Is anyone using the Valve Index on a Mac?

[untmdsprt]

I'm looking to get a VR system for my 2017 27" 5k iMac and want to know my options. It looks like I'll need a thunderbolt 3 to DisplayPort cable for the video.

Are there any issues?


I've already posted this in the Mac forums and they're just being rude telling me to post here.

[lucas.feijo]

Any news on this??

[untmdsprt]

引用自 lucas.feijo：

Any news on this??

I haven't heard anything. Seems like it would since it uses the Steam driver.

[The Maddog]

引用自 untmdsprt：

引用自 lucas.feijo：

Any news on this??

I haven't heard anything. Seems like it would since it uses the Steam driver.

I'm going to save you a headache and / or waiting around for an official answer.


Here's all the info you need.


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
OS Windows 10, SteamOS, Linux
RAM 8 GB+
GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970+ or AMD RX480+
Available DisplayPort required, HDMI not supported
CPU Dual Core
with hyperthreading, or better
USB 3.0+
for headset cameras


Makes no difference if it's a PC or Mac as long as you meet those requirements.


Sadly though, not a single released out of the box Mac currently meets those specs, least of all a 2017 model.

The only "official" VR capable Mac (when it releases) will be the 2019 Mac Pro (which last I read, is not out just yet). This is purely down to the GPU...and even the GPU in the base Mac Pro is low end for VR (AMD 580 x).


HOWEVER...


It's not all doom and gloom. You can just buy an eGPU to add to your mac which will make it VR capable.


https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac/best-egpu-mac-3673105/


Word of warning though. eGPU's will suffer, on average, a 20% performance loss due to bandwidth limitations. As such, if this is a route you choose to go down, you'll probably want to get a very high end card as going entry level wont cut it. You'll want at least something like a RTX 2070 or better.


Personally though (given the costs), I'd just say don't bother and build your own VR capable PC. You'll get much better performance and not suffer that drop off eGPUs have.

[untmdsprt]

So you're telling me that I need to buy an eGPU when my iMac has a Radeon Pro 580 built in? Seems kind of pointless in my opinion, but what the hell.

Seems I'll just wait until I can buy an RTX for my PC.

[The Maddog]

引用自 untmdsprt：

So you're telling me that I need to buy an eGPU when my iMac has a Radeon Pro 580 built in? Seems kind of pointless in my opinion, but what the hell.

Seems I'll just wait until I can buy an RTX for my PC.

I probably should have been a bit clearer here

A Radeon Pro 580 is below minimum spec requirement. Performance wise, it's just slightly below a RX 480/Nvidia GTX 970 which was considered minimum spec for VR with the first wave of headsets (Rift + Vive) in 2016.

However, it does not mean you can not run a headset on your laptop. I'm simply saying there are no official VR capable macs out of the box yet.

Now I know people have run Vives and Rifts on the 2017 Imac models (to varying degrees of success) but I have no idea if the Index would run due to display port requirements (the other units use the HDMI ports). Even if it does, seems a bit pointless spending $1000 and a Index kit to effectively get the same performance and visuals you would on a headset half the price or less (due directly to the GPU's performance limitations).

I could have said it "might" work but fact is, a suitable eGPU is the only way to guarantee it "will" work.

[untmdsprt]

http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-RX-480-vs-Radeon-Pro-580

Looks like I'll be buying a card for my PC.

[Picanteverde]

I've being using the Valve with the new mac book pro with 64gb of RAM and a Radeon Pro 5500M 4Gb, and it works ok for most of the game, but for intensive games like Zero Caliber or Pavlov it have some glitches. also the platform it self feels kind of buggy and is susceptible to hang now and then (at least once a day).
Overall works like a charm on Windows for a casual gaming
now on mac osx it is recognized as a single screen, but I haven't tried to configure it yet

[untmdsprt]

引用自 Picanteverde：

I've being using the Valve with the new mac book pro with 64gb of RAM and a Radeon Pro 5500M 4Gb, and it works ok for most of the game, but for intensive games like Zero Caliber or Pavlov it have some glitches. also the platform it self feels kind of buggy and is susceptible to hang now and then (at least once a day).
Overall works like a charm on Windows for a casual gaming
now on mac osx it is recognized as a single screen, but I haven't tried to configure it yet

Thanks for your answer. I have bought a new video card for my Windows computer and will use it with that. I'll try it later with my iMac once I can get a displayport adapter for it.

[RoughCut]

引用自 Picanteverde：

I've being using the Valve with the new mac book pro with 64gb of RAM and a Radeon Pro 5500M 4Gb, and it works ok for most of the game, but for intensive games like Zero Caliber or Pavlov it have some glitches. also the platform it self feels kind of buggy and is susceptible to hang now and then (at least once a day).
Overall works like a charm on Windows for a casual gaming
now on mac osx it is recognized as a single screen, but I haven't tried to configure it yet

Can I ask what adapter are you using with your Mac? I plan on running bootcamp but Displayport is not available on my Mac and want to be sure I'm going Displayport to USB-C.. if that even works. - Thank you!!

[Glock O'clock]

I'm also attempting to run the Index on a MacBook Pro 16in + eGPU, but the headset never wakes up. Currently using an RTX 2080ti. I think it's the USB-C hub I'm using. Going to Fry's today to try a new cable, will report back later.

[qsh]

Hi! Bootcamp. And the fun will be amazing. I have the following setup:
1. iMac Pro (2017, entry level).
2. Valve Index.
3. Bootcamp - Windows 10.

ALL GAMES RUN PERFECTLY. Half-Life Alyx works flawlessly. Go for it.

[untmdsprt]

引用自 qsh：

Hi! Bootcamp. And the fun will be amazing. I have the following setup:
1. iMac Pro (2017, entry level).
2. Valve Index.
3. Bootcamp - Windows 10.

ALL GAMES RUN PERFECTLY. Half-Life Alyx works flawlessly. Go for it.

Did you have to buy an adapter for that Mac for the displayport? And if I'm going to go that route I might as well just hook it up to my PC even though the Mac has a better processor at the moment.

[sr_behemoth]

引用自 qsh：

Hi! Bootcamp. And the fun will be amazing. I have the following setup:
1. iMac Pro (2017, entry level).
2. Valve Index.
3. Bootcamp - Windows 10.

ALL GAMES RUN PERFECTLY. Half-Life Alyx works flawlessly. Go for it.

I have a maxed out 2019 MBP with Bootcamp and Windows 10. The Index’s display doesn’t work. I’ve plugged the display port cord into a CalDigit TS3.

How exactly did you connect your display port cord? Are you using an external monitor? Are you using an external graphics card/eGPU?

[sr_behemoth]

[/quote]

Did you have to buy an adapter for that Mac for the displayport? And if I'm going to go that route I might as well just hook it up to my PC even though the Mac has a better processor at the moment. [/quote]

Have you found a solution for this?

[LIAMR0Y]

I am currently running a 2019 Macbook Pro along with Bootcamp & Windows 10. Runs really well. Is it possible for me to purchase a Valve Index and use it? Also, should I purchase a Blackmagic eGPU?

No display ports on this thing. Just 4 USB-C's

Processor: 2.4 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9
Memory: 64 GB 2667 MHz DDR4
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB