dollars per Frame (total number of frames divided by the machine’s price tag) figure for each machine. That should help you easily compare the value each machine delivers in terms of gaming potential.
Date since updated
The last factor we took into account was the number of days since each model was last updated. We can’t recommend a machine if the risk of it becoming obsolete in just a few months is high.
To keep track of the days since each model was updated, we used MacRumors’ famous guide:
MacRumors guide is impressive, but you should always take their recommendations with a grain salt. Their recommendations only take into account the days since the machines were last updated, regardless whether the update was significant or not.
We hope we’ve made choosing your next Mac much easier. We could have taken the easy way out and just listed graphics cards and made recommendations based on that. But we decided to do it right and take into account the different needs you may have.
Whatever your needs, gaming and otherwise, we have you covered.
And by the way, this guide wouldn’t have been possible without the precious help from Rob-Art from Barefeats.com, Didier from Mac4Ever and several Mac Gamer HQ readers. Thanks a lot, guys!
Don’t hesitate to share this with a friend looking for a new Mac! And finally, make sure you bookmark this guide. It will be updated every time Apple releases a new machine!
BestAffordable eGPUWindows Central2020
An eGPU is a powerful addition to a laptop with Thunderbolt 3, adding incredible graphics power to a machine that simply might not have it. While there are some compromises, essentially it allows you to turn a laptop into a high-powered desktop PC, but even better than that is that it doesn't have to cost the Earth. And the Razer Core X ticks all the boxes if you're looking for an affordable eGPU.
What you get in an eGPU and why they're still fairly pricey
While products such as the Razer Core X are pretty affordable for an eGPU, you may well be looking at the prices here and thinking they're still quite expensive. It's important to understand what you're getting with one of these products to understand why they're still several hundred dollars.
An eGPU is, essentially, half a desktop PC. It contains a power supply, the necessary PCIe interface to process the GPU output, the Thunderbolt 3 interface and in some cases additional ports, as well as a chassis that allows the GPU to cool. You're providing the CPU and the RAM, the eGPU is providing the rest.
Considering a good quality power supply would cost between $60 and $100 at least on its own, the pricing starts to make more sense.
Mac Pro (2019) with Radeon Pro 580x and Radeon Pro Vega II; Boot Camp Driver for Windows 10: Display Driver; AMD Radeon Settings; 19.20: 444 MB:: Download. MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, 2015-Present) iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017-Present) iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2014-Present) iMac Pro (2017-Present) Mac Pro (2013). Dec 27, 2007 #13 That Macs can't run games as well as PC's is a myth, nowadays with the Intel processors. Some time ago, devs just didn't optimize their code for the Mac so well, or had problems doing so because of the game being originally developed for Windows. During porting, OS X missed a lot. Mar 12, 2020 Download and install the latest AMD graphics drivers. In Windows, go to the AMD website, then click Drivers & Support. Select your product from the list, not the menu: First select Graphics, then select Mac Graphics in the next column, then select Apple Boot Camp in the next column. If the bulk of the games you play on the Mac are Steam games, your best bet before you fire up your favorite games—or before you hit the road with your Mac—is to let Steam do everything it. Mac adm graphics cant run games. 63 rows Apr 10, 2020 In order to effectively figure out what games your Mac can run, you should: 1.
Our pick
Razer Core X
Great hardware and great value
Pairing any laptop with the Core X is a smart choice, with this little box packing a 650W power supply to handle anything you want to throw inside it while keeping the price sensible
Mac Mini Windows Egpu
Who should buy this eGPU?
Nvidia Mac Egpu
Anyone looking for a top-quality eGPU to pair with a graphics card but wants to keep the cost down should check out the Razer Core X.
Is it a good time to buy this eGPU?
Absolutely! Pricing has been stable for a while, and there's no imminent sign of a replacement model. If you want something with a little added RGB, there's now a Chroma-enabled version for $100 more, but for most people that really isn't worth the extra cost.
Reasons to buy
- Supports NVIDIA and AMD GPUs
- 650W power supply with 100W to charge the laptop
- Compact size
- Good value
- Fits longer graphics cards
Reasons not to buy
- No additional ports to expand your laptop
The perfect affordable eGPU
The Razer Core was first launched as a companion to the Blade Stealth, adding gaming chops to the company's first true Ultrabook and arguably bringing the idea of an eGPU to the masses. The space has developed a little since then, and the Core X is Razer's most affordable eGPU to date at just $300.
The Core X is Razer's most affordable eGPU.
What you can do with the Core X is install a full desktop graphics card, even an RTX 2080 Ti if you wish, and use it with your laptop over Thunderbolt 3. That single cable connection to your is all you need, since the Core X has its own power supply to keep everything juiced up. Of its 650W on tap, 100W is left free to power the laptop connected to it, which is super convenient.
It also means plenty of overhead, so literally any modern graphics card will work without any issue. The Core X also supports both NVIDIA and AMD, so you really do have your pick. And because it keeps the cost down, you've potentially got more funds to put towards the GPU it will house.
It's also worth considering just why it's better to get an eGPU that you'll have to supply the graphics card to. Simply, it's longevity. In the long term, you'll never need to replace the Razer Core X, only upgrading what's inside if you need more power. An eGPU with embedded graphics both costs more initially (not factoring in an additional graphics card purchase) but hasn't that upgrade path, leading you to have to buy an entirely new unit down the road.
If you have a graphics card available already it's a no-brainer, but even on a budget you can now get great deals on new or used units that would be a perfect companion to a Razer Core X.
Alternatives to the Razer Core X
The Razer Core X might be the best choice, but it's not the only one. Here are a couple of alternatives for more specific requirements, including an even tighter budget and an eGPU that supplies its own graphics horsepower without breaking the bank.
All-in-one
PowerColor Mini
An eGPU with an included RX 560
PowerColor is most well known for its Radeon GPU lineup and in the Mini they've combined a highly compact and portable eGPU chassis with a Radeon RX 560 4GB, which is handy for both 1080p gaming and professional applications.
Not only is this a pretty powerful little box, but it's also incredibly compact and portable, with the only real downside being you're unable to upgrade the GPU inside.
Unusually it opts for a power brick with a 6-pin connector to keep it juiced up, but it helps keep the noise and the size down. There's also a built-in Ethernet port, which is always handy.
Budget choice
Sapphire Gearbox
A solid choice from a respected brand
Sapphire is known more for its line of AMD third-party graphics cards, but this affordable box works with both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs.
Despite the price, you still get a 500W power supply to keep both your graphics and laptop powered up while you play. You also get a couple of regular USB ports and Gigabit Ethernet, which is extra nice.
The Gearbox is a tremendous value, but it's a little smaller than some eGPUs, meaning longer graphics cards may not fit inside. It's something to ensure you check before you buy against what you plan to use with it.
Conclusion
Egpu For Mac Mini
When shopping for an eGPU that's affordable, you need look no further than the Razer Core X. It's stylish and well priced, you have ample power to keep both your graphics card and your laptop powered up while you work or play and it's also big enough to fit even longer cards, so whatever you want to put in there, chances are you can.
A good alternative though for folks who simply don't have something they can slot into an eGPU is the PowerColor Mini. With this you get everything you need in one compact package. Simply plug it in, load up your favorite games and away you go. You lose the upgradeability you get with the Razer Core X and you'll not be pushing above 1080p for gaming, but it's an excellent place to start if you currently have nothing at all.
Gaming On Macbook Pro With Egpu
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Richard Devine Richard Devine is an Editor at Windows Central. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him covering all manner of PC hardware and gaming.
Rich Edmonds is a staff reviewer at Windows Central, which means he tests out more software and hardware than he cares to remember. Joining Mobile Nations in 2010, you can usually find him inside a PC case tinkering around when not at a screen fighting with Grammarly to use British words. Hit him up on Twitter: @RichEdmonds.
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