Use Final Cut Pro X with an external graphics processor (eGPU)

You can get additional graphics performance in Final Cut Pro X by using an eGPU to connect your Thunderbolt 3-equipped Mac to an external display. In addition, viewing 360° video is more responsive when connecting an HTC VIVE VR headset to the HDMI output on the eGPU.

In macOS Mojave, you can get accelerated graphics performance in Final Cut Pro X when you turn on the Prefer External GPU option. When you turn this option on, some graphics processing is transferred to the eGPU, which results in improved performance for some graphics-related tasks: 

• 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.

To get this improved performance, turn on Prefer External GPU for Final Cut Pro X in the Finder:

1. Quit Final Cut Pro X if it's open.
2. In the Finder, choose Go > Applications, or press Shift-Command-A.
3. In the Applications folder, click Final Cut Pro to select it, then choose File > Get Info, or press Command-I.
4. In the General section of the Info window, select Prefer External GPU. You won't see this option if an eGPU isn't connected or if your Mac isn't running macOS Mojave.
   
5. Open Final Cut Pro to use it with the eGPU.

Use an eGPU with your Mac, including information about how to disconnect an eGPU and more.