External graphics card on macbook pro

Hello, I have spent alot of time trying to see if the macbook pro's gpu is upgradable and it is not, however I have heard of people adding an external gpu via thunderbolt to a macbook pro, I would like to know if this is possible and if it is how it will perform and if their are any companies that have a device that will do this.

External GPU's are possible - just very DIY, hacky (custom drivers and kext development mode in Yosemite), and not supported at all.  That being said, it won't stop me.
As mentioned in another thread, check these:
http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/378/2912
http://hackaday.com/2013/07/31/a-macbook-air-and-a-thunderbolt-gpu/
http://www.journaldulapin.com/2012/12/07/an-external-gpu-under-mac-os-x-three-sc reens-on-a-macbook-pro/

Similar Messages

  • Can we add external graphic card on macbook pro

    can we add graphic card to my macbook pro late 2011
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    Not yet, no. MSI is showing an early demonstration of a Thunderbolt peripheral that will host an external graphics card, so there may be a solution eventually though it currently is Windows-only. See:
    http://www.anandtech.com/show/5352/msis-gus-ii-external-gpu-via-thunderbolt
    Regards.

  • External Graphics Card for Macbook Pro 2011?

    Tired of just having no graphics card which really irritates when i play high graphics games....just really need to know if there is an option of using an external graphics card

    There is no external graphics solution that will be anything but much, much slower than what you have.
    If your MacBook is not meeting your needs, sell it and buy one that better meets your needs. Most of the 15" units today have a discrete graphics processor that tag-teams with the Integrated graphics for superior performance under stress, acceptable battery life when not taxed.

  • Can we add graphic card to macbook pro late 2011

    can we add graphic card to macbook pro late 2011

    I'm sorry, but you can only replace the hard drive and the RAM. The rest of the hardware is soldered onto the logic board, so it's not possible to replace it

  • HT3249 Can the graphics card of MacBook pro be customized?

    Can the graphics card of MacBook pro be customized?

    Only at the point of ordering from the Apple store. Select the required Video card at that point, because it can't be changed later.
    Stedman

  • How will i increase the shared memory of the graphic card of macbook pro 13-inch, early 2011 from 4gb memory?

    how will i increase the shared memory of the graphic card of macbook pro 13-inch, early 2011 from 4gb memory?

    The current version of Mavericks is 10.9.4. To update yours download and install OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 Update (Combo).
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    Maximum Memory
    16 GB (Actual) 8 GB (Apple)
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    About OS X Memory Management and Usage
    Using Activity Monitor to read System Memory & determine how much RAM is used
    OS X Mavericks- About Activity Monitor
    Adding RAM only makes it possible to run more programs concurrently.  It doesn't speed up the computer nor make games run faster.  What it can do is prevent the system from having to use disk-based VM when it runs out of RAM because you are trying to run too many applications concurrently or using applications that are extremely RAM dependent.  It will improve the performance of applications that run mostly in RAM or when loading programs.

  • Want upgrade graphic card in macbook pro

    I have a 15 inch macbook pro of mid 2009, 2.66 daul core/ 9400M and 9600GT card in it/ with the resolution of 1440 * 900/   i need a card that card support 1900*1200 at least

    1440x900 is the full native resolution of the internal 15" display of your MacBook Pro.
    For external displays it supports resolutions of up to 2560x1600
    Techs specs of your MBP: http://support.apple.com/kb/SP544 (section graphics and video support).
    Stefan

  • Graphics card in macbook pro

    Hi
    I have a macbook pro mid 2010 with OS 10.9.2 and I was hoping to use an HP external monitor with resolution of 1920 x 1080 p
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    it's ok, I found that it will
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  • Updating Graphics Card for MacBook Pro

    Hello.
    I have the most recent 13 inch: 2.5 GHz MacBook Pro.
    The thing is, I absoutley hate the Intel HD 4000 Graphics card that comes with it.
    The only game I play on my MacBook Pro is Battlefield 3, but the graphics card has a hard time trying to run the program
    Other than the graphics card, all my computer specs meet the requirements to play the game.
    MY QUESTION IS
    Is it possible to replace my graphics card with a Nvidia graphics card? Probably by opening up my laptop and putting it in.
    I heard that this way was impossible, but I am not 100% sure.
    And if that doesn't work, is there any way to get a newer graphics card? Probably externally through the bolt connection thing?
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    Jon,
    Like yourself I found that a customized PC is the way to go for PC games. For several years Apple sort of kept up with PC graphics ability making the Macbook Pros, Mac Pros, and some iMacs close enough to play recent demanding PC games.
    The current trend of thinner and lighter for the Apple laptops has compromised the gaming capabilities to the point that I have switched to a PC Clevo P150HM for new games.  I play Skyrim on ultra settings. The best thing about these PCs is the initial customability and some upgrading ability later.
    One big question I have about the trend to Retinal displays is how much more graphics ability is required to just maintain the existing level of performance.
    2012 MacBook Pro, Retina display 
    15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy
    2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
    16GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
    512GB Flash Storage
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, 1GB GDDR5
    AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro
      $3,598.00
    Windows 7 Pro full version                        $299.99
    Ready to PC game                               $3897.99
    2012 Clevo P150EM
    15.6” 1920x1080 LED-backlit glossy
    2.9GHz Core i7-3920XM Extreme
    32GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
    512 GB SSD SATAIII
    NVIDIA GTX 680M, 4GB GDDR5
    3 Year parts and labor warranty
    Ready to PC game                       $3132.00

  • Two graphics card on macbook pro which one do I use?

    I have two graphics cards on my macbook pro. ADM random 6490m (256mb vram) and Intel HD graphics 3000 (512mb vram). My question is which one should I use? I don't do any hardcore gaming or photoshop. I guess that I am just looking for the best display and least buffering if that even has anything to do with the graphics card. I just want to get the most out of my macbook. I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

    Your MBP more or less chooses which graphics card to use automatically.  In System Preferences>Energy Saver, check Automatic graphics switching.  When it's checked on, it will use the higher power and higher quality dedicated AMD 6490 when you're plugged into the wall, and uses the Intel 3000HD when on battery.
    I have downloaded gfxCardStatus to give me more control over which graphics card to use.  There are times I might want the AMD while on battery, even though it runs hotter and uses more battery life. 
    Either card will do well with HD movies, though I notice a lot more artifacts with the Intel 3000 when the movie has a lot of action or explosions or sounds.  If you want to do hardcore gaming, you need the AMD of course.  Photoshop is more dependent on the central processor rather than the graphics card, so I'm not sure you'd have much issue using either one.

  • Graphic card on MacBook pro 17 inch fails

    Hello
    my MacBook Pro screen stays black and after check up it is the graphic card nvidia which has failed. It was brought to my attention that Apple had a recall on Mac book pro from 2007 and 2008 and I believe mine is one of them. Now the issue is Apple considers this computer vintage, so a third party will have to do the repair. My question to Apple is: will they pay for this repair?

    Nope - you're stuck with the Intel 4000. If you wanted a higher-performance GPU, you should have bought a 15".
    Sorry,
    Clinton

  • Issues with graphic card on Macbook Pro 2011

    I just having problem with starting my Macboook. First, at start screen (gray background with the apple logo) appears pink/red horizontal lines over all the screen. Then, when i'm using my computer, screen goes black for no reason and i need to force restart to turn on the Mac.
    I can see that many people is having the same problem. ¿Someone knows what's going on? I can't believe this is happening to a "HIGH QUALITY" expensive computer. This seems happening to 2011 Macbook Pros...
    Joaquín.

    I had a similar problem on my iMac some years ago, and it was due to a graphic card failure, so I think it is the same problem for you. As it is a hardware problem, the only option is to take it to an Apple Store or reseller to get it fixed: you will get it fixed for free if your Mac is in warranty or if there is a replacement program.

  • Graphics card crash - MacBook Pro running Mac OS X Snow Leopard

    Hi,
    Yesterday I was playing Age of Empires III for Mac, and at the start of a Skirmish mission, where there wasn't much going on yet, the game seized, and then after a while the screen started flickering to black in these big horizontal chunks... I was unable to quit, restart, force quit, nothing.
    Pretty much the whole bottom of the screen went black, while a middle part was flashing on and off.
    I'm afraid there might be something wrong with my graphics card.
    Here's the crash report after I force-shutdown my MBP, and started it again:
    Also, the MacBook Pro is only a few months old and there seems to be other problems:
    1. There's dust under the glass of my screen!
    2. When I try to put a CD in, it gets caught on some stuff, and I have to jimmy it around to get it inside
    3. The bottom of the laptop creeks really loud when it's on my lap (which isn't often, but still, worrying and not very Apple-ish noise every time I handle it), the case moves, etc.
    What should I do? I've had laptops repaired in the Apple Store a few times before, and they always ended up coming up worse than they went in. New problems, etc.

    Hi
    The dust & cd & creaking won't get better, regrettably - so back it would go, for me anyway - unless you really feel it'll be made worse.
    Later mbp's have an auto graphic switching setting in System Prefs-Energy Saver - try switching that off -
    assuming the crashes are repeatable.

  • Graphics card crash - MacBook Pro - AOE3

    Hi,
    Yesterday I was playing Age of Empires III for Mac, and at the start of a Skirmish mission, where there wasn't much going on yet, the game seized, and then after a while the screen started flickering to black in these big horizontal chunks... I was unable to quit, restart, force quit, nothing.
    Pretty much the whole bottom of the screen went black, while a middle part was flashing on and off.
    I'm afraid there might be something wrong with my graphics card.
    Here's the crash report after I force-shutdown my MBP, and started it again:
    Also, the MacBook Pro is only a few months old and there seems to be other problems:
    1. There's dust under the glass of my screen!
    2. When I try to put a CD in, it gets caught on some stuff, and I have to jimmy it around to get it inside
    3. The bottom of the laptop creeks really loud when it's on my lap (which isn't often, but still, worrying and not very Apple-ish noise every time I handle it), the case moves, etc.
    What should I do? I've had laptops repaired in the Apple Store a few times before, and they always ended up coming up worse than they went in. New problems, etc.

    Since you haven't had good luck at your local Apple Store, maybe you should consider sending your Mac off to the Repair Depot for diagnosis and repair. Call Apple and tell them about all of the troubles you have been having. You might also try running the extended version of the Apple Hardware test--if you get any error codes, that would point to a specific hardware fault.
    My niece did this, and the turnaround was really fast. She sent hers off on a Tuesday evening, and got it back the following Thursday morning. From what I hear, the repair depot is really good.
    Be sure to make a good backup of your data before sending it in. Sometimes they erase the hard drive and reinstall the OS during the troubleshooting process. If you have replaced the RAM, send it in with the original Apple RAM.
    If the problem is intermittent, be sure to include a screen shot and the crash report.
    Good luck!

  • Can we upgrade the graphic card on macbook pro 13 inch mid 2012

    I just bought my macbook pro 13 inch mid 2012. I am wondering can i upgrade the graphic card to NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M discrete processor with up to 1GB of video memory?

    Nope - you're stuck with the Intel 4000. If you wanted a higher-performance GPU, you should have bought a 15".
    Sorry,
    Clinton

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