DIY eGPU experiences

[Scrat9876]

Hello,

From reviewing the previous links, it looks like NANDO usually responds to questions like the following,

My initial need is to develop a script for PCI reallocation because of error 12 problem.

My system is;

Dell XPS M1730 with 8 gig of memory, Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. The mapping of the PCI bus is not leaving a 256 meg window like so many others here. But the map is different. Initially, I would like it if you could create a remapping script for this machine/mapping please But I really have a few other questions if you could bear with me.

I am a computer Systems Analyst with 25 years of experience building device drivers on a myriad of hardware platforms for the military. I have not had a lot of experience with PCIe bus architecture though. If it has not already been accomplished, I would like to undertake the creation of a program that would analyse the PCIe BIOS mapping and auto-adjust the memory map to compress the used space and, there by, hopefully, free at least a 256M window. This program would be setup to be chained after BIOS then start the appropriate Windows OS. I was hoping you could take the time to; 1.) not only create a specific script for my machine but, 2.) either, online or off, explain the relationship of the setpci script to the existing PCIe bus mappings. I am sure that once I came up to speed on the internals and the remapping manipulations I could build a more automated solution for all.

Thanks for your time,

Mark Jones
Computer Systems Analyst
mtjones9876@gmail.com

[User Retired 2]

From reviewing the previous links, it looks like NANDO usually responds to questions like the following,

My initial need is to develop a script for PCI reallocation because of error 12 problem.
..
window. This program would be setup to be chained after BIOS then start the appropriate Windows OS. I was hoping you could take the time to; 1.) not only create a specific script for my machine but, 2.) either, online or off, explain the relationship of the setpci script to the existing PCIe bus mappings. I am sure that once I came up to speed on the internals and the remapping manipulations I could build a more automated solution for all.

The compact utility already exists to to compress the 32-bit PCI space. It is supplied with DIY ViDock Setup 1.x. If you are a developer then consider contributing a script to improve the disk image installation.

Furthermore, you already have a free 256MB window at c0000000 so have a setup that can accomodate an ATI card. Your error 12 might only need the underlying bridges configured properly which compact can do as well 'compact preserveall..'. Consider too using Catalyst 10.6 which has added support for 36/64-bit PCI allocation as shown here so 32-bit PCI compaction may not even be required.

Thank you!!! Thank you!!! I from Chile, With my friend we want to buy a GeForce of high range but we will wait a bit in order that they lower the prices, there I write to them the results:-D... THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

Nvidia GTX460 will be released on July 12th. newegg had them listed already but have hidden them today. A 1GB GTX460 will sell for US$250, providing overclocked performance similar to the GTX470. That could be the cheapest bang-per-buck solution offering ~HD5770 equivalent DX9 performance with a substantially faster DX10 at a US$100 premium over a HD5770.

[Z4gRoS]

Hello!!! Forgive the inconvenience, I was reading mas posts of you and it goes out that there is an option of x1 and x2, since I do a solution x2? That I need? And I check of hwtools and there does not appear the version PE4H 2.0 to the sale, they can give me the link to check and buy it? Thank you very much. Other one doubts, I have a VAIO VPC CW 290 L, a groove has express card of 34, but not that speed brings (bandwidth) or they all are the equal ones? In addition it comes with a GeForce 310M (with core 210 ¬¬). Can I use the DIY ViDock with an ATI? Thank you denuevo.

[jamesbond007]

as mentioned by andeelym when you order the pe4h just request for the v2.0 in the box for comments to merchant in the pay pal page as they only display the v1.0 for sale in their page. If you are using windows 7 u should not have any problem using the ati card with your nvidia card. If you want to do x2 you need 2 free port. Since you have an express card slot, you need another port which most likely a mini pcie slot free. Also note that the port have to be a combination of port 1 and port 2 or port3 and port 4 or port 5 and port 6. Check the first page of the thread. Everything is written there in detail. See part 2 of the mini faq at the first page.

[Z4gRoS]

as mentioned by andeelym when you order the pe4h just request for the v2.0 in the box for comments to merchant in the pay pal page as they only display the v1.0 for sale in their page. If you are using windows 7 u should not have any problem using the ati card with your nvidia card. If you want to do x2 you need 2 free port. Since you have an express card slot, you need another port which most likely a mini pcie slot free. Also note that the port have to be a combination of port 1 and port 2 or port3 and port 4 or port 5 and port 6. Check the first page of the thread. Everything is written there in detail. See part 2 of the mini faq at the first page.

Ok, excuse for not having read the entire post before, is that I read the beginning and thought that it would be the same thing that in hwtools. My Englishman is bad, I did not understand what he had said to me andeelym. Now I read everything it of firstly post, later I will try to check other links:-D the problem that my notebook still has guarantee at the time I cannot open it to insert a mini-PCI-E:-((even) xD. Thank you denuevo for answering, never I have wanted to be a nuisance, if it is like that I ask for my excuses

[Mon0chromic]

Just wanted to say, thank you so much for this entire thread, Nando! I got my ViDock 2 last night and had the tragic code 12 error. After about 3 hours of following your guide (I've never done anything that advanced with a PC before...), it worked!

My PCI-E 1 slot is only x1 (while my 8600M GT in my laptop has X16...), and I know you recommend the 5670 due to the bandwidth efficiency. I was wondering, however, on your thoughts about using the PowerColor HD 5750 Go! Green card over the 5670. (I'm not even sure the ViDock 2 can use this card, though?)

I'm quite new to all this. :c

Thanks again for the help! I truly appreciate all the work you've put into this guide.

[ithildin]

Nvidia GTX460 will be released on July 12th. newegg had them listed already but have hidden them today. A 1GB GTX460 will sell for US$250, providing overclocked performance similar to the GTX470. That could be the cheapest bang-per-buck solution offering ~HD5770 equivalent DX9 performance with a substantially faster DX10 at a US$100 premium over a HD5770.

Humm that sounds interesting. What does the current data on GTX 460 DX9 performance look like? Let's hope it's not like the GTX 465 which also looks superior to HD5750/70 on DX9 in x16 regular desktops but chokes on x1 1.0 Vidock.

[Scrat9876]

Thank you Nando4 for the quick response and all of the excellent information!
It is good to know that a lot auto PCI reallocation coding has been accomplished. I will look at the existing code to see if I can package it into a pre-windows auto install. I have already heard the information that ATI has a 36 bit driver for my card. I attempted to install their latest and greatest from their web site to no avail. Since the link you gave here was different than their site, I downloaded it last night and installed the Enzyme 8.741.0.0 driver. First, it is not signed which causes Win7 to disable it unless you jump through some hoops to tell Win7 to ignore driver signing. Second, after that, it appears that this driver also does not handle 36 bit address space. Unless I am missing something. Please see the attached snaps.

I will continue with the PCI reallocation solution since it appears to be my best chance at success.

If you have any other info. I would greatly appreciate it

Thanks for you time and input.

Scrat9876

[ualwayslose]

Hey, I was just wondering of ways to improve my preformance. I was thinking about either trying to get x2 speed because I have port 1 on my vidock, and I would unplug wifi for port 2 but I have a few questions.
Where can I find exact steps on how to do this (taking out wifi card, soldering?)
And also is there any other necessary steps I would have to do (Boot configuration?)
Because as of now, I did no USB boot disk, I just plugged in ViDock and it worked without any configuration.

I was also considering just saving the money and waiting to get either ATI 5770 or the GTX 460. Any advice would be very helpful.

[jamesbond007]

well as far as i know all you need is just to remove your wifi card and fit the PM3N. there should not be any soldering required. As for the boot configuration all you need is the DIYVidock bootdisk to set the port to x2. Since you can start up with the pe4h without needing resource allocation at x1 so x2 should not be a problem. As for the card selection, have personally used the 5770 at x2 and find the performance very good. but the new gtx 400 series seem to indicated that they are quite bandwidth efficient, so would suggest to wait for the gtx 460 and see its performance before deciding on either card.