EGPU's and Sketchup
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I run Sketchup 2018 on a 2016 Macbook Pro (16GB RAM, Radeon Pro 460 with 4GB RAM). Unfortunately, this was the most RAM and best video card available at the time.
Since it has USB C Thunderbolt 3 ports, it's capable of connecting a eGPU to it... so I'm considering getting one.
I've boiled it down to these two:
Sonnet Box with Radeon RX Vega 64 Frontier -https://www.sonnetstore.com/collections/egpu-expansion-systems/products/egfx-breakaway-box-650-bundle-vega64-frontier-edition
Blackmagic eGPU Pro with Radeon RX Vega 56 - https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/product/HMQT2VC/A/blackmagic-egpu-pro?fnode=1482c577059bb91a0144c1d6d8022de89364d4a30627318715ed39e9a0404ccdcf71ff5d0d9bfafd5eca2c8b03fb1a711ce8cb955a5f9d050ef58e2ff67ec256b0e43e22077602f5703d1cc615480f0a265ed6354b5e7fbf431d92f669c2fe28
My question is - does anyone have any experience with eGPU's? Do they improve performance much?
I can't find a lot online. I'm hoping someone here may have some experience with them.
Thanks,
Peter
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@pistol_peto said:
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My question is - does anyone have any experience with eGPU's? Do they improve performance much?Have a look at https://egpu.io/build-guides/
You will find there lots of egpu solutions & combinations with laptops.My setup is in there as well; a Thinkpad P51 with a Sonnet breakaway 350 & gtx 1080. Works great together with SketchUp & Unreal & Oculus Rift. Without the egpu is not that great or it won't work at all (Oculus Rift).
Its an easy setup in Windows. I expect on the Egpu.io forum you might find tips/stories about problems/solutions for the setup for Mac users.
Edit: I have used the system for a year now. My only regret is to have bought the cheaper version (lesser PSU) so when eventually upgrading the gfx card - I will have to look at the maximum power the gfx cards may use (probably no TI's).
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Thanks kaas!
I'll have a look at the link. I think I've mostly decided on the Sonnet Box. The Radeon RX Vega Frontier looks like its more geared for workstation applications than gaming and the Blackmagic eGPU isn't upgradable.
Thanks again,
Peter
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Does the GPU actually make much of a difference to SketchUp itself? I've heard conflicting comments, and I guess with the eGPU it's easy to see the difference as you can just unplug it.
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@jakemm said:
Does the GPU actually make much of a difference to SketchUp itself? I've heard conflicting comments, and I guess with the eGPU it's easy to see the difference as you can just unplug it.
I don't know for sure - and it's difficult to get definitive results online. I've maxed the ram out on my 2016 MacBook Pro - so this the only option I have to improve performance.
When I get my eGPU, I'll post any feedback here.
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@jakemm said:
Does the GPU actually make much of a difference to SketchUp itself? I've heard conflicting comments, and I guess with the eGPU it's easy to see the difference as you can just unplug it.
I just tested 2 scenario's using the CrowdTest 3dModel from the 3dWarehouse.
First: Laptop with eGpu connected (gtx1080) with two large monitors. Biggest Scene(11) runs fine - eGPU 40% used (Task Manager)
Disconnecting the eGpu while running SketchUp crashes SketchUp (and Unreal etc). Makes sense though.
Second: Laptop running on its own (integrated gpu), only laptop display. Already in smaller scenes SketchUp is showing simplified geometry instead of the people. Big delays while switching between people and the simplified geometry.
So for me, and the dual external monitor setup, already in SketchUp it's a big difference. I can just focus on my work and don't get annoyed that much by SketchUp's performance (unless I run a plugin while the Outliner is open, or LayOut is freezing for half a minute while updating etc.)
It will depend though on your models. I rarely exceed 500k edges.
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