Alongside the brand new Mac mini and MacBook Air, Blackmagic Design has launched a new external graphics chassis with a faster Radeon RX Vega 64 inside. The Blackmagic eGPU Pro provides a significantly faster GPU than its non-‘pro’ predecessor, along with the addition of DisplayPort connectivity.
Specifications
- Compatible with any Thunderbolt 3–enabled Mac
- Radeon RX Vega 56 graphics processor with 8GB of HBM2 memory
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Four USB 3 ports
- HDMI 2.0 port
- DisplayPort 1.4 port
- 85W power delivery
- Height: 11.59 inches (29.44 cm)
- Length: 6.96 inches (17.68 cm)
- Width: 6.96 inches (17.68 cm)
- Weight: 9.92 pounds (4.5 kg)
We reviewed the original Blackmagic eGPU, and although we liked the build quality and quietness of the unit, it was noticeably underpowered. This new Radeon RX Vega 56 should adequately address the power issue, as it’s similar to what’s found in the base model iMac Pro.
The new Blackmagic eGPU Pro starts at $1199, which is significantly more expensive than the original version that cam with the Radeon Pro 580 with 8GB of GDDR5. Apple is still selling the original version on its website for $699.
With a thin and light machine like the new MacBook Air, the eGPU Pro should provide an incredible graphics boost that will enhance performance in games, video editing, and more.
We’ll have more details on the Blackmagic eGPU Pro as they are made available.
