Current Paradox games w/ Mac and eGPU?

[Greek Grapes]

Hi

I’m interested in getting an eGPU (Razer Core X) with a AMD Radeon RX 4xx or 5xx to use with a Mac Mini 2018 (32GB RAM, 6-core 3.0ghz, Catalina) to run either:
- Imperator Rome
- CK3

How well do these games run on my system with an eGPU and mediocre current line AMD card? If compatible at all...

Thanks!

 

[AndrewT]

So far as I know none of our games are tested with eGPUs on any OS. Can you perhaps get it on approval?

 

[SPAMbuca]

I wouldn't run games on MacOS. especially if you want to stay on older software versions. Old versions can cause all kinds of issues.

 

[Greek Grapes]

I understand Mac’s are not ideal. However, these Paradox games are supposed to be compatible with OSX.
I don’t understand what you mean by running old software...

Andrew, unfortunately no.

 

[AndrewT]

I wouldn't run games on MacOS. especially if you want to stay on older software versions. Old versions can cause all kinds of issues.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to play games on MacOS, it is my preferred platform for a start!

I don’t understand what you mean by running old software...

I assume he's referring to older games that are 32bit and will never be updated to 64bit to run in current MacOS versions, such as Tyranny and Warlock2.

 

[SPAMbuca]

Personal experience; I find the games run generally slower on MacOS. And indeed, what Andrew said regarding 32 bit. You at least want to upgrade to Big Sur.

 

[Greek Grapes]

Nope. I’m running Catalina. Pretty happy with it. Thanks anyway.

If anyone got any experience with an actual eGPU, my ears are open!

 

[CrispKrinkle]

If anyone got any experience with an actual eGPU, my ears are open!

Hi GG,

Very late to the conversation, but I do have some recent experience with the Blackmagic eGPU and Paradox games. In short, I was not able to get Stellaris, EU IV, Imperator Rome, or CK 3 working with the Blackmagic eGPU. Tried the Long Dark as well, that didn't work either. Only game that did was Civ VI. In Big Sur and Monterey you can tell apps to "prefer" the attached eGPU, and they will launch and look for it, but in my experience, the Paradox games would not display their loading screens nor their game start/setup screens when this "prefer" option was set. Interestingly, Long Dark did display its loading and start screens, but clicking to start a new game only resulted in broken visuals (garbled indecipherable colors as if the game did not know how to utilize the eGPU). Civ VI worked, though. I have a 2019 MacBook Pro running Big Sur. At this point, I think that unless a game explicitly states that it supports an eGPU you should assume it cannot--YMMV. Needless to say, I'm retuning the eGPU.