Help with eGPU for Macbook pro

[jsuarez388]

Looking to expand my GPU power with eGPU solutions. So far I've found the Bizon Box, which according to my resarch is an overpriced Akitio Case moded to work with desktop GPUs.

Bizon Box Chasis + GTX 970 from Bizon = $1000.

Bizon Box Chasis + GTX 980 from Bizon = $1260.
Both come with a 200W power supply which they advertise is more than enough for these cards and I still don't know which kind of cooling, I know there are some options out there.

My system specs are on the signature, which GPU would you recommend?

I've done some reasearch and I know that I could just buy the chasis from Bizon ($549) and the GPU and PSU from another seller and save money. Thing is I would be getting warranty from two different sellers and if things don't work with each other I'm screwed, plus I live in South America, therefore returning stuff is out of the question for me. It's already difficult to get the parts from the USA here.

Buying everything from Bizon I get $50 off + everything put together and pre-tested + lifetime support + one year warranty (2 years for an extra $89)

One thing to keep in mind is that even tho the price is high, this is how the card looks inside the case:

Bizon box and GTX 980

I've seen other builds with the popular Akitio case where the card is laying next to the case, cables all over the place, etc. With this I would not have to go through the hassle of resarching parts that will work with each other, modify stuff to work, put together things, etc.

What do you guys think? is it worth it? has anyone out there bought a Bizon Box with good results? I haven't found too many reviews online.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much!

[prehabitat]

Hi Mate,

I have no specific experience with Bizon, but if parts are tough to get and returns are difficult/impossible I'd be leaning towards the best card you can get: either gtx980 or 980ti if for no other reason than future-proofing your power overhead for future upgrades (say in 2 years time after your warranty ends when something with more power/memory is available and becomes attractive to you needs).

[jsuarez388]

Hi Mate,

I have no specific experience with Bizon, but if parts are tough to get and returns are difficult/impossible I'd be leaning towards the best card you can get: either gtx980 or 980ti if for no other reason than future-proofing your power overhead for future upgrades (say in 2 years time after your warranty ends when something with more power/memory is available and becomes attractive to you needs).

Hi!

thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it. I am leaning towards the GTX 980 too. GTX 980ti runs over $1600.

But, given my system info, would I really get that much more improved performance from the GTX 980 than the GTX 970?

Although I was just thinking about what you said, and maybe I should just invest in the GTX 980 which is a bit more than the 970, but that way I shouldn't have to upgrade for a couple of years.

[glimpse]

hi there.

in case of taking Akitio route, simply get cheap small mITX, SFW power supply & put everythign together. You might not get everythign packed so dense, but inside You would also have s spot for let's say thunderbolt powered 3.5 inc HDD - that might serve as backup unit as well =) I'm always for DIY options, but..guess it's not for everyOne.

another thing, if You're into getting hardware for a bit cheaper, look for used GPUs - comunity always tries to sell somethign they do not use & thus You can technically grab somethign for couple of hundrets & ask to be sent to Your door, rather than paying insane amount for new stuff..- just mention an option, in case You haven't though about it =)

[caseydrogin]

Hey there, I was wondering if you wound up purchasing the Bizon egpu? Did it work for you? Still not many reviews online

Thanks!

[glimpse]

Hey there, I was wondering if you wound up purchasing the Bizon egpu? Did it work for you? Still not many reviews online

Thanks!

Get Akitio, do mods Yourself =) that will be cheaper & better!

[caseydrogin]

Hey there, I was wondering if you wound up purchasing the Bizon egpu? Did it work for you? Still not many reviews online

Thanks!

Get Akitio, do mods Yourself =) that will be cheaper & better!

But I don't want to electrocute myself!

[glimpse]

You will not.., the only thing You have to do is to plug GPU inside, add external supply, hook one of it's wires to GPU, plug Akitio power brick to it (or You can replace it with molex to barel adapter) & that's it..there's no way to electrocute Yourself.

Ou, one thing, You need to shorted "power On" pins on externalPSU (but that could be done with PSU off - safelly enough).

one thing to keep in mind..You would have to modify Akitio case in order to fit longer GPU or..use small one =) alternativelly You can use ribon cable..if You're not into working with some powertools.

Here's solution I own, but it's still work in progress (tempPSU is an overkill) - I probably end up putting everything into custom case in the end =) with some small Pico sized PSU:

[caseydrogin]

You will not.., the only thing You have to do is to plug GPU inside, add external supply, hook one of it's wires to GPU, plug Akitio power brick to it (or You can replace it with molex to barel adapter) & that's it..there's no way to electrocute Yourself.

Ou, one thing, You need to shorted "power On" pins on externalPSU (but that could be done with PSU off - safelly enough).

one thing to keep in mind..You would have to modify Akitio case in order to fit longer GPU or..use small one =) alternativelly You can use ribon cable..if You're not into working with some powertools.

Here's solution I own, but it's still work in progress (tempPSU is an overkill) - I probably end up putting everything into custom case in the end =) with some small Pico sized PSU:

Wow, thank you for the detailed response! It definitely seems much more approachable now

[glimpse]

there's a thread over this forum as well about MAC+eGPU where You can read many more getting this solution working =) here Guys share their own experience & some usefull links.. (You probably need to do some kext modification, but there are automated scripts to keep things as simple as it could be done =)