DIY eGPU experiences

[howeyman]

Using a Galaxy GTS 450 with a Lenovo T410i running the 270.51 beta drivers. Only have the hardware to test a x1 link via ExpressCard, but it seems to run decently despite the limited bandwidth.

Neither 3dMark06 and 3dMark Vantage will run, both throwing a "System Info scan" error on startup. DMC4 benchmark will not run in DX10 mode, however the RE5 DX9 fixed benchmark will run. I've just tried running Battlefield BC2 and is very playable with all settings on High (1280x800).

I've only been able to run the benchmark through the laptop's screen via Optimus. Later on I'll get an external monitor for more performance.

Some numbers:

System: Lenovo Thinkpad T410i
CPU: Intel i3 340M @ 2.4Ghz
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
RAM: 4GB
GPU: Galaxy GTS 450 1GB


x1 Optimus Benchmarks:

RE5 fixed benchmark - 33.9 B
3DMark06 - 9509



Edit:
got 3DMark06 to work by reinstalling. I can confirm the frame limit for Optimus setups; every benchmark seems to be stuck in the 30-40 FPS range.

unable to get video card to display to an external monitor. monitor is detected by the video card, but video is not displayed. tried both the dvi and vga out with 3 different monitors.

[User Retired 2]

Recommend latest NVidia Verde 270.61 (Optimus) driver

This driver fixes two significant DIY ViDock related issues as confirmed on 4500MHD-equipped Dell Inspiron 1440 and HP 2530P, both x1.Opt capable and running Win7/64.

1. there is no longer any NVidia Optimus Confidential overlay when running the internal LCD mode.
   
   
2. it is no longer necessary to do a PCI dump->Load in Setup 1.x to 'configure' a hotplugged NVidia video card prior to chainloading to Win7.

The ability to hotplug without an error 43 means can now use the 0/7/15second PCI Reset delay slider on a PE4H/PE4L to bypass problematic bios that hangs if it detects a desktop video card on boot. This driver also makes setting up a x2/x4 link significantly easier as well.

The DIY VIDock specific 64-bit nvam.inf for Verde 270.61 is available for download here.

266.58 - error 43 if hotplugging in Setup 1.x OR use PE4H's 7/15s PCI Reset delay



270.61 - FIXED!!

[Rizzett]

270.51 - FIXED!!

Wow this is great news, i will download them and tweak my setup later in the week.

As always thank you nando for overseeing this project nonstop haha.

[tj69]

(...)
270.51 - FIXED!!

So it's coincidence or is it connected to your request for nvidia?

[Mayklic]

This driver also makes setting up a x2/x4 link significantly easier as well.

Would you explain how? Like manually setting it up with Setup 1.x? In another words if I do a 2x or 4x in setup 1.x, i do not have to worry about error 43 from hotplug?

i was trying to do a 1xE before the new driver. putting the comp on standby always resets the port. I am assuming thats the case with the new driver being able to having to use the standby mode.

[5584_user]

14.1" Toshiba Satellite M305-S4848
CPU T5800 2.0
4.0 GB of Ram
GTS 450 @ x1.Opt

re5.var is 11.1 fps

No Setup 1.x
Port is ICH9M: EC

PCI-E 1.0 x1 port #1 In Use @ x1 (EVGA e-GeForce GTS 450 Video Adapter, nVIDIA GF106 - High Definition Audio Controller)
PCI-E 1.0 x1 port #5 In Use @ x1 (Marvell Yukon 88E8040T PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller)
PCI-E 1.0 x1 port #6 In Use @ x1 (Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN)


Windows 7 64bit

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

Hi there,

May I know what is your CPU temperature on idle and load?

Thank you

[Mayklic]

Hi there,

May I know what is your CPU temperature on idle and load?

Thank you

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

this is idle. near the min.

its max when on load.

[pbareges]

[QUOTE=nando4;7364675]Recommend latest NVidia Verde 270.51 (Optimus) beta driver

This driver fixes two significant DIY ViDock related issues as confirmed on a Dell Inspiron 1440 and HP 2530P, both running Win7/64.[LIST=1][*]there is no longer any NVidia Optimus Confidential overlay when running the internal LCD mode.
QUOTE]

thank you very much for spreading the good news!! did you have any chance to check if this new release was implementing optimus comparable bandwith on the pci-e bus with non optimus licensed internal graphic cards ?

thanks again!

[ankerede]

@PanzerHauptman or anyone else having HP HDX 16
Do you know which port the tv card uses?
Which port is used by the express card slot (dont have any express cards to try).

everest says port 4 and 6 are free, but port 3 doesnt even appear in everest. maybe this one is used by the tv card. if port 4 is used by the express card it could be possible to build a x2 setup.

hope there is anyone who can help me.

thx

[5584_user]

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

this is idle. near the min.

its max when on load.

I think your CPU can easily reach 100C thats why you got low performance with RE5. RE5 is CPU hungry test btw. You should run 3dmark to test your graphic card. And try to clean your CPU fan from dust & replace old TIM with branded one too.

My CPU is 60C on idle and can easily reach 100C when I play games

My sister laptop is with the same spec as yours: 2 ghz, 3 gb RAM, ICH9M. I will use your laptop as benchmark so I hope you can run any directx10 game for benchmark. Thank you