Madeupword

Seems good

Take a look here: http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides-apple/9802-2013-15-macbook-pro-gt750m-gtx970%4016gbps-tb2-akitio-thunder2-win10tp-%5Biregret%5D.html

Thank you. I've read through all Mac related implementation guide within the community. With thomas_prince1 having the highest 3dMark scores through and identical setup.

But there seem to be errors appearing on iregret's setup. Likewise, eGPU may not boot every time. Hence my hesitance to shoot for the eGPU.

I understand iregret will be reinstalling the Nvidia desktop drivers and I'll definitely keep an eye out for his/her progress.

Again, I think this community is awesome. But with my habit of upgrading within 2-3 years, upcoming release of Skylake and Thunderbolt 3, probable stability issue and unconfirmed future of eGPU, it does make me wonder if I should take the conventional PC approach.

Really a toss up between footprint, cost, stability and longevity.

Hey folks! Utmost respect to the community for its advancement in eGPU technology. The discovery of Akitio Thunder2, removal of powered riser, and most recently PCIe pin cable to 12v dc barrel possibility in a span of 9 months.

My only objective is to run graphic intensive games smoothly at High/Ultra settings on a 1080p external display in Windows 8.1/10 for the next 3 years with minimal tinkering. I have limited time for gaming, hence only select titles. Otherwise, I have no need for a PC or an eGPU.

I was ready to shop for an eGPU until the recent surge in eGPU troubleshoot in the community. A conventional PC setup appears to be more stable.

1. Should I pursue an eGPU or should I shop for a PC instead?

2. Can I use the following parts?

ATX PSU Power Adapter Cable Connector 4 Pin Molex to 12V DC 2 5mm x 5 5mm Barrel | eBay

Jump Start EPS ATX 24 Pin Power Supply Without A Motherboard Jumper Connector | eBay

3. Will the setup below work?

2013 15” Macbook Pro GT750M + GTX970@16Gbps-TB2 (Akitio Thunder2) + Win8.1

Objective:

To run graphic intensive games smoothly at High/Ultra settings on a 1080p external display in Windows 8.1/10 for the next 3 years with minimal tinkering.

Configuration:

Late 2013 15” MacBook Pro with Retina Display and GT 750M(dGPU)

Specs:

2.3Ghz Quad-Core Intel Core i7-4850HQ (Turbo Boost up to 3.5Ghz)

16GB 1600MHz RAM

512GB PCIe-based SSD

Nvidia GeForce GT 750M with 2GB GDDR5 VRAM

DELL UltraSharp U2414H 24” Monitor

Akitio Thunder2 PCIe Box

Corsair RM650 Fully-Modular Power Supply Unit (PSU)

Asus GeForce GTX 970 DC Mini (GPU)

4-pin MOLEX to 12V DC 2.5mm x 5.5mm Barrel Adapter

ATX PSU Jumper

Thunderbolt Cable

HDMI Cable

Hardware Preparation:

Insert GPU to PCIe slot on Akitio

Connect PSU cable to GPU

Connect PSU cable with molex-to-barrel adapter to Akitio

Connect PSU jumper to PSU

Connect HDMI cable from GPU to external display

Software Installation:

Install Windows 8.1 via Boot Camp

Install Windows updates

Install Boot Camp drivers

Install external display drivers

Download latest Nvidia drivers and shut down

Boot to OS X, select Windows 8.1 partition as startup disk

Shut down and power off

Initial Boot Process:

Connect Thunderbolt cable from Akitio to Mac

Power up PSU & Akitio

Power up Mac, which should boot to Windows 8.1 partition

Install latest Nvidia drivers and shut down

Power off Mac and PSU & Akitio

Power up PSU & Akitio

Power up Mac, which should boot to Windows 8.1 partition

eGPU should be enabled and ready for use

Subsequent Boot Process:

If on OS X, select Windows 8.1 partition as startup disk

Shut down and power off Mac

Connect Thunderbolt cable from Akitio to Mac

Power up PSU & Akitio

Power up Mac, which should boot to Windows 8.1 partition

eGPU should be enabled and ready for use

Reboot Process from Windows to OS X:

Shut down Windows 8.1 and power off Mac

Power off PSU & Akitio and disconnect Thunderbolt cable from Mac

Power on Mac and hold ALT/OPTION and select OS X partition

Select OS X partition as startup disk if necessary

Pardon for the length of post. Please do note hesitate to provide any advice.

Thank you!

I ordered a "2.5x5.5mm barrel to molex" of ebay that (after waiting a month) turned out to be the wrong size.

I ended up bringing my Akito PSU + molex into a stereo repair shop and they cut the barrel off and made me a cable for $5.

Could you kindly provide the link to the eBay listing to prevent similar mishap for future users? Thank you!