Your Thunderbolt 3-equipped WIndows or Mac (running macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 or later) can access additional graphics performance by connecting to an external graphics processor (also known as an eGPU).
eGPUs are supported by any Mac with an Intel processor and Thunderbolt 3 ports running macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 or later.
An eGPU lets you do all this on your Mac :
- Accelerate apps and games that use Metal, OpenGL, and OpenCL
- Connect additional external monitors and displays
- Use virtual reality headsets plugged into the eGPU
- Use an eGPU with your MacBook Pro while its built-in display is closed
- Connect an eGPU while a user is logged in
- Connect more than one eGPU using the multiple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on your Mac
eGPU support in apps and games
eGPU support in macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later is designed to accelerate Metal, OpenGL, and OpenCL apps and games that benefit from a powerful eGPU.
Not all apps and games support eGPU acceleration; check with the app’s developer to learn more.
In general, an eGPU can accelerate performance in these types of apps:
- Pro apps designed to utilize multiple GPUs
- 3D games, when an external monitor is attached directly to the eGPU
- VR apps, when the VR headset is attached directly to the eGPU
- Pro apps and 3D games that accelerate the built-in display of iMac, iMac Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro (This capability must be enabled by the app’s developer.)