DIY eGPU experiences

[User Retired 2]

Guys - can we keep the tech discussion in Let's Figure Out How To Make a DIY ViDock

That thread, currently at 65 pages is an open forum of all sorts of varied discussion. This thread too is now already 4 pages, with only my own post as giving "My experiences so far". Please paste/delete content into the other thread to ensure this one remains true to it's intent to provide just the results for who'd rather not delve into the technicalities. I'll lend my expertise in that thread wherever I can.

[The_Moo™]

Mobile cards do have xfire connectors

I am not sure if they are the same in the mxm department as the desktop world

[User Retired 2]

PE4H experience to help with purchasing decision: PE4L or PE4H?

I got a PE4H engineering sample to test on a ICH7M HP Pavilion DV2000. Some observations that may help folks decide if they go for PE4L or PE4H based on their requirements. There is a noticable price difference between them too. PE4L=US$77 delivered with a 30cm cable. Equivalent PE4H costs US$107 delivered using a 30cm cable.

PE4H's regulated power

- my 12V/80W DC adapter did not work via the regulated DC jack. I was advised that this needed to be 15-20V/4.5A, so I tried my HP 18.5V/65W power supply which was not enough to even allow the HD4670 to bootup in XP, though it would be recognised if I did 'atiflash -ai' in DOS.

- I ended up connecting the 12V/80W adapter via the molex connector via a makeshift connector to get it to power.

You'll notice hwtools added a bridge rectifier to the circuit (the big black chip on the far right) usually used to convert AC to DC which I find unusual. I never would have connected an AC source to the DC jack. That means 2x0.7V diode voltage drops. For a 19.4V/80W DC adapter, it means 5W of power lost there.

Conclusion: The 60/65W DC adapters supplied with most notebooks will not be enough to drive a HD4670 via the PE4H's regulated DC jack. You'd need the higher power 80/90W versions. It's annoying that I could not jumper the DC jack to be unregulated 12V on the PE4H to function like the PE4L's DC jack.

PE4L versus PE4H for x1 operation

- the PE4H is far bulkier than the PE4L and it's port placement making it more suitable for upright operation.

- the PE4L is small and nimble. Great to allow my HD4670 to work sitting sitting flat and occupying less space.

- either could be adapted for use in some enclosure if desired, as both have screwhole mounting points.

Conclusion: For my basic usage of HD4670 with 12V DC adapter, I prefer using the PE4L as it allows my HD4670 to lay on it's back and occupy less space and the DC Jack accepts my DC adapter's plug.


x2 mode: Can you get it to work?

Can you get a x2 mode working? Seems based on my experience you'd need ICH8M or newer chipset to even try with the ICH8M spec suggesting the expressport/mPCIe port or mPCIe/mPCIe port must be port1/port2 as shown in the ICH8M/ICH9M details captured below. I believe only a small handful of systems would satisfy this criteria. How many ppl on here prepared to pay US$163 to find out? I'd suggest the $US77 PE4L or $US107 PE4H, that's delivered cost to your door, with the Cheapest practical x2 mode: 8 soldered wires to add a x2 link mode if curious.

This is posted to help avoid x2-mode-doesn't-work disappointments. x1 link speed works on the HP DV2000 and 2510P with either the PE4L or PE4H.

[masterchef341]

have you guys got anything working yet?

[[>>ahl395<<]]

I should be ordering my PE4L soon. And an Sapphire Vapor-X 4870.

I will definitely be doing tests and will post it all.

Nice post above Nando, for clearing that up.

[Malumake]

Moved to Let's Figure Out How To Make a DIY ViDock

[BarBQ]

Gaming-GPU of my Alienware m15x is broken so i tried to get the PE4H to work with an old nvidia 6800 Ultra:

1) With mini PCI-E just NOTHING happens. I got 2 free slots and even tried in the slot of WLAN-Card. No reaction at all, the notebook just start with the integrated GPU and Everest shows "free" on the slots...

2) With Express Card i can start the notebook, the 6800 Ultra is identified but it always freezes when the logo of windows 7 shows up.

3) I tried safe mode and it freezes there as well. Last thing that shows up is windows/system32/drivers/classpnp.sys, after that nothing...

4) If i plug in while windows is started, my notebook screen goes black but TFT doesnt come up.

So doesnt work at all

Any ideas?

[key001]

Gaming-GPU of my Alienware m15x is broken so i tried to get the PE4H to work with an old nvidia 6800 Ultra:

1) With mini PCI-E just NOTHING happens. I got 2 free slots and even tried in the slot of WLAN-Card. No reaction at all, the notebook just start with the integrated GPU and Everest shows "free" on the slots...

2) With Express Card i can start the notebook, the 6800 Ultra is identified but it always freezes when the logo of windows 7 shows up.

3) I tried safe mode and it freezes there as well. Last thing that shows up is windows/system32/drivers/classpnp.sys, after that nothing...

4) If i plug in while windows is started, my notebook screen goes black but TFT doesnt come up.

So doesnt work at all

Any ideas?

what's the video card in m15x? if it's nvidia maybe the driver for it is used for both cards and won't work with 6800? dunno if uninstalling it will help

[User Retired 2]

Gaming-GPU of my Alienware m15x is broken so i tried to get the PE4H to work with an old nvidia 6800 Ultra:
So doesnt work at all
Any ideas?

Answered here where we can do troubleshooting steps if needed.

[BarBQ]

what's the video card in m15x? if it's nvidia maybe the driver for it is used for both cards and won't work with 6800? dunno if uninstalling it will help

it is a 8800 gtx so good idea, but didnt help. thx anyway...