Let's figure out how to make a DIY eGPU (previously DIY ViDock)

[User Retired 2]

Judging by the fact that Intel never pulled their finger out to replace MB/s with Mb/s in their datasheets(for YEARS), I would not be surprised to find that they "forgot" to properly update the PCI-E spec section.
PCI-E 2.0 specced root ports can't run at PCI-E 1.X speeds by definition. It just doesn't make sense.

PCI-SIG specify PCI-E 2.0 is specced at x1 2.0, 5GT/s, as shown here quoted below:

The performance boost to 5 GT/s is by far the most important feature of the PCI Express 2.0 specifications.

If we use PCI-SIG as a reference, it suggests the expresscard slot is 2.0 (x1 2.0). Intel documentation suggests it's pci-e 2.0 but at 2.5GT/s which makes no sense. The only way to know for sure is to connect a PE4L or PE4H to a PM55 chipset system with a pci-e 2.0 compatible video card (eg: Radeon HD4xxx/HD5xxxx) and note what GPU-Z says. Or do comparative performance testing.

Any volunteers? If found to be x1 2.0, then for DIY VIDock purposes the PM55 chipset is far more desirable than GM45/PM45.

[toshiki]

Well, I should correct myself:
PCI-E 2.0 is backwards compatible with PCI-E 1.X so it WILL run at PCI-E 1.X speeds, but only if the plugged in device is PCI-E 1.X limited.

Here's the PCI-E spec line from Intel's datasheets that virtually hasn't changed(same for PCI-E 1.X and PCI-E 2.0 specs):

Each Root Port supports 2.5 GB/s bandwidth in each direction (5 GB/s concurrent).

GB/s should be Gb/s. Copper wire is only rated at 10 Gb/s. PCI-E 3.0 goes up to 8Gb/s with little overhead, but after that the concepts have to change.
Anyhow, there are clearly misleading glitches within Intel datasheets that have been there for years.

(Off topic) For the interested, here's a "peak" of the most likely nearest future in bus tech:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Peak

[moral hazard]

This link might help for those who want to use the notebooks internal screen:
http://jlime.com/mw4/index.php/Accessing_BGA_pins

[User Retired 2]

This link might help for those who want to use the notebooks internal screen:
http://jlime.com/mw4/index.php/Accessing_BGA_pins

Awesome link. Useful also if anyone want to access the extra 4 TX/RX pins of the SATA controller. There are *3* sata ports on a ICH8M, with usually only 1 used for the primary drive. There are *4* on ICH9M with only 2 used - one for primary drive and one for optical drive. Means there are still 2 ports available that could allow connection to a netbook-type sata mini PCI-e SSD to be attached (4 TX/RX pins + 3.3V and GND). See Theory: enabling and connecting to the ICH8M native SATA port if interested. The ICH8M SATA I/O port pins are right against the southbridge edge too.

[kocoman]

Is it possible to play GPU accelerated HD decode over the 1x? (since the decoding is done on the GPU, this should use very little PCI-E bandwidth??)


I think games like Star Trek Online cannot be played over the 1x? what about for 1024x768 resolution?

thanks

[MexicanSnake]

Is it possible to play GPU accelerated HD decode over the 1x? (since the decoding is done on the GPU, this should use very little PCI-E bandwidth??)


I think games like Star Trek Online cannot be played over the 1x? what about for 1024x768 resolution?

thanks

Resident evil 5 with my external HD 4850 is fully playable @ 720p, including the HD videos, I dont think star trek online would be a problem...

[cirix]

Im not sure we are all talking about the same thing I see some of you referring to PCI-E 2.0 instead of ExpressCard 2.0 witch I think are 2 different things or maybe I'm just confused, I will read into it, so wen my 1557 comes I know if its worth going the DIY Vidock route.

[cirix]

EDIT:
I found some info from here: http://laptopprocessor.info/2009/12/...top-processor/

supports dual-channel DDR3 1333 MHz memory and a full 1 x16 or 2 x8 PCI Express 2.0 graphics capabilities suitable for the most demanding compute-intensive environments.

and..

6. Supports eight PCI Express 2.0 x1 port (2.5GT / s PCIE interface), more flexible support for multi-card configurations

not sure what it means by 2.5GT??
Edit:

Answer to GT: http://www.tmworld.com/article/31875...an_anyway_.php

Noticed you guys had already mentioned it above.

Maybe ExpressCard 2.0 is not available in the PM55 I have not seen it being mentioned anywhere else.

Even if it is wouldn't the PE4L or PE4H have to be ExpressCard 2.0 compatible to use the extra bandwidth?

[User Retired 2]

Appears Sandy Bridge chipsets scheduled for Q1 2011 will have expresscard 2.0 capability as explained here.

Can a HM55/QM57/PM55 do x1 2.0?

not sure what it means by 2.5GT??
Edit:
Answer to GT: http://www.tmworld.com/article/31875...an_anyway_.php

So looking forward to someone benching a HD5770/HD58xx series in a PM55 system. In case anyone missed it, a i7/HD5870 desktop at x1 2.0 gave 3dmark06=21911 here.

Subject: Re: 2.5GT/s for PM55 chipset - are they double-clocked transfers?

Geoff, just referring to your report here where you say:

The PCIe lanes are tagged as 2.0, which is technically true, but still a little disingenuous. While they support all the features of the PCIe 2.0 specification, the lanes only signal at 2.5 GT/s, which is half the data rate of a full-bandwidth 2.0 link. This limitation shouldn't be much of an impediment for mobile applications, though.

Can you confirm if indeed the PCIe lanes are double-clocked as described here?

From: Geoff Gasior

Subject: Re: 2.5GT/s for PM55 chipset - are they double-clocked transfers?

Nando,

Technically, there's more to PCIe 2.0 than just an increase in the signaling rate. The spec has updated power-efficiency measures, for example. That's how Intel gets away with calling the half-speed PCIe lanes 2.0. Recently, they've been more explicit about the 2.5GT/s signaling rate, at least.

I don't like Intel calling them PCIe 2.0 lanes either, though, and I'll point out their slower speed at every opportunity.

Got this from e_service@asus.com.tw when queried about HM55/QM57 chipset's PCI-E 2.0 ports

We currently do not have any models with the Express Card 2.0 install. However it is expected to be release in 2010 unfortunately we have no ETA on availability or models.

[cirix]

But see here is were I get confused, we are using expresscard so why are we checking PCI Express speed?
Offtopic: Dell taking so long to senf my 1557

OR.. are we implying that we use the mini-pcie connector inside the laptop to get the 2.0 speed?