DIY eGPU experiences

[useafo]

Hey kizwan,
Can you mod Nvidia new driver that it was released a week ago?

[burt]

killed the enclosure project Fabi3n :\ didn't have the right equipment to cut the metal plate for the graphiccard slot...

but I got an old shuttle case, which is simply perfect for modding, pics will follow!

[antiknown]

Worked perfectly.


in t420s bios I turned pci express to auto, and turned off discrete graphics.

3dmark link
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 video card benchmark result - Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2640M CPU @ 2.80GHz,LENOVO 41717FU score: P3451 3DMarks

After soldering 2.1a it works, but gpuz shows only running at PCI-E 1.1x16 not 2.0. What are your switches set to? Is there something else I'm missing?

Dell e6320 (2nd gen i5) + GFX 465

[animalkingtakeover]

I can confirm that the rework works. Using a T420s with latest BIOS

[blizzard2012]

You need a Nvidia Fermi desktop graphic card (+ the existing Intel GMA 4500MHD on your notebook) for Optimus. ATiAMD graphic card doesn't support Optimus. Nvidia GTS450 is cheaper & support Optimus. If you're looking for better performance, you might want to consider GTX460. And, Optimus only supported in Windows 7.

PE4L v2.1a is only useful for Sandy Bridge notebook because they support PCIe rev2.0 10Gb/s concurrent. Your notebook only support PCIe 5Gb/s concurrent. You can use PE4L v2.1a with backward compatibility speed but this version is currently have issue. So, better buy PE4L v1.5 or PE4H v2.4.

In the screenshot, under Memory tree, you see a lot of devices. On the left of each devices, there is a range of memory address. The one you're looking for is PCI bus. Look on the left of PCI bus device & look for the first PCI bus with 8 digits memory address (they are in hexadecimal). For example, 000A0000 --> A0000 --> not 8 digits.

Technically you can use eGPU regardless what the TOLUD is. The issue is whether you can use eGPU with 4GB or more RAM. If TOLUD is more than 3.25GB, and if 4GB or more RAM is installed, there is not enough PCI space to accommodate eGPU. The only solution is to reduced the RAM to 3GB at least.

Feel free to ask me any question if you still don't understand.

Thanks.

Pardon me but im still unclear on TOLUD. 1st PCI bus: 000A0000 - 000BFFFF
Is this the one you are reffering to ?
How do i determined if it is more than 3.25GB?

Will this setup be sufficient? PE4L V1.5 + EC2C +SWEX +60cm Flat HDMI+SPB087 PCI Express To PCI-E Slot Adapter ?

[kizwan]

Hey kizwan,
Can you mod Nvidia new driver that it was released a week ago?

Will do when I updated the driver on my notebook later.

After soldering 2.1a it works, but gpuz shows only running at PCI-E 1.1x16 not 2.0. What are your switches set to? Is there something else I'm missing?

Dell e6320 (2nd gen i5) + GFX 465

If that is what GPU-Z reported, then it means ExpressCard is currently set to Gen1. You need to set it to Gen2 either in BIOS or using Setup 1.x.

Pardon me but im still unclear on TOLUD. 1st PCI bus: 000A0000 - 000BFFFF
Is this the one you are reffering to ?
How do i determined if it is more than 3.25GB?

In the screenshot, under Memory tree, you see a lot of devices. On the left of each devices, there is a range of memory address. The one you're looking for is PCI bus. Look on the left of PCI bus device & look for the first PCI bus with 8 digits memory address (they are in hexadecimal). For example, 000A0000 --> A0000 --> not 8 digits.

You should look at the "PCI bus" device; the first one that have 8 digits memory address. It is in hexadecimal & in this format; XXXXXXXX - YYYYYYYY. Ignore the YYYYYYYY, just pay attention to XXXXXXXX. That is TOLUD. Compare it to TOLUD table (in "2. How can I check if my notebook is compatible with an eGPU? "). Do you know how to read hexadecimal?

The example I gave in the quote is just an example, just want to show that it is not what you're looking for since it is not 8 digits.

This is an example of how to find the first "PCI bus" with 8 digits memory address:-

It is in "XXXXXXXX - YYYYYYYY" format. Just look at XXXXXXXX. In this example, TOLUD is A8000000. Compare it to TOLUD table:-

First PCI bus with 8 digits memory address	TOLUD
E0000000	3.5GB
D0000000	3.25GB
C0000000	3GB

You see, A8000000 is below C0000000 (3GB). So, we know it is < 3GB. Then, we need to check this with the rule:-

As long as TOLUD is equal or lower than 0xD0000000 (3.25GB) your notebook will have enough 32-bit PCI space for a eGPU to work with 4GB or more of system RAM.

TOLUD is "< 3GB" & it is < D0000000 (3.25GB). So, the conclusion is this notebook will not have problem with 4GB or more RAM when using eGPU. Now, check your TOLUD by following this example.

Will this setup be sufficient? PE4L V1.5 + EC2C +SWEX +60cm Flat HDMI+SPB087 PCI Express To PCI-E Slot Adapter ?

Yes. PE4L v1.5 + EC2C + SWEX + 60cm flat mini-HDMI cable package is what you need. You don't need "SPB087 : EC2C expresscard 34mm to 54mm adapter" since your notebook already have ExpressCard 34mm slot.

[Tautology]

I see a lot about DIY /Soldering etc. Is there an easy way to set up an eGPU without that? I was looking at a new laptop and this seems the perfect way to make it a gaming PC at home but my work computer while I'm out. Ideal considering I need a new laptop and my desktop CPU has just broke!

[edvandreas]

After soldering 2.1a it works, but gpuz shows only running at PCI-E 1.1x16 not 2.0. What are your switches set to? Is there something else I'm missing?

Dell e6320 (2nd gen i5) + GFX 465

I have the same problem.
Tested with Vostro 3750 and Latitude E6520. Only 1.1 in GPUz.

I checked the Ports with Setup 1.x and it shows me 1.2 capability.

My switches set to x2,x4,x16 and to 6,9seconds delay. Jumper is set.

[bjorm]

I have the same problem.
Tested with Vostro 3750 and Latitude E6520. Only 1.1 in GPUz.
I checked the Ports with Setup 1.x and it shows me 1.2 capability.
My switches set to x2,x4,x16 and to 6,9seconds delay. Jumper is set.

did you try change it in latitude BIOS settings?
Khenglish reports that there is no need to use compaction and nando's setup.
DIY eGPU experiences and http://forum.notebookreview.com/gami...ml#post7826913

After soldering 2.1a it works, but gpuz shows only running at PCI-E 1.1x16 not 2.0. What are your switches set to? Is there something else I'm missing?
Dell e6320 (2nd gen i5) + GFX 465

the same issue as mine, E6320, i5-2520M, but i was trying with viDock4+ (GTX460, GTX560Ti). for some while i was able to see 2.0 but this dissapear after second.

If that is what GPU-Z reported, then it means ExpressCard is currently set to Gen1. You need to set it to Gen2 either in BIOS or using Setup 1.x.

does anyone know if this is possible in latitude BIOS v.A12 ? I'd like to avoid Setup 1.x.

[Tautology]

If I wanted a eGPU that could run BF3 comfortably say with a GT460 or 6770 would I need to look towards 2.0 as I've heard some 1.0 micro lag/lag problems, if so what kind of laptops are best (by best I mean simplest) to get a eGPU set up going on?

All the best,

Ben.