Z1 + ViDock + GTX 570 > FTW (the Z2/PMD killer)

[ComputerCowboy]

Plugging the card in post boot was hit or miss.
The delayed boot method works everytime.
I don't know if the BIOS hack is required or not. I have the hack so that I can run the latest nVidia drivers for the 330M instead of being stuck with dated hybrid drivers. The hack seems to have come in handy here also because I can totally disable the 330M and it resolves the conflict with the GTX 570. I am not saying you need the hack, I am just saying I already have it and it is helpful in this setup. I would highly recommend the hack either way since it allows the best performance of both the Intel and nVidia GPUs. I never liked the way the hybrid drivers worked or performed.

The price of Video cards always comes down, the ViDock is probably not going to change much. You don't have to get the 4Plus, you could get a lesser ViDock and GPU, or you could go the DIY route. I love DIY but I didn't really have time to mess with it. The ViDock is a great product, it is much more compact than a DIY eGPU and it is well supported by the vendor. This is my work machine, I need it to work, no headaches.

[xxGenericSNxx]

So if you remove the jumpers to your 330M, does that mean you can't use that graphics card when you don't have the vidock attached?

[ComputerCowboy]

^ no, the jumpers I was talking about have nothing to do with the 330M, the jumpers are part of the ViDock. The point of pulling the jumpers is to delay the start of the ViDock so the VAIO can boot.

The 330M can be enabled or disabled with the Tri-Selector switch on the VAIO.

[xxGenericSNxx]

Oh okay gotcha.

And if one were to not have a hacked bios/hacked drivers for the two graphics cards on the Z, will putting the tri-switch to stamina still allow smooth operation of the vidock, or maybe you wouldn't know since you aren't running stock?

[maven1975]

I know we can't have it all, but I want to use the internal monitor on the Z. Is this is still a no go?

That's the only HUGE + I see for the Z2 and PMD combo.

[ComputerCowboy]

According to Nautis (he sent me this link) you can drive the internal graphics with an eGPU
check it

DIY eGPU experiences

[maven1975]

Pants tent in FULL effect!

[maven1975]

I wonder how Crysis 2 will run with it at 1080p. I know your not a big gamer, but anything you can share would be amazing. Digging through the eGPU thread it seemed that most said not to spend the cash on this mod because of the 1x PCIE slot.

So with the express card bottleneck, how would this mod for the Z compare to say a 6750 in my wifes MBP?

[dariusnaz]

Well you know what they say: the best way to get over someone (or something in this case) is to find someone new ; )

[ComputerCowboy]

Oh okay gotcha.

And if one were to not have a hacked bios/hacked drivers for the two graphics cards on the Z, will putting the tri-switch to stamina still allow smooth operation of the vidock, or maybe you wouldn't know since you aren't running stock?

Don't know. I wouldn't mind turning the BIOS setting back to AUTO but I am NOT going to install those crap hybrid drivers just to check... sorry.
In the other thread it looked like the guy was running a DIY eGPU with the hybrid drivers though.

Pants tent in FULL effect!

LOL TMI

I wonder how Crysis 2 will run with it at 1080p. I know your not a big gamer, but anything you can share would be amazing. Digging through the eGPU thread it seemed that most said not to spend the cash on this mod because of the 1x PCIE slot.

So with the express card bottleneck, how would this mod for the Z compare to say a 6750 in my wifes MBP?

Seems to me that if it gets a WEI score of 7.9 and a decent 3D mark score it should be able to play games pretty well. Do you have a link to a demo?