DIY eGPU experiences

[NewbieKid]

Sorry, another qn, will an Acer 4750G be able to do a x2.0 mPCIe opt. dock? It is the i7 2630qm processor with gt540m and the hm65 chipset with a USB 3.0 slot. And comparing this laptop with the HPdv6 i7 2630qm, 6770m and 2 USB 3.0 slots, which one has a better docking performance or are they the same?
Cos the dv 6 cost 250 more and it is just becoz of the additional USB 3.0 and the better laptop gfx card

[thendless]

Pictures of my setup:



12.1" HP 2730p
SL9300 @ 1.8GHz
4.0GB Ram
Win7/64

GTX460 @1.Opt
powered by 203W Xbox power adapter

My main objective was to make a very compact Vidock that could power the gtx 460. I went to my local fishing store and found a box that was nearly the same dimensions as the brick and card combined. The box looks a little ghetto due to my cutting and hacking however it is quite sturdy and is very mobile. I still have to do more benchmarking, the only program I have gotten so far is 3Dmark06 and after a lot of benchmarks I am just getting 8500 for external display and 7500 average for the internal optimus setup. Is this normal considering my CPU?

I still have a lot of testing to do as I have only had this operational for less than 48 hours... Are there any specific settings I should be looking for to ensure I have maximum performance?

[tpro]

While looking on internet to find out what I could put in the mini pci e slots, I found this very interesting topic. Since my laptop has some trouble running the latest games, i think this is a good solution for it.

I have a xps m1530: t9300 2.5ghz, 4gb ram, m8600gt.

A few things aren't clear for me, about using multiple pcie ports (have 3 mini pci ports, on them is written in order: wlan; wwan; uwb) and express card slot. Can i use that x2 setup? In the thread, i read that the person had to remove 2gb of ram to get it to work, is there any way arround?. Finally, which which version would you advice me to buy? (PE4L/H, and which verison)

Thanks in advance

I found an answer to most my questions, except which device to buy, thanks

Well, i realized why some questions aren't answered by the author, because somebody asked this before.

Usually, if your planning to use more than 1x port : PE4H.
If the ports are limited (1x) (or cheap setup), : PE4L regarding the base PE4H is much better for 1x setup in :
-Base
-Delay switch is (MAX:10.50) * PE4L, as i think is limited to 7 sec, not sure though.

Well this is the 3rd time i post this question for masterjumong2012 : Did you try to connect it to ext, display? i'm, also planning to buy PE4L for Sony VPCE.

nando4, recently masterjumong2012 said there is a lagg problem with: CPU: i3 m350, 4GB RAM, (you can see my specs on my profile page).

Thanks a bunch guys!

[tpro]

hi guys

i finally successfully implemented my DiY Vidock on my laptop and i want to share my results and experience with you

i will start with the other computer i test my Vidock with.


the kit i have is called PE4H v2.4 with EC2C(expresscard) and my Video Card is Galaxy GTX 460 GC 768MB (Core 700Mhz, Memory 924Mhz, Shader 1400Mhz) and my PSU is OCZ StealthXtreme 2 500w 80 plus


The computer is called Toshiba A665 and its got Core i3 350m 2.27Ghz, 4GB DDR3, Intel HD and expresscard and this computer is Optimus Capable

i observed that if i disable the delay on the PE4H PCB, the computer would not recognize it and it will give me error so what i did was set it to SWI # 3(15.10sec)



NOTE: everything is running at stock speed

here is the results on running the onboard Intel HD graphics

Spoiler :

and now the results with DiY Vidock using GTX 460 GC 768MB(its Optimus Enabled, I am using 266.58 with the inf mod)

Spoiler :

Is it really necessarily to switch the delay switch to 15 sec? Can it work with PE4L (i think 7 sec delay?)

Thank you very much! (because the same specs you have = mine regarding the brand which i'm afraid...)

[Galgo]

Hello again.
I'm almost ready to experiment with my first DIY ViDock setup based on my dated DELL Inspiron 1520 - T7300@2GHz/4GB/nVidia GeForce 8600m GT
(hopefully to be replaced soon by a SandyBridge i5/i7 quad core model).

I manage to put my hands on a used PE4H v2.0 with EC2C (expresscard) AND PM3N (mPCIE) ($65 total ) so might try a x2 implementation.

Apart from some casual gaming, I'm mainly interested on utilizing the external card for graphic (CS5) and scientific image analysis applications optimized for CUDA processing and the extra vRAM - hopefully it'll work just as well as the improvements I see here with games and synthetic benchmarks.

I believe I'll go for GTX460/1GB or GTX560Ti .

I have two question though:

1) I'd like to try a x2 setup - but couldn't fully understand if my Laptop is able for that while leaving the Ethernet (Broadcom), WiFi (Intel 5300 mini card) and 4GB RAM operational (I won't mind disabling the Ricoh controller) -
It seems like port #3 is missing!? (perhaps something to do with the discrete GeForce 8600m installed in that model?!)
Can anybody help interpret this?:



2) I intend to build a rather compact and perhaps "portable" setup - so prefer not to use a full size ATX PSU - I do have a small Enermax TFX unit rated 300W with 16A on the 12V rail - would that be ok for GTX460/560Ti ? (I figure it's borderline - but what if I say I'll mostly utilize CUDA processing and won't need high frame rates of over 1920X1080 with single display).
Alternatively - is there a decent, "budget friendly", external power brick I can source suitable to power this setup?

Thank you,
Gal

P.S. - What are the expected performance benefits for my usage from x2 Vs. x1 (assuming no high resolution/frame rates are needed) ?
Same for GTX460 Vs. GTX560 Ti ?

[jono100]

Hi there,

this is my first post on the forum. So hello to you all.

I am looking at purchasing myself the Samsung RF510-S01 notebook, but I can't find information whether the wireless card can be removed or not? It does not come with an express card slot so I would have to do it the other way.

Does anyone know if it would be possible with this notebook? (I have searched the forum as well but to no avail).

[tpro]

Hello again.
I'm almost ready to experiment with my first DIY ViDock setup based on my dated DELL Inspiron 1520 - T7300@2GHz/4GB/nVidia GeForce 8600m GT
(hopefully to be replaced soon by a SandyBridge i5/i7 quad core model).

I manage to put my hands on a used PE4H v2.0 with EC2C (expresscard) AND PM3N (mPCIE) ($65 total ) so might try a x2 implementation.

Apart from some casual gaming, I'm mainly interested on utilizing the external card for graphic (CS5) and scientific image analysis applications optimized for CUDA processing and the extra vRAM - hopefully it'll work just as well as the improvements I see here with games and synthetic benchmarks.

I believe I'll go for GTX460/1GB or GTX560Ti .

I have two question though:

1) I'd like to try a x2 setup - but couldn't fully understand if my Laptop is able for that while leaving the Ethernet (Broadcom), WiFi (Intel 5300 mini card) and 4GB RAM operational (I won't mind disabling the Ricoh controller) -
It seems like port #3 is missing!? (perhaps something to do with the discrete GeForce 8600m installed in that model?!)
Can anybody help interpret this?:



2) I intend to build a rather compact and perhaps "portable" setup - so prefer not to use a full size ATX PSU - I do have a small Enermax TFX unit rated 300W with 16A on the 12V rail - would that be ok for GTX460/560Ti ? (I figure it's borderline - but what if I say I'll mostly utilize CUDA processing and won't need high frame rates of over 1920X1080 with single display).
Alternatively - is there a decent, "budget friendly", external power brick I can source suitable to power this setup?

Thank you,
Gal

P.S. - What are the expected performance benefits for my usage from x2 Vs. x1 (assuming no high resolution/frame rates are needed) ?
Same for GTX460 Vs. GTX560 Ti ?

Well, to answer P.S question take a look http://forum.notebookreview.com/gami...ml#post6278713

It's better to go for GTX460 (stabler), however your saying that you want to use grafx on higher than the resolution you said? I believe it wont work, you need atleast to port 2, and what about your CPU bottleneck? Well you better read the threads!

[Galgo]

Well, to answer P.S question take a look http://forum.notebookreview.com/gami...ml#post6278713

I did review these - but I wondered if since I'm NOT into high frame rates/band width, but rather on CUDA processing power - the added value of x2/GTX560 might be reduced? any insights on that?


It's better to go for GTX460 (stabler), however your saying that you want to use grafx on higher than the resolution you said? I meant LOWER resolutions actually! I believe it wont work, you need atleast to port 2, and what about your CPU bottleneck? CPU bottleneck is less critical with most of my applications. Well you better read the threads! Believe me - I tried and indeed got most of the answers - just wanted to get some support regarding the two last issues.

Thank you for the fast reply

[User Retired 2]

Could it be that the new drivers don't support DVI to VGA connectors to my monitor? Cause that's what I use since my monitor doesn't have an hdmi connector. I always use Driver Sweeper too.

I simulated your setup by attaching a DVI-VGA adapter to my GTX460 with a VGA cable into my LCD. The GTX460 + Verde (Optimus) 266.58 driver outputs fine via the VGA cable.

Pictures of my setup: ... I still have to do more benchmarking, the only program I have gotten so far is 3Dmark06 and after a lot of benchmarks I am just getting 8500 for external display and 7500 average for the internal optimus setup. Is this normal considering my CPU?

Nice work. Can you provide details on thendless' XBOX360 PSU mod? There would be quite a bit of interest in replicating that setup.

As to your performance, I set my system to run 266x7 (1.86Ghz), exactly as your dualIDA overclock is running, finding my GTX460 (1GB, 675/1800, 336 cores) scored 3dmark06=9053. Quite a bit less than the 12.5k I get running 330x8 (2.64Ghz). Makes sense seeing that x1.Opt appears to run a compressed link b/w the system and the gpu. I'd expect a score around your 8.5k if you have a GTX460SE with 288 CUDA cores.

Could consider TME-unlocking your PLL to get it up to 330x7 (2.3Ghz) as shown here for a 2530P to improve 3dmark06 performance.

I'm almost ready to experiment with my first DIY ViDock setup based on my dated DELL Inspiron 1520 - T7300@2GHz/4GB/nVidia GeForce 8600m GT

According to the 1520 schematic, the Inspiron 1520 has:

port1=mPCIe
port2=mPCIe
port3=mPCIe
port4=expresscard

So you could do a x2 setup using port1+port2 or port3+port4 (with device in port2 disconnected completely), or you are the first that could do a x4 1.0 setup. Likely port3 only appears when the bios detects a device in it.

this is my first post on the forum. So hello to you all.

I am looking at purchasing myself the Samsung RF510-S01 notebook, but I can't find information whether the wireless card can be removed or not? It does not come with an express card slot so I would have to do it the other way.

Welcome aboard The underside photos of the Samsung RF510-S01 with covers removed on Tigerdirect show no accessible wifi slot. So it probably is under the keyboard or requires dismantling to access. In which case suggest go for another notebook with an expresscard slot OR accessible mPCIe slot for DIY ViDock purposes.

[Galgo]

According to the 1520 schematic, the Inspiron 1520 has:

port1=mPCIe
port2=mPCIe
port3=mPCIe
port4=expresscard

So you could do a x2 setup using port1+port2 or port3+port4 (with device in port2 disconnected completely), or you are the first that could do a x4 1.0 setup. Likely port3 only appears when the bios detects a device in it.

Thank you nando4 for the quick reply!
I'd LOVE to try a x4 1.0 setup
However, my Inspiron 1520 variant comes with a discrete nVidia GeForce 8600m GT on the PCIE X16 - so the correct schematic seem to be Dell Inspiron 1520/1720 schematic – Corsica\Gilligan – DISCRETE

Would it change your insight?
Can you review the system report from my upper thread and help me understand which PCIE ports are indeed available for a x2/x4(!?) setup?

What about insights regarding performance gains for my CUDA focused usage (of x1 Vs. x2/x4 and GTX460 Vs. GTX560 Ti ) ?

Thank you,
Gal