DIY eGPU experiences

[zsero]

As my old desktop looks like dying, I am finally going desktopless, relying only on my W520 + 560 Ti! So I'm up for ordering my first eGPU kit! I have just a few quick questions:

1. Is this the kit to buy?
PE4L-EC060A from PE4L V2.1 ( PCIe Adapter )

2. For me it's 92 USD not 78! How do you get 78? Is there some other link or something?

3. Is Bplus == HWTools.net?

4. There was a user with a W520 who had some problems with the DIY kit but not with ViDock. I think Nando suggested that it might be the cable and linked to some better cable from DealExtreme. What are the recommended cables? Is the 90 CM one reliable?

Update: I've found the answers to Q1-3 after some research, and I ordered the PE4L 2.1b kit for my W520. The only part missing now is the cable. Should I order the DealExtreme one, just in case?

[papluh]

PE4L-EC060A V2.1b has a hardwired cable, default one being 60cm ( the 060 part in PN)

[zsero]

PE4L-EC060A V2.1b has a hardwired cable, default one being 60cm ( the 060 part in PN)

What do you mean by hardwired? I cannot change it to a 150 cm one from DealExtreme? Does it matter if its from HIT or Bplus?

[papluh]

At least mine (3wks old) and the ones on hwtools site show the cable is soldered to the PE4L board as well to the EC card board. If I understood it right BPlus found problems with connection of the removable cable on the engineering samples of PE4L 2.1 early this year and decided to solder it.

Based on the product page http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PE4L%20V2.1.html you could choose the length when ordering:

Cable Length:
PE4L-EC060A / PE4L-PM060A / PE4L-HP060A Lenght 60cm
PE4L-EC030A / PE4L-PM030A / PE4L-HP030A Lenght 30cm (OEM)
PE4L-EC100A / PE4L-PM100A / PE4L-HP100A Lenght 100cm (OEM)
PE4L-EC150A / PE4L-PM150A / PE4L-HP150A Lenght 150cm (OEM)
PE4L-EC200A / PE4L-PM200A / PE4L-HP200A Lenght 200cm (OEM)

Maybe its not too late to change your order...

[zsero]

At least mine (3wks old) and the ones on hwtools site show the cable is soldered to the PE4L board as well to the EC card board. If I understood it right BPlus found problems with connection of the removable cable on the engineering samples of PE4L 2.1 early this year and decided to solder it.

Based on the product page PE4L V2.1 ( PCIe Adapter ) you could choose the length when ordering:

Maybe its not too late to change your order...

If it's true then the FAQ should be updated! I've ordered mine knowing that I can change the cable later. On the other hand it might explain the problem with the previous W520 owner experienced, something with the cable. So it's possible that the only way forward is to have everything soldered together, but it's extremely unpractical for laptop users (who else is buying this kit???) who would like to move the kit from site to site! I'm asking them in email!

[papluh]

... but it's extremely unpractical for laptop users (who else is buying this kit???) who would like to move the kit from site to site! I'm asking them in email!

I guess for the guys, who made enclosures for the older versions with detachable cable or trying to minimize them, it might be a unwelcome change. But if you are like me and will build a new one, than the limitations can be overcome with right design. Just keep in mind the bigger safe turn radius of the fixed flat cable when connecting to PC or storing it. In my design mock-up I have some free space for cooling the back of the card, so I'm planning to use that for storing the cable and EC for transportation.

Other thing is the absence of EC eject button/lever on x220 as it has the 'push in to popout' method of ejecting the EC. With the non detachable cable, I had problems to release the EC without touching the cable. And the easiest way was to use the cable to push the card in, which is probably not the best way in terms of reliability - as it goes "don't pull it by the cable". So I just glued a small protrusion to the 34-to-54 blank attached to the card, not to loose nails when trying to push it in.

[ebbitten]

Should I just suck it up and buy the setup 1.x thing if its not recognizing the graphics card when i plug it in? Its definitely on and the fan whirls faster when I plug it in but nothing on the computer software shows any recognition

[kizwan]

Should I just suck it up and buy the setup 1.x thing if its not recognizing the graphics card when i plug it in? Its definitely on and the fan whirls faster when I plug it in but nothing on the computer software shows any recognition

No, Setup 1.x won't be able to help you getting eGPU detected. Sorry but you need to get eGPU detected first before proceeding to next step. Did you try boot notebook with eGPU already connected (and powered ON)?

[sniper911]

why you didnt answer me ????
i saw questions sent after mine and it is being answered
if there is something not clarified then tell me
i really need to know if it is going to work on mine and then what to order
your guide didnt tell anything on samsung laptops (maybe because no one bought from them)
it says in the bios that it does support sata - III 6gb/sec can i use that port ??
hope someone answers me this time

[zsero]

why you didnt answer me ????
i saw questions sent after mine and it is being answered
if there is something not clarified then tell me
i really need to know if it is going to work on mine and then what to order
your guide didnt tell anything on samsung laptops (maybe because no one bought from them)
it says in the bios that it does support sata - III 6gb/sec can i use that port ??
hope someone answers me this time

Sniper, first I'd recommend you a lot of lot of lot of reading, before posting like this! You cannot remove the Geforce 520 card from your laptop. Your only chance MIGHT be the wifi slot. But even for that you'll need to cut a hole in the bottom of your laptop thus destroying the warranty. Generally I'd recommend you two things:
1. Try to know as much about your laptop as possible in it's own thread. Owner's lounge or something similar.
2. If you want wifi and want a solution what is supported, buy a laptop what is known to work good with eGPU!
3. Read and read and read this thread a lot, until you understand the basics of computer ports, etc.