DIY eGPU experiences

[Fardavid]

Okay! Here it is:
NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5-2410M Processor,LENOVO 4286CTO score: 8977 3DMarks

Any idea if this looks right? No one really has used a GT240 with a Arrandale/Sandybridge. It's between the performance of a GT540m and GT525M, which I suppose seems about right.

First x1.2 Opt setup? I hope so. With my GTX460 hopefully we'll have some interesting results

Summary:

1. Take 4 pin MALE molex connector, solder to poles. Joint will be sketchy at best since there is practically no clearance between the wires, but anything that holds it in place will do. I used electrical tape to insulate 12V, GND, and 5V, GND, since I had a nasty short 2 days ago. Not going to risk it.

2. Plug everything in, that means molex connected to PSU too, with Win7 running.

3. Run driver installination for nVidia. After copying files, it will give you an error saying hardware not detected.

4. Replace nvam.inf as instructed in the "modded drivers" link in the yellow bar on the first post of this thread.

5. Rerun setup.exe from nVidia folder where the folder containing nvam.inf was. It should install.

6. Enjoy!

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

EDIT: So with Intel HD3000 on BFBC2, I had to turn down my resolution to 1024x768, set refresh to 50Hz, FOV to 50 degrees, everything low to make it playable. Now I am getting higher framerates with high settings on 1920x1080 resolution. BF3 here I come.

That is a great news! Thanks for trying!

Do you guys think we can ask HWTOOL to produce similar adapter with a proper plug for power? Also, as I can see the card should be pluged only "backwards", means with a bigger/wider card (2 slots) there might not be enought room between the PCIe and the laptop. What do you think?

D

[serialk11r]

Yea that's definitely an issue, as is, the highest point on the card is right over the edge of the keyboard, so I get my finger in it when pressing say, shift. With a thicker card I think I'd have to just use another keyboard.

Actually they did a pretty good job just providing the places to wire in power, I think they could've spaced them more though. It is seriously impossible to not short stuff when they're spaced so close.

[pappu6600]

You can not upgrade iGPU. iGPU is integrated GPU. Notebook need to come with it for it to be available.

Then is it ok for me to proceed for eGpu with current notebook? Which kit I should order?

Thanks.

[kizwan]

Vostro 1510 schematic shows port1=mPCIe and port2=expresscard. So you could do a x1E link using port1 (ATiAMD) or a x2 link using port1+2. It's based on the 965PM chipset so can't do a x1.Opt link.

Then is it ok for me to proceed for eGpu with current notebook? Which kit I should order?

Thanks.

Your notebook have PCIe port1=mPCIe & port2=ExpressCard. So you'll need PE4H-EC2C ver2.4 Package & PM3N card for x2 setup.

[gambitlebeau]

Finally got myself a z13, next step DIY Vidock!

[pappu6600]

Will you please give me link for x2 setup which is simple to understand for non-technical person?

Thanks.

Your notebook have PCIe port1=mPCIe & port2=ExpressCard. So you'll need PE4H-EC2C ver2.4 Package & PM3N card for x2 setup.

[kizwan]

Will you please give me link for x2 setup which is simple to understand for non-technical person?

Thanks.

Please go to my eGPU Experience post (link in my signature). There you can see pictures showing the physical connection for x2 link - I'm using 2 x mPCIe cards. Using Setup 1.x to set x2 link also not complex. Just choose PCIe Ports \ x2 link.

[gilipollas]

Hi again, today i got the 1.5m mHDMI cables from DX. So i will now try to setup the HD6670 in x2-mode at PCIE-ports 3 and 4 using WinXP.

Now i start using Setup 1.x and i seem to be a total noob.

In a WinXP shell i do like described here:

:: Install files, defrag disk image
c:\eGPU\setup-disk-image

:: Mount disk image as V:
c:\eGPU\eGPU-Setup-mount

:: Create devcon.txt file
v:\devcon\mkdevcon -> but this doesn't work

This message appears:
[mkdevcon] ERROR - failed to create V:\config\devcon.txt. Ensure UAC=off and you are an admin user. T

But i am an admin user. Does the eGPU needs to be connected? I did this without eGPU.

[kizwan]

Does UAC already OFF? (sorry, missed "winxp" there)

[User Retired 2]

v:\devcon\mkdevcon -> but this doesn't work

Looks like the 32/64-bit detection routine is buggy on XP. So manually create devcon.txt by running:

v:\devcon\devcon resources ACPI\PNP* > v:\config\devcon.txt