DMA COMPATIBILITY HELP!

[cimpl]

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone knows this would work or has tried using an intel macbook pro 2016 edition as a second pc (running windows 11 bootcamp OS) for DMA. Additionally, would the fuser work between the difference in resolutions/framerates?

Thanks - new to DMA

[Drewfire]

#moved

[xZiva]

1) Boot Camp on a 2016 Intel MacBook Pro

1. Windows 11 Compatibility
   Officially, Apple only provides Boot Camp drivers for up to Windows 10 on many Mac models (including the 2016 MacBook Pros). However, many users manage to install Windows 11 via Boot Camp (often requiring custom install media to bypass hardware checks).
   Make sure you have the latest Boot Camp software/driver package Apple provides for your model.
   
2. Chipset / IOMMU / Virtualization
   True hardware-level DMA often relies on IOMMU (VT-d for Intel chipsets). Macs have a special EFI environment, which can limit or block some advanced features. On a 2016 MBP, Intel VT-d might be partially supported, but not always fully exposed.

2) DMA Scenarios & Potential Hurdles

1. DMA for GPU Passthrough or External Tools
   If you plan on using GPU passthrough to a VM or specialized DMA-based capture hardware, you might face firmware blocks or partial restrictions. A 2016 MBP does not have the T2 chip (introduced in some 2018 models), but there could still be firmware limitations.
   
2. DMA for Anti-Cheat or Debug Tools
   Some anti-cheat frameworks or debugging tools require direct PCIe-level access. The Boot Camp environment may not expose all chipset features, potentially causing compatibility issues.
   
3. Fuser & Multi-Resolution
   If by “fuser” you mean a tool that merges outputs or captures from different systems, differing resolutions or refresh rates typically won’t be a major problem. Most software can handle the scaling, as long as the hardware drivers are stable.

3) Practical Tips

1. Check IOMMU / VT-d in Windows
   After installing Windows 11 in Boot Camp, open PowerShell/Command Prompt and use commands like:
   

   systeminfo

   or
   

   Get-WmiObject Win32_Processor | Select-Object -Property VTEnabled

   to confirm virtualization/VT-d is reported as available.
   
2. Update Boot Camp Drivers
   Since Apple does not officially support Windows 11 on the 2016 MBP, you may need to install the Boot Camp drivers manually or use a third-party script (like Brigadier) to fetch the latest drivers from Apple’s servers.
   
3. Consider Native Windows Hardware If DMA Is Critical
   For advanced hardware-level debugging or PCI passthrough, a dedicated Windows system with full BIOS/UEFI control is often simpler. Apple’s firmware may block or limit certain DMA features.
   
4. Resolution & Refresh Rate Differences
   Most modern setups handle multiple resolutions/refresh rates fine. If you have a capture or bridging utility, ensure it supports common display timings. Software scaling can often resolve minor mismatches.

4) Summary

• Will it work? Possibly, but it depends on whether your specific DMA needs are supported under Boot Camp’s firmware/driver constraints and if Windows 11 is stable on a 2016 MBP.
  Resolution/Framerate differences usually aren’t show-stoppers for merging or capturing outputs. The main barrier is whether low-level DMA is blocked or limited by Apple’s EFI.
• If full PCIe-level access or specialized debug hardware is essential, be prepared that a standard Windows PC might be more reliable.