DIY eGPU experiences

[jamesbond007]

you will need to setup the x2 or x2E link using the DIY Vidock boot files. Should not be too hard as Nando has automated most of the process.

[ANTALIFE]

Hi ANTALIFE,

Nice to see another F8S user around here

Here is the port layout I managed to figure out for my F8Sa:

PCI-E 1.0 x1 port # 1 Empty (unwired)
PCI-E 1.0 x1 port # 2 mPCIe slot # 1
PCI-E 1.0 x1 port # 3 Realtek Gigabit LAN controller
PCI-E 1.0 x1 port # 4 mPCIe slot # 2
PCI-E 1.0 x1 port # 5 ExpressCard slot
PCI-E 1.0 x1 port # 6 Disabled (unwired)

My guess is that it will be identical to your F8Sg. Unfortunately this layout only allows for x1 or x1E links, unless you take your chances with disabling the LAN controller and hijacking its PCIe lane or try soldering directly on the Southbridge FBGA chip for ports #1 and #6...

Still, I'm fairly happy with the performance of my GTX 460 Vidock on expresscard x1 1.0 (check my sig for more details).



Judging from the diagram above, it seems that your layout is more like this:

1= expresscard
2= mPCIe
3= not connected
4= mPCIe
5= not connected
6= onboard lan

Which means that you can get a x1 (port1) or x2 (port1+2) links for your Vidock but you will lose port #4 if you go for x1E or x2/x2E since port #3 will switch to x2 mode. If you go for an NVidia card you can get a x2 link on port1+2 without losing your Wifi (port 4) which is optimal! If instead you prefer an ATI card you can either go for a x1E link that keeps port 4 alive or x2E for best performance but no WiFi.
(thanks to Nando for clearing this up)

Hey ithildin

Yea, looking at your progress it appears I will too face the same issues. So I canceled my order for the mPCIe raiser board, and am now slowly ordering the parts for my GTX460 setup.

Thanks for your help =D

[antichamp]

I'm trying to set up a bootable USB for the DIY vidock setup.

I've been reading this: vidock setup

...but I have no idea what it is trying to say.
I just want to make a USB stick, not a partition on my hard drive.


-----edit-----
I read it all again and figured it out, it wasn't so hard to follow after all.

however, I came upon another question:
all the pci memory allocation stuff; does that only apply to 32-bit operating systems?

also, does the pe4h need power, or just the graphics card?

[Faruk]

Next month's release of NVidia GT4xx and GTS4xx will see lower prices & power requirements and more portability. Their 75W TDP part means we'll see a ~US$200-$230 kit. A lot of bang-per-buck if Optimus-enhancements activate on your system. ie:

US$65-delivered PE4L-EC2C
US$12-delivered 12V/72W 2.5mm adapter, 75W/80W adapters jump in price
US$120-$150 GT4xx (75W)

I started benchmarking at 1280x800 for RE5 and dmcv4 to show performance difference with my internal LCD and the trend just continued from there. I found GTX470's 1920x1080 benchmarks are quite similar to the lower resolution in for example FFXIV. 3dmark06/vantage are at standard 1280x1024 resolution so are comparable across the board.

It looks like the GTS450 requires an extra power connector, and performs on par with the Radeon 5770... What do you think? Does that mean that an ATX PSU will still be required?

Discussion on leaked benchmarks:
SemiAccurate :: GeForce GTS 450 benchmarks slips out early

Specifications:
© 2009 Bright Side Of News*, All rights reserved. ASUS Leaks, GTS 450 Details Revealed

"This means the parts might have quite a potential when it comes to overclocking. Do note that you're limited with maximum of 150 Watts to play with [PCIe slot gives 75W, additional 6-pin connector gives 75W]."

[wiktor96]

I want to buy the adapter PE4L-PE3M and that was the picture you have to have TV or monitor, I have the TV SCART connector, and 2 phono inputs for video and audio (yellow and white), my question is how do I buy a cable that was the picture on the TV, video card will have input VGA, DVI and TV-out (s-video).
I have a question you need to connect the AC adapter from the laptop, how do I buy to work, I saw at the auction 65W AC adapter, plug 5.5 x 2.5 mm or he will work.

[Soyaku]

Anyone know if the A505-S6025 Toshiba Satellite schematics are around anywhere? I can't seem to be able to find it.

Anyways, all I'm basically trying to find out is whether my laptop will support 2x.

Here is Everest Info:
Southbridge: Intel Ibex Peak-M HM55


Don't have any sort of express card laying around to test out.

I can't find very much information on this laptop at all X_x;

[jamesbond007]

@Soyaku Based on your everest snapshot it does not seem possible to do a x2 as your port 1 and port 3 seem used and you do not have a port 6.

[Soyaku]

Ah, that's a shame. So a PE4H would be a waste of money to buy then I'm guessing?

Thanks for the quick response, sir!

[wiktor96]

I want to buy the adapter PE4L-PE3M and that was the picture you have to have TV or monitor, I have the TV SCART connector, and 2 phono inputs for video and audio (yellow and white), my question is how do I buy a cable that was the picture on the TV, video card will have input VGA, DVI and TV-out (s-video).

[lowboy]

I'm looking at getting a new Thinkpad T510 laptop with discrete graphics (the NVIDIA Quadro NVS 3100M), and I read that the Intel 4500/HD integrated gfx give much better performance. How much performance will I lose from having this setup?