DIY eGPU experiences

[afetherw8]

Ah thanks so much! I've got my monitor up and running through the video card.

[User Retired 2]

Ah thanks so much! I've got my monitor up and running through the video card.

Please post your installation and benchmark results similarly to this if you want to be included on the first page, or at the very least the 3dmark06 and RE5 benchmark results with the GTX460's HDMI audio disabled. You'd give us the the fifth MSI DIY eGPU implementation.

[gilipollas]

Wait. I wrote "On my Dell, I don't need the two-pass script because Port2 is remain disabled after reboot." because I'm using mPCIe Port1 & Port2 for x2. That is why Port2 is disabled. Yours use mPCIe Port3 & Port4. So, In your case mPCIe Port4 need to be disabled. Did you tried the two-pass script?

I just wanted to point out this strange(in my eyes) behaviour. Even though port3 runs at x2 and i deactivate port4, it reactivates itself when rebooting and port3 stays at x2. The next step for me is implement the script and get in touch with the concept of chainloading. I will try it tonight.

But anyhow the way it is now seems to be also stable. But if i would install hd-audio-drivers i could not deactivate them. While doing so i get a bosd even at x1 without using setup 1.x. The consequence for me is to let the an unknown device in device manager with a big questionmark.

[kizwan]

I just wanted to point out this strange(in my eyes) behaviour. Even though port3 runs at x2 and i deactivate port4, it reactivates itself when rebooting and port3 stays at x2. The next step for me is implement the script and get in touch with the concept of chainloading. I will try it tonight.

But anyhow the way it is now seems to be also stable. But if i would install hd-audio-drivers i could not deactivate them. While doing so i get a bosd even at x1 without using setup 1.x. The consequence for me is to let the an unknown device in device manager with a big questionmark.

On my notebook, if chainload after setting x2 link, eGPU is not detected. Need to Reboot & then straight boot into windows. Fortunately, on my Dell, mPCIe Port2 remain disabled.

In your case mPCIe Port4 re-enabled after reboot. So need to use the two-pass script. Actually, there are two methods (including the two-pass script).

Your procedure is correct, except at #10, should Chainload instead of reboot:-

What i do to get x2 is the following:
1) Put the WLAN card to the WWAN-mpcie-slot(port1). WLAN-mpcie-slot would be port2.
2) Connect lane1(egpu) to port3(mpcie) and lane2(egpu) to port4(ec), then turn on laptop
3) deactivate LAN and card-reader in Bios(if not done already)
4) Boot to setup 1.x, egpu still turned off
5) activate pcie-port3
6) set pcie-port3 to x2(this also sets port 1 to x2 and deactivates port2 and port4)
7) turn on egpu
8) reboot to setup 1.x, egpu is detected now and runs at x2
9) deactivate port4
10) reboot to windows(port4 still seems to be active, as shown in aida) Chainload

The two-pass script is useful to automated the procedure.

[gilipollas]

Wow, nice faq-post you did. I totally missed it til now. Will try it tonight when i m home:-)

[pappu6600]

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.

Before investing in the eGPU hardware consider if you want to do a system upgrade to one with 4500MHD, Intel HD or HD3000 so can run a simpler x1.Opt eGPU instead. Core2Duo systems with a 4500MHD iGPU go for very little $$ these days. Even Sandy Bridge systems can be had for a little over US$400 (Fujitsu AH531, Lenovo E520/E420, HP Probook 4530s, Dell Vostro 3550/3450) which when coupled even with a basic GTS450/GTX460 will outperform any eGPU setup you could do on the Vostro 1510 by quite a margin.

I'm still wondering how I can do system upgrade? Where should I look for it? I will love to go for it if there is such possibility.

Thanks.

[kizwan]

I'm still wondering how I can do system upgrade? Where should I look for it? I will love to go for it if there is such possibility.

Thanks.

"system upgrade" means you'll need to "upgrade" your notebook to better one. Meaning sell current notebook & buy better one:-

Core2Duo systems with a 4500MHD iGPU go for very little $$ these days. Even Sandy Bridge systems can be had for a little over US$400 (Fujitsu AH531, Lenovo E520/E420, HP Probook 4530s, Dell Vostro 3550/3450) which when coupled even with a basic GTS450/GTX460 will outperform any eGPU setup you could do on the Vostro 1510 by quite a margin.

Any notebook with Intel 4500MHD, Intel HD or HD 3000 is preferred. You can't buy & install Intel 4500MHD, Intel HD or HD 3000 on your current notebook. It is integrated - came with the motherboard/processor.

[pappu6600]

Oh I see that is not possible for me right now and I already ordered kit for x2. I checked link in your signature but it is still not clear for me how I'm going deal with it (dell vostro 1510, 1 x PE4H-EC2C ver2.4 Package, 1 x PM3N card, 2 x PCIEMM-100 cable). Is there some article to demonstrate how to do it. Sorry for asking it in little advance.

Thanks.

[kizwan]

Do you know how to connect EC2C to ExpressCard slot? and PM3N to mPCIe port?
- PCIe ports you're going to use on the PE4H are x1 & x2

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.

- Plugged in EC2C to ExpressCard slot (PCIe Port2)
- Plugged in PM3N card to mPCIe Port1

Use the two cables (PCIEMM-100) to connect PE4H & EC2C & PM3N:-
- PE4H's PCIe port x1 connected with EC2C (PCIe Port2)
- PE4H's PCIe port x2 connected with PM3N (PCIe Port1)

Connect power connector from PSU to PE4H & GPU:-
- Floppy power connector to PE4H
- 6-pin PCIe power connector to GPU (if GPU required two 6-pin PCIe power connector, make sure plugged in both)

This is connection alone. We'll work on how to configure them after you received everything. Anyway, roughly, you might need to do like this:-

1. Install Setup 1.x. (You can do this now to get familiar with it.)
2. Connected everything.
3. Power on system. eGPU remain OFF at this moment.
4. Enter Setup 1.x
5. At "PCIe Ports" menu, set x2 link on Port1
6. Power ON eGPU.
7. Select "Reboot" in Setup 1.x
8. Boot into windows
9. Install driver.

What desktop graphic card are you planning to buy?

[pappu6600]

What PSU should I buy? I see there are different option depending on Volts. Do I also need to buy floppy power connector, 6-pin PCIe power connector? or they come along PSU? If you please can show me example like on ebay I can get them at local store or order on ebay.

Connect power connector from PSU to PE4H & GPU:-
- Floppy power connector to PE4H
- 6-pin PCIe power connector to GPU (if GPU required two 6-pin PCIe power connector, make sure plugged in both)

I have ATI Radeon HD 6570 2gb DDR3 on my deskop pc. So I will test eGPU setup with current graphic card. But I'm planning to buy one for eGPU. I see lot of technical stuff around but don't understand it well. If you please can recommend me which is cheap and performing good will be helpful to me.

What desktop graphic card are you planning to buy?

Thank You Very Much