Topaz Video Performance on Mac Mini 2018 with eGPU

Topaz Video General
1

I’m wondering if anyone has tried using Topaz Video with a Mac Mini 2018 Intel with an eGPU? I’ve been running it on my Macbook Air M1 to upscale 480p DVDs to 1080p HD to put on blu-ray but I read that AI remastering relies more on the GPU than the CPU. So I figured I should try it on my Mac Mini connected to my eGPU since it has a Radeon RX 580 GTS card in it which should be way better than any GPU Apple puts in their computers. Has anyone tried this?

2

The new Topaz Video (v1.x) isn’t compatible with Intel Macs. However, the older Topaz Video AI (v7.x) is compatible it works with eGPUs.

However, I have a MacBook Air M1 among my collection and that’s significantly faster than an Intel MacBook with Black Magic Radeon Pro 580 I used to use. Even though your RX 580 GTS might be faster than the Pro 580, it still wouldn’t compare well to your M1 Air.

Regards

Andy

3

Until two weeks ago, I ran a Mini Intel i7 with an RX 5700 XD eGPU. I say until 2 weeks ago because the 2TB SSD failed then. Apple is sending me an M4 Mini as a replacement. However, I have found that running the same DVD upscale jobs on my M2 MBA (24GB/2TB SSD) complete in less than half the time of the Intel Mini/eGPU system.

4

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I found that out too last night. I got everything set up an it was going to take 16 hours to remaster one SD tv show 45 min episode to HD on the Intel Mac Mini w/ eGPU that only took 1 hour (2 tops) on my MacBook Air M1. On top of which Topaz Video AI 7.0.2 for the Intel Mac would only work in trial mode since they don’t sell the licenses for it anymore. I’m going to buy the Mac Studio M3 Ultra today to try and speed up this long project.

5

Thanks for your replies. Yeah I found that out too last night. I got everything set up an it was going to take 16 hours to remaster one SD tv show 45 min episode to HD on the Intel Mac Mini w/ eGPU that only took 1 hour (2 tops) on my MacBook Air M1. On top of which Topaz Video AI 7.0.2 for the Intel Mac would only work in trial mode since they don’t sell the licenses for it anymore. I’m going to buy the Mac Studio M3 Ultra today to try and speed up this long project.

6

I also have an M3 Studio (96GB) which is the most recent in my Mac collection. I got mine for £3576 from Apple refurbished and very happy with it. I got rid of my 2 M4 Mac mini’s as they were too noisy. Your Ultra will be as quiet as your (fanless) Air.

Regards

Andy

7

Yeah, not happy about the 4k price tag but I’m looking forward to seeing the quality difference between what I’ve already upscaled to 1080 on my MacBook Air and what the Studio M3 Ultra can do. Most I’ve ever had to drop on a computer. Still hyperventilating. LOL

We have an AI that will upscale things for us. Now we need an AI that will lower prices for us. LOL

9

Through my employer’s generosity, a fully maxed-out 16inch M5 MBP is on its way, to arrive somewhere after April 15. Just for grins, I’ll compare the same job on my current M2 MBA with the M5 when it’s here. Should be fun.