Check if OpenCL functions properly on your Mac.
Check if OpenCL functions properly on your Mac.
I'm talking about getting an eGPU for my MBP to play games and run BOINC. With the latest macOS release, AMD Navi support was added, so I'm aiming for a 5700XT. However, I need OpenCL to function well. It seems like this could be a major issue on Windows with this card, and I worry it might also not work on Mac. Anyone have any advice? Thanks, Metallus
MacOS's OpenCL compatibility remains poor overall. Apple continues to rely on outdated versions of OpenGL and OpenCL, and since Mojave they've confirmed no further updates will come. They're shifting attention to Metal instead. Refer to the article for more details.
KK, thanks! It seems we probably won't use Metal for BOINC or F@H soon. Still, my main concern remains: does it actually work? OpenCL 1.2 works well for most BOINC projects.
I’m not certain about this, but I think BOINC likely would back the card, though it doesn’t confirm if macOS will support OpenCL on it. The problem lies in Apple stating OpenCL is outdated—meaning if it isn’t functional now, it’s unlikely to be later.
For BIONC runtime you can configure a Linux VM and route the eGPU through it, providing optimal OpenCL support. Because macOS and Linux feature straightforward file system layouts, you can easily share directories without the issues and slowdowns seen on Windows. This approach is widely used by developers across platforms.