DIY eGPU experiences

[neonX]

Hi,

This might sound like a stupid question, but do i need a 64bit Win7 to use the DSDT override or is this also possible with a 32 bit Setup?
I have a Dell M1330 with a T8100, 4GB RAM and hooked up a 6850 via an PE4L 2.1 Adapter.
The gpu works, but USB and Sound doesn't.
I tried to follow the guide but in the .dsl file generated by the tool, i can't find any DwordMemory entries at all.
Any Help would be appreciated!
Greetings,

(Edit): Just added a Screenshot from the Device Manager, the entry under "Großer Speicher" which means Large Memory, does it indicate, that i don't need an override, or is this not correct?

From the looks of it, you have TOLUD=3.5 GB, although I don't know whether you can do a DSDT override on a 32-bit system.

There seems to be something called Physical Address Extension and there is an option to enable it at boot time, but even with PAE in 32-bit systems the 4GB limit is enforced. Take a look here. Physical Address Extension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You can take a look at my dsl file, since the Dell Inspiron automatically extends the root bridge into 36-bit space.

[mannerwafferl]

Hi,
Ok thank you.
Do you have a 32 bit or 64 bit System?
I just booted with only 2GB RAM, but even then USB & Sound doesn't work.
Maybe my System can also do it but needs a 64 bit System?

Greetings

[neonX]

Hi,
Ok thank you.
Do you have a 32 bit or 64 bit System?
I just booted with only 2GB RAM, but even then USB & Sound doesn't work.
Maybe my System can also do it but needs a 64 bit System?

Greetings

I have a 64-bit system. I think to do the DSDT override you need Win 7 64-bit.

[FeralWolf]

After doing some more research, I found out the you can run x16 cards on x1 slots, it just won't perform as well.

Hello there,

yes, that's true, you can use x16 cards in slower slots without problems. Only necessary fact is that the slot needs to be "open" on the backside.

One could cut the plastic carefully himself but I would not suggest this (as it for sure ruins the warranty on whichever part/item you do it), other possibility is to use a slot piece which is already open and allows to insert longer (= x4, x8, x16) cards.

This seems to be the case on the PE4L 2.1. If you look on this image:

http://www.hwtools.net/jpg/PE4L_ver2.1_1.jpg

you'll see that it looks like the slot is indeed open, so it is not a problem to use x16 cards in it without modification to the back side.

I solved the crashing problem to the best of my ability! MSI Afterburner has a "Force constant voltage" option. Since checking it, I've had no crashes. Only Fallout 3, which is a notoriously buggy game, crashes. However, it's the game itself, not the video card, so I don't have to restart my computer because of it. Every other game now runs smoothly on High settings without crashing. The only drawback is an increase in the card's temperature, but I'm managing that by increasing the fan speed.

Thanks Wolf for your help

Hello Boxfish,

that's cool! I was thinking about an anti-voltagedrop-setting for the GPU as well (knowing a similiar problem on several CPU generations with OCing and voltage stability under load changes) but didn't know Afterburner had this already implemented as a choice.

It's great, if it runs without problems now, I can only imagine how annoying those freezes/crashes are, especially in games!

Much regards,

Wolf

[Kasseev]

So I had an issue a few days ago with Setup 1.x not recognising the chipset in my i7 T430s. I didn't get a response but I managed to get it fixed by basically going at the Setup 1.x code with a hacksaw. I pretty much just changed the ICHIP and IPORTG files in the CORE folder to always redirect ports. It was pretty crude but it worked - got a 1.2 optimus link running fine now on my T430s.

[NorthernAvengeR]

Got my stuff setup.

x220t
i7 2620@2.70ghz
8GB RAM
+
Zotac GTX680
PE4L
Old 300W PSU


The GTX 680 is detected with drivers installed and seems to be working with internal lcd and 3 connected monitors.
Right now my connection is down so I can't really download any real benchmarks, but when I try to run the WEI test I get a BSOD. Am I right in thinking the PSU might be the culprit?

[Spartan-463]

Nice to find somewhere where people talk about this stuff instead of just telling you to go invest in a tower.

Well I got a laptop about 3 months ago for school, but now im on my break visiting home and my brother wants me to play some battlefield 3 with him, problem is my laptop can just barely run it with minimal setting.

So I've decided to put together an external GPU setup
I got my instructions from here: Crank Up Your Laptop's Gaming Power with an External Video Card Dock
Only problem with this is that it plugs into an express card port or mPCIe, which doesn't exist on this laptop, but I did notice that its a mini HDMI that plugs into the express card from the PCIe card.

My question is: Can I buy pass the express card, and use a HDMI to mini HDMI adapter cable instead for and extGPU

Like so:

The link says:
Laptop -> Express Card -> Mini HDMI cable -> PCIe adapter/slot -> graphics card -> HDMI/DVI/VGA cable -> monitor

My Idea:
Laptop -> HDMI to mini HDMI Cable -> PCIe adapter/slot -> graphics card -> HDMI/DVI/VGA cable -> monitor

Also heres a quick overview of my specs in anyone see's any complications that can arise
Acer Aspire 4752-6449
Intel i5-2450m 2.5GHz w/ 3.1GHz turbo boost
6GB DDR3 Memory
Intel HD Graphics 3000, up to 1760 MB memory

If you need anymore Im sure I can look it up with CPU-Z

Thanks for any help, dont wana keep rage quiting BF3 from the lack of frames

[jacobsson]

Haven't posted in this thread since I got my eGPU running about 6mos ago, and have been going skipping around the forum this afternoon trying to catch up.

Thought I'd share pics of an internal mod I mocked up shortly after getting the eGPU running so as to not have to take off the sheet battery and bottom cover off of my laptop everytime I wanted to use the egpu. Now what I have is a HDMI port along the side where my DVD drive used to be. I'm using the unused WWAN port on the laptop to host a USB wifi dongle to make up for the lost mpcie port.

I believe someone earlier in the thread had been discussing the posiblity of doing something like this though I can't seem to find the post again. I thought I'd upload these pics to show that it's certainly doable, if a little tight case wise.

I've been meaning to have something sturdier and something that matches the lines of the computer better 3d printed but I haven't gotten around to it.

Attachment 81414

Attachment 81415

Attachment 81416

Holy crap, nice job!
It was me that first discussed it earlier =)

Please, tell me more in detail what you did here:

1. What components were used?
2. Is it pcie 2.0 compatible?
3. How does the USB wifi work, did you solder it?


Best regards!

[NorthernAvengeR]

Having some trouble getting to run a GTX 680 setup at anything more intensive than idling.

Is this PSU too weak?

Macx output: 300W(+3.3V & +5V=120W Max)
Output: +3.3V, +5V,+12V1,+12V2,+5Vsb,12V

What kind of power would I need to run a GTX 680 PE4L combo?

[NorthernAvengeR]

Having some trouble getting to run a GTX 680 setup at anything more intensive than idling.

Is this PSU too weak?

Macx output: 300W(+3.3V & +5V=120W Max)
Output: +3.3V, +5V,+12V1,+12V2,+5Vsb,12V

What kind of power would I need to run a GTX 680 PE4L combo?