Skip to main content

Final Cut Pro X gains official eGPU support in macOS Mojave

A couple of days ago Apple published a support document outlining Final Cut Pro X support for external graphics. The document notes a variety of ways that Final Cut Pro X users can gain benefits from an eGPU setup.

There are two ways to enable external graphics enhancements with Final Cut Pro X. The most obvious way is to connect your Thunderbolt 3 eGPU to an external display, and run Final Cut Pro X on the external display. The second method involves using the “Prefer External GPU” setting for apps that you wish to boost with external graphics. This is a new option that made its debut in macOS Mojave.

We’ve covered how to use the Prefer External GPU feature in previous posts, and it’s as easy as performing a ‘Get Info’ (Or use Command+I keyboard shortcut) on the app that you wish to enable, and checking the Prefer External GPU box.

With macOS Mojave, Apple notes that some graphics processing in Final Cut Pro X can be handed off to the external GPU, providing benefits in the following ways:

  • Improved playback of projects with color correction and video effects.
  • Improved performance when working with 3D titles.
  • Faster analysis for effects including stabilization and optical flow retiming.
  • Faster rendering of complex project timelines.
  • Faster export of complex project timelines.

That’s interesting news for Final Cut Pro X users. It means that not only will the timeline work and rendering be given an eGPU boost, but exports of complex timelines may see potential benefits as well.

The Razer Core X is one of my favorite Thunderbolt 3 eGPU chassis for Mac

We’ve covered the eGPU with Final Cut Pro X angle extensively before, and look forward to running additional tests to see what benefits can be derived from an eGPU setup when editing in FCP X.

More eGPU coverage from 9to5Mac

Would you consider buying an eGPU to increase performance on your Mac?


Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Jeff Benjamin Jeff Benjamin

Jeff is the head of video content production for 9to5. He initially joined 9to5Mac in 2016, producing videos, walkthroughs, how-tos, written tutorials, and reviews. He takes pride in explaining things simply, clearly, and concisely. Jeff’s videos have been watched hundreds of millions of times by people seeking to learn more about today’s tech. Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube to catch Jeff’s latest videos.