DIY eGPU experiences

[kizwan]

It's a long list but I immediately checked Lenovo G560.

• Specification: http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/...0datasheet.pdf & http://shop.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/WW...N2010_engl.pdf
• Based on the specification, there are two sub-model of Lenovo G560:-
  
  1. Intel® HD graphics
  2. NVIDIA® GeForce® G310M
• If you want to get this model, make sure you get the one with Intel® HD graphics. This is because Lenovo G560 can't do x2 link. So, Lenovo G560 with Intel® HD graphics will allow you to setup x1.Opt (x1 Optimus) with GTX460. You'll get better performance with x1.Opt & Nvidia graphic card.
• The specification mentioned the ExpressCard slot is optional. So, make sure you check it before buying.
• Remaining issue is the maximum of RAM you can use when using eGPU. I don't know what is the TOLUD value on this notebook.

I'll post information on the other notebooks when I have them later (no promise).

[Gil3]

Thanks a lot!

I'm just afraid that this laptop stops working after a while because I've heard in my country that the company Lenovo is not good company

Can you tell me if this model good like standarts models ?

(I want to know if this model is not like XBOX 360 95NM destroyed quickly)


I hope my English is good

[mavrik13]

Hi guys, sorry to be such a noob, but I can't seem to find instructions on how to setup my eGPU... I received my PE4L in the mail, and have tried to put everything together... but I must have done something wrong, because nothing happened.

edit: my laptop is an x220, i5-2410, with 6GB ram installed (with the old BIOS, so the RAM shouldn't be an issue).

1) Connected PSU to power source, installed SWEX and turned it on (fan on PSU spins), connected 2x 6 pin to GTX460 graphics card

2) Connected GTX460 to PE4L, and mHDMI cable from PE4L to PCIe card in my laptop (lenovo x220). The PE4L has one green light on (the one closer to the GTX460).

3) I turned on my laptop, but no drivers installed/the system didn't seem to recognize anything was plugged in. The PSU fan started, but the GTX460 fan didn't start (the graphics card doesn't seem to work?). I've tried to install the NVIDIA verde 273.55 drivers with the modified .inf file, but I can't start the installation (it doesn't allow me to install, says no valid hardware detected).

Can anyone please help a noob out? Thanks!

[User Retired 2]

Can anyone please help a noob out? Thanks!

Ensure you've plugged the floppy molex lead from your PSU to the PE4L. That supplies up to 75W to the slot. Without that there will be no go. Means you'll have the 2 leads attached to the PE4L - a floppy molex and a mini HDMI. The latter attaches to your EC2C plugged into your X220.

I read here a lot and the subject just too complicated for me so I had no choice to bring this list

Thanks a lot!

SB Lenovo E420/E520 and HP Probook 4430s/4530s have expresscard slots and are selling for a low price. Dell Vostro 3450/3550 is too, but Dell tends to have problems with 4GB+ setups so need a confirmation of their TOLUD setup as requested in REQ: bios mods to make Vostro/Latitude eGPU friendly .

[mavrik13]

Ensure you've plugged the floppy molex lead from your PSU to the PE4L. That supplies up to 75W to the slot. Without that there will be no go. Means you'll have the 2 leads attached to the PE4L - a floppy molex and a mini HDMI. The latter attaches to your EC2C plugged into your X220.

That did the trick... I was wondering what that extra cable was for Thanks! Fingers crossed it goes smoothly from here on out

edit: Seems to be working, I have a display on the external monitor. Downloading 3dMark06 to post some benchmarks. Is there any way to confirm that I have the x1.Opt link running correctly?

[Gil3]

[*]The specification mentioned the ExpressCard slot is optional. So, make sure you check it before buying.
I'll post information on the other notebooks when I have them later (no promise).

Is this laptop:

have ExpressCard slot?

Can you give me ways to know if there ExpressCard slot?

edit:
No matter
I checked it and there is ExpressCard slot

[mavrik13]

I feel like my 3dMark06 score is a little low at 9208.

Lenovo x220
i5-2410 (2.3 ghz, turboboost 2.9 ghz)
6GB ram
EVGA GTX 460 1GB

Any ideas what I can try? My detailed stats are below.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5-2410M Processor,LENOVO 4286CTO score: 9208 3DMarks

[kizwan]

I feel like my 3dMark06 score is a little low at 9208.

Lenovo x220
i5-2410 (2.3 ghz, turboboost 2.9 ghz)
6GB ram
EVGA GTX 460 1GB

Any ideas what I can try? My detailed stats are below.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5-2410M Processor,LENOVO 4286CTO score: 9208 3DMarks

In the Modded Drivers section, under Observations, first sentence:-

Observations

• Confirm Optimus is activated seeing the Preferred graphics processor option in the NVIDIA control panel as shown.
  
  

Please check the Nvidia control panel whether it have the "Preferred graphics process" option or not.

[mavrik13]

In the Modded Drivers section, under Observations, first sentence:-

Please check the Nvidia control panel whether it have the "Preferred graphics process" option or not.

Yes, that option is there... in that drop down menu, the options are: Auto-select, High performance NVIDIA processor, Integrated graphics. It is set on Auto-select.

Any other potential causes? This seems lower than a lot of reported scores with GTX 460's, though I did find one other score similar to mine here: http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/hard...setup-ect.html using the exact same card... perhaps it has something to do with the card?

[User Retired 2]

Any other potential causes?

Your 3dmark06 CPU score is less than half of what it should be for a i5-2410M. This means slower x1.1Opt pci-e compression with lower SM2.0 and 3.0 scores as well.

Check your power management settings.