X-Plane and eGPU

Question

Is X-Plane compatible with an eGPU? 

I run a MacBook Pro 15 (2017) with OSX Mojave, processor i7 (2,9 gHz), 16 Go RAM and Radeon Pro 560 (4 Go). 

I would like to increase my fps and the eGPU Blackmagic appears as a possible solution. But it's pretty expansive, and it's worth buying it only if it makes the fps increasing significantly.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers

Answer 1

I am running an external GPU (RX 580 8GB) on my 2018 Mac Mini 3.2GHz i7-8700B 6core, 12 thread configuration with 32GB RAM.  You will not see "fps increasing significantly".  Your, and my, X-Plane is CPU limited for the most part.  I have not tested an ortho4xp scenario - my guess is the eGPU will shine for that usage.

Some benchmarks:

P.S.

I have found happier flying with the fly_with_LUA script https://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/files/file/43281-3jfps-wizard11/  it tunes your settings as you fly to keep the FPS above your desired threshold.  (I use 23 fps).

Comments

The script seems very interesting, I'll test it. Thank you also for the benchmarks - in fact, I will wait before buying any eGPU (I use only XPlane, no needs for others games or very demanding softwares).

Cheers

Answer 2

Hi actitus,

I am not from Laminar Research; just a flight simmer.

Have a look at the following link at https://questions.x-plane.com/19065/egpu-support-for-mac-os-release  In particular the answer from Laminar Research (jroberts).

Glenn

Comments

Thanks Glenn! Seems that we'll have still to wait a bit...

Regards