DIY eGPU experiences

[wreelsw]

Hi,
I never experience this. Did you tried other games? You can test your GTX460 on a desktop computer & see if you can replicate the problem.

You got me thinking... I tried another monitor and the flicker was gone. So I changed the connect from VGA to DVI on the original monitor and the flicker was gone. Thank God!

Now to my next issue... I tried a round of MW3 and the FPS didn't seem to be the best. It was playble but you could tell that it was below 30 frames. Is there a way to boost the frames by using a tool like MSI Afterberner or is this due to the performance hit you take when using Expresscard? I'm not sure what throughput my Expresscard port is (2.5 or 5 gb); I have an Acer 8940G. Also, I just wanted to say thanks for your help. I really appreciate it!

[kizwan]

You're running only on x1 link. So, you'll experience stuttering & lagging while playing games, especially when many effects. The only way to boost performance is by doing x2 link setup but only with either of these combinations:-
- PCIe port#1 & #2
OR
- PCIe port#3 & #4
OR
- PCIe port#5 & #6

What is the PCIe port number of the ExpressCard slot? You can check this using AIDA64, go to Motherboard \ Chipset \ "South Bridge".

[wreelsw]

The port is Port #4. So is there any instructions on how to do the boost that you are suggesting?

PCI Express Controller
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #1 In Use @ x1 (Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #2 Empty
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #4 In Use @ x1 (nVIDIA GF104 - High Definition Audio Controller, Zotac GeForce GTX 460 Video Adapter)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #6 In Use @ x1 (Broadcom NetLink BCM5784M PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #8 In Use @ x1

[kizwan]

To do x2 link setup, you need to connect another PCIe port to PE4H. Since ExpressCard is PCIe port#4, you need to connect another link from PE4H to PCIe port#3. Unfortunately, PCIe port#3 is not available. You can use PCIe port#1 & #2 to do x2 link IF PCIe port#2 is physically available (in a form of mPCIe port). Can you check how many mPCIe ports available on your notebook?

You can go to my eGPU experience post to see performance comparison between x1 & x2 link.

[wreelsw]

Port #2 shows 'Empty' but where do I go to see how many are available? Also, I'm not sure what you mean by 'you need to connect another PCIe port to PE4H'.

[kizwan]

If you flip your notebook, you can see removable cover. In the cover you can find WIFI/RAM/HDD. If you open the cover, you can check yourself how many mPCIe port(s) available. AIDA64 can report how many PCIe ports available but it doesn't mean they are physically available (in a form of mPCIe ports). If you go to my eGPU experience post, you'll understand what 'you need to connect another PCIe port to PE4H' means.

[wreelsw]

I took a picture of what I have. I'm not sure if that white port is a mPCIe port or not.

[kizwan]

The port is Port #4. So is there any instructions on how to do the boost that you are suggesting?

PCI Express Controller
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #1 In Use @ x1 (Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #2 Empty
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #4 In Use @ x1 (nVIDIA GF104 - High Definition Audio Controller, Zotac GeForce GTX 460 Video Adapter)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #6 In Use @ x1 (Broadcom NetLink BCM5784M PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #8 In Use @ x1

According to Review Acer Aspire 8940G Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews , there are two mPCIe ports where WIFI card is connected to one of them. We know WIFI card is at PCIe port#1. So, the mPCIe port where WIFI card is connected to is PCIe port#1. You just need to confirm the other one mPCIe port is PCIe port#2. To do this, move the WIFI card to the other mPCIe port, boot into windows & check in AIDA64 the PCIe port number for the WIFI card. If the WIFI card is now appeared at PCIe port#2, you can do x2 link with both mPCIe ports (PCIe port#1 & #2). This also means you can't use WIFI when using eGPU. You also need to get two PM3N cards to do x2 link.

In my eGPU experience post, under "eGPU ATI HD5870 @x2 link Setup" you can see these pictures show the connection needed for x2 link setup:-


In the picture above, you can see two mHDMI cables connected PE4H to two mPCIe ports on the notebook (located underneath). This is what I meant by 'you need to connect another PCIe port to PE4H'. (Sorry for my poor choice of words. )

EDIT: This picture show two mPCIe ports where WIFI card is connected to one of them (black). The white one also mPCIe port.

[wreelsw]

OK, I'm already a couple hundred dollars into this; come to far to turn arround. lol I'll have to order two mPCIe cards.

Thanks again for your help.

[wankel]

Dell Inspiron 17R (N7110) doesn't have ExpressCard slot & mPCIe port(s) is not easily accessible. It will a bit difficult to use eGPU on this notebook.

Can i have some advice on doing it anyway?