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  1. 18th September 2009, 11:08 AM #1
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    Default DIY eGPU experiences

    THIS PAGE IS A RUNNING SUMMARY OF THIS LONG THREAD. Use the Search function to find what you need.
    experiences










































    Getting Started
    IntroductionThe how and why of installing an eGPU.
    Pros and ConsWhat to expect from the installation - Both Positive & Negative
    Pre-purchase FAQWhat you need to know before proceeding
    First StepsProducts and tools you'll need to perform the installation of a DIY eGPU
    Performance: ATI/AMD versus NVIDIA benchmark resultsA comparison of AMD and NVIDIA performance under equal situations
    Performance: Scaling AnalysisCompare performance over x1, x1E, x1.Opt, x2, x2E links
    Implementations: Examples and LeaderboardA table of eGPU implementations by NBR users (please note: this is no longer updated)
    Implementations: MacbookInstalling an eGPU on a Mac system
    Implementations: CUDA/OpenCL ApplicationsImplementations using the GPU for applications+computation
    Implementations: non-videoNon-video implementations: sound cards
    Non-English eGPU ForumsA collection of eGPU forums from around the world













    Introduction

    This thread serves as a roadmap for those who wish to attach an external Graphics Processing Unit (eGPU) to a notebook/laptop computer. Connection may be achieved through an ExpressCard, mPCIe slot, or Thunderbolt port.

    		HP 2560P GTX560Ti @x1.2Opt DIY eGPU impl playing NFS Shift on the internal LCD
    		PE4L-EC2C (expresscard) or PE4L-PM3N (mPCIe) products
    		Sony VPC-Z11 running 3 displays: 1 via onboard graphics, 2 via eGPU
    		PE4H-EC2C (expresscard) or PE4H-PM3N (mPCIe) products
    		HP 2510P: [mPCIe] Swap wifi card via underside covers

    Note: For those running Windows 7, you can install the eGPU without rebooting your system. Simply and the turn the system to standby system and attach the PE4L. Your system will return to its desktop presets once it detects the PE4L. You will immediately see a significant upgrade in the performance.






    Pros and Cons

    Pros

    • eGPUs are quite inexpensive: PE4L with HD5770+120W, GTS450+120W, GTX460-1GB+430W, GT430+72W, HD5670+72W. A x2 capable kit using a PE4H must also be acquired.


    • As long as your system has an expresscard OR a mPCIe slot, you can perform the conversion.

    • You can expect an increase in video performance as much as 10x.

    • Provides additional HDMI video+audio, s-video and VGA out

    • Provides dual-link DVI connection for 2560x1600 LCDs

    • There are many options for multi-monitor connectivity:


    • Can be attached to a Windows 7 system without requiring a reboot

    • The attachment is not permanent. The eGPU can be used on a different computer or be attached to 2 or more computers at once.

    • Those with an expresscard 2.0 system, or who have performed a x2 1.0 setup can expect to see an additional 30-60% increase in performance.


    • eGPUs provide an additional USB port when connected to an expresscard slot

    • Time-share your desktop video card b/w your desktop and notebook system.

    • Perform CUDA/OpenCL processing for applications that support it.

    • Can use physX/ hybrid physX & game detaill

    Cons




    • A 12V PSU is necessary drive the desktop eGPU

    • An external LCD/CRT/TV is necessary to connect to display at highest FPS

    • It may be necessary to boot the eGPU Setup 1.x from a disk image or USB stick to overcome error 12 issues

    • Possible bandwidth is restricted: a x1/x2/x4 link represents 1/16, 1/8 or 1/4 the bandwidth of a x16 slot.




    Pre-purchase FAQ

    1. How does a DIY eGPU differ from a Villagetronic ViDock3/4?
    Spoiler :
    The Villagetronic ViDock 3/4 is a PE4L packaged together with a PSU. The flexibility offered by eGPUs make them better solution than a ViDock ¾ for the following reasons:
    • eGPUs are a heck of a lot cheaper than the ViDock ¾: US$92-delivered PE4L versus US$215-delivered for the ViDock3. A GTX460-768MB eGPU setup this is a savings of some US$230.

    • If you are unsatisfied with the performance of your eGPU, you can resell it with minimal losses. Villagetronic has a very strict return policy means higher ebay reselling losses.

    • Has DIY eGPU Setup 1.x software to overcome error 12: cannot allocate resources issues.

    • Developed the x1E tweak and custom NVIDIA Optimus drivers to deliver highest possible performance. DNA drivers for ATI cards are available too.

    • mPCIe AND expresscard systems are supported. Villagetronic can only use expresscard systems.

    • PCI reset delay circuit to boot past problematic bios with unit switched on (PE4L 1.5+/PE4H 2.4+).

    • x2 capable on some systems: x2 1.0 provides ~60% better performance than x1 1.0.

    • A PSU can be added to match the video card.

    • Can be enclosed inexpensively.

    • Since it does not come with a chassis, it can be configured with unrestricted video card sizes and cooling apparatus.

    • PE4H allows desktop video card to be hosted externally and shared b/w notebook and desktop (@x4 1.0 speed via HP4A.

    • Uses a very inexpensive mini HDMI interconnect.

    2. How to check if your laptop is eGPU compatible?
    Spoiler :
    If the system has a dGPU then ensure its switchable with the Intel 4500MHD/HD/HD3000/HD4000 providing primary video if you want to do a higher performance Optimus x1.Opt setup with allows accelerated graphics to the internal LCD as well as an external LCD.

    Any notebook run with 2GB of RAM can be eGPU compatible. A very high percentage at 3GB will also allow such configuration. If your system runs at 4GB you’ll need to check your free PCIe configuration space to host it, as detailed below:

    (Update 3-14-2012)     A DSDT override extending the root bridge into 36-bit can allow ALL systems with a 64-bit CPU and chipset, if you are using Windows 7 and the latest drivers with up to 48GB of RAM installed can be made eGPU compatible. The solution for such a DSDT override solution is detailed below.

    • if the system has a switchable iGPU+ATI/AMD dGPU or switchable iGPU+NVIDIA Optimus dGPU configuration then can use Setup 1.x you’ll need to connect the eGPU to use the PCIe space. This requires the disabling of the dGPU. While it is known that all Intel chipset systems with NVIDIA or ATI/AMD switchable graphics can function this way, the Series-6 AMD switchable graphics has not be tested fully.


    If the system has only a dGPU or an iGPU, which is not switchable, then check the system's TOLUD+Large Memory for an issues related to running 4GB+. Check in Device Manager. Set View to "Resources by connection" & expand the Memory tree like shown.

    If you have large memory memory entry, then the eGPU can be hosted in 36-bit PCIe space. If not, then you’ll need a TOLUD being 3.25GB or less to host the eGPU 3at 2-bit PCIe space. Yu can verify the situation by using a 8 digit memory address to analyze the first PCI bus and then cross reference with the table below:

    First PCI bus with 8 digits memory addressTOLUD
    E00000003.5GB
    D00000003.25GB
    C00000003GB
    B00000002.75GB
    A00000002.50GB

    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. See details. Some examples:



    To be absolutely sure an eGPU can be accommodated requires booting Setup 1.x and performing an 32-bit PCI "All" compaction. Once complete, you should see 256MB free shown in the Status window. If not, then you only have 128MB of contiguous free space. At this point, you’ll have to consider another method, such as a NVidia Fermi card use a fragmented 128MB+64MB+32MB PCI BAR so might still be able to be allocated where ATiAMD cards that require a straight 256MB contiguous block cannot.

    This likely comes across as a confusing process. In essence, simply boot Setup 1.x, run Save Diags->compact_fails, then Save Diags->Windows_fails following the prompts. Boot back to Windows, mount the Setup 1.x image, archive the v:\diag folder with Winrar/WinZIP, upload to mediafire.com to review your diagnostic output.

    3. I don't have an ExpressCard slot. Can I still do use a eGPU?
    Spoiler :
    Yes, if have an accessible mini PCIe (mPCIe) slot via the underside covers that works with your wifi card, as show here, then could use a PE4L-PM3N or PE4H-PM3N mPCIe setup. The example Dell XPS15 L502, Acer 1810TZ, HP 2510P and Lenovo X61T below all use a PM3N mPCIe-based eGPU.

    NOTE: WWAN mPCIe slots with only USB pins connected (pin 36+38) rather than PCIe pins (23, 25, 33, 35) cannot do a eGPU.

    USB-to-ExpressCard adapters cannot be used since they uses just the 480Mbps USB pins on an ExpressCard slot.

    mini PCI slots can't be used. Can see the difference between mini PCI and mini PCIe here.
    4. Can I make this work using just my notebook's LCD display?
    Spoiler :
    The desktop video card outputs to it's HDMI/VGA/DVI connector. The notebook's LCD display uses a LVDS input on your systemboard with no external jack to connect to it. Meaning then they cannot be physically connected together unless adapt a US$30 ebay kits allowing external input to the internal LCD as discussed, which only quite an advanced user would ever attempt.

    Another more elegant solution would use a HDMI input expresscard as described at Play PS3/X360 on laptop screen using new HDMI Input Express Card. . Though current costs of $170 for the item makes it unattractive AND you'd need to then do a mPCIe eGPU implementation.

    There are however these less drastic ways of getting your accelerated graphics card to render to the internal LCD, all of which will have lower performance than when running using an external LCD:
    • NVIDIA Optimus driver provides a transparent internal LCD cloning mode for systems with a 4500MHD/HD/HD3000/HD4000 iGPU primary video when using a NVIDIA GTS4xx/GTX4xx card.

    • Use Lucidlogix virtu drivers to provide transparent output using the internal LCD if you have a Sandy Bridge cpu. (timohour)

    • Ultramon/Chung Gun method can clone from the desktop eGPU's window to the internal LCD for windowed games/apps.

    • USB 3.0 framegrabbers have sufficient bandwidth to capture the image from the desktop eGPU and pipe it back to your notebook's display.


    It is not feasible to use USB 2.0 framegrabbers. The desktop video card outputs HDMI/S-Video. To try to clone the output from the desktop video card via a USB frame grabber can be done, but consider say 1280x800x32-bit = 4MB per image. If gaming at 30FPS that's 120MB/s bandwidth required. USB 2.0 is 480Mbps (60MB/s in *best case* scenario.. more like 30MB/s in real-life).
    5. (Performance) What affects the performance of a eGPU?
    Spoiler :
    The x1 1.0 PCIe link restricts performance from normal desktop levels. PCIe Scaling Analysis shows x16, x2 and x1 performance. Compared to x16 2.0 we can summarize that there is 50% performance loss at x1 1.0 and 20% performance loss at x2 1.0 link speeds. Or x2 1.0 is 60% faster than x1 1.0.

    ViDock and BPlus PE4L are using the same x1 ExpressCard/mPCIe pins so we will get exactly the same performance using either solution. Only ways either solution will see improved performance is by:
    RE5 ConfigResolutionFPS
    U7600-1.2@1.6
    HD4670-1GB x1 1.0 W7/DX9    		1280x80034.7
    1280x102432.5
    1680x105027.6
    1920x108025.3
    Performance Scaling with resolution
    • Purchase an expressCard 2.0-equipped Sandy Bridge notebook, with it's x1 2.0 providing ~60% faster performance than x1 1.0.

    • Petition ATI/AMD to get full duplex performance on Intel chipsets without needing the x1E tweak.

    • Petition NVIDIA to unlock the Optimus performance tweak with x2/x4 links and with systems that do not have an iGPU for their primary bootup video as requested.

    • Try 3rd-party tweaked drivers. Realistically only giving < 10% better performance.

    • Link two x1 ExpressCard and/or mPCIe ports to get a x2 link, like BPlus' PE4H does.

    • If system supports it, overclock the PCIe bus using setfsb. Eg: 100->105 yields a 3.3% RE5 FPS increase.

    • Minimize PCIe traffic by disabling hypermemory/turbomemory and video card's HDMI soundcard.
    • Further minimize PCIe traffic by reducing color depth from 32-bit to 16-bit giving up to 72% performance improvement. See details.

    • Reduce all possible PCI bus communications shown to improve performance.
    • Get rid of NVidia x1.Opt microstuttering by setting a FPS limit with 300.x drivers here (Khenglish)
    • Apply game-specific tweaks like the SCII one here from apac.

    6. (Performance) Can my system do a PE4H x2 or x4 link as shown in PCIe Scaling Analysis?
    Spoiler :
    BPlus' PE4H has made provision to allow compatible 2xmPCIe ports, or mPCIe+expresscard ports to be combined to form a x2 port. To identify what is possible, find your Intel I/O chipset below to identify what ports can be combined to create a x2 or x4 width link

    Intel Chipsetmax#
    PCIe
    ports    		x2 linkx4 link
    ICH7M4p1+2, p3+4*p1+2+3+4
    ICH8M/ICH9M/HM556p1+2, p3+4*, p5+6
    Series-5
    PM55/HM5x/QM57    		8p1+2, p3+4*, p5+6,p7+p8^p1+2+3+4, p5+6+7+8
    Series-6
    HM6x, QM6x    		8NANA

    2510P's port
    DV2000's port


    *=switches [port1+2] into x2 mode. ^switches [port5+6] into x2 as well. An Intel limitation. NA=feature locked into BIOS flash descriptor

    Other combinations to get x2/x4 ports such as p1+3, p2+4 do not work! In example above, the 2510P can't do a x2 link since it has only the 1 physical mPCIe slot. You'll notice on the 2510P port1 is enabled - it's a root port that must be enabled for *any* port to work. 2510P's port1 is not physically connected. The DV2000 has ExpressCard=port1, mPCIe=port3, mPCIe=port4. So the DV2000 can do a x2 link using the 2 mPCIe slots as port3+4.

    The best way to identify your port layout is to insert a ExpressCard e-sata card and see what port it reports as being on, then checking too the wifi card. If have multiple mPCIe slots, worth swapping the wifi aiming for a [port1+2], [port3+4], [port5+6] or [port7+8] setup.

    NOTE: port1 is the root port and must be enabled for any of the ports to work. On quite a few systems this is just a phantom port with no electrical connections to a mPCIe or expresscard slot.

    Where can I find schematics of my systemboard to find port layout? Try laptopdesktopschematic, lqv77, GSM-extreme, and/or notebookschematic. Searching on the web may also yield more information.

    Related: How do I enable port1-port6 if bios has disabled them? Use eGPU Setup's 'iport on'.
    Related: How do I setup a x2 1.0 link? Use eGPU Setup's 'iport x2 [port]'.

    7. (Performance) What recommended candidate notebooks should I buy for best performance?
    Spoiler :
    Quick answer - choose any from this list: Example ExpressCard equipped SB systems suitable to attach an eGPU.

    Performance will be determined by PCIe bandwidth available, which is ranked from highest->lowest below and and if the notebook has Intel 4500MHD, HD, HD3000, HD4000 iGPU primary graphics so is NVIDIA Optimus capable.
    1. PCIe 2.0 series-6 chipsets providing equivalent to x2 1.0 bandwidth. Current ATI cards appears to be running crippled half-duplex links on Intel PCIe ports. Compare HD5750@x2 and HD5770@x2E and techpowerup's HD5870 x1 2.0 results. Series-6 chipsets might deliver x1 2.0 *full duplex* with ATI cards, or 4 times more bandwidth than what ATI cards appear to be getting on series-5 or older chipsets.


    2. a Intel-chipset system that allows a x2 link by ganging [port1+2], [port3+4], [port5+6], [port7+8] using mPCIe+expresscard or mPCIe+mPCIe slots. Note: using a x2 port3 affects port1/port2 operation since it sets port1 into x2 mode.
    3. series-4 or older Intel-chipset system that allows a x1E link off an odd numbered port for ATI cards OR an AMD/NVIDIA chipset that provides full x1 1.0 performance using an ATI card
    Intel 4500MHD, HD, HD3000 or HD4000 iGPU allows NVIDIA Optimus superior performance with latest Fermi NVIDIA cards.

    8. (Performance) Can I do a SLI/Crossfire implementation combining mPCIe+mPCIe or EC+mPCIe ports?
    Spoiler :
    timohour found this is not possible here.

    9. (Performance) How could manufacturers make eGPU x2 2.0 notebooks?
    Spoiler :
    UPDATE 2-24-2011 The Apple+Intel Thunderbolt port is a x4 2.0 external PCIe port, though looks like will be uprated to x4 3.0. Perfect for high performance eGPU purposes.

    As it appears there is no desire to make an external graphics port standard it can do be done effectively another way. All that is required are 12-18.4" notebooks with:
    • 2x34mm Intel ExpressCard 2.0 ports electrically configured as either [port1+2] or [port5+6]. Doable with series-6 chipsets.

    • switchable HDMI input back into the internal LCD to route the external GPU output to like the Clevo X8100 provides.
    In addition provide a bios that
    • can set [port1+2] or [port5+6] as x2 width.

    • performs correct PCI allocation when attach a desktop eGPU to it.
    Such a notebook will be perfect for eGPU purposes, offering the equivalent of x4 1.0 in bandwidth. Performance then would be ~95% of when using a desktop eGPU with full x16 2.0 bandwidth.

    Only dilemma for manufacturers being such notebooks would become a serious competitor to bulky expensive gaming notebooks that have poor battery life.

    10. My system has switchable graphics. Can I still do install a DIY eGPU?
    Spoiler :
    Yes you can. Setup 1.x's (Video card->Hybrid Graphics.dedicated=off) allows the dedicated graphics component to be completely disabled on Series-5 or older chipsets, freeing up 32-bit resources to host the desktop eGPU. If your primary video card is a Intel 4500MHD, HD, HD3000 or HD4000 then can even do a x1.Opt NVIDIA setup.

    11. My Villagetronic ViDock product isn't working. Can you help?
    Spoiler :
    Consider then opening a support ticket on Villagetronic's support page or asking for help on the Villagetronic community Facebook page. If Villagetronic can't provide a working solution then consider obtaining a refund from them.

    12. Can I solder my own adapter to host an eGPU instead of buying one from HIT, BPlus, Redtrontech, Villagetronic?
    Spoiler :
    Yes you can, especially if you have more time for soldering than money for a pre-manufacturered adapter. See examples how to make one by acyd (Russian) &, sonny_mv, blackett &.
    13. What do I need to run the fastest x1.2Opt link shown in the implementations?
    Spoiler :
    The following ingredients are required for a x1.2Opt link:

    1. A Series-6 system (Sandy Bridge) or Series-7 (Ivy Bridge) notebook with an expresscard slot^.

    2. A PCIe 2.0 compliant PE4L-EC060A 2.1b

    3. A NVIDIA Fermi or Kepler class video card. A s/h GTX460-1GB OC edition with 336 cores being great bang-per-buck.

    4. A power supply to drive your video card. A 203W Xbox 360 power supply a good to mod for < 198W video cards and providing portability. Or any ATX PSU with sufficient power on the 12V rail if don't need portability.

    5. Latest NVIDIA desktop video drivers. They provide the ability to drive the internal LCD upon detecting a Intel 4500MHD, HD, HD3000 or HD4000 iGPU. When the iGPU and x1 link is found, PCIe compression engages gaining anywhere from 20-333% better performance over a x1 2.0 link without compression.

    ^ a PE4L-PM3N 2.1 will be released so could use a less convenient mPCIe slot instead of the ExpressCard slot. Useful for systems like a Sony Z2 which don't have an expresscard slot


    First Steps

    See Techradar's How to make an external laptop graphics adaptor article for an overview.

    1. What parts do I need and where can I buy them?
    Spoiler :

    Above: Fujitsu S710 eGPU implementation - US$85 PE4H-EC2C(comes with SWEX and PCIEMM-030) plus a HD5770+ATX PSU

    1. The ExpressCard or mPCIe to PCIe adapter. See related 2. Can my system use PE4H's x2 1.0.. in FAQ. You'll need the US$92-shipped PE4L 2.1 if you want the faster PCIe 2.0 performance on Sandy/Ivy Bridge Series-6/7 notebooks. The linked units below are PCIe 1.1 which is the maximum speed available on Series-5 (1st gen i-cores) or older chipsets.

    x1 or x2 link mode1
    x2 link mode
    US$71/$76 PE4L-EC2C or PE4L-PM3N / &
    US$22/$7 shipping

    		US$91 PE4H-EC2C or PE4H-PM3N / &
    US$22/$7 shipping

    		US$91 PE4H-EC2C or PE4H-PM3N / &
    US$20 PM3N
    US$10 PCIEMM-100
    US$28/$7 shipping
    US$93/$83 (BPlus/HIT)US$113/$98 (BPlus/HIT)US$149/$131 (BPlus/HIT)


    HIT: Harmonic Inversion Technology. A US distributor of BPlus' PE4H-EC2C/PE4L-EC2C with a cheaper base price, cheaper US$7 UPS shipping, plus are entitled to the Setup 1.x software (valued at US$25) upon your request as part of your purchase. US customers can purchase from HIT as highlighted.
    1 buying the PE4H means you can acquire parts later to do a x2 link
    Recommend: an extra US$6-shipped DX mini hdmi cable. 2 users requiring a replacement part for the setup to work.

    Which one? PE4L or PE4H?

    PE4H has a sturdier base, can allow a 15-19V DC jack input and up to x4 connectivity.
    PE4L is not as sturdy but is smaller and lighter. It can allow a 12V DC jack input and x1-only connectivty.

    Amfeltec has a cheaper x1 1.0 mPCIe kit starting at US$29 here.

    2. A video card of your choice

    Review next item 2. Which video card do you recommend for best performance on my system? to determine if an ATI or NVIDIA solution will perform better on your setup.

    3. A suitable power supply to drive your video card

    Can determine how much power you require by counting the number of 6 or 8-pin PCIe connectors on your video card. The total power required to drive it will then be:

    75W for the slot1
    + 75W for each 6-pin PCIe connector
    + 150W for each 8-pin PCIe connector

    1: Can be supplied using either the DC or the floppy molex jack. The DC jack differs on the PE4L and PE4H: PE4L takes 12V input, PE4H takes 15-20V (regulated) > 84W. The AC adapter must have a 2.5mm/5.5mm or 2.5mm/5mm barrel end to use the DC jack. The floppy molex input is used with an ATX PSU..

    Power can be supplied by using either an ATX PSU or AC adapters. Can also split AC adapter power to supply a PCIe connector as shown here.

    Refer also to ithildin's and serialk11r's PSU recomendations for details on how to read the PSU labelling. 430W may actually mean it only supplies 168W for our purposes!!

    2. Which video card do you recommend for best performance on my system?
    Spoiler :
    This will be determined by your chipset, if additional ports available for x2 linkage and whether you have Intel 4500MHD, HD, HD3000 or HD4000 graphics. The matrix below makes recommendations based on the system chipset with:

    -LIME recommend NVIDIA Fermi (GT430 or better) solution for best performance

    -RED recommend ATI HD5750 or better solution for best performance

    -CYAN choose based on preferred performance bias: DX9 (ATI HD5750 or better) or DX10/DX11 (NVIDIA Fermi). Thunderbolt users may still elect NVIDIA Optimus solution (if have an iGPU) as then can then render the image to the internal LCD. Refer to Performance: ATI/AMD versus NVIDIA benchmark results to help you decide. If not sure then suggest a NVIDIA Fermi solution which on balance gives better overall performance and has the option of x1.Opt with the right notebook. Note: if the NVIDIA x1.Opt driver was unlocked to allow primary video cards other than Intel 4500MHD/HD/HD3000/HD4000 plus it engaged with x2 links then I would recommend only NVIDIA solutions.

    I/O Chipset
    		 
    PCIe 1.0 (2.5GT/s) lanes
    		 
    PCIe 2.0 (5GT/s) lanes
    		 
    PCIe 3.0 (~10GT/s) lanes
    x1x1Ex1.Optx2/x4x2Ex2.Optx1x1.2Optx2/x4 (TB)x1x1.3Optx2/x4 (TB)
    AMD RS*Y1NN?NNNNNNNN
    NVIDIA MCP*Y1NN?NNNNNNNN
    Intel ICH7MYY3NY5Y4NNNNNNN
    Intel ICH8MYY3NY5Y4NNNNNNN
    Intel ICH9MYY3Y2Y5Y4N2NNNNNN
    Intel Series-5(1st-gen i-core)YNY2Y5NN2NNNNNN
    Intel Series-6(2nd-gen i-core)YNY2N6NN26YY2Y6NNN
    Intel Series-7(3rd-gen i-core)YNY2N6NN26YY2Y6N7N7Y6

    Left-to-right: slowest-to-fastest with NVIDIA x1.Opt and x2 delivering similiar performance

    1 provides full duplex performance equivalent to x1E on Intel chipsets.

    2 Optimus tweak engages only when Intel 4500MHD/HD/HD3000/HD4000 primary graphics AND x1 link is detected, improving performance by 20-333%. Provides ability for the internal LCD to render games running on the external GPU.

    3 x1E tweak uses a x2 link on port1, 3 or 5 with a single lane for 15-30% more perf (ATI/non-Fermi NVIDIA only).
    4 x2E tweak use two lanes of a x4 link, [port1+2] as EC+mPCIe or mPCIe+mPCIe for 30-60% more perf (ATI/non-Fermi NVIDIA only).
    5 x2=combining expresscard+mPCIe or mPCIe+mPCIe slots [p1+2], [p3+4], [p5+6] or [p7+8]; x4=[p1+2+3+4] or [p5+6+7+8].
    6 Series-6/7: Only for Thunderbolt-equipped notebooks. Trying to combine mPCIe+ExpressCard slots no longer possible as Intel now locking the link width in the flash descriptor. Requires advanced bios hacking to configure x2 link, cannot be done using Setup 1.x.
    7 This would only be possible if the ExpressCard slot was wired to the north bridge which runs PCIe 3.0. All ExpressCard slots so far have been using the south bridge which is currently limited to PCIe 2.0. So we can say this is not possible.
    ? Don't know if non-Intel chipsets can do x2 links.

    If going ATI/AMD, recommend a HD5xxx/HD6xxx series card over a HD4xxx series due to their more efficient usage of PCIe bandwidth. Benchmarks would predict a HD5670 to outperform a HD4870.

    Avoid twin-GPU cards like a HD6970/GTX590 since they require 2x256MB PCIe space windows which might be difficult to accomodate.

    Examples based on power consumption requirements
    • 12V/75W adapter: HD5670, unplugged HD5750, NVIDIA GT430.
    • 12v/80w: specific HD5750 units. See comment here, implemented here.
    • 12V/120W: GTS450 described here using DC adapter that is shared between notebook and eGPU
    • 12V/203W Xbox 360 PSU: GTX460
    • ATX PSU: AMD HD68xx, NVIDIA GTX4xx/GTX5xx

    See also Suggested NVIDIA Setups.

    3. Is it possible to get an enclosure?
    Spoiler :
    A good thread to see some professional designed enclosures is at redback79's DIY enclosure project. In addition, BPlus offer DIY Box enclosure for US$60 that uncannily resembles a US$10 acrylic aquarium with plastic posts and some hole cutouts. There are others for sale or examples to build on your own, for example:

    Elmopol's XB360, Joss27's 5.25" SCSI box, Wolf Tohsaka's Livebox Mini, timohour's floppy holder, fr0z3n's carry-it, Fujian stand/enclosure, airzone (1U), Kallogan (192W AC), hlgr, aodioxp, SimoxTav, #1, sprtnbsblplya, Agent9, Lurifax (mini ITX), kizwan (Aero QX2000, mITX), the endless +XB360 PSU, max_headroom and Oddious (1U), lightnica (JuiceBox), pengy_666's 5.25" drive enclosure, 12V/120W "portable", pimped-up (xb360) which is similar to Building an eGPU (CUDA).

    4. What software setup do I need to make this work?
    Spoiler :
    You just need video card drivers for your chosen operating system. This will be available for download from www.amd.com (ATI/AMD) or www.nvidia.com (NVIDIA).

    Or custom NVIDIA Optimus, DNA drivers for ATI/AMD cards are available too.

    DIY eGPU Setup 1.x may also be required if encounter error 12: cannot allocate resources in Device Manager or have specific port requirements such as x1E, x2, x2E link widths or mPCIe antiwhitelisting. Click link for more details.

    5. I'm using an ATX power supply to power my graphics card. How do I switch it on?
    Spoiler :
    PE4H is supplied with a SWEX, a small switched circuitboard used to power on/off the ATX PSU. The alternative is do the paperclip trick to switch on the PSU.

    6. What cable connects PE4L/PE4H to EC2C/PM3N and is it replaceable?
    Spoiler :
    It's a mini_hdmi to mini_hdmi cable. Cheapest replacement being $US6-shipped DX 1.5m cable confirmed to work here.

    7. [mPCIe] What can I do to make it easier to connect the mini hdmi cable to the PM3N?
    Spoiler :
    Could consider a cutout hole on the bottom plastic cover to provide an access point if you otherwise need to remove covers to get to it. OR could permanently attach PM3N internally, threading through a flat mini HDMI cable + adapter. The adapter would go on the PE4H/PE4L end. The bulb of the cable can be dremelled to sit more flush as shown here.

    8. Why does my video card fail with an error 12: cannot allocate resources in Device Manager? See Troubleshooting FAQ - Q3.

    Performance

    ATI/AMD versus NVIDIA back-to-back benchmark results

    GTX670@x1.2Opt vs GTX560Ti (i7-2820QM 2.3, carage)
    HD5850@x1.2 vs GTX460@x1.2Opt (i7-2630QM 2.0, timohour)
    NVS4200M vs GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt (i7-2670QM, Tom_ger)
    GTX680@x1.2Opt vs x1.1Opt and GTX580 versus GTX680@x1.1Opt (i5-2520M 2.5, arsenal243)
    GTX480 versus GTX560Ti@x1Opt (i7-620M 2.66, Mikjoa)
    GTX460-1GB versus GTX560Ti @x1.1Opt (i5-2520M 2.5, Warwickeo)
    GTS450 versus GTX460 @x1.Opt (i7-640M 2.80, docusyn)
    HD5750 versus GTX470 on x1, x1.Opt and x2 links (i5-430M 2.26, nando4)
    HD5750 versus GTX460 on x1 and x1E links (T9300-2.5, ithildin)
    HD5750 versus GTX470 on x1, x1E, x1.Opt and x2 links (T6600-2.2/T2050-1.6/U7600-1.2, nando4)

    Scaling Analysis

    HD5870@x2 1.0 vs x16 2.0 (i7-720QM/i7-3820, kizwan)
    HD7970 versus GTX680: PCIe scaling x4, x8, x16 @PCIe 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0
    HD7970: PCIe 3.0 x2, x4, x8, x16 scaling
    GTX580: x1.2Opt vs x1.1Opt +30% overclock & (i7-2920XM 2.4, Khenglish)
    GTX560Ti: x1.2Opt vs x1.1Opt [internal LCD vs external LCD] (i5-2540M 2.6, nando4)
    HD5850: x16, x4, x2, x1 (~i7-2820QM, timohour)
    HD5870: x2 versus x1 (i7-720QM 1.6, kizwan)
    GTX580+GTX460: x2 vs x1 vs GTX260M (P8700-2.53, mangos47)
    GTX460@x1.Opt scaling analysis internal vs external LCD, +25% PCIe, +40% GPU core O/C (L9600@2.90, nando4)
    GTX460@x2 scaling analysis +20% cpu, +20% PCIe, ~20% GPU (T9400-2.53, khenglish)
    HD5750: x1 versus x1E (T9300-2.5, ithildin)



    Implementations

    Examples and Leaderboard

    Game screenshots taken by hitting ALT+TAB to go into the windowed mode, then ALT+PRTSC to capture screen. NVIDIA users: please set PhysX in the NVIDIA Control Panel to use the CPU rather than the GPU. Disable the external video card's HDMI audio for best performance.

    DX9-centric Performance: RE5 1280x800-variable, 3dmark06 1280x1024, +optional any other current games.











































































































































































































































































































































































    System
    CPU
    RAM
    benchmk
    Setup Details
    3Dm6RE5var
    Experience details
    1.x1
    Ports2
    OS
    Thunderbolt port &3rd-gen i-core (IVB)??HD5870@x4.3--96% of x16 2.0 performanceHM7x/QM7x TBWin7/64
    2rd-gen i-core (SB)??HD5870@x4.222905150?85% of x16 2.0 performanceHM6x/QM6x TBWin7/64
    15" Lenovo W530i7-3820QM 2.716.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt23995PearfQM77 ECWin7/64
    15" Lenovo T520i7-2860QM 2.516.0GTX680@x1.2Opt23749226.8Kuro-D & &QM67 ECWin7/64
    15" Dell Lat.E6520i7-2920XM 2.48.0GTX580@x1.2Opt22596193.0Khenglish &QM67 ECWin7/64
    15" Lenovo T520i7-2670QM 2.28.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt19537Tom_ger bolusooQM67 ECWin7/64
    15" Lenovo W520i7-2630QM 2.08.0GTX480@x1.2Opt18125166.1accountabcQM67 ECWin7/64
    13"_Sony_Z21i7-2620M 2.78.0GTX480@x1.2Opt19900161.0MikjoAYHM67 mPCIeWin7/64
    12" Lenovo X220i7-2640M 2.88.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt19461157.0jemino & DrizzitTQM67 ECWin7/64
    15" HP 4530si7-2630QM 2.08.0GTX460@x1.2Opt17889150.0timohourHM65 ECWin7/64
    12" HP 2560Pi5-2540M 2.68.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt18340148.3nando4 SimoxTavQM67 ECWin7/64
    14" HP 8460Pi5-2540M 2.68.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt18220bjormQM67 ECWin7/64
    12" Lenovo X220Ti5-2520M 2.58.0GTX680@x1.2Opt18078144.0arsenal243 QM67 ECWin7/64
    12" Lenovo X220i5-2520M 2.58.0GTX560Ti4@x1.2Opt17879143.6CabaalQM67 ECWin7/64
    12" Lenovo X220i5-2520M 2.54.0GTX570@x1.2Opt18038141.4papluhQM67 ECWin7/64
    15" Dell Lat.E6520i7-2920XM 2.48.0GTX460@x1.1Opt20661141.3Khenglish QM67 ECWin7/64
    15" HP 4530si7-2630QM 2.08.0HD5850@x1.217765139.9timohourYHM65 ECWin7/64
    15" Fujitsu AH531i5-2410M 2.38.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt16393133.1Fardavid &YHM65 ECWin7/64
    15" Dell Lat.E6520i7-2620M 2.78.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt18249rubenhanQM67 ECWin7/64
    12" Lenovo X220/Ti7-2620M 2.78.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt18216131.4Xav Suumas mavrik13
      crunchytheory thendless      		QM67 ECWin7/64
      15" Dell Lat.E6520i7-2760M 2.44.0GTX560@x1.2Opt17334Fabi3nQM67 ECWin7/64
      14" Dell Vostro 3450i5-2410M 2.34.0GTX560@x1.2Opt16121128.0celliHM67 ECWin7/64
      12" Lenovo X220/Ti5-2520M 2.58.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt17237125.6atticus182 MuF fatpolomanjr
        Striker_Zero Warwickeo 600X        		QM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Acer 5755Gi7-2630QM 2.08.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt17605125.9azoriHM65 mPCIeWin7/64
        15" Lenovo W520i7-2720QM 2.28.0GTX460@x1.1Optmactavish2k8QM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell XPS15.L502i7-2720QM 2.28.0GTX460.7@x1.1Opt19009123.7wicked20YHM67 mPCIeWin7/64
        15" Dell Studio 1557i7-720QM 1.64.0HD5870@x213556121.2kizwanYPM55 mPCIe x2Win7/64
        14" HP 8460Pi7-2720QM 2.28.0GTX460.7@x1.1Opt18517120.8danenick1212QM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell XPS15.L502i7-2720QM 2.28.0HD5870@x1.118415wicked20 &YHM67 mPCIeWin7/64
        15" Lenovo Z570i7-2630QM 2.08.0GTX560@x1.1Opt17895primoxtian &HM65 mPCIeWin7/64
        13" Fujitsu T901i7-2620M 2.78.0GTX460@x1.1Opt16560maeth soundoff geinmassQM67 ECWin7/64
        12" Dell Lat.E6220i5-2520M 2.54.0GTX460@x1.1Opt16475kevmanw4301 QM67 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo T420i5-2540M 2.66.0GTX460@x1.1Opt16399sprtnbsblplya &QM67 ECWin7/64
        13" Sony_VPC-Z11i7-620M 2.668.0GTX580@x1.Opt16270117.5pyr0HM57 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_Y460i7-640M 2.88.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt15974madseasonYHM55 ECWin7/64
        15" Lenovo Y560Pi7-2630QM 2.08.0HD6850@x1.115891bakudannarHM65 ECWin7/64
        13" Sony_VPC-Z13i7-640M 2.808.0GTX460@x1.Opt15867kturnbull docusyn &YHM57 ECWin7/64
        13" Sony_VPC-Z11i7-620M 2.668.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt15623116.0MikjoA &HM57 ECWin7/64
        15" Sager NP2096E8435@3.84.0GTX460@x211060110.8Khenglish & & &YICH9M EC+mPCIeWin7/64
        14" Lenovo T410i5-580M 2.668.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt15645110.0ittiusQM57 ECWin7/64
        13" Sony_VPC-Z12i7-620M 2.668.0GTX470@x1.Opt15600yuumaHM57 ECWin7/64
        14" Dell Vostro 3450i5-2410M 2.34.0GTX560@x1.1Opt15540XeniticYHM67 ECWin7/64
        13" Acer 3820TGi5-450M 2.48.0GTX460@x1.Opt15479107.8Ponjornoh²³HM55 mPCIeWin7/64
        14" Lenovo E420i5-2410M 2.38.0GTX460@x1.1Opt15385apacYQM65 ECWin7/64
        13" Sony SBi7-2620M 2.76.0GTX550Ti@x1.1Opt15151euchrid_eucrowYHM65 mPCIeWin7/64
        13" HP 4330si5-2410M 2.38.0GTX460.7@x1.1Opt15073107.4lerdlarp damogariHM65 ECWin7/64
        12" Fujitsu T731i5-2410M 2.34.0HD6950@x1.115059denshaSaiYQM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Prec.M4500i7-920XM 2.08.0HD685014979bc2946088 QM57 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo T410i5-560M 2.668.0GT460@x1.Opt14492Mide QM57 ECWin7/64
        15" MSI CX623i5-460M 2.534.0GTX560@x1.OptdemolkHM55 ECWin7/64
        17" MSI CR720i5-460M 2.533.0GTX460@x1.Opt14268103.7tootthebagalHM55 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo_X201i7-620M 2.664.0GTX460@x1.Opt14530100.6AgentYuraQM57 ECWin7/64
        12" HP 2540Pi7-640LM 2.134.0GTX460@x1.Opt14114SkiddyQM57 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo_X201i5-540M 2.534.0GTX460@x1.Opt13910shining.at &YQM57 ECWin7/64
        i5-520M 2.46.013852Harris M &
        12" HP 2540Pi5-540M 2.534.0GTX460.7@x1.Opt13817robotti80QM57 ECWin7/64
        14" Dell E6420i5-2410M 2.38.0GTS450@x1.2Opt13745 ElmopolQM67 ECWin7/64
        12" HP 2540Pi7-640LM 2.134.0GTX570@x1.Opt13742allisterQM57 ECWin7/32
        14" HP 8440Pi5-540M 2.536.0GTX460.7@x1.Opt13702Ramizs &QM57 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_Y460i5-520M 2.44.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt13500MjolnerYHM55 ECWin7/64
        14" Toshiba R840i3-2310M 2.13.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt12796104.0anilpalepuYQM67 ECWin7/64
        14" HP DV4-2000i5-430M 2.264.0GTX470@x2.Opt9226102.2nando4YHM55 mPCIe x2Win7/64
        14" HP DV4-2000i5-430M 2.264.0GTX470@x1.Opt13205100.8nando4HM55 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X201si7-640LM 2.138.0GTX460.7@x1.Opt1292998.5Initial DQM57 ECWin7/64
        13" Dell Lat.E4300P9400@3.164.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt1517795.9nando4ICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Studio 1557i7-720QM 1.64.0HD58701315794.7kizwanPM55 ECWin7/64
        16" Dell XPS 1645i7-740QM 1.738.0HD69501394694.6ronvalencia &PM55 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo Edge 14i3-390M 2.666.0GTX460SE@x1.Opt1251393.1useafo HM55 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i3-2350M 2.38.0GTS450i@x1.1Opt1206489.3hlgrQM67 ECWin7/64
        12" HP 2530PL9600@2.904.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt1388286.9nando4ICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo T410i5-540M 2.538.0HD68501335286timrenzi &QM57 ECWin7/64
        12" HP 2740Pi5-520M 2.44.0GTX460@x1.Opt12137Agent 9QM57 ECWin7/64
        13" Dell Lat.E4310i5-520M 2.44.0HD68501299484.0mattlach &QM57 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_T410si5-520M 2.44.0HD5850.2GB12765wilse &QM57 ECWin7/64
        15" MSI A6200-021USi5-430M 2.268.0GTX460SE@x1.Opt12539afetherw8HM55 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo T410si5-520M 2.48.0GTX460V2@x1.Opt11860hobbesdabobaQM57 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell M4600i7-2820QM 2.38.0GTX570@x1.21174682.7docsaroQM67 ECWin7/64
        13" Fujitsu S6420P9600-2.668.0GTX560@x1.Opt12071fujian &YICH9M mPCIeWin7/64
        15" Dell Insp.1545T9400@2.664.0GTX460@x1.Opt11967hizzaahICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_T400T9400-2.534.0GTX460@x1.Opt11883apollo-fox suo vincentbihlerICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" Sony_CWi5-520M 2.44.0HD57701175878.3anarkiePM55 ECWin7/64
        15" Lenovo T510i5-520M 2.44.0HD577011748-katamari &YQM57 ECWin7/64
        14" HP 6930PP8800-2.664.0GTX460@x1.Opt11711Legu314ICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Clevo M860TUP8400@2.44.0HD5850@x2E1176178.3jamesbond007YICH9M EC+mPCIeWin7/64
        HD5770@x2E&1139377.4
        14" Lenovo T400T9900-3.068.0HD585011623jessea510ICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Toshiba A665i3-350M 2.264.0GTX460.7@x1.Opt11583-masterjumong2012HM55 ECWin7/32
        15" HP Probook 4530si3-2310M 2.16.0HD5770@x1.11156976.4lazyboyYHM65 ECWin7/64
        13" Dell_XPS 1340P9600-2.666.0HD5770+green1154876.1Stacky & x1E-typeMCP79 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i5-2540M 2.68.09800GT@x1.2749875.6sivikchenQM67 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X201Ti7-620LM 2.134.0HD577011400MechOzQM57 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo_X200P8700-2.532.0GTX460@x1.Opt11308??ithildinICH9M: ECWin7/32
        13" Sony_VPC-Z11i7-620M 2.666.0HD5750+basic1205968.7*joseph_linYHM57 ECWin7/64
        17" Clevo M570RUT7500@2.62.0HD585011120GershomICH8M ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X200P8600-2.48.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt11014hallucinateICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Acer 5920GT7300-2.04.0GTX560Ti@x27724AJIEKCYICH8M EC+mPCIeWin7/64
        15" Lenovo W500T9400-2.536.0GTX550Ti@x1.Opt11000martengICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" HP 6930PT9800-2.932.0HD685010906giux787YICH9M ECWin7/32
        13" Fujitsu T5010P8600-2.44.0GTX550Ti@x1.Opt10879stejniICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_T400P8700-2.534.0GTS450@x1.Opt10867Gravy9872ICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_T400P8600-2.43.0GTX460S@x1.Opt10780??becakICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_T400P8600-2.44.0GTX460.7@x1.Opt10759??pusheadICH9M ECWin7/64
        13" Dell Lat.E43004SP9400-2.42.0GTS450@x1.Opt1031773.2avlanICH9M ECWin7/64
        16" Dell XPS 1640P8600@2.533.0GTX560Ti@x41081571.2DerbishYICH9M EC+PM3NWin7/64
        15" NEC Versa E6500P8400@2.264.0GTX460@x1.Opt10500DuyFatYICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Lat.E6500E8435-3.063.0GTX460550070.0hishamkali LOGIC 3NICH9M ECWin7/64
        12" HP 2730PL9300@2.254.0GTX460@x1.Opt+1059870.9thendless &ICH9M ECWin7/64
        L9400@2.13GTX460@x1.Opt+10320Agent 9
        15" Tos.L305-S5921T9300-2.52.0GTX46069.2kizakisuICH9M ECWin7/32
        20" HP_HDX9000X9000@3.44.0GTX260@x26000kindheartYICH8M EC+mPCIeWin7/64
        15" Sager NP8662P8700-2.534.0GTX580@x2873268.2mangos47 &YICH9M: ECWin7/64
        14" Asus_F8SA/PT9300-2.54.0GTX460522168.2ithildinYICH8M ECWin7/64
        14" Dell Insp 1420T6900-2.52.0GTX460sklsyICH8M ECWin7/32
        15" Sager NP5793X9000-2.804.0GTX460SE529567.9mental2ICH8M ECWin7/64
        15" Acer EX5620ZT7500@2.884.0GTX460.75160masterjumong2012ICH8M ECWin7/64
        14" Asus_F8SA/PT9300-2.54.0HD5750@x1E1049966.1ithildinYICH8M ECWin7/64
        13" Dell_XPS 1340P8400-2.264.0HD57701034465.2Kristoffer x1E-typeMCP79 ECWin7/64
        14" HP_Pavilion DV4P8600-2.44.0HD5750@x1E1015164.0nando4YICH9M mPCIeWin7/64
        12" HP 2530PL9600-2.136.0HD6850@x1E10123mz31100YICH9M ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo_X201si7-640LM 2.134.0HD5850788764.2ashura QM57 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell_Vostro 1500T8300@2.64.0HD6670@x2937163.1gilipollasYICH8M mPCIe+ECXP
        17" Apple MBPT7600-2.333.0HD6850961861.9ajscorpioNICH7M ECWin7/32
        13" Dell Lat.E4300SP9400-2.43.0HD5850.2GB1074960.9wvr &YICH9M ECWin7
        12" Lenovo X220i5-2410M 2.34.0GT240@x1.2Opt8997serialk11rQM67 ECWin7/64
        14" Dell_Insp.1440T6600-2.24.0GTX470@x1.Opt1026458.4nando4 &ICH9M ECWin7/32
        HD5750@x1E955160.9 &nando4YICH9M EC
        HD4870.2GB@x1E918857.0
        16" Dell XPS 1640P8600-2.44.0HD4850@x4747659.5DerbishYICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Toshiba L300T8100-2.14.0GTX460@x1.Opt9411BarkBarkICH9M ECWin7/64
        13" Dell_Vostro v130i5-470UM4.0GTX550Ti@x1.OptkimchooHM57 mPCIeWin7/64
        15" Dell_XPS M1530T9300-2.54.0GTX4605059vremixICH8M ECWin7/64
        13" Dell_XPS M1330T8300-2.44.0GTX460518259.2flaunt &ICH8M ECWin7/64
        13" LG P300T8300-2.44.0GTX460520059.0*junusa &ICH8M ECWin7/64
        13" Fujitsu T5010P8600-2.44.0HD5850+Raaco1075258.7Max_HeadroomYICH9M ECWin7/32
        15" Acer 5742Gi3-370M 2.44.0HD57701137657.4BTRYHM55 mPCIeWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_T400T9400-2.534.0HD577010214??royk50 & thinkpadfreundICH9M ECWin7/64
        19" HP DV9690enT7500-2.23.0GTX4604934Max399ICH8M ECWin7/64
        15" Asus VX2S.lambT7500-2.22.0GTX460KaighalICH8M ECWin7/64
        15" Compaq CQ60QL62-2.12.0GTX4604862vg19t &MCP77 mPCIeWin7/64
        15" Dell_Lat.D830T7300@2.23.0GTS450412257.0[Sander]YICH8M ECXP
        14" Asus A8SRT7500-2.23.0HD5750@x1E923755.5villiankkndICH8M ECVHP/32
        16" Sony VGN-FW45P8700-2.534.0HD5770982954.9ronvalenciaICH9M ECWin7/64
        13" Dell_XPS.M1330T7500-2.22.0GTX26053.3*BPlusICH8M ECWin7/64
        13" Sony Z46GDP9700-2.86.0HD57701015153.7andeelym YICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo T61pT7300-2.03.0GTX460482753.6bleuiko ICH8M ECWin7/32
        15" Dell_XPS.M1530T9300-2.53.0HD5770+xb3601005853.2Scott1620 & lazyboyICH8M ECWin7/64
        15" Dell_Studio 1555T6500-2.14.0HD58709297TBAPyro515 &ICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" Asus X42JRi7-740M 1.734.0HD48709133d23durianHM55 mPCIeWin7/64
        12" Lenovo_X200P8600-2.44.0GT240@x1.Opt749652.0hallucinate &YICH9M ECWin7/64
        16" Tosh.A505-6965P7350-2.04.09800GT+SFF380951.9Oddious ICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" MSI CR630P320-2.14.0HD68709089Gausen RS780M ECWin7/64
        16" Acer 6930T5800-2.04.0GTX460@x1.Opt900649.5Rizzett ICH9M ECWin7/64
        17" Acer_9525T7200-2.04.0GT240@x2519747.0JohnnyEMYICH7M EC+mPCIeWin7/64
        GT240@x1346437.3
        17" HP DV71267CLZM86-2.44.0HD5770884846.5Malumake & x1E-typeRS780M ECWin7/64
        13" Dell_XPS M1330T5750-2.04.0HD58708500*ruhtraeelYICH8M ECWin7/32
        16" HP HDX16P7550-2.264.0HD5750/GTX4608112Panzer... &ICH9M ECWin7/64
        18" HP HDX18TQX9300-2.536.09600GT-exeICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Dell_Insp 1520T8300-2.43.0GTS450@x2720545.5MoerfYICH8M ECWin7/32
        12" HP_TX2RM75-2.28.0HD5770+CMElite786542.4*yuutsumi ChesniakYRS780M ECWin7/64
        15" MSI M610RM76-2.32.0HD56707850rednaxelaRS780M ECXP
        12" Fujitsu U9200T8100@2.84.0HD48707730timohourICH8M ECWin7/64
        13" Dell_XPS M1330T8100-2.14.0HD56707657tanYICH8M ECWin7/64
        12" HP 2510PU7600@1.62.0HD5750.HD4670734144.8nando4YICH8M mPCIeWin7/32
        15" Toshiba L300T3400-2.164.0GTX550Ti@x1.Opt843844.7lightnicaICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Son.VGN-NS110eT3200-2.02.0GTX460S@x1.Opt+811141.1acer47okICH9M ECWin7/32
        13" Dell_Vostro 1310T7250-2.02.0HD56707426LichtensteinICH8M ECWin7/64
        15" Ak14-550tT5500-1.662.0HD5670@x1E41.1chung_gunICH7M ECWin7/32
        16" GtWay MC7805EP9500-2.531.5HD4850849540.6*MexicanSnakeICH9M ECWin7/64
        17" HP DV7-3020EDM300-2.04.0HD48708087AdjaiYRS780 ECWin7/64
        15" Acer Ext.5620T5750-2.02.0HD48707314FardavidICH8M ECWin7/32
        14" HP_Pav.DV2000T2050-1.63.0HD5750@x2673538.5nando4YICH7M mPCIe x2Win7/32
        11" Acer 1810TZSU4100-1.3??HD48905490OmatierYICH9M mPCIe??
        15" ASUS X59SLP8400-2.263.0GTS450460538.2JeykhobSIS968 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell_Insp.E1505T2300-1.662.0HD5770+green6948??StackyICH7M ECWin7/32
        HD5750671638.0key001XP
        12" Lenovo_X61TL7300-1.42.0HD48706700?Collaris112ICH8M mPCIeWin7/32
        14" Lenovo_T61T7300-2.02.0HD4850690837.5MuftobrationICH8M ECWin7/??
        14" HP dv2416USTL56-1.82.09800GTX34.9*ShewtemupMCP51 ECWin7/32
        15" Dell_Insp.1545T4400-2.24.0GT430@x1.Opt6047bache &ICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" HP 6910PT7300-2.0?4.0HD5570--NosIreland & &YICH8M ECXP
        14" HP NC6400T7200-2.0?3.0HD55705872-NosIreland & &YICH7M ECXP
        12" Lenovo_X200P8600-2.43.0HD4670grojulesICH9M ECWin7
        15" Acer 5720GTxxx???HD4670@x1E482526.9SmellyGeekBoyYICH8M ECWin7/64
        11" Acer 1410SU3500-1.43.0GTX460431323.7K5Doom & &ICH9M mPCIeWin7/64
        11" Acer Ferrari OneTK42-1.6??GT4304017ciccio64RS780M mPCIeWin7/??
        15" MSI GX640i5-430M 2.268.0GT5202840AxeiaHM55 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_T60T2400-1.83??GT2402446KwisatchICH7M ECWin7/??
        10" Asus 1015PEMN550-1.52.0GT430@x1.OptmabrownNM10 mPCIeWin7/32
        10" EEE-PC X101N435@1.561.0HD485020477wordsNM10 mPCIeWin8
        9" HP Mini 2133Via C7M-1.61.0HD585016596.0timohourVIA ECXP

        DX10-centric Performance: ensure PhysX is set to CPU in the NVIDIA control panel.


























































































































        System
        CPU
        RAM
        		 vant.gpudmcv4.s4
        Setup Details
        Experience details
        1.x1
        Ports2
        OS
        15" Lenovo T520i7-2860QM 2.516.0GTX680@x1.2Opt29463295.3Kuro-D & &QM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Lat.E6520i7-2920XM 2.48.0GTX580@x1.2Opt24399217.3Khenglish &QM67 ECWin7/64
        13"_Sony_Z21i7-2620M 2.78.0GTX480@x1.2Opt19829214.8MikjoAYHM67 mPCIeWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220Ti5-2520M 2.58.0GTX680@x1.2Opt25847197.4arsenal243 QM67 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i7-2640M 2.88.0GTX560Ti4@x1.2Opt20457184.8Fausts QM67 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i5-2520M 2.58.0GTX560Ti4@x1.2Opt17973181.4CabaalQM67 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i5-2520M 2.54.0GTX570@x1.2Opt18198174.0papluhQM67 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i7-2640M 2.88.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt16693157.4jemino &QM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Lenovo W530i7-3820QM 2.716.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt16520PearfQM77 ECWin7/64
        14" HP 8460Pi5-2540M 2.68.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt16481bjormQM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Fujitsu AH531i5-2410M 2.38.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt15880155.4Fardavid &YHM65 ECWin7/64
        12" HP 2560Pi5-2540M 2.68.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt15587147.5nando4 SimoxTavQM67 ECWin7/64
        15" HP 4530si7-2630QM 2.08.0GTX460@x1.2Opt14241145.0timohourHM65 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_Y460i7-640M 2.88.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt14483madseasonYHM55 ECWin7/64
        15" Sager NP2096E8435@3.54.0GTX460@x211989138.3Khenglish & & &YICH9M EC+mPCIeWin7/64
        13" Sony_VPC-Z12i7-620M 2.668.0GTX580@x1.Opt18831Phatboy69 HM57: ECWin7/64
        13" Sony_VPC-Z11i7-620M 2.668.0GTX580@x1.Opt17957128.8pyr0HM57 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220/Ti7-2620M 2.78.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt14578120.2Xav / SuumasQM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell XPS15.L502i7-2720QM 2.28.0GTX460.7@x1.1Opt118.9wicked20YHM67 mPCIeWin7/64
        13" Sony_VPC-Z11i7-620M 2.668.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt15426117.7MikjoA &HM57 ECWin7/64
        14" Toshiba R840i3-2310M 2.13.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt14629-anilpalepuYQM67 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_Y460i5-520M 2.44.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt13953MjolnerYHM55 ECWin7/64
        15" Acer 5755Gi7-2630QM 2.08.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt13348azoriHM65 mPCIeWin7/64
        14" HP DV4-2000i5-430M 2.264.0GTX470@x2.Opt11183116.4nando4YHM55 mPCIe x2Win7/64
        12" HP 2530PL9600@2.904.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt11868115.4nando4ICH9M ECWin7/64
        14" HP DV4-2000i5-430M 2.264.0GTX470@x1.Opt12859114.3nando4HM55 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220/Ti5-2520M 2.58.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt14056113.5atticus182 WarwickeoQM67 ECWin7/64
        13" Dell Lat.E4300P9400@3.164.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt12915113.0nando4ICH9M ECWin7/64
        16" Dell XPS 1640P8600@2.533.0GTX560Ti@x413542112.0DerbishYICH9M EC+PM3NWin7/64
        15" Dell Lat.E6520i7-2920XM 2.48.0GTX460@x1.1Opt13233106.3KhenglishQM67 ECWin7/64
        13" Sony_VPC-Z12i7-620M 2.668.0GTX470@x1.Opt11842yuumaHM57 ECWin7/64
        13" Sony_VPC-Z13i7-640M 2.808.0GTX460@x1.Opt11686docusyn &YHM57 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo E420i5-2410M 2.38.0GTX460@x1.1Opt11294apacYQM65 ECWin7/64
        14" Dell_Insp.1440T6600-2.24.0GTX470@x1.Opt1097296.5nando4 &ICH9M ECWin7/32
        15" Acer 5920GT7300-2.04.0GTX560Ti@x210667AJIEKCYICH8M EC+mPCIeWin7/64
        14" Lenovo Edge 14i3-390M 2.666.0GTX460SE@x1.Opt952195.0useafo HM55 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Studio 1557i7-720QM 1.64.0HD5870@x21461693.3kizwanYPM55 mPCIe x2Win7/64
        12" Lenovo_x201i7-620M 2.664.0GTX460@x1.Opt1050392.9AgentYuraQM57 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo_X200P8700-2.532.0GTX460@x1.Opt1033190.6ithildinICH9M ECWin7/32
        15" Dell Insp.1545T9400@2.664.0GTX460@x1.Opt10092hizzaahICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Tos.L305-S5921T9300-2.52.0GTX460@x1.Opt87.4kizakisuICH9M ECWin7/32
        16" Acer 6930T5800-2.04.0GTX460@x1.Opt1008394.8*Rizzett ICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" HP 4530si7-2630QM 2.08.0HD5850@x1.21502189.2timohourYHM65 ECWin7/64
        15" Sager NP8662P8700-2.534.0GTX580@x21412988.3mangos47 &YICH9M: ECWin7/64
        15" Clevo M860TUP8400@2.44.0HD5770@x2E&962776.3jamesbond007YICH9M EC+mPCIeWin7/64
        HD5850@x2E1054368.0
        14" Dell E6420i5-2410M 2.38.0GTS450@x1.2Opt8419 ElmopolQM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Sager NP5793X9000-2.804.0GTX460SE731868.5mental2ICH8M ECWin7/64
        14" Asus_F8SA/PT9300-2.54.0GTX460720069.6ithildinYICH8M ECWin7/64
        13" Dell_XPS M1330T8300-2.44.0GTX460720265.3flaunt &ICH8M ECWin7/64
        16" Asus M60Ji7-720QM 1.66.0GTX465644369.3JohnnyEMPM55 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell_Insp 1520T8300-2.43.0GTS450@x2563069.1MoerfYICH8M ECWin7/32
        14" Lenovo T410i5-540M 2.538.0HD68501019659.4timrenzi &QM57 ECWin7/64
        14" HP_Pav.DV2000T2050-1.63.0HD5750@x2557955.4nando4YICH7M mPCIe x2Win7/32
        12" Lenovo X220i5-2540M 2.68.09800GT@x1.2429552.7sivikchenQM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Studio 1557i7-720QM 1.64.0HD58701335752.5kizwanPM55 ECWin7/64
        15" Acer 5742Gi3-370M 2.44.0HD5770675351.0BTRYHM55 mPCIeWin7/64
        13" Dell_XPS 1340P8400-2.264.0HD5770692349.6Kristoffer & x1E-typeMCP79 ECWin7/64
        14" Asus_F8SA/PT9300-2.54.0HD5750@x1E5436ithildinYICH8M ECWin7/64
        14" HP_Pavilion DV4P8600-2.44.0HD5750@x1E521541.8nando4YICH9M mPCIeWin7/64
        14" Dell_Insp.1440T6600-2.24.0HD5750@x1E500442.1nando4YICH9M ECWin7/32
        HD4870.2GB@x1E548643.6
        13" Dell_Lat.E4310i5-520M 2.44.0HD6850705140.5mattlach &QM57 ECWin7/64
        13" Sony Z46GDP9700-2.86.0HD5770557737.9andeelym YICH9M ECWin7/64
        16" Tosh.A505-6965P7350-2.04.09800GT@x1E+SFF365137.8OddiousICH9M ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo_x201si7-640LM 2.134.0HD5850716334.0ashura QM57 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_T60T2400-1.83??GT2402964Kwisatch ICH7M ECWin7/??

        DX11-centric Performance: set 1280x800 resolution and ensure PhysX is set to CPU in the NVIDIA control panel.






























































        System
        CPU
        RAM
        		 3dmk11Heaven
        Setup Details
        Experience details
        1.x1
        Ports2
        OS
        15" Lenovo T520i7-2860QM 2.516.0GTX680@x1.2Opt86262441Kuro-D & &QM67 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220Ti5-2520M 2.58.0GTX680@x1.2Opt85852347arsenal243 QM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Lat.E6520i7-2920XM 2.48.0GTX580@x1.2Opt68832089Khenglish &QM67 ECWin7/64
        13"_Sony_Z21i7-2620M 2.78.0GTX480@x1.2Opt60802099MikjoAYHM67 mPCIeWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i7-2640M 2.88.0GTX560Ti.4@x1.2Opt5741Fausts QM67 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i5-2520M 2.54.0GTX570@x1.2Opt51441934papluhQM67 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i5-2520M 2.58.0GTX560Ti4@x1.2Opt49191306CabaalQM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Fujitsu AH531i5-2410M 2.38.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt43601418Fardavid &YHM65 ECWin7/64
        14" Toshiba R840i3-2310M 2.13.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt43371245anilpalepuYQM67 ECWin7/64
        14" HP 8460Pi5-2540M 2.68.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt4240bjormQM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Sager NP8662P8700-2.534.0GTX580@x24219mangos47 &YICH9M: ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i7-2640M 2.88.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt42111324jeminoQM67 ECWin7/64
        16" Dell XPS 1640P8600@2.533.0GTX560Ti@x44147959DerbishYICH9M EC+PM3NWin7/64
        12" HP 2560Pi5-2540M 2.68.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt40961351nando4 SimoxTavQM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Lenovo W530i7-3820QM 2.716.0GTX560Ti@x1.2Opt4049PearfQM77 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_Y460i5-520M 2.44.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt40411156MjolnerYHM55 ECWin7/64
        14" Lenovo_Y460i7-640M 2.88.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt4030madseasonYHM55 ECWin7/64
        12" Lenovo X220i5-2520M 2.58.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt37621230atticus182QM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Lenovo Z570i7-2630QM 2.08.0GTX560@x1.1Opt3751primoxtian &HM65 mPCIeWin7/64
        15" Dell Lat.E6520i7-2920XM 2.48.0GTX460@x1.1Opt36681093Khenglish QM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Studio 1557i7-720QM 1.64.0HD5870@x23667714kizwanYPM55 mPCIe x2Win7/64
        15" HP 4530si7-2630QM 2.08.0GTX460@x1.2Opt36211141timohourHM65 ECWin7/64
        15" Acer 5755Gi7-2630QM 2.08.0GTX560Ti@x1.1Opt3570azoriHM65 mPCIeWin7/64
        12" Dell Lat.E6220i5-2520M 2.54.0GTX460@x1.1Opt3549kevmanw4301 QM67 ECWin7/64
        15" Acer 5920GT7300-2.04.0GTX560Ti@x23380AJIEKCYICH8M EC+mPCIeWin7/64
        13" Dell Lat.E4300P9400@3.164.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt33591248nando4ICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" HP 4530si7-2630QM 2.08.0HD5850@x1.23308909timohourYHM65 ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Studio 1557i7-720QM 1.64.0HD58703220572kizwanPM55 ECWin7/64
        14" HP 8460Pi7-2720QM 2.28.0GTX460.7@x1.1Opt2874666danenick1212QM67 ECWin7/64
        12" HP 2530PL9600@2.904.0GTX560Ti@x1.Opt28101246nando4ICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Insp.1545T9400@2.664.0GTX460@x1.Opt2786hizzaahICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Dell Prec.M4500i7-920XM 2.08.0HD68502612727bc2946088 QM57 ECWin7/64
        15" Toshiba L300T8100-2.14.0GTX460@x1.Opt1011BarkBarkICH9M ECWin7/64
        15" Sager NP5793X9000-2.804.0GTX460SE2037383mental2ICH8M ECWin7/64
        14" Dell E6420i5-2410M 2.38.0GTS450@x1.2Opt2032 ElmopolQM67 ECWin7/64

        Key
        RED - a x2 1.0 link using a PE4H linking expresscard+mPCIe or mPCIe+mPCIe. All others are x1 1.0.
        ORANGE - appears to have port layout to do a high-performance x2 1.0 setup using either [port1+2], [port3+4], [port5+6], [port7+8]
        GREEN - video card that requires only a compact 12v/80w AC adapter for power. No external ATX PSU needed.

        All tested at 1280x800 except 3dmark06 which used the default 1280x1024 and those marked *

        x1.1: x1 2.0 (5GT/s) capable system running at x1 1.0 (2.5GT/s) if PCIe 2.0 DIY eGPU hardware is used.
        x1.Opt: system with Intel 4500MHD, HD, HD3000 or HD4000 iGPU primary graphics using NVIDIA Optimus for higher performance + internal LCD mode.
        x2.Opt = x2 link, Intel HD graphics, Optimus driver, but Optimus performance tweak only engages on x1 link as found.
        x1E/x2E: apply x1E tweak to ATI cards and older NVIDIA cards on series-4 or older Intel chipsets to get ~full duplex performance

        1 Requires DIY eGPU Setup 1.x to overcome 12: cannot allocate resources and/or to set specific port requirements.

        2 EC/mPCIe: ExpressCard/mPCIe slot used by a EC2C/PM3N product. Port layout required for x1E/x2/x2E/x4 mode. Intel chipsets' require port1 enabled for other ports to work so port1 may not be a physical mPCIe/EC slot.

        Systems incapable of running 4GB+ setups for reasons as explained. These will require a DSDT override to work.
        1. 41st-gen i-core and core2Duo Dell Latitude have TOLUD=3.5GB.
        2. MSI CRx20
        3. Lenovo T420 doesn't work unless use bios 1.15 as explained.
        4. Sony E-Series i-core has an unusual reserved system device. Only a NVIDIA card can fit around it in 32-bit space.
        5. Dell XPS 1530M has TOLUD=3.5GB as explained.
        Systems capable of a higher performance x4 or x2 PCIe links

        The Orange and Red systems shown in the above table. Also:

        Systems not capable of a higher performance x2 1.0 PCIe link shown in black in the table above, as well as:

        Acer 4741G(mPCIe), 5820TG(mPCIe), 8935G, Asus F3JC, G60, N61JQ, Dell Vostro_3400, Inspiron_1545*, HP DV3-2232tx, DV6-2119TX, DV7-3110TX, Lenovo G560, x201s, MSI A620x/Cx620, U200 (mPCIe), Samsung R580, Sony VGNNW29GF, Toshiba A300*, A500-026, A500-031, M305, P500-01g, R700, U500-00k.

        * = can do a x1E tweak, relevant to only ATI cards and older NVIDIA cards, since the ExpressCard slot is an odd numbered port with nothing occupying the next port and is a series-4 or older Intel chipset.

        Implementations: Macbook

        • MacBook 17 T7600-2.33 with X1600 + HD6850 implemented with Win7/32

        • Mac Mini T7200-2.0 + HD5450 implemented with Win7.

        • MBP 17" T2600-2.16 with X1600 + GT240M result with Win7.

        • MBP 15" Unibody T7500-2.2, 6GB RAM with 8600M GT+HD4650/HD5770-7LCDs impl. & & & with Win7.

        • MBP 15" Unibody T7500-2.2 with 8600M GT + HD4870 implemented with Win7 and MacOS 10.6


        For MacOS DIY eGPU implementations see DIY eGPU MacOS Experiences.

        Implementations: CUDA/OpenCL Applications
        Octane Render: 10x faster than CPU-based rendering.
        Badaboom: CUDA based video transcoding

        Implementations: Non-video
        Creative SB X-Fi Titanium desktop sound card via the ExpressCard slot. See details.

        Non-English eGPU Forums


        Acknowledgements: Many thanks to all of the NBR members who have shared their experiences for others to benefit from.
        Last edited by Cleonard; 14th February 2013 at 11:36 AM.
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      • 18th September 2009, 12:34 PM #2
        mikespit1
        mikespit1 is offline
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        Default Re: DIY ViDock - My experiences so far

        Wow, that's a great write-up. Thanks!
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      • 18th September 2009, 03:27 PM #3
        osomphane
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        Default Re: DIY ViDock - My experiences so far

        rep +1 for awesome
        Asus U6S-A1
        Asus M50SV-A1
        Asus N81VP-D2
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      • 18th September 2009, 05:39 PM #4
        [>>ahl395<<]
        [>>ahl395<<] is offline
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        Default Re: DIY ViDock - My experiences so far

        So...it worked via Mini PCIe on your dv2000?

        Extended Signature
        I’ve gotta roll the dice, Never look back and never think twice ~ Papa Roach
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      • 18th September 2009, 07:30 PM #5
        wilse
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        Default Re: DIY ViDock - My experiences so far

        Interesting. The question I have is whether anyone has seen any rumors/info on when we'll start seeing ExpressCard 2.0 in notebooks from manufacturers? I get that you can have better by speeds using the mini-pcie, but I wouldn't want to crack open my laptop and remove the wireless card every time I wanted to play a game.

        Lenovo has some new T-series Thinkpads coming out in early 2010 - wonder if they'll be ExpressCard 2.0?
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      • 19th September 2009, 01:05 PM #6
        tvdang7
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        Default Re: DIY ViDock - My experiences so far

        think the performance is cpu limited? or is the 1x express card limiting it. i have a 2.53ghz
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      • 19th September 2009, 07:47 PM #7
        User Retired 2
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        Default Re: DIY ViDock - My experiences so far

        Quote Originally Posted by key001 View Post
        Just wondering if you have to assign a memory window proportional to the videocard's VRAM in the bat file for pcitool?
        It's a 256MB window into the video card's 256/512MB/1GB VRAM.

        Quote Originally Posted by [>>ahl395<<] View Post
        So...it worked via Mini PCIe on your dv2000?
        Yes. mPCIe or expressport both work and both do the same bios bootup mode if HD4670 is connected on powerup. Notice too the expressport is port1 and the mPCIe is port4 as shown here.

        Quote Originally Posted by tvdang7 View Post
        think the performance is cpu limited? or is the 1x express card limiting it. i have a 2.53ghz
        The cpu is the minor culprit in limiting the performance. x1 1.0 expresscard/mPCIe being the greater bottleneck as we can see by the PCI-E Scaling Analysis. A HD3850-256MB, which would perform slightly worse in a normal desktop system than a HD4670, gets a RE5 score of 57FPS at x2 1.0 mode, or 34FPS in x1.0 mode. The CPU too is limiting the performance as you can see I'm capped at ~U9400 levels, but the 3dmark/RE5 scores have increased as cpu power increases from ~n270->~U3500->U7600@1.5(OC)->~U9400 levels so I'd expect that to continue slightly.

        Quote Originally Posted by wilse View Post
        I get that you can have better by speeds using the mini-pcie, but I wouldn't want to crack open my laptop and remove the wireless card every time I wanted to play a game.
        I guess it's a question of priorities. x2 1.0 giving quite an impressive performance increase as shown by the PCI-E Scaling Analysis. I'd personally go the x2 1.0 link mode if my system supports it and an inexpensive USB Wifi stick.
        Last edited by User Retired 2; 23rd March 2010 at 08:48 PM.
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      • 19th September 2009, 08:12 PM #8
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        Default Re: DIY ViDock - My experiences so far

        Just wondering I have a slot for a mini tv card next to the mini pcie slot currently used for wireless. Can that be used for x2 1.0 link or is it a different socket?
        Alienware M15x | Intel i7 920XM | 1080p | 8GB G-Skill | Samsung 470 256GB + Hitachi 7k500 500GB | AMD 7970M @ 950/1450 (1.05V)| External Sony BD5500S Bluray | Windows 7 | 240W + 9 cell | Bigfoot 1103 | USB 3.0 |

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      • 19th September 2009, 10:29 PM #9
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        Default Re: DIY ViDock - My experiences so far

        Quote Originally Posted by nando4 View Post
        I guess it's a question of priorities. x2 1.0 giving quite an impressive performance increase as shown by the PCI-E Scaling Analysis. I'd personally go the x2 1.0 link mode if my system supports it and an inexpensive USB Wifi stick.
        for a system that just sits on your desk, sure
        but for a laptop you take with you in your backpack/briefcase every day and work on for 10 hours in a business day?
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      • 21st September 2009, 09:16 AM #10
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        Default Re: DIY ViDock - My experiences so far

        8600M vs s good desktop graphic card limited at 1x pci-e. not much of an improvement...
        MSI GUS II, EXTERNAL THUNDERBOLT GPU.
        http://forum.notebookreview.com/e-gp...si-gus-ii.html
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