What are the default graphics options for the Apple Silicon Mac Pro? Are graphics upgrades available?

The Apple Silicon Mac Pro models use an SoC (System on a Chip) that integrates the processor (CPU) and graphics processor (GPU).

Although the Apple Silicon Mac Pro has PCIe slots, it does not support separate video cards and it is not possible to upgrade the stock GPU after the initial system purchase, either.

However, it is possible to configure the default Apple Silicon Mac Pro -- the Mac Pro "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/60 GPU -- from its default 60-Core GPU to a 76-Core GPU at the time of system purchase for an extra US$1000. EveryMac.com documents this configuration as its own model, the Mac Pro "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/76 GPU.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon Mac Pro)

It also is worth noting that video processors that have "integrated" memory -- which means that memory is shared with the system -- historically have tended to be lower performance than those with "dedicated" memory reserved for the video processor, but benchmarks have demonstrated that this is not really the case for the Apple Silicon Macs like the Mac Pro.

What is the maximum resolution supported by the default configuration of the Apple Silicon Mac Pro? How many displays can it support?

Regardless of the GPU, the Apple Silicon Mac Pro models support as many as eight simultaneous displays via Thunderbolt. Apple formally reports that these Macs support:

• Eight displays with up to 4K resolution [4096x2160] at 60 Hz
• Six displays with up to 6K resolution [6016x3384] at 60 Hz
• Three displays with up to 8K resolution [7680x4320] at 60 Hz

Apple also notes that each of the two HDMI ports support one display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or 4K resolution at 240 Hz.

Does the Apple Silicon Mac Pro support third-party video cards? Does it support eGPUs?

No. Although the Apple Silicon Mac Pro has PCIe slots, it does not support separate video cards. The GPU is integrated with the System-on-a-Chip (SoC) along with the primary processor.

An eGPU -- or external Graphics Processing Unit -- essentially is a graphics card in a box connected to a computer, the Apple Silicon Mac Pro does not support an eGPU, either.

For any Intel-based Mac that has Thunderbolt 3 ports there are a variety of compatible eGPU models. However, these eGPUs explicitly are not compatible with Apple Silicon-powered Macs at all.

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