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timohour · 02-02-2012, 11:03 AM

Internal Screen for ATI GPUs with Virtu Driver

ATI eGPU + Internal Screen is since today impossible (for non windowed apps). Although Nvidia (with Optimus driver) when paired with an Intel onboard GPU can drive the internal screen at reasonable frame rates @ x1 2.0, ATI hasn't provided such driver solution yet. And, here comes the Virtu Driver. It is a 3rd party solution designed originally for h67, z68 desktop systems which when detects an Intel HD3000 (and soon other onboard graphics solutions with Virtu Universal), it can use the GPU to drive games on Internal Screen.

ATI eGPU + HD3000 (Sandy CPU) + Internal Screen + Virtu Driver is POSSIBLE!!!

Pre-requisities for Virtu functionality

next-generation PCs with 2nd (or 3rd) Generation Intel® Core™ processor platforms
ATI Radeon HD GPU
Tons of good will and patience

Internal screen for ATI Radeon HDs only?

I am discussing about ATI GPUs cause Nvidia Fermi already have a solid Internal Screen solution and older Nvidia GPUs are not officially supported by the Virtu Driver. So we are actually talking for HD Radeon 4xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx and 7xxx.
The driver is not originally designed for notebooks so you may encounter blue/black screens and/or freezes, but you can use your ATI card to play a game on your lappy's screen. Till now with x1 1.0 gear such solution wouldn't be tempting enough, but now with x1 2.0 solutions being very close ATI owners should consider (if they are not interested for a trade with Nvidia Opt. setup).
I tested this driver two months ago but the results @ x1.1 weren't satisfying so I didnt give time on a review (check 6950 Internal Screen results). But now with my 55$ PE3A-R @x1.2 + a 100$ 5850 Extreme the results are really playable.
I am also interested to attempt an resolution scaling on Internal Screen on various DX11 games. Hope I will find time soon.

I am suggesting this setup to every AMD eGPU user with Intel HD3000.

How to install

The setup is very easy.

THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT. UPDATE YOUR INTEL HD3000 DRIVER TO THE LATEST. It seems to solve some of the blue screen/freezes problems (if not all of them).
On some machinesyou need to open Device Manager, manually uninstall the device reboot and then you will be able to install Intel driver.
After you have finished driver setup of your eGPU reboot.
Install Virtu Driver (after you attach your eGPU) and reboot.

And here we go....

Experience so far

My first attempt with an HD6950 @x1.1 was very disappointing since I had too many blue screens ( I could never for example run a 3DMark11 test). After that I didn't try it for a while since a week ago when I started the tests with my 5850 @x1.2. Time due to exams was very tight but I could finally make it to complete this experience post. Well I found out that most problems were caused by the ULPS (Ultra Low Power State) which somehow reduce clocks and power on ATI cards when not in use. I had to disable it. You can do it by editing reg entries but this tool is much easier. Many thanks to the author. I also found out that connecting a screen on the GPU (even disabled) would be also helpful on some benches. For example 3DMark Vantage won't provide a total performance score (check the 6950 screenshots internal screen) unless a screen (or a dummy) is connected on the card (found out on 5850 tests). But this trick will cause problem on RE5 and DMC4 when running on windowed mode... and more. I personally recommend the 1.2.114 Virtu over the update 1.2.112 which would cause me hangs on 3DMark11. I will be happy to provide help to anybody else interested for everyday use.

EDIT: Most problems seem to vanish after updating my Intel HD3000 driver.

Benchmarking implementations @ x1 1.0 & x1 2.0

Following tables show the results on both Internal & External screen using a EC2C-PE4L for the x1 1.0 tests and a PE3A-R for the x1 2.0 results, setting it at generation 1 or 2 speed from the bios. Intel HD3000 results will be added just for reference.

Screen	RAM	GPU	*Direct X 9*		*Direct X 10*		*Direct X 11*		Ports
Screen	RAM	GPU	3D06	RE5	3DVG	DMC4	3D11	HEAV	Ports
External	8GB	HD5850 x1 2.0	17765	139.9	15021	89.24	3461	909	EC H65
		HD5850 x1 1.0	16833	93.5	12804	50	2914	696	EC H65
		HD6950 x1 1.0	17071	90	13064	52.23	3336	793	EC H65
Internal		HD5850 x1 2.0	11461 +	59.4	9299 +	46.9	3122	585	EC H65
		HD5850 x1 1.0	7408	31.1	5753	24.89	2408	423	EC H65
		HD6950 x1 1.0	8731	31.9	7184	26.6			EC H65
		HD3000		30.1		26.83

+ Rerun some internal screen benches @ 1280x800 (more of a internal screen resolution than default 1280x1024)