DIY eGPU experiences

[deldelight8]

Newegg.com - lenovo IdeaPad Y550P(324156U) NoteBook Intel Core i7 720QM(1.60GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD±R/RW NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpnTmay9l9...0/LA-5371P.png

Hey all, I got some input a long long time ago that since my gfx card is already decent, unless I can benefit from x2 or x2e i really shouldn't bother with this. However, I cannot really fully understand the "6. (Performance) Can my system do a PE4H x2 or x4 link as shown in PCIe Scaling Analysis?" section of the FAQ, so I was wondering if I could just get some input by uploading all of my laptop info.

In particular, I'd like to point out that I do have a physical express card slot, and my pcie ports are 2.0. I don't know if the first one is a "ghost" one or anything though. I honestly don't really understand the whole mix match port thing at all.

[captainvera]

The MSI one yes, but the notebook that would take advantage of it will arrive, IMHO, in the next 6 months.

Srsly, what did you mean by this? shouldn't current gen mbp's which have TB ports work?! =S

[kizwan]

Yes, rebooted with and without egpu connected.
Is this the one you are referring to?

If you see this in Device Manager, DSDT override is applied successfully.


Next step setting up eGPU. Try this:-

1. Connect eGPU to notebook but eGPU is OFF
2. Turn ON notebook
3. Halt windows loading by pressing F8
   
   OR
   
   *If you have Setup 1.x, enter Setup 1.x*
4. Turn ON eGPU
5. Continue boot into windows
   
   OR
   
   *If you use Setup 1.x, press F5. Make sure eGPU is detected (listed) in Setup 1.x main screen. Then Chainload & boot into windows.*
6. You should be able to use eGPU now because Windows 7 will allocate eGPU in 36-bit space.

This is an example of what it look like when eGPU is allocated in 36-bit space. eGPU still listed under "Memory" tree but if you count the digits in the memory address, you'll see the memory range use by eGPU is in "Large Memory" range which means eGPU is now allocated in 36-bit space:-


Good luck!

[slipnslide91]

Hi I am a frustrated owner of HP HDX 18 laptop. My laptop will frequently crash during games, and after some research the cause seems to stem from poor design with the GPU and CPU practically on top of eachother while sharing the same heatsink and fan. This DIY eGPU seems like a possible solution to my headaches if i were to disable my internal GPU and get an external GPU up and running. I do have questions whether or not my laptop can support this type of mod.

System specs:

OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium
System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model HP HDX18 Notebook PC
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9000 @ 2.00GHz, 2001 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Hewlett-Packard F.34, 12/8/2010
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.97 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.93 GB
Total Virtual Memory 8.10 GB
Available Virtual Memory 5.92 GB

I have an available Expresscard slot.

If this mod is possible, what graphics card should i go for as well as what power supply would i need to support the graphics card. Also because there is no integrated graphics card would i need to have an external monitor for this to work? I am not the most technical savy person when it comes to complicated mods like this so i appreciate any help.

Any help is greatly appreciated as i am about ready to give up on this POS laptop.

[User Retired 2]

Any help is greatly appreciated as i am about ready to give up on this POS laptop.

HDX18 schematic tells us the port layout is:

port1=wifi
port2=LAN
port4=TV Tuner
port5=Firewire
port6=expresscard

So x2 is not possible, neither is x1.Opt since you have no 4500MHD iGPU. Your system could run a x1 DIY eGPU but you probably wouldn't be satisfied with the performance. I'd suggest offload your system for another better DIY eGPU candidate.

[slipnslide91]

Thank you for your reply. I'm not quite sure what you mean by offload, are you saying i should just cut my losses and try get rid of this laptop?

[User Retired 2]

Thank you for your reply. I'm not quite sure what you mean by offload, are you saying i should just cut my losses and try get rid of this laptop?

Yes - HDX18 is a poor DIY eGPU candidate box. Not enough bandwidth to make it worthwhile. Games would stutter too much. Your box has a Q9200 so would fetch some decent $$ as a s/h unit.

Then consider a budget x1.2Opt capable Sandy Bridge notebook with an expresscard slot like a Lenovo E420/E520, Dell Vostro 3450/3550 or HP Probook 4330s/4430s/4530s. Can also scout ebay/Outlets for the premium versions, the 14/15' with a 900P/1080P LCD option: Dell E6220/E6320/E6420/E6520, HP 2560P/8460P/8560P and Lenovo X220/T420/T520.

[slipnslide91]

Thanks again for the reply. how much can can i expect to get for this laptop considering its in good condition aside from the poor HP design causing the computer to crash whenever games are played? Is ebay the place i should be looking to sell?

[SimoxTav]

And there we go: the thermosheat on the EC2C is still missing but the cable is fully functional (i made a small mold filled with hot glue near the EC2C to have the space to put the fingers during the insertion and extraction process from the slot without twisting the cable directly). So I can confirm that 1.5m long cable works great with v2.0 PCIe (and it's awesome to use the 12" note in bed without heat and extra weight leaving the box down on the floor ).

[LoneNF]

And there we go: the thermosheat on the EC2C is still missing but the cable is fully functional (i made a small mold filled with hot glue near the EC2C to have the space to put the fingers during the insertion and extraction process from the slot without twisting the cable directly). So I can confirm that 1.5m long cable works great with v2.0 PCIe (and it's awesome to use the 12" note in bed without heat and extra weight leaving the box down on the floor ).

Which cable is that? Simply flat HDMI cable? I read, that there is some HDMI Type B version, which has 29 pins, and 7 shielded Data lines ("Data+","Data-","shield") in comparison with 19 pins and 4 shielded lines HDMI Type A.
So...as far i understood, the PE4L is simply a direct corresponding connection of expresscard (notebooks internal express bus, or whatever) and the PCI-e GPU. Plus power from the 12V jack, or USB, power converter 5V>3,3V, timers for delayed start of the connection and some leds to indicate the presense of power (connection).
So the problem of only 1.0 and 1.1 PICe connection was the distorsion from cable and connecter. Solved with flat HDMI cable and the best possible cable connection -- direct soldering.
I wonder if, for example, the eSata (external, shielded) cable, and the connectors would allow a v2.0 PCIe connection....