DIY eGPU experiences

[avlan]

No idea how, but it worked: screenshot. Probably the problem was with PSU. I'll post benchmarks later.

Next step is get compacting working, and later Optimus.

[niffcreature]

Although it looks like nando4 shut me down in his reply, note that he did update the original post to alert people to this option.

In my particular case, he's right that it would be better to make a cost-neutral upgrade from a platform whose only claim to fame is an outdated gpu to one that allows a software-only lcd solution.

true, your case is one in particular. but many want to run their LCDs off of hardware and I don't think anyone has realized it can be done.

Although I haven't actually worked with these boards yet, I'm soon going to placing an order of nearly 50. So I'll let everyone know how it goes and try to get some LED panels working. I have an ASUS G series LED panel, I think its from the g73.

This is what I'm talking about, scroll down. http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Controller-b...ht_7499wt_1173
I tried to hotlink more pics but it didnt work

[zzilong]

I'm back to report a strange issue with the Sapphire HD5670 card. I've gone through two cards failing. After the first failed, I purchased a new same model (which worked for a couple weeks), and the new one just failed again. The symptom is that the card is not recognized at all and the fan speed is extremely high. Is the PE4L destroying the card? I'm thinking of moving to a different manufacturer or getting an Nvidia card instead.

[avlan]

Do you have any errors?

In my case card isn't detected instantly after switching on. I need login to Windows, wait until detected (sometimes coplue of minutes) until gpu fan stops. Next, reboot, compacting Intel to 36-bit and again booting to Windows, this time with working Nvidia. Otherwise I've code 43 error.

No idea why. I thought, it because PSU. I've noticed also that built-in audio isn't working while Nvidia is.

[User Retired 2]

In my case card isn't detected instantly after switching on. I need login to Windows, wait until detected (sometimes coplue of minutes) until gpu fan stops. Next, reboot, compacting Intel to 36-bit and again booting to Windows, this time with working Nvidia. Otherwise I've code 43 error.

No idea why. I thought, it because PSU. I've noticed also that built-in audio isn't working while Nvidia is.

Usually resume/standby will detect the DIY ViDock. If you are hotplugging it in Windows *should* signal Device Manager to do a device rescan. If not, do a manual one to get the video card detected.

It may happen also that when you hotplug then compact in Setup 1.x, then chainload it will be slow or freeze. At least is the case with my GTX470 since it's 'unconfigured'. I'll be adding instructions to Setup 1.0f on how to correct that.

To get the inbuilt audio back diable the NVidia audio in Device Manager.

Is it all working with 4GB now? If so, can you post Optimus benchmarks so we can see how a GTS450 performs compared to the other results already posted.

[avlan]

Some benchmarks (without Optimus for now):

3DMark Vantage: 5162 GPU points

3DMark06: 4664 points
RE5 DX9: 62.8 FPS

No DMC4, because I'm not able to set resolution higher than 1024x768. Too old CRT monitor

I've also tested Mass Effect and Civilization 5 - both working very good.

Benchmarks @ 265.90 drivers:

Opt. 3DMark06: 10317 points
Opt. 3DMark Vantage: 6566 points (7547 GPU points)
Opt. RE5DX9: 73.2 FPS

Opt. Internal 3DMark06: 9141 points @ 925/1850/2000

Mass Effect is still fully playable on 1280x800 and textures high on internal LVDS ;>

[key001]

Did anyone figure out how to disable onboard video in win7 yet?

[User Retired 2]

Some benchmarks (without Optimus for now):

Quite impressive results. Hoping for full 4GB and 3dmarkvantage ones so we know how the GTS450 fares against the GTX460. With your 3dmarkvantage startup issue, try deleting files in the following directory and try again.

C:\ProgramData\Futuremark\3DMark Vantage\cache
C:\Users\*username*\AppData\Local\Futuremark

Did anyone figure out how to disable onboard video in win7 yet?

In the display properties, the primary monitor can be disabled so it goes blank but the primary video card must still be enabled in device manager. The only way I was able to disable the primary video card was to use XP drivers, losing aero and dx10 in the process.

[Jamesullus]

Another solution would be to install Win7 to get 36-bit PCI allocation support in case you have limited 32-bit space to accomodate the GTX460. The second good reason to do that is your U400-150 has Intel X4500 graphics, meaning you'd get the Optimus performance enhancements which benchmark faster than x2 1.0 non-Optimus.

OK, got Win7 installed and DIY ViDock is up and running after two weekends. Thanks for this nando!

[User Retired 2]

OK, got Win7 installed and DIY ViDock is up and running after two weekends. Thanks for this nando!

My pleasure. Can you post full details and benchmarks to be included on the first post? If so, please install the Optimus driver to accelerate performance. Would be interesting to see how your Celeron T3200-2.0+GTX460.Opt performs, being only the second Toshiba DIY ViDock experience.

@update: another portable NVidia entry added to the suggested NVidia setups link. A great value setup.

US$155 12V/72W GT430-1GB DIY ViDock Portable setup (GT430=56W TDP)

US$65-ground_shipped PE4L + US$80 GT430-1GB+ US$10 12V/72W AC adapter = US$155.