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2012 Mac Mini + RX480@10Gbps-TB1 (Highpoint RockerStor 6361A) + Win10 [boeonoz]


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Before start I have to thanks Tech Inferno Fan and FricoRico  for advice, I almost give up and put Rx480 into the box for sales.

 

Here! I better tell you about issue of my current setup as I know some of you planning to get eGPU, so you won't have to headache later on. I will post what I remember first and add up later.

 

This setup are not running with DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 since I have no PayPal account, if you want me to try then please get 1 license from Tech Inferno Fan for me.

 

Issue - Windows side

- First avoid running Windows 10 1607 Anniversary update (Continue Below)

- Currently can't find a way for iGPU to run (Error 45 - Not Connect) / This can be problem when you try Boot option since eGPU will operate after Windows Load.

- New driver not working after 16.8.3 (Series 16) / 10.9-10.10 (Series 21) will show error 43

- Beware of power issue of PCI Express slot draw. For power use 1 Rail per board molex else Rx480 will not operate and keep restart after Login Windows 10

- Riser will not work with high load (Not sure of Themaltake P5 Riser)

- Driver still buggy (You may face Error 12, 43, 31 during setup up to what you choose)

 

Issue - Mac side

- Only work with macOS Sierra

- With 10.12, Every time you boot have to unplug HDMI/DisplayPort else will result in Boot Freeze (But got Metal running)

- With 10.12.1 Beta4 Can boot with display on but Metal is not on (In testing)

 

My system

Mac mini 2012 with i7 3615QM - 16GB RAM - Thunderbolt 1

Highpoint RocketStor 6361A - TB2 x16 Case

XFX GTR Rx480 Black Edition

Seasonic X-650 Power Supply

Cooler Master Elite 130

 

Before I start all this I test my system with ATI HD5850 first, everything smooth plug and play experience.

Compare with my old desktop (i5-750)

I test most system with FF XIV Heavensward Benchmark since I have it on my nas and easy to test.

Preset setting 1

Spoiler

Screen Size: 1280x720
Screen Mode: Windowed
DirectX Version: 11
Graphics Presets: Preset  1
General
-Wet Surface Effects: Enabled
-Occlusion Culling: Enabled
-LOD on Distant Objects: Enabled
-Real-time Reflections: Off
-Edge Smoothing (Anti-aliasing): FXAA
-Transparent Lighting Quality: Normal
-Grass Quality: Normal
-Background Tessellation: High Quality
-Water Tessellation: High Quality
Shadows
-Self: Display
-Other NPCs: Display
Shadow Quality
-LOD on Shadows: Enabled
-Shadow Resolution: Normal - 1024p
-Shadow Cascading: Best
-Shadow Softening: Strong
Texture Detail
-Texture Filtering: Anisotropic
-Anisotropic Filtering: x4
Movement Physics
-Self: Full
-Other NPCs: Full
Effects
-Limb Darkening: Enabled
-Radial Blur: Enabled
-Screen Space Ambient Occlusion: HBAO+: Standard Quality (DirectX 11 Only)
-Glare: Normal
Cinematic Cutscenes
-Depth of Field: Enabled
 

 

720p - Preset 1

Desktop HD5850 Score: 6715

Mac mini eGPU HD5850 Score: 5799

With this I confidence that Rx480 will be working 100%, so I go with AMD... hah nightmare.


Start with Rx480 on Windows 10 BOOTCAMP (MBR)

 

About Windows 10 1511 and 1607

As issue said, for RX480 Driver that can be use with eGPU is Windows default 16.6 to 16.8.3 (old series) with new series 16.9+ will result in error 43.

AND!! AMD old driver are no go with Windows 10 1607 - This will result in system freeze with gibberish black greenish screen during game play, AFAIK Overwatch is not playable. Anyway benchmark can be fully run on 1607 without problem.

But Windows 10 1511 also have some issue with Driver installation and stability, for me I cannot get Compatibility Mode show up in 1511 but 1607 is fine. (When compatibility mode on I seem to get about 3%-5% boost over normal in static benchmark)

 

Ok, let's start.

 

My setup run with Normal Bootcamp with 2nd drive kit of macmini

Boot with eGPU off if you have multi monitor connect over HDMI port else Intel HD won't get driver install

1. Install Windows 10 1511

2. Install Bootcamp driver

3. Turn off and power on eGPU then Boot

 

Then this will have 2 option, second one have about 50% chance that it will work.

4a. Install Crimson 16.9+ (It will result in error 43 but don't mention it) go for 5a

4b. Install Crimson 16.8.3 (This is the best one that work during 1st installation, but if it not then Black Screen) go for 5b

 

5a. If you go for 4a then do DSDT Override now (search for it).


6a. Install driver by extract AMD 10.8.3 and go with Update driver select "Let me choose" browse /Packages/Drivers/Display/WT6A_INF/C0306357.inf and select Rx480

You will have a driver without Vulkan API Install but able to run benchmark and games. or you can try install normal way thru AMD Setup, if lucky and install went smooth you will have fully operate driver with Vulkan and compatibility mode but I mostly end up with GPU fan whirl and freeze.

***Extra*** You can try use AMD Cleaner at this step and don't restart then install Crimson 16.8.3 Setup, if success you will have full driver with compatibility mode.

END A.

 

5b if you able to complete driver installation (XConnect running) then do DSDT Override (or skip but I run in some problem when in games) But if you get black screen go 6c.


6b Just Restart and everything will work fine. You have optimal install experience, but iGPU still no way to work.

6c You can use AMD Cleaner and go retry with 4a. and follow 4a route.

 

Windows Benchmark Score (Ref = RX480 Original base on GURU3d.com)

 

Time Spy 3816
Graphics score 3941
Graphics test 1 26.15 FPS
Graphics test 2 22.25 FPS
CPU test 3235
CPU test 10.87 FPS


Ref 10890
9389 IN Fire Strike (V1.1)
Graphics score 12007
Graphics test 1 57.19 FPS
Graphics test 2 48.02 FPS
Physics score 8013
Physics test 25.44 FPS
Combined score 3950
Combined test 18.37 FPS

 

Ref 5316
5132 IN Fire Strike Extreme (V1.1)
Graphics score 5618
Graphics test 1 28.99 FPS
Graphics test 2 21.11 FPS
Physics score 8018
Physics test 25.46 FPS
Combined score 2346
Combined test 10.91 FPS

 

Ref 2753
2783 IN Fire Strike Ultra (V1.1)
Graphics score 2809
Graphics test 1 14.62 FPS
Graphics test 2 10.49 FPS
Physics score 7943
Physics test 25.22 FPS
Combined score 1362
Combined test 6.34 FPS

 

Unigine H

57.5

1448

8.6

119.4

Extreme

 

FF XIV Benchmark - Preset 1 720p

REF Score: 11344 (my card with i5 750)

Driver 10.8.3 - Score: 11990

Driver 10.8.3 - Score: 12375 (Compatibility Mode on)

 

LuxMark 3

14325 (I got around 11000 on macOS)

 

SteamVR

6.1

8775

0

0

 

I got some issue during writing this article, fan spin 100% without doing anything and still spinning.

 

Mac side - macOS Sierra

 

Require monitor connect with iGPU

unplug/turn off eGPU

1. Boot into macOS Recovery

2. Disable SIP (search "Rx480 Sierra" and you will get all How-to)

3. Edit AMDRadeonX4000.kext (/System/Library/Extensions) info.plist (copy and edit other place) add 0x67DF1002 after/before 0x67EF1002

4. Run kext Utility to repair permission

turn on eGPU

5. Run goalque's automate eGPU script via terminal

6. Set goalque's script in -a mode

 

Anyway I still can't find a way to boot with hdmi/display port plug-in without freeze in 10.12

 

Hardware Setup

 

CoolerMaster Elite 130 is totally for Highpoint RocketStor 6361A

 

For power use 1 Rail per board molex else Rx480 will not operate and keep restart after Login Windows 10, we are not using GTX. This cause me a few day to find issue and fix since I saw other people use 1 rail to power both molex (This is thanks to Tech Inferno Fan and FricoRico)

 

I can fit anything without drilling any hole. Btw I use 2x120mm Noise Blocker PL-1 fan by mounting 120mm in side HDD bay since we didn't need any extra drive. (I remove CM fan out since it is so loud)

20161019_070922867_iOS.jpg20161019_070954393_iOS.jpg

 

For board mount I use upside down 4 female HEX M3, 2x6mm and 2x8mm since the bottom panel is level. (I don't drill just use for support since I will loce GPU card anyway)

20161019_082643737_iOS.jpg20161019_082544961_iOS.jpg

 

Mount TB board and GPU, there some trick to bring silver back plate there but it is not hard... just try it.

20161019_082505537_iOS.jpg

 

Complete

20161019_090614344_iOS.jpg20161019_090526143_iOS.jpg

 

 

For my setup there is no soldered or drill any hole to case. I feel safer with this.

 

EDIT: 26/10/2016 Add extra picture of 3 pin -> 2 pin FAN Cable Now my fan start stop with system. (it just arrived from China)

20161026_111141992_iOS2.jpg

Edited by boeonoz
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More pics here.

 

This is what will happen when playing Overwatch with Windows 10 1607 Crimson 16.8.3

20161019_125339866_iOS.jpg

 

This is also happen sometimes ... I have to re-install driver to fix (GPU Core running at MAX 1338 and not back to 300MHz idle) / This one I mange to install driver 16.8.3 without issue, so I don't have to modified DSDT but anyway I still do it later on for stability). But GPU is not really run at 100% as you can see in Process Explorer, only core max but anyway consume high power and hot.

rx480 10.8.3 gpu prob.jpg

Normal should be like this

rx480 10.8.3 fix gpu 100.png

Edited by boeonoz
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  • Tech Inferno Fan changed the title to 2012 Mac Mini + RX480@10Gbps-TB1 (Highpoint RockerStor 6361A) + Win10 [boeonoz]

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