DIY eGPU experiences

[oan001]

Hi. I've read the first page, but since there is no real definition of the terms used in the scaling I was wondering about my specs:

My notebook is PCI-Express version 2.0.
It has two 2x slots empty and one 16x empty. The two 2x slots says "Slot data bus width: 1x / x1" While the 16x has "16x/x16".

Which is the expresscard and what kind of performance can I expect?

THe notebook is in my sig, PM55

PS: I guess it would be nice to get an explanation/definition of these terms as they are easy to confuse, and a bit difficult to understand:
Example:

x16 2.0 x2 1.0 / x1 2.0 x1 1.0

[robotti80]

It is very likely that your PSU is too weak. The total power rating often is meaningless on a PSU since graphics cards only use the 12V rail.

It sounds like a classic case of an inadequate/underpowered PSU as discussed in the Troubleshooting FAQ section q5.
Please try a newer PSU rated with adequate amperage on a single 12V rail.

Here is a picture taken from the old power supply unit.
Do you still think my problem is because of a weak or deffective psu?
Unfortunately I do not have the chance to test another psu from somebody else.

[sprtnbsblplya]

Finished my eGPU case, designed it from ideas from Shuttle XPCs I've owned in the past.
All construction done with hand tools, a drill, and a Dremel knockoff by Black and Decker for cutting.
(click on any of the thumbnails for a higher res version)

Here you can see my PE4L settings used with the Corsair HX520 external power supply, eVGA GTS 250, connected to T420:

Along with the required T420 1.15 BIOS
I used nando's 275.33 Optimus tweaked drivers here with good results.
Please, do yourself a favor and buy a Fermi based card. I am replacing my GTS 250 with a GTX 460 once it shows up in the mail. The non-Fermi based cards apparently can't do the x1.opt link so performance suffers.

Cutting the plexiglass sides (0.25" for the sides and bottom, 0.13" for top and front/back):


Cheap hand saw blade, good thing I had replacements:


Gluing the L-bracket braces onto the base:


Drilling ventilation holes, using the Cooler Master notebook cooler as a template:


Making sure everything fits, measure twice, cut once:


More gluing:


Everything fits!


Top view:


(Krylon Fusion is the best for Plexiglass...)

I put an adjustable speed Thermaltake 80mm fan in there for additional ventilation, don't think cooling will be an issue:


Power supply side with its ventilation holes:


Shot of the rear:


Put a 1" cable grommet in the bottom for the USB cable to power the Thermaltake fan (you can see its adjustment knob) and the mini-HDMI cable to connect PE4L to my laptop:


Completed product:

[sprtnbsblplya]

Here is a picture taken from the old power supply unit.
Do you still think my problem is because of a weak or deffective psu?
Unfortunately I do not have the chance to test another psu from somebody else.

Your 12v only gives 204w, probably the culprit.

Get an 80% rated PSU from a reliable vendor at least 500w. That way you'll be guaranteed it won't be the PSU.

[Khenglish]

Here is a picture taken from the old power supply unit.
Do you still think my problem is because of a weak or deffective psu?
Unfortunately I do not have the chance to test another psu from somebody else.

After seeing that, I can guarantee you that the PSU is the problem. The 204W listed is peak power that cannot be sustained for long. Sustainable power is likely around 150W, which is below the 160W required by a 1GB gtx 460.

To at least use your card while waiting for a new PSU, you can use MSI afterburner to undervolt your graphics card. If you have a decent card you can run the stock clocks at .9V, instead of ~1V, which will cut power use by around 20%.

[robotti80]

Your 12v only gives 204w, probably the culprit.

Get an 80% rated PSU from a reliable vendor at least 500w. That way you'll be guaranteed it won't be the PSU.

OCZ StealthXStream 2 500W ATX 2.2 (OCZ500SXS2-EU), Corsair CX 430W ATX 2.3 (CMPSU-430CX) or Sharkoon SHA450-8P 450W ATX 2.0 SATA (5871) are possibilities for me. OCZ ist the most powerful one with 500W and 83% rating but also the most expensive psu. I would take that one in order to get my Zotac Nvidia Geforce GTX 460 started.

[Khenglish]

Finished my eGPU case, designed it from ideas from Shuttle XPCs I've owned in the past.
All construction done with hand tools, a drill, and a Dremel knockoff by Black and Decker for cutting.

Completed product:

Nice box. Right now I'm working on making a new internal cooler for my laptop so I can OC higher. Tracking down 3/16" copper in the right size is difficult.

[sprtnbsblplya]

Nice box. Right now I'm working on making a new internal cooler for my laptop so I can OC higher. Tracking down 3/16" copper in the right size is difficult.

Thanks!
The white box looks pretty good on my birch Ikea Fredrik desk.

No joke, I shimmed a part in the past and it was not easy finding what I wanted. It was awhile ago but I think I just gave up searching.

[Essenar]

Thanks!
The white box looks pretty good on my birch Ikea Fredrik desk.

No joke, I shimmed a part in the past and it was not easy finding what I wanted. It was awhile ago but I think I just gave up searching.

Gave you positive rep for posting the enclosure pictures and results of x1.Opt using a Sandy Bridge. That's awesome news for me. I hope you can get x1.Opt and maybe even internal LCD working so we can learn if this works great on our Lenovos.

I can't wait until financial aid this summer so I can get my set up going. I'll probably go with a Fermi too.

[Khenglish]

I just wrapped a bunch of aluminum foil around my 1.5ft mHDMI cables to see if i could hit higher PCI-E clocks. It made a very slight improvement, but not even 1%. I now get slightly better performance out of 25%+ pci-e OCs. The only thing that really made a difference for me was putting a shield between the power cables and the mHDMI cables, which I did a long time ago.

This is only one case though. Perhaps other people are limited by shielding on their cables while I'm not.