DIY eGPU experiences

[Warwickeo]

Just tried to install my eGPU in a case with other hardware. The cable won't fit



What about the power consumption if the eGPU is not connected? The PSU would power the other hardware 24/7 and therefore the GTX460 too.

[jayku]

I've been running a 9600GT for about a week with my Thinkpad T60 and PE4H + external PS and so far things have been very stable. Just got a Gigabyte GTX 550 Ti and swapped it in for the 9600GT but it doesn't work. My machine won't boot... even with the BIOS set to boot to the internal LCD it still won't boot. I tried the reset option switch on the PE4H in a couple of different positions but it made no difference. I swapped it with the 9600GT a couple of times and, while the 9600 always works, the 550 never does.

I still need to try the 550 in a desktop to see if maybe the card is bad. Is there anything I'm missing?

[jayku]

Unfortunately my new GTX 550 works ok in a desktop machine, so I'm thinking there is some problem with my T60's BIOS recognizing it, even though my system works just fine with the 9600GT. My BIOS is 2.25, and the latest version is 2.27, but the BIOS readme doesn't mention any changes related to PCIe since 2.25.

With my luck the new version won't work with either card. I'll have to figure out if it's possible to downgrade before trying this.

[jayku]

I tried the latest BIOS and still no joy... the machine won't boot with the GTX 550 plugged in, even with the BIOS set to ignore the external PCIE graphics. Looks like I might be stuck with my 9600GT... not the end of the world, but it's still going to bug me.

[kizwan]

Did you tried boot without eGPU plugged in, put to sleep, plugged in eGPU & resume windows?

[wicked20]

Sir Nando,

You are absolutely brilliant. You did it! We broke 19k w/ 3dmark06!

Optimus is now working w/ dGPU Nvidia for Sandy Bridge (Series 6).

Much thanks.
RE5 = 123.7 fps


Updated w/ DMCV4 DirectX 10=118.86 fps
Not bad that a cheap gtx460 768MB be as fast/faster than gtx470 and a 560 Ti.



Waiting for somone to make a mini Displayport to mini hdmi adapter for the TB active cable or similar. I'm quite satisfy w/ 40-50 fps.

Much thanks to all

[Khenglish]

I tried the latest BIOS and still no joy... the machine won't boot with the GTX 550 plugged in, even with the BIOS set to ignore the external PCIE graphics. Looks like I might be stuck with my 9600GT... not the end of the world, but it's still going to bug me.

When you say it doesn't boot does the system not even POST, or does windows BSOD on startup?

[pyr0]

Optimus is now working w/ dGPU Nvidia!

Would you bother to explain that to us?

[tpro]

This is confusing! If i buy GT430, can i do the Optimus setup?

"NVidia Optimus driver provide a transparent internal LCD cloning mode for systems with 4500MHD/HD primary video when using a NVidia GTS4xx/GTX4xx card."

[sprtnbsblplya]

I've been running a 9600GT for about a week with my Thinkpad T60 and PE4H + external PS and so far things have been very stable. Just got a Gigabyte GTX 550 Ti and swapped it in for the 9600GT but it doesn't work. My machine won't boot... even with the BIOS set to boot to the internal LCD it still won't boot. I tried the reset option switch on the PE4H in a couple of different positions but it made no difference. I swapped it with the 9600GT a couple of times and, while the 9600 always works, the 550 never does.

I still need to try the 550 in a desktop to see if maybe the card is bad. Is there anything I'm missing?

I'm willing to bet its the power supply