Razer X Chroma & 6900 XT macOS (Ventura) and Bootcamp (W10) not working | Razer Insider
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Razer X Chroma & 6900 XT macOS (Ventura) and Bootcamp (W10) not working

  • 7 April 2023
  • 7 replies
  • 871 views

I did a ton of research before buying the Razer X Chroma and Radeon 6900 XT to make sure that both were compatible with macOS. Apple recommends the 6900 XT as a eGPU and Razer states that it’s compatible with the 6900 XT. I’m not tech savvy everything I find seems to make the connection look very simple. My iMac is a 8 Core 3.8GHz Intel 27” 5k with 128GB ram as seen in the pics. I’ve seen many people simply plug and play using their Macbook and screen so I’ve been attempting the same with my desktop since the external display is a “optional”

When plugging the Razer Chroma in, macOS does recognize that the unit is there under USB 3.1 Bus, and I can also see it under Thunderbolt/USB4. My current OS in Mac is Ventura 13.3 (pics attached). The GPU card is functioning, all fans spin on start up and the middle fan spins continuously afterwards. I’ve tried the Asix method with the most current drivers and it won’t connect. I’ve followed all of the troubleshooting methods as per Razer and have even gone to the extent of contacting Razer support (which was a waste of 2 hours).

I’ve bounced back and forth with Apple Bootcamp running Windows 10 and macOS. Windows 10 will recognize the 6900 XT but it gives me error “Code 12”. I know that Windows is recognizing the Razer unit because Synapse has full control over the Razer X Chroma in bootcamp, I can change all of the lighting display options manually. The 6900 XT is also showing up under Device Adapters.

I’ve spent roughly 20 hours this past week trying to get either one working. I’m about to downgrade macOS to Monterey and I’m also going to attempt to downgrade my Windows build version as a last resort. If anyone has experience with this or any helpful advice it would be much appreciated!

 

 


7 Replies

It sounds like you've already put in a lot of effort and attempted multiple troubleshooting methods.

One thing to note is that the Razer X Chroma and Radeon 6900 XT may require a Thunderbolt 3 port to function properly with macOS. I noticed that you mentioned connecting it to a USB 3.1 port, so it might be worth double-checking if your iMac has a Thunderbolt 3 port and if you are connecting the Razer X Chroma to it.

Additionally, it's possible that the current version of macOS Ventura 13.3 might not be fully compatible with your setup. Upgrading to a newer version of macOS, such as Monterey, might help resolve any compatibility issues.

Another suggestion would be to reach out to Razer's customer support again and explain the troubleshooting steps you've already taken. They might be able to provide more specific advice or even suggest sending the unit in for repair or replacement if it's found to be faulty.

Lastly, you could try posting your issue on forums or communities dedicated to Mac gaming or eGPUs to see if others have experienced similar issues and have found solutions.

I hope these suggestions are helpful, and I wish you the best of luck in resolving this issue.

Your computer at best supports Thunderbolt 2.0/USB3.1 which is why you are running into issues honestly.  The eGPU may be backwards compatible with the TB2 specs but a lot of times those TB2 ports aren’t able to maximally use the bandwidth required for especially hungry GPU’s … for example the one you are using.  I am pretty sure that the RX-580 was the max that was supported or at least functionally working on that version of the Mac.  There are sites that have some software solutions to it but you run your own risk playing with that.

Also, make sure you are not trying to use a USB-C display port (if your card has it) when connecting out to the monitor.  I am pretty sure it’s DP/HDMI function only.

Your computer at best supports Thunderbolt 2.0/USB3.1 which is why you are running into issues honestly.  The eGPU may be backwards compatible with the TB2 specs but a lot of times those TB2 ports aren’t able to maximally use the bandwidth required for especially hungry GPU’s … for example the one you are using.  I am pretty sure that the RX-580 was the max that was supported or at least functionally working on that version of the Mac.  There are sites that have some software solutions to it but you run your own risk playing with that.

Also, make sure you are not trying to use a USB-C display port (if your card has it) when connecting out to the monitor.  I am pretty sure it’s DP/HDMI function only.

In the original pics I posted there is one of my Thunderbolt port which says Thunderbolt/USB4. Under “Speed” it says “up to 40 GB/s x1”  and attached another pic here showing it currently. According to Apple this is a Thunderbolt 4 port and in the original thread you can see that it shows the Razer X Chroma under it you can see Thunderbolt 3 is the “Mode”. On the Apple website it says which OS needs to be running and that they support the 6900XT. I downgraded from Ventura to Monterey because it appeared that most were having luck with Monterey but still no luck.

 

Hi mate, I have a 2019 iMac 5k i9 running Ventura connected to a Razer Core X (not chroma) with a 6600 xt. I know it is a different card but haven’t had any issues with it, or with my Mac mini 2020 i5 on Ventura. Haven’t tried with boot camp. I do run it to an external monitor though, just wondering if you have tried that? Also I use the very short cable supplied, I did try it with a longer cable that I had lying around but had no luck, so maybe just double check that the cable has the proper bandwidth if not using the one supplied?

It can be challenging to troubleshoot such issues, especially if you're not familiar with the technical aspects.

Based on your research, both Apple and Razer claim compatibility with the 6900 XT as an eGPU, so it's understandable that you expected a straightforward connection. However, sometimes the actual implementation can be more complex.

Since you've tried various troubleshooting methods, including the Asix method with the latest drivers and contacting Razer support, it seems like you've covered most of the recommended steps. However, the Code 12 error you encountered in Windows 10 suggests a resource conflict, which might require further investigation.

Before downgrading your operating systems, it might be worth checking for any firmware updates or driver patches specifically for your iMac model. Additionally, you can try reaching out to Apple support or visiting their community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues with the Radeon 6900 XT as an eGPU.

If possible, it could also be helpful to test the Razer X Chroma and Radeon 6900 XT with another macOS device to isolate the problem further. This way, you can determine if the issue is specific to your iMac or if it's a compatibility concern with the hardware combination itself.

I understand the amount of time and effort you've already invested in resolving this issue, and I hope that either downgrading your operating systems or seeking additional support will help you find a solution. Best of luck, and I hope you can enjoy the full potential of your setup soon!

you could try reaching out to Apple Support for assistance. They might have specific insights or recommendations for using external GPUs with your iMac. Forums and communities dedicated to eGPU setups or Razer products could also provide valuable guidance based on the experiences of other users who have encountered similar issues.

Lastly, double-check that you have the latest drivers and firmware updates for both the Razer X Chroma and the Radeon 6900 XT. Sometimes, updating to the newest versions can resolve compatibility problems.

Remember, the process of getting external GPUs to work seamlessly can vary depending on hardware, software versions, and other factors. Patience and persistence are key when troubleshooting such issues. Hopefully, with some further exploration and support from the relevant communities, you'll be able to get your setup functioning as intended.

Hey there @CKWraps did you get any resolution to your problem?

 

I had something very similar trying to pair my 2020 intel Mac mini with the Razer 5700xt eGpu, couldn’t get any help from Razer and ended up having to take the whole system, boxed up to both the vendor and Mac to find the solution.

 

It turns out that the Mac mini needed a firmware update, then I took the system to Scorptec and they had to configure the best pathway.

 

Pain in the arse but that was about 3 years ago and haven’t had any issues with it until now.

 

Now I’m trying to run TopazAi for Video and it keeps crashing my whole system, similar to the way yours is/was- but it shouldn’t, as my system is more than compatible to the recommended specs required by Topaz and I have spent the past 2 weeks non stop researching, reaching out to both the Mac and Razer communities with zero response and have updated everything but the Razer drivers because the Asix updater is Not working.

 

I have the Topaz devs helping me way more than anyone else here and at apple…..

 

And this is the only step I have left to take and this is most likely the cause of the entire problem.

 

So I’m very interested to see if you were able to find a solution. Whether you got the Asix updater working or not. And whether you were able to get anymore help out of the Razer support/community???

 

I look forward to your response.

 

Thanks so much!!!

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