TheGrreatGatsby

Alright cool, I'll look into purchasing that. Also I have a question about software when it comes to installing the eGPU. Is Windows 8.1, installed via Bootcamp and reFIND all I need to set up the eGPU properly? Or do I need to install a special version of Windows? Cause I keep seeing mentions of UEFI in some guides.

Cool thanks, I saw that before but was unsure of the whole process of removing the fan shroud. Doesn't the effect the graphics card in anyway?

Nope still could not find one lol, it's probably unavailable in the states Any other 970 recommendations that will fit perfectly into the akitio case? Amazon hopefully cause i get free one day shipping

@Dschijn if you don't mind me asking where did you find the Galaxy GTX 970? I've looked everywhere but can not find any place that sells it

I have it. Personally the Graphics card is complete and utter garbage for the 2,500 dollar price tag. The Processor, and everything else is fast and efficient. You're better off with a razer blade, but Apple won't accept my return so I'm stuck with it. However Im not completely hopeless. I found out about eGPUs and that should solve the shit GPU problem

oops uploaded twice by accident, any way to delete this ?

THIS IS A PROVISIONAL GUIDE THAT IS INCOMPLETE, CHANGES ARE BEING MADE CONSTANTLY, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK After about 3-4 days of researching, I'm confident enough to start a provisional guide for 2015 Edition Macbook Pro Retinas both 13" and 15" that have dedicated AMD GPUs instead of nVidia GPU's. A few people have stated that it is impossible to use an eGPU with the new 2015 Macbook's but I believe this is simply not true. After chatting with 2 different Apple engineers at a Genius Bar, I was told that no changes were made to the new 2015 line of Macbook's that would effect the application of a eGPU build, and that it's highly possible to do so. With this in mind I decided to continue with my project and was able to do some extensive research on what parts I would need and what I would need to do with the software. The hardware remains the same, meaning there's nothing extra you should buy, that you would not have bought if you were building an eGPU for any other Macbook. The software, from what I can see is where it gets tricky but I'll get to that later. First off I purchased these: Power Supply - Used to power parts. GPU/Graphics Card - The thing that's going to play Star Wars Battlefront on High Settings at 60 FPS (hopefully) Akitio Case - Used to make GPU thunderbolt Compatible. (You're connecting your thunderbolt cable to this, as GPU's don't have thunderbolt ports). Barrel Plug - Used to attach Dell DA-2 Power supply to Akitio Case and GPU. Super HD Drawing of how the Connections look like Imgur You set up the Hardware like you would any eGPU build. 1. Connect Graphics Card to Akitio Case. 2. Connect barrel plugs 8-pin PCIe end to the Dell DA-2's 8-pin plug. 3. Connect one of the 6 pin PCIe plugs coming from the Barrel into the Graphics Card 4. Connect the Barrel to the Akitio case in order to power the case. 5. You have now powered the GPU and the Akitio case. 6. Your hardware is ready. Now onto the provisional software guide: The software is currently being worked on until my eGPU parts come in to test if it actually works (thus this being a provisional guide) (Requirements: Windows 8.1) At first I thought that the software would be just like any other Apple e-GPU project. Meaning, connect eGPU, install drivers etc. However, the new 2015 line of MBPr's that have dedicated GPU's (dGPU), use AMD rather than nVidia. What this means is that you can no longer use nVidia's Optimus technology in order to connect the eGPU to the new Macbooks with dedicated GPU's. What Optimus does is if it detects that there are 2 nVidia cards connected to the device (the one in the Macbook and the eGPU), it switches to the one with the most power, which would be the eGPU, automatically disabling the default dGPU for you. This allows someone with a 2014 Macbook that has a dedicated GPU, to use the internal LCD screen (the Macbook screen). This is not the case with the new MBPr's with AMD dGPU's. So now, we have to figure out a way to disable the default AMD dGPU and enable the Intel iGPU, which should allow you too use the eGPU for the internal monitor. The problem is that device manager doesn't show the Intel iGPU by default, as that's the way Bootcamp is optimized. It is explained in more detail in the thread below. If you have one of the new 2015 MBPr's with a dGPU and you were to go into device manager on Windows, you would only see the AMD dGPU. You wouldn't see the Intel iGPU. In order to solve this issue I looked at THIS thread. This thread basically solved the whole problem, thanks to users @ah- for providing the file that makes it so device manager shows Intel's iGPU (Intel Iris Pro 5200). The instructions for device manager to show your iGPU are as follows: (Huge thanks to @juniordiscart , wouldn't be able to do this without him) 1. Install reFIND via Windows. 2. Reboot your computer, you should now see a new boot screen. You will see this every time you boot up from now on. Boot back into Windows. 3. Download THIS file and place it on your desktop. 4. Open up Command Prompt, run as administrator. 5. (Thanks to @juniordiscart for the clear and concise instruction) Enter the following commands: mountvol S: /S This will mount the EFI partition in Windows and assign it the drive letter S. You won't be able to see it appear in "My Computer" however, it remains hidden. S: cd EFI dir Check the output after these commands. If you see a directory for refind, then you have refind installed and you can proceed with the next set of commands. Otherwise, make sure you follow the installation instructions for rEFInd for Windows onthis link: The rEFInd Boot Manager: Installing rEFInd xcopy /E C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\Desktop\apple_set_os.efi S:\EFI\custom\ This last one copies the efi file to the custom folder of the EFI partition. Make sure you get all of the "\" right and that your path to your apple_set_os.efi file is correct. It should ask you to create any custom directory if you don't have one already. 6. Now that you've done the hard part, when you reboot you should be brought to the reFIND boot screen and there should be a new option called something like "apple_set_os.efi". Open this up. 7. It should flash the screen quickly and bring you back to the reFIND boot screen. (If it opens up and stays on the screen for more then a minute, shut off your computer and try again) 8. Boot to Windows. 9. Check device manager. Your Intel iGPU should now show up. Congrats you've done the hard part! Now install your Intel Drivers ( https://downloadcenter.intel.com/ ) BUT WAIT------ While installing your Intel drivers your screen will flash black and most likely freeze up. Let it sit like that for a couple of minutes or so and shut down your computer by holding the power button till it turns off. Turn it back on, and REPEAT STEPS 6-7 above. Every time you shut down your computer you have to first start up the "apple_set" efi file, then start Windows. Or else your iGPU won't show. Now you have the latest Intel drivers. Disable your dGPU in Device Manager (right click it, disable), your Macbook should auto switch to the Intel iGPU. Personally, all of the above worked great for me. I was able to disable the dGPU and use my iGPU. The speed at which the 2880 resolution screen ran was evidence enough that it worked. Now, we wait Since my parts haven't come in yet I'm not able to see if connecting the eGPU will allow me to use the Mac's internal display, but they should be here soon so I'll update as soon as I get them. (To be continued.....) Edit: If anyone can explain to me what error 12 is and how it occurs please do . Thanks!

Alright the fact that I can enable 2 GPU's makes me very optimistic. The reason I'm trying to deactivate my dGPU and enable my iGPU is because the new 2015 line of MBPr's have AMD dedicated GPU's, so Optimus is out of the question when trying to install an eGPU. Which leads me to why I did all this. First I had to find a way for the Intel GPU to show up, next I had to disable the AMD dGPU so that my Macbook recognizes the eGPU as the new dGPU. No one has done it on these new Macs, but the 2 people who tried never did all this stuff so that might be why.

@m1sk yes im pretty sure you can. you can go through this thread http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides-apple/8717-%5Bguide%5D-enabling-intel-iris-pro-hd5200-win8-1-15-macbook-pro-gt750m-1.html and read through it. Or you can wait and ill have a guide for macbooks with dedicated amd gpus up in a while. id check out the thread if i were you

It works perfect with the 970, from what I've seen most of the people here used a 970. However, since this is my first build I'm gonna just play it safe and go for the 960 with 4GB of VRAM. If everything works perfectly fine, then I'll just return the 960 and upgrade to a 970. I'm about 75% done with this project, now I'm just waiting for my parts to come in so I can plug it in and see if it works. If it does work, Ill post a guide.

Alright so everything is set for me, now i just have to wait for my parts to come in so I can build the eGPU, disable my AMD dGPU and see if it actually works. I also noticed your issue and how you can't have both enabled at the same time. How do you know which one is enabled or if both of them are enabled. I went into device manager, right clicked on both of them and both had the option to disable, which means that both are enabled right? I tried installing updated Intel drivers but my screen instantly went black and all i saw was a cursor. I let it sit like that for about 4 minutes, then just shut it down, and re started it. Now I have the Intel Graphics Control Panel on my Desktop but it doesn't work/open. Again thanks for the help

It worked! Thanks so much man I really appreciate the help. I dont think I would've been able to do that if it werent for you lol. My Windows now shows Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200, is it normal for the fans to kick into overdrive the first 5 minutes then calm down? Edit: Alright so everything is set for me, now i just have to wait for my parts to come in so I can build the eGPU, disable my AMD dGPU and see if it actually works. I also noticed your issue and how you can't have both enabled at the same time. How do you know which one is enabled or if both of them are enabled. I went into device manager, right clicked on both of them and both had the option to disable, which means that both are enabled right? Edit 2: I tried installing updated Intel drivers but my screen instantly went black and all i saw was a cursor. I let it sit like that for about 4 minutes, then just shut it down, and re started it. Now I have the Intel Graphics Control Panel on my Desktop but it doesn't work/open.

@juniordiscart First off, thanks for the response! I installed reFIND using Mac OS X but can I just switch to windows and continue from there? Or do i have to reinstall reFIND using Windows instead of Mac. Also do you think you can give me the exact commands you used in order in the cmd on Windows? And finally, for the (S is the letter....) part, I installed reFIND using my Mac OS X partition, I dragged the install.sh into terminal and installed it from there. Now in Finder I see Bootcamp, and EFI. But theres no Drive letter for EFI.

Hi @ah- , Im having trouble executing this on terminal, specifically it says the efi/EFI/custom/ isn't a file or directory. I've installed reFIND.

If i may ask how did you guys manage to get the integrated card active? All I've managed to do is install reFIND If you used this https://github.com/0xbb/apple_set_os.efi how did you do it? I honestly have no idea what the instructions are saying

Thanks for the response man! I'm currently trying to find a way to deactivate the AMD GPU in 8.1 that I'm running currently. This eGPU is by far the most intricate project I've ever done. I've also noted that 2 other people have tried to do this on their 2015 MBPr but weren't able too, panicked I contacted Apple and they told me they had done nothing that would effect the use of an eGPU with the new line of Macs. Edit: I've been trying to use the method mentioned here by user @ah- . The only problem Im having is the instructions that involve a couple of commands using terminal are way over my head. I was hoping someone could explain to me how to do what he mentions in terminal. Hopefully this lets me use my integrated graphics instead of dedicated. Edit 2: User @juniordiscart was kind enough to walk me through everything command by command! HUGE shoutout to him for helping!

Any thing im missing? Edit: Did some more researching and found out that it's not possible to use an eGPU with the internal LCD on a Macbook Pro with a dedicated GPU, my case being the Radeon R9 M370x. It will only work with an external display, which is not what I was looking for. Is there a way to get past this @Tech Inferno Fan ? And make Bootcamp use the iGPU

Yeah I am definitely moving forward with the project as I have been assured by many users from reddit and an Apple technician that an eGPU is definitely compatible with the MBPr 2015 15' with the Radeon m370x. I've figured out the exact parts to purchase after about 2 days of research and I hope all works well when they come in. First I ordered the power supply, GPU, Akitio Thunderbolt 2 and the Barrel plug from eBay. Power Supply: Amazon.com: Genuine Dell Optiplex GX620/ SX280 Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF) DA-2 220W AC Adapter (Wall Power Cord Included), Compatible Part Numbers: M8811, Y2515, D3860, MK394, Other Model Numbers: D220P-01, ADP-22AB B, ZVC220HD12S1: Electronics GPU: http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-Dual-Link-Graphics-04G-P4-3962-KR/dp/B00VX1MJQ8/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1435793434&sr=1-9&keywords=gtx+960 Akitio Thunderbolt2: http://www.amazon.com/Akitio-AK-T2PC-TIA-AKTU-Thunder2-PCIe-Box/dp/B00LTAUTHE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1435793693&sr=1-1&keywords=akitio Barrel: Akitio Egpu 8 Pin to 2 x PCI E 6 Pin Super Low Profile No Latch 1 x Barrel | eBay This what I've gathered on how to build the actual eGPU. 1. Connect GPU into Akitio case 2. Connect Barrel to Power Supply. 3. Connect PCIe plugs from Barrel, to GPU and to Akitio case, in order to power GPU and Akitio case. 4. Set up Drivers and Software (Will research this when my parts come in and I've actually built the eGPU).

Alright thanks. I also found this on your Guide: Akitio Egpu 8 Pin to 2 x PCI E 6 Pin Super Low Profile No Latch 1 x Barrel | eBay Is that a barrel plug I can use?

Haha well none the less you are extremely helpful! I was able to go to an Apple Genius Bar earlier and ask them whether or not an eGPU would be compatible with my Macbook and they said it was definitely possible, so I'm gonna give it a go and maybe be the first ever to do it on a 2015 MBPr And is there a place I can buy a barrel plug or do i have to make one myself?

First off thanks for the respons Dschijn! You seem like the master e-gpu guru around here or something like that. I really appreciate the response. I did read the basic eGPU guide several times over but some things confuse me, as in whats a riser, do I have to do soldering or something like that if im not buying that dell power supply, etc. And yeah i totally understand why there is no confirmed eGPU with the M370X MBPr yet since it's very expensive and not that many people have it most likely. It was released about a few weeks ago. I just wanted to show you what I plan on buying and if that's all i'll need. EVGA GTX 960- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T4BWGBM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Akitio Thunderbolt 2- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LTAUTHE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=A2LXBKOLL3J3K6 EVGA 430W PSU- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H33SDR4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_3&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER 24 Pin starter Bridge- http://www.amazon.com/24-Pin-STARTER-BRIDGE-WITHOUT-MOTHERBOARD/dp/B00K38IKRY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1435783325&sr=1-1&keywords=PSU+jumper One last thing, if these are all the parts I'll need, hardware wise, is it just plug everything in? Like insert GPU into Akitio, connect PCIe power from PSU to GPU, connect power to Akitio etc or am i missing something

Okay so e-GPU's have really caught my eye. Currently I have a Macbook Pro Mid 2015 15" Retina with an i7 and Radeon R9 M370X (really bad video card), and it doesn't run games that great. I know the typical "you should've bought a gaming PC" but I really like the build quality and feel of Macbooks. Anyways I've been trying to understand e-GPUs but there are still some things that really confuse me. I've read about 10 guides and I understand a lot of it, but some of the major concepts just leave my mind running blank. Is there a GTX 970 currently in the market, preferably on Amazon, that can fit into Akitio without cutting or modifying the Akitio? Can someone explain the Power Supply part of e-GPU's? This is the main part that confuses me. I don't understand the whole soldering thing and what the point of this is: Akitio Egpu 8 Pin to 2 x PCI E 6 Pin Super Low Profile No Latch 1 x Barrel | eBay Can't I just buy a PSU (any affordable recommendations?), plug it into the Graphics Card and the Akitio, power it up using a power supply jumper switch and go from there? Or do I have to do all this Soldering and wire cutting stuff? And do I have the steps sort of narrowed down? This is what I have gathered so far: 1. Purchase the necessary products (GTX 970 that fits perfectly, a PSU, Akitio and thunderbolt cable) 2. Insert GTX 970 into Akitio 3. Plug in PSU cables into Akitio and Graphics Card 4. Connect via thunderbolt Macbook to Akitio 5. Use jumper to turn on power supply 6. Install drivers/setup on Windows Thanks for reading and bearing with me here. I feel like such a dumbass and I don't want to waste anyones time but the guides are hard to understand, for me at least.