DIY eGPU experiences

[kpresler]

Quick question for you guys: would a Geforce 9800GT or a Radeon HD4850 make a better eGPU? I'm looking to construct an eGPU setup for my Dell Inspiron (see signature) so that I can play some games on it. I know that either card would be plenty fast; my main goal is to be able to play Portal & Portal 2 at reasonably high settings, and both of these cards have performed admirably. I'm selling one of these cards some time next week (as part of a C2D desktop), so even though I won't be constructing an eGPU until the PCIe 2.0 adapter comes out, I need to decide now.

My question really boils down to whether I'd have a better driver experience with AMD or nVidia. My Dell has solely Intel graphics, but I might be getting a new laptop in the coming months (the Dell is starting to show some issues); if so it would probably be a T420. I know if I got a laptop with nVidia graphics built in (which I don't realistically see myself doing--they're expensive!) I would want a nVidia eGPU, but with an Intel HD3000 built in would I notice any difference compatibility-wise between the AMD and nVidia? I don't foresee getting a laptop with an AMD GPU.

Thanks guys!

[timohour]

Did you do this on a macbook pro or hackintosh? And its nice to see that you have gotten this to work on OS X.

On my sig's rig

[Khenglish]

Quick question for you guys: would a Geforce 9800GT or a Radeon HD4850 make a better eGPU? I'm looking to construct an eGPU setup for my Dell Inspiron (see signature) so that I can play some games on it. I know that either card would be plenty fast; my main goal is to be able to play Portal & Portal 2 at reasonably high settings, and both of these cards have performed admirably. I'm selling one of these cards some time next week (as part of a C2D desktop), so even though I won't be constructing an eGPU until the PCIe 2.0 adapter comes out, I need to decide now.

My question really boils down to whether I'd have a better driver experience with AMD or nVidia. My Dell has solely Intel graphics, but I might be getting a new laptop in the coming months (the Dell is starting to show some issues); if so it would probably be a T420. I know if I got a laptop with nVidia graphics built in (which I don't realistically see myself doing--they're expensive!) I would want a nVidia eGPU, but with an Intel HD3000 built in would I notice any difference compatibility-wise between the AMD and nVidia? I don't foresee getting a laptop with an AMD GPU.

Thanks guys!

The 9800gt is too old to do optimus and both cards would require x1E for full x1 performance. I would advise going with the stronger card, which is the 4850. Keep in mind that you would need a new laptop for PCI-E 2.0.

[hlgr]

OK 2 more benchmarks for the comparison table,

3dmark06 @ 1280x1024, external LCD, 12064 points
http://i.minus.com/iY88v5BFoeKYy.PNG

RE5 1280x800 var, 89.3fps
http://i.minus.com/iGGr7PguDTY9d.PNG

[kpresler]

The 9800gt is too old to do optimus and both cards would require x1E for full x1 performance. I would advise going with the stronger card, which is the 4850. Keep in mind that you would need a new laptop for PCI-E 2.0.

I recognize that I'd only get PCIe 1.0 speed with my current laptop, but I do believe that it makes sense to get an adapter that would be faster on a future laptop.

Is this the x1E that you are talking about?

All Sandy Bridge laptops with an ExpressCard slot have PCIe 2.0, correct?

A final question: I would have to use an external monitor with either of these cards, correct?

[schakel]

Yes thats what i meant. So it *could* work
Your mod suggestion to spare PE4L tracks from high load is interesting. Could be a good alternative. I have a soldering iron so i could give it a try if needed.
Too bad i have only a PE4H with a damn DC 19V at the moment i would have did some experiments right now.

I will try something on my PE4H too in the next days. Some kind of portable setup trial. Don't know if it will work but it *could*

I'm doing a small enclosure too, will post pictures whan it's done

I have also a Vostro 3750. At the moment i have 8gb memory with a i7-2630qm. I also have a GT525 and HD3000 grafichs. Are we with a Vostro 3750 limited to 4gb if you want to use a eGPU? I read the pre-faq and other links, but i don't understand all of it.

Thanx if you want to help me

[Azzzes]

I have a mini display port on my Graphiccard, I dont know if it has to be connected, or is this unimportend? (I dont have it done yet).

[Kallogan]

I have also a Vostro 3750. At the moment i have 8gb memory with a i7-2630qm. I also have a GT525 and HD3000 grafichs. Are we with a Vostro 3750 limited to 4gb if you want to use a eGPU? I read the pre-faq and other links, but i don't understand all of it.

Thanx if you want to help me

Hi ! No, as far as i know we are not limited by any amount of ram. Mine came with 8GB ram too but i just sold back the second memory stick.

As for egpu on Vostro 3750, it works perfectly for me but i got error 12 and had to run eGPU Setup 1.x PCI Compaction. Solution#3 on this link :

http://forum.notebookreview.com/gami...l#error12_faq1

Not a big deal really cause it's a one time thing, after that the egpu works flawlessly, but still you have to run this pci compaction via a bootable usb stick or bootloader menuitem.

Now since you have a discrete gpu GT525M on board i don't know if you will encounter the same issue as me. Maybe you will just have to disable your dedicated gpu with Setup 1.x. I can't really help on that cause i didn't experienced it since i just have HD 3000.

Anyway, people here can help you on that and it will work in one way or another for sure.

And don't buy a PE4H or PE4L yet !!!!! Wait a little cause PE4L 2.1 will be released the 20th of february and it will support pci-e 2.0 that considerably boosts the performances. It's worth the wait.

[EpicBlob]

Hi ! No, as far as i know we are not limited by any amount of ram. Mine came with 8GB ram too but i just sold back the second memory stick.

As for egpu on Vostro 3750, it works perfectly for me but i got error 12 and had to run eGPU Setup 1.x PCI Compaction. Solution#3 on this link :

http://forum.notebookreview.com/gami...l#error12_faq1

Not a big deal really cause it's a one time thing, after that the egpu works flawlessly, but still you have to run this pci compaction via a bootable usb stick or bootloader menuitem.

Now since you have a discrete gpu GT525M on board i don't know if you will encounter the same issue as me. Maybe you will just have to disable your dedicated gpu with Setup 1.x. I can't really help on that cause i didn't experienced it since i just have HD 3000.

Anyway, people here can help you on that and it will work in one way or another for sure.

And don't buy a PE4H or PE4L yet !!!!! Wait a little cause PE4L 2.1 will be released the 20th of february and it will support pci-e 2.0 that considerably boosts the performances. It's worth the wait.

How do I know my laptop is pci-e 2.0? I own a 13inch macbook pro 2011 model with thunderbolt. It is an i5 sandy bridge dual-core 2.3 ghz

[schakel]

Oke, thanx very much.

I'm going to run it with a 8800GT card. It's laying around from my old desktop.

I have 2 x 21.5'' displays and one is connected by the HDMI with HDMI-DVI adapter and the other by the VGA. But now i have colour differents, and the VGA one is a little bit unsharp. So this eGPU will be the perfect solution.

But the 8800GT won't fit in a PE4L, or does it?

Greetzz