Feral Debuts Support for External GPUs With 'Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Feral Debuts Support for External GPUs With 'Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration'

by

Mac and Linux video game publisher Feral Interactive today announced that it will begin supporting external GPUs, beginning with the recently-launched Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration. Apple first launched support for external graphics processors in March with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4.

rise of the tomb raider macos
The addition allows users to connect an eGPU to their Mac through Thunderbolt 3, powering additional performance for better gaming graphics, VR content creation, professional apps, and more. Feral notes that players can use an eGPU with "any Mac supported by Rise of the Tomb Raider," but there could still be limitations due to the power of the Mac's CPU, despite the boost from the eGPU.

As of now, Rise of the Tomb Raider is the only Feral game confirmed with eGPU support, but the company says that it is working to introduce eGPU support to more of its games. Announcements for these titles will take place on Feral's social network and news feeds, which anyone interested can find on today's FAQ page.

Feral first revealed Rise of the Tomb Raider would be coming to Mac back in February, and then it launched in April. The game is a port of the console game from 2016, and is the second part of the rebooted franchise that began with Tomb Raider in 2013.

Top Rated Comments

MrUNIMOG Avatar
108 months ago
Would I be correct in assuming that they are talking about internal screen acceleration too?
Afaik, the answer to that question is no unfortunately. There are some janky work arounds out there, but nothing officially supported.
About all games works with eGPU, especially Feral ones which are ported to macOS as state of the art. I’m playing Deus Ex Mankind divided in 4K everything maxed on a MBP 13”

This means only that they are supporting it! And it is a very nice news
Feral's announcement has to mean internal screen acceleration. Acceleration of an external monitor plugged into the eGPU already works with any game and doesn't need to be supported by the developer.

Apples eGPU support document ('https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208544') also says so:

In general, an eGPU can accelerate performance in these types of applications:

* Pro applications designed to utilize multiple GPUs
* 3D games, when an external monitor is attached directly to the eGPU
* VR applications, when the VR headset is attached directly to the eGPU
* Pro applications and 3D games that accelerate the built-in display of an iMac or MacBook Pro. (This capability must be enabled by the application's developer.)

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
speedcat_feral Avatar
108 months ago
Just wanted to jump in and clear a few things up :)

Rise of the Tomb Raider's eGPU support covers external monitors only. This is consistent with Apple's guidelines, which say that an eGPU can accelerate performance in 3D games when using an external monitor. We don't recommend playing Rise of the Tomb Raider on your internal display when using an eGPU, and will update our FAQ accordingly to make this clearer.

I also wanted to clear up what we mean by "support". Supported means that we've tested the game and hardware extensively, are satisfied that the setup works correctly and, most importantly, are satisfied that the performance meets our high standards. In general, as Apple's guidelines say, eGPUs can accelerate performance in games, and users may see improved performance in other Feral games when using an eGPU. However, we'll only confirm official support when we've tested the game extensively and made necessary changes to guarantee the best possible user experience.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wlossw Avatar
108 months ago
If you have to buy an external monitor to use the eGPU, I kind of don't see the point. You may as well just build a gaming pc.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikir Avatar
108 months ago
Would I be correct in assuming that they are talking about internal screen acceleration too?
Internal acceleration already works with Metal.
[doublepost=1528735846][/doublepost]
Feral's announcement has to mean internal screen acceleration. Acceleration of an external monitor plugged into the eGPU already works with any game and doesn't need to be supported by the developer.

Apples eGPU support document ('https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208544') also says so:
Supported means they can help you with support and certificate it works. It doen’t mean it works or not
[doublepost=1528736013][/doublepost]
If you have to buy an external monitor to use the eGPU, I kind of don't see the point. You may as well just build a gaming pc.
No thanks, I want and need only one machine, portable when out and powerful at home/Office: MacBook Pro 13” plus eGPU. Check these for incredible gaining a in Gaming and PRO Apps (scroll down):
https://www.egpu.it/recensione-mantiz-venus-thunderbolt-egpu-box/
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eightarmedpet Avatar
108 months ago
eGPU's work in Windows (inc Bootcamp)... and on all games, plus W10 has system level support (you can specify which GPU you use, regardless of it being internal or external).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
108 months ago
eGPUs are more advantageous for laptops. The iMac's internal GPU is pretty capable for games. If you want to push the graphics beyond that, you're probably gonna want to run Windows on it to receive full support*, in which case all the eGPU rules are different, or better yet build a gaming PC w/ Nvidia GPU.

* Feral does a great job with Mac support, others not so great, mainly due to the graphics APIs wars
Agreed, but some of us have an eGPU for work on our 5k iMac, and wouldn't mind playing a game or two with faster frame rates, so their is a small market.. I have VEGA FRONTIER because it was the beefiest supported eGPU I could find. The Card runs great as an eGPU for the two or so App's that take advantage of it's power, but for everything else, it is very disappointing.... If every graphics intensive app was able to take advantage of eGPU and METAL, MacOS would be much more competitive with NVIDIA and CUDA. The apps that are METAL/METAL2 supported are actually noticeably faster.

Anyway... NVIDIA and Windows is much cheaper solution and faster, but somehow Apple and MacOS has held its audience, and we are willing to hope for the best, and wait and wait and wait and wait.. for faster media apps and graphic apps and games..
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple TV Sans Remote Feature

New Apple TV 4K Leaked

Friday September 25, 2026 8:16 am PDT by
MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris has uncovered an image file from Apple for an unreleased Apple TV 4K, suggesting that a new model will finally be released soon. The image is specifically for an "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)" model. Apple TV 4K (4th generation) image (on a gradient) The image reveals that the Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, with all of its...
HomePod minis Apple TV and iPad mini Leak Feature

iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked

Friday September 25, 2026 8:18 am PDT by
The next iPad mini, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K models have all leaked, just a few weeks before the devices are expected to be announced. Specifically, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered a few of Apple's official images of the devices, confirming their existence and some new features that are planned. The most notable iPad mini details revealed in today's leak include an A20 Pro ...
HomePod minis on gradient feature 1 1

Exclusive: First Look at HomePod Mini 2 in Three New Colors

Friday September 25, 2026 8:17 am PDT by
Apple's new HomePod mini will share the same design as the original model and come in five colors, MacRumors has found. The information originates from Apple's own code (spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris) and shows clear product images of the new models in all of their colors. The above image contains Apple's own icons, which specifically refer to a "HomePod mini 2." The new...
Latest Stories
Top Stories: Apple Leaks, Siri AI Settlement, and More
Top Stories: Apple Leaks, Siri AI Settlement, and More
22 hours ago
watchOS 27: 12 New Things To Check Out on Your Apple Watch
watchOS 27: 12 New Things To Check Out on Your Apple Watch
1 day ago
Banks and Credit Unions to Team Up Against Apple Pay Fees
Banks and Credit Unions to Team Up Against Apple Pay Fees
2 days ago
Apple Finally Shares tvOS 27 Release Notes With List of New Features
Apple Finally Shares tvOS 27 Release Notes With List of New Features
2 days ago
Amazon's $199 Discount on Apple Watch Ultra 3 Returns to Help Clear Stock
Amazon's $199 Discount on Apple Watch Ultra 3 Returns to Help Clear Stock
2 days ago
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Ultra 4 From Lululook
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Ultra 4 From Lululook
2 days ago
Apple Code Confirms iPad 12 Specs: A19, 8GB RAM, N1, C1X Modem
Apple Code Confirms iPad 12 Specs: A19, 8GB RAM, N1, C1X Modem
2 days ago
Some iPhone 18 Pro Max Users Experiencing AT&T Cellular Issues
Some iPhone 18 Pro Max Users Experiencing AT&T Cellular Issues
2 days ago
Launch Week Deals Hit Latest Macs, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and Apple Accessories
Launch Week Deals Hit Latest Macs, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and Apple Accessories
2 days ago
The MacRumors Show: Tyler Stalman Talks iPhone 18 Pro's Camera
The MacRumors Show: Tyler Stalman Talks iPhone 18 Pro's Camera
2 days ago
iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked
iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked
2 days ago
iPad Mini 8 Leaked: A20 Pro Chip, Landscape Camera, and More
iPad Mini 8 Leaked: A20 Pro Chip, Landscape Camera, and More
2 days ago
Exclusive: First Look at HomePod Mini 2 in Three New Colors
Exclusive: First Look at HomePod Mini 2 in Three New Colors
2 days ago
New Apple TV 4K Leaked
New Apple TV 4K Leaked
2 days ago
Create a Custom Pass in the Wallet App on iPhone
Create a Custom Pass in the Wallet App on iPhone
2 days ago
How to Check Your Mac's Manufacture Date in macOS 27
How to Check Your Mac's Manufacture Date in macOS 27
2 days ago
What's Gone in macOS Golden Gate and What's Next in macOS 28
What's Gone in macOS Golden Gate and What's Next in macOS 28
3 days ago
TestFlight App Gets New iOS 27 Features
TestFlight App Gets New iOS 27 Features
3 days ago
Google Photos Wardrobe Feature Comes to iOS
Google Photos Wardrobe Feature Comes to iOS
3 days ago
Apple Music to Host Free Head Trip Festival Livestream
Apple Music to Host Free Head Trip Festival Livestream
3 days ago
watchOS 27.2 Code Hints at iPhone-Style Screenshot Previews
watchOS 27.2 Code Hints at iPhone-Style Screenshot Previews
3 days ago
Beats 360 Headphones Now Available in Apple Stores
Beats 360 Headphones Now Available in Apple Stores
3 days ago
Apple Shares New Video Promoting iOS 27 Parental Controls
Apple Shares New Video Promoting iOS 27 Parental Controls
3 days ago
Apple Has Announced 12 New Products in the Past Month
Apple Has Announced 12 New Products in the Past Month
3 days ago
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?
3 days ago
Here's When Apple TV is Airing Free 'Peanuts' Holiday Specials This Year
Here's When Apple TV is Airing Free 'Peanuts' Holiday Specials This Year
3 days ago
Square Announces Apple Business Integration
Square Announces Apple Business Integration
3 days ago
AirPods Pro 3 on Sale for $199 This Week on Amazon
AirPods Pro 3 on Sale for $199 This Week on Amazon
3 days ago
Qualcomm Announces Renewed Agreement With Apple
Qualcomm Announces Renewed Agreement With Apple
3 days ago
Apple Confirms iPhone 18 Pro Bug Fix Update is Coming Next Week
Apple Confirms iPhone 18 Pro Bug Fix Update is Coming Next Week
3 days ago