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

[FrX]

So let me get this straight all I need is a ExpressCard/54 slot in my Acer 4315, one of these http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PE4.html#, a desktop GC and a extenal power supply?

If so this is the holy grail for x3100 user ive already upgraded my CPU, memory, Optical and HD for very little making this budget machine quite respectable. However if i can upgrade the Graphics on the cheap, I might just get back into a little gaming.

I do like the ViDock but the price is on the high side,
Got to love the think outside the box (or should I say Dock) peeps to be found on these forums.

That's exactly what you will need (Driver maybe as well?) + ATI Card (more likley)

[b1indsp0t]

Ill be keeping a close eye on this thread in that case, youve just got to look at the x3100 thread to see how many people want this.

Props and rep to the OP

[FrX]

Ill be keeping a close eye on this thread in that case, youve just got to look at the x3100 thread to see how many people want this.

Props and rep to the OP

lol b1indsp0t , I am almost looking at it since 2007 ,but recently start participating in that thread

[triturbo]

Awesome thread! I must spread some rep, before giving it to moral hazard again MexicanSnake is repped You guys rock

[b1indsp0t]

tbh by the time we get an extra 10fps out of that POS i hope to be playing Arma2 on high settings

[MexicanSnake]

I was thinking this morning... This should work OTB (Well just plugged to your laptop) Since all what you do is simple: replicate a port, for example, you can replicate a port when you use and SD card to USB and the laptop will recognize the SD card, when you use an express card to pcmcia and so on.

Basically you will have a Pci express X16 port capable of reading cards and interacting with your system like any desktop out there, no drivers needed btw, also I dont think that the vidock uses drivers.

[MexicanSnake]

yes there should be no drivers needed except for your video card driver.

Exactly!, you plug your card, the pc recognizes your card, you install the drivers, you select the card and finally you drive it to an external monitor. Well people, at least IN THEORY this should work just fine.

[mikespit1]

How are you guys planning to get around the power supply issue? I can't seem to find any smallish external PSUs on Newegg, but not finding any. What about some sort of HDD or network drive enclosure? Some of those seem to have smallish ~30W power supplies that might fit some midrange cards.

[ViciousXUSMC]

How are you guys planning to get around the power supply issue? I can't seem to find any smallish external PSUs on Newegg, but not finding any. What about some sort of HDD or network drive enclosure? Some of those seem to have smallish ~30W power supplies that might fit some midrange cards.

You just need a regular psu, doesnt need to be external, get one for/from a matx case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817338009

[MexicanSnake]

How are you guys planning to get around the power supply issue? I can't seem to find any smallish external PSUs on Newegg, but not finding any. What about some sort of HDD or network drive enclosure? Some of those seem to have smallish ~30W power supplies that might fit some midrange cards.

In fact, this would take several midrange cards at stock, for example:

The unit uses 12V at 5A, thats 60W I guess like "a normal" pci express x16, if you plan to use a bigger card you could simply use a computer PSU say 400W, you plug that on the external power located at the right upper part of the card, that should feed normally the bigger card, or at least this seems the way that normal pcs do for feeding big GFX cards.

Im gonna study the pci express specifications and then Ill reply back.