DIY eGPU experiences

[kizwan]

I cant get rid of that error 12.
I tried all of your suggestions like DSDT override, using the setup 1.x and so on. But the eGPU will only work with 2 GB RAM installed.
The fujitsu hangs after 5sec if i tried to use the PCI Compaction.

Can anyone help me?

Can you confirm there is Large Memory tree in Device Manager >> View >> Resources by connection? Did you connect eGPU right before windows loading (press F8 to halt windows loading)?

When I test the DSDT override for the first time, windows 7 at first also refused to re-allocate eGPU to 36-bit space but when I got it to work, it work flawlessly. For me the trick is connect everything including eGPU to notebook but eGPU is in OFF state, then power ON notebook, right before windows loading, press F8 until you see windows 7 boot menu, then power ON eGPU, then finally resume boot into windows.

Hi Kizwan

Thanks for the quick response. My laptop’s dGPU only works with Window’s generic driver. If I install any (oldest or latest) nVidia driver for my dGPU, then I get startup error during the boot. So, I thought, I will use eGPU to extract the good quality video and game to an external monitor. But it seems that the eGPU won’t work if dGPU is broken or not have the latest driver for dGPU. I think it is a good lesson for non-technical person (like me) to know that eGPU only works with an active dGPU (please let me know if my assumption is worng).

Thanks for your input.

Actually this is windows weakness or bug. When dGPU only use generic driver, windows will failed to detect the secondary/external monitor connected to eGPU. What error did you get if you installed driver for dGPU?

You can try these:-

1. Disable dGPU in Device Manager
2. If you have Setup 1.x, try disable dGPU & see whether your notebook will make eGPU as primary adapter or not
3. Install the driver for dGPU but afterwards disable dGPU in Device Manager

Damn ,now that i read all this im ready to get started on my diy egpu but i have 1 question ..
can i use the pe4l 2.1a with an expresscard 1.0 format? or do i need the pe4l 1.5? the reason i ask is on bplus the 1.5 is actually like a dollar more
specs are:
t7300
ich9m
4500 hd
3 gb ram
dell lat e5400

correct me if im wrong but it seems 1x opt is the connection of choice for my specs?

Yes, you can use latest PE4L v2.1a/b with ExpressCard 1.0/PCIe 1.0. Yes, if your notebook have Intel GMA 4500MHD, then Nvidia Fermi graphic card is preferable for eGPU since you can do x1.Opt setup with the Intel GMA 4500MHD iGPU.

[User Retired 2]

Actually this is windows weakness or bug. When dGPU only use generic driver, windows will failed to detect the secondary/external monitor connected to eGPU. What error did you get if you installed driver for dGPU?

You can try these:-

1. Disable dGPU in Device Manager
2. If you have Setup 1.x, try disable dGPU & see whether your notebook will make eGPU as primary adapter or not
3. Install the driver for dGPU but afterwards disable dGPU in Device Manager

Unfortunately Win7 will not use the eGPU driver without the primary video driver active. If one doesn't exist for Win7 then need to load the XP driver instead for both his dGPU as well as the eGPU. You will lose Aero+DX10 using the XP driver but it's certainly better than no eGPU functionality at all.

[Javier Gusfraba]

Awesome,thanks man ...going to buy one now lol will post results for thread after all set up

[ujkman]

Unfortunately Win7 will not use the eGPU driver without the primary video driver active. If one doesn't exist for Win7 then need to load the XP driver instead for both his dGPU as well as the eGPU. You will lose Aero+DX10 using the XP driver but it's certainly better than no eGPU functionality at all.

Hi Kizwan & Nando4,

Thank you both for showing me some avenues to try this weekend. The problem with my dGPU is whenever I install the nVidia driver (win7 or XP) my laptop gives me startup error during the boot and ask me repair and goes back to window’s generic driver and then laptop boots up OK.

Nando4,
Just confirming that the Kizwan’s suggestion to disabling the dGPU is not workable for eGPU? Also are you suggesting to install XP driver in the win7 OS ?

Cheers.

[User Retired 2]

Hi Kizwan & Nando4,

Thank you both for showing me some avenues to try this weekend. The problem with my dGPU is whenever I install the nVidia driver (win7 or XP) my laptop gives me startup error during the boot and ask me repair and goes back to window’s generic driver and then laptop boots up OK.

Nando4,
Just confirming that the Kizwan’s suggestion to disabling the dGPU is not workable for eGPU? Also are you suggesting to install XP driver in the win7 OS ?

Cheers.

That sounds like the NVidia detect is causing the NVidia dGPU driver to fail, so you are using unaccelerated VGA drivers instead as a workaround.

So yeah, you'll need to go back to the XP driver for both the dGPU + eGPU to have a chance of working. Then it's possible to use Setup 1.x to disable the dGPU altogether sothe XP drivers will roundrobin to the next available device (eGPU) and function without the primary working. Your Setup 1.x startup.bat file would look like the following to make this work:

call speedup lbacache
call vidwait 60 [PCI ID of your eGPU]
call dGPU off
:: Run the results of last pci compation (if any done)
if exist pci.bat call pci.bat
call grub4dos mbr

Do note that with the dGPU being disabled, you'd be booting blind into Win7 until the eGPU activates.

Other issue is introduction of the NVidia driver for the dGPU to get this to work would would mean that when not using the eGPU you'd either need to disable that NVidia dGPU driver in Device manager or hit F8 on bootup and choose "VGA mode" to avoid your BSOD on startup. I believe using the standard VGA drive wouldn't allow this to work.

[ujkman]

That sounds like the NVidia detect is causing the NVidia dGPU driver to fail, so you are using unaccelerated VGA drivers instead as a workaround.

So yeah, you'll need to go back to the XP driver for both the dGPU + eGPU to have a chance of working. Then it's possible to use Setup 1.x to disable the dGPU altogether sothe XP drivers will roundrobin to the next available device (eGPU) and function without the primary working. Your Setup 1.x startup.bat file would look like the following to make this work:

call speedup lbacache
call vidwait 60 [PCI ID of your eGPU]
call dGPU off
:: Run the results of last pci compation (if any done)
if exist pci.bat call pci.bat
call grub4dos mbr

Do note that with the dGPU being disabled, you'd be booting blind into Win7 until the eGPU activates.

Other issue is introduction of the NVidia driver for the dGPU to get this to work would would mean that when not using the eGPU you'd either need to disable that NVidia dGPU driver in Device manager or hit F8 on bootup and choose "VGA mode" to avoid your BSOD on startup. I believe using the standard VGA drive wouldn't allow this to work.

Hum… I don’t have a Setup 1.x program, I bought my PE4H from the below link and Setup 1.x program wasn’t included.
PE4H (PCIe passive adapter ver2.4)

I noticed that I can buy this program from HIT, but wondering whether to spend another $25 and then the eGPU does not work. Are there any other options to try?

[LoneNF]

Yes, about setup 1.x ordering, nando4.
I wrote a PM to HITRC to get a $10-off coupon on the 25 April, but still got no answer

[ramyromeo]

Just ordered PE4L 2.1 from www.HWtools.net ??????????

How long does it take to be delivered usually (UK)?

What is the the best power supply for GTX560TI ? (cheap, efficient)

[arsenal243]

Just ordered PE4L 2.1 from www.HWtools.net ??????????

How long does it take to be delivered usually (UK)?

What is the the best power supply for GTX560TI ? (cheap, efficient)

Mine took 2 days to arrive UK, but was held by DHL for another day as they won't deliver until you paid the VAT import (£11).
A Corsair 500W PSU would be sufficient for your GTX560TI, I believe, and leave a bit extra for overclocking if you want. I used a 750W PSU for my GTX680, but feel quite redundant

[ramyromeo]

Mine took 2 days to arrive UK, but was held by DHL for another day as they won't deliver until you paid the VAT import (£11).
A Corsair 500W PSU would be sufficient for your GTX560TI, I believe, and leave a bit extra for overclocking if you want. I used a 750W PSU for my GTX680, but feel quite redundant

this one ?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMPS.../ref=de_a_smtd