Let's figure out how to convert internal MXM connector an external PCI-E x16 box

[toshiki]

Better diagram added

[King of Interns]

Nice one. Toshiki, if there is anything I can do to help at a basic level like taking pictures of my mxm port etc let us know. My chipset is P35.

Looking at your diagram was thinking maybe it would be better to house both the original mxm card and the desktop card in the same external housing so that when the external housing is not plugged into the mains the mxm card will work using the laptop's power and when it is plugged in the desktop card will kick in and take over from the mxm card. Cooling the mxm card would also be an issue as every card has a different cityscape and unlike desktop cards don't come with their own active cooling system.

[toshiki]

King of Interns,
If you refresh the first post you should see an updated diagram that has both MXM and PCI-E x16 slots in the same box.
Cooling can be arranged in a variety of ways.
MXM card would not need as much cooling as within the body of the laptop.
A simple 12V fan inside the adaptor box could do the job.

I am thinking it might be best to have 2 separate boxes for both cards purely from portability considerations. You could have a nice small MXM only box that attaches to the back of the LCD and a much bigger box for the desktop card with external PSU.

[King of Interns]

Ah I see! My bad. I guess you are right about the mxm needing not too much cooling. Attaching to the back on the LCD is an interesting idea. I was also wondering whether the box could be slotted into the dvd drive bay for extra mobility but then again it would be back inside the laptop and would get hotter.

[toshiki]

Added a diagram of a 2-box design.

Yes, as long as the size permits(http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/types.html) you could certainly make a caddy-mount for the MXM card if your drive bay doesn't serve any other purpose. Cooling is something to experiment with in such a setup.

[Kallogan]

What a ridiculous and cumbersome mobile upgrade !!! You guys are crazy ;-)

That being said, if you're doing this just for the fun and to prove that's really feasible. Well, have fun then

[King of Interns]

It's alright to dream ain't it

[Kallogan]

yeah i agree i just expressed my first impression ;-)

Pioneers are always subject to ridicule but they can make great advances and then be the ones who laugh at the end ;-)

[toshiki]

Kallogan,

Overall size of external boxes is not going to exceed ones like Vidock or DIY Vidock (Let's figure out how to make a DIY eGPU (previously DIY ViDock))

I should be able to start on this project within a month (in 2-3 weeks)

[Rahul]

Let's hope this concept can become a market reality soon. I keep hearing of laptop sales growing and desktop sales slowing down, at least for most users that have less demands.

Of course there is the exception to gaming machines, where desktops are still far ahead of laptops in performance but laptops have that mobility we all crave. Why not get the best of both worlds?

I would love to be able to get a desktop GPU, put it into an external enclosure and hook it up to my notebook. And now there are notebooks with Core i7 desktop processors, just hook up an external desktop GPU and you got yourself a desktop which is more portable than even Micro-ATX desktops. That would be awesome for me to take to India in the winter.