GPU Passthrough for VMware Workstation Pro

[JOKER]

Hello,

I was researching about GPU for Virtual Machines and found out that Workstation pro does not support GPU passthrough for the Virtual Machines. Anyone know if this is an upcoming feature or if this is in the scope of implementation?

I am using Virtual Machines for Adobe Software and it complains that no GPU found. I am using various virtual machines for research, work and personal. The absence of GPU access for Virtual Machines is making me not able to **** some of my work.

Thank you.

[Technogeezer]

I don't think you are going to get an answer in this forum. Broadcom does not publicly comment on content of timing of future releases.

You might want to submit your idea/request for functionality in the Ideas forum:

What Adobe software are you using, and what is the host operating system and guest operating system (in the VM) that you're using? What's keeping you from running Adobe on your host system (e.g. is it Linux?). 

[Technogeezer]

While GPU pass-through isn't available, Workstaton does provide graphics acceleration within guests with by implementing support for Direct3D or OpenGL in the VMware SVGA virtual graphics adapter drivers. Whether these are detected or utilized by Adobe software is a question left to Adobe. 

From some quick research, QEMU (on Linux) and Hyper-V (with GPU partitioning on Windows 10 and 11 hosts) both allow GPU pass-through to virtual machines (although the configuration is not what you'd call straightforward). VirtualBox doesn't look to support GPU pass-through at all. .  

[JOKER]

Hello @Technogeezer,

Thank you for the response. Please find details below:

Host OS: Windows 11 Pro

Guest OS: Windows 11 Pro

VMware WS Pro Version: 17.5.2 build-23775571

Adobe Photoshop version: 24.2.0

When I start the Adobe Photoshop I get this error. I do have "accelerate 3D graphics" turned on and latest VMware tools installed.

I have not had issues with basic editing though. I have not tried yet to edit a video in Premiere pro or use other Adobe software. But I am guessing, it may not work.

Thank you.

[RaSystemlord]

But what is your GPU or GPU's? What is your hardware? Does it work directly on the hardware any better?

[Technogeezer]

Well, it looks like Photoshop has found the OpenGL that's provided by the 3D support in VMware virtual video driver. Photoshop might work, though. But it's likely you'll see lower performance since it'll probably in some cases use software "rendering" rather that accelerated APIs such as OpenCL or DirectX -- the latter most likely due to Photoshop wanting a higher DirectX feature set than that provided by the VMware virtual adapter. 

The low VRAM reported is also kind of expected given the way that the VMware SVGA 3D virtual video card is implemented. 

You might want to check Adobe-focused forums to see what others are seeing when running Adobe products under a VMware desktop hypervisor.

But since you are running on a Windows 11 host, why not just run it natively and not in a VM? Running in a VM is only going to add overhead, complexity, and lower performance?

If it doesn't run on your Windows host, or runs poorly on the Windows host, you certainly aren't going to run it any faster in a VM.

[Ian Forbes]

The vmware SVGA device only supports up to DirectX 11. Adobe seems to want DirectX 12.

[JOKER]

@RaSystemlord, I have RTX 4090 Lapotop GPU with 16 GB VRAM. It works directly on the hardware without the VM. CPU is i9-13900HX. 

[JOKER]

@Technogeezer, Thank you for the info. I don't use Adobe for my mainstream work. Just occasional editing when required which is why I don't why all that software on my main host OS.

[JOKER]

@Ian Forbes, Thank you for the info. Any idea later version of WS pro like 17.6.x supports DirectX version greater than 11?

[Technogeezer]

Workstation 17.6.x has the same level of support for DirectX. DX11, not DX12.

As far as the next question of "will DX12 support be included in a future version", I wouldn't hold my breath for an answer from Broadcom.  Broadcom doesn't seem to publicly comment on the timing or content of future versions of the software.

The only thing I can suggest is if you're using for the occasional side project,  try it and see if those warnings from the Adobe software are indeed just warnings -- and that the software will work, but with reduced performance.