Skip to main content
S
sourcegate
Participant
May 13, 2018
Answered

External GPU questions

  • May 13, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 2259 views

hello and thanks in advance to anyone able to offer help.

I'm using the latest model MacBook pro laptop (with touchpad) and highest settings offered and looking to take my after effects preview and render speeds to another level.

I heard that the new upgrade that allows external GPUs is a viable one and I was hoping to get some help and perspective on:

Is it worth investing in an external GPU? (I'm pretty mobile for work and various gigs so the idea of having a pro tower isn't a viable option for me and keeping software and everything synced is a pain in the ass.

What types of performance improvements can I expect? I'm doing most animation and visual effects work (a little cinema 4d )but mostly compositing and general stuff in AE. I use trapcode, magic bullet and other common software plugins a bit.

What setup or gear would you recommend I invest in? I'm most interested in the easy to setup route which requires minimal setup time and maintenance.

Thank you again

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer Rick Gerard

      I would not expect an eGPU to work with most apps right away. GPU acceleration for most effects and process in After Effects is still extremely limited and it can be picky. It would not surprise me to see Adobe spend some development money on the process if eGPU's become commonplace but GPU technology is a lot more complicated than most of us think it is.

      4 replies

      S
      sourcegateAuthor
      Participant
      May 14, 2018

      Thank you everyone for your thoughts and fast replies!

      A few bits of additional context.

      1. My main interest is finding a way to get faster speeds for renders and RAM previews in AE. If there are other "hacks" or "shortcuts" that will scale my system performance and speed I'd LOVE to see those articles and huge thanks in advance.
      2. I used to be a PC guy, built custom PCs back in the day when I was a tinkerer / gamer. Fell in love with Apple shortly after that as a designer / creative professional. I'm not trying to make this a PC vs MAC debate and I know that PC has gotten great lately I just prefer Mac OSX and having the OSX GUI with Linux/Unix core works well for me and my background. (Designer/Developer). If I could run OSX natively (not a hackintosh) I would happily pony up and build another custom PC but my whole world (devices, systems, software, etc) is all OSX so it just isn't an option for me.
      3. I was hoping that I could get more Power and speed for working in AE (faster RAM previews, and Renders). I'm rocking a 2.9 GHZ Intel Core I7 Macbook Pro Laptop with Touchbar. I've got the Radeon Pro 560 4 GB / Intel HD Graphics 630 1536 MB

      Are there other ways to increase speed? The idea of having an eGPU on my desk at work for the times when I'm needing to get more power but coupled with the portability of having my whole system able to easily take with me is essentially what I am after.

      Dave_LaRonde
      Dave_LaRonde
      Inspiring
      May 14, 2018

      You could look at a piece of software: Render Garden.

      Mylenium
      Mylenium
      Legend
      May 14, 2018

      What the others are saying - not worth it. And get real - you are using a Mac, after all. What would even be the point, given the many limitations in terms of expandability, choice of hardware and other factors? If you really were to obsess about GPU-accelleration and always wanted the latest and greatest you would/ should have long switched to a PC.

      Mylenium

      Mike_Abbott
      Mike_Abbott
      Legend
      May 14, 2018

      My honest opinion: if you're using AE and C4D - it's probably not worth it. While AE is getting more effects that are GPU accelerated Neither AE or C4D benefit enough IMHO to make it worthwhile to drag an external GPU box around.

      R
      Community Expert
      Rick GerardCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      May 14, 2018

      I would not expect an eGPU to work with most apps right away. GPU acceleration for most effects and process in After Effects is still extremely limited and it can be picky. It would not surprise me to see Adobe spend some development money on the process if eGPU's become commonplace but GPU technology is a lot more complicated than most of us think it is.

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices