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

[pyr0]

Thanks, that helps.

Given that the Z runs an external GPU through the ExpressCard interface which is a x1 PCIe lane at 2.5Gb/s, there are certain bandwidth limitations. The expresscard interface is the actual bottleneck in the ViDock implementation so actual gaming performance strongly depends on this.

Tests show that high end cards do not perform noticeably better than slower and cheaper cards that are already fast enough to satisfy the full bandwidth of the PCIe link.

Different VPC-Z1 implementations can be found in the performance table of the eGPU thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/gami...periences.html

I have built a GTX460, a GTX560Ti and a GTX580 setup and they all perform approx. the same (as you can see in the performance table). A 500$ GTX580 hits just 1fps more in games compared to a 220$ GTX560Ti. A GTX460 is just a few fps behind in DX10 games, in DX9, they perform almost the same.

The best bang-per-buck you get with a GTX560Ti, that does not even need an additional PSU if you got the ViDock4+. Your Z won't perform noticeably faster with higher end NVidias, ATI cards will perform poor since they lack data compression over PCIe 1x which significantly boosts NVidias.

What you else have to take care of:

- Install the BIOS hack for the Z1 - this gives you the option to select static VGA mode. This switch in the advanced menu in BIOS disengages the buggy hybrid graphics system of the Z1. Run in STAMINA mode while docked to the ViDock (this only enables the integrated INTEL GPU, switches off the GT330M) so you get Optimus compression activated which gives you full speed.

- Game on an external monitor connected to the ViDock. Running on the internal screen cuts performance in half because it needs more PCIe bandwidth

[anytimer]

Very useful and insightful post, pyr0. Repped. Oops! Got to rep someone else first.

[Fduch1984]

The best bang-per-buck you get with a GTX560Ti, that does not even need an additional PSU if you got the ViDock4+. Your Z won't perform noticeably faster with higher end NVidias, ATI cards will perform poor since they lack data compression over PCIe 1x which significantly boosts NVidias.

Thanks a lot, pyr0! I will stick to your recommendations and buy GTX560Ti.

- Install the BIOS hack for the Z1 - this gives you the option to select static VGA mode. This switch in the advanced menu in BIOS disengages the buggy hybrid graphics system of the Z1. Run in STAMINA mode while docked to the ViDock (this only enables the integrated INTEL GPU, switches off the GT330M) so you get Optimus compression activated which gives you full speed.

What about hybrid mode? Will it still be possible to switch between Intel and nVidia 330M videocards without rebooting? I am playing games at home while switching cards on-the-run is a bit essential for me. As far as I know Villagetronic guys wrote another manual for Z-series which doesn't include BIOS hack.

[pyr0]

What about hybrid mode? Will it still be possible to switch between Intel and nVidia 330M videocards without rebooting? I am playing games at home while switching cards on-the-run is a bit essential for me. As far as I know Villagetronic guys wrote another manual for Z-series which doesn't include BIOS hack.

Sure, you can also keep hybrid mode. But you need workarounds which all bring downsides to your setup. I am not sure how good this all works since you need the hybrid (nvidia/intel combination) AND the desktop GPU (ViDock) driver installed side by side. I doubt it works very well. You can also use Setup1.x to deactivate the GT330M but then again, you lose the hybrid switching until you reboot. See also kturnbull's experience here.

You can install a mixed Intel HD/GT330M/desktop Fermi Optimus package tho - this requires just a few lines changed in the Verde driver inf. But here you don't have HDMI support on your Z and the GT330M eats your battery even when you don't use it. See yuuma's guide on this here.

Conclusion:
You asked me for the BEST performing setup and the only answer is - with no doubt - a BIOS-hacked Z1 running native, latest drivers. Does not hurt that much to do a quick reboot if you need the GT330 on the go.

[beaups]

Very useful and insightful post, pyr0. Repped. Oops! Got to rep someone else first.

I'll take one for the team and you can rep me.

[anytimer]

Has anyone tried the BIOS hack with hybrid drivers? Wonder how the ViDock runs with those?

Also, has anyone played around with hardware profiles? Just throwing out ideas here.

LOL beaups. Good idea.

[Nautis]

I know nando meantioned to me about not being able to use the 330M as a dedicated PhysX processor with Z1 + eGPU setup. Said it would be great to help figure that out. Assuming all three GPUs are present and seen by windows it shouldnt be impossible to do. Maybe he was talking about iGPU + dGPU + eGPU with Optimus. I forget the context, sorry.

Really need to get me one of these eGPUs now that I have a Z1.

[gambitlebeau]

Thanks...yet again, Pyro, for the egpu-z1 info.

I don't know why I am reluctant to do the bios hack, maybe because i am that much of a scared newb and/or wait & see what else Nautis conjures up for the Z1 but if I want best egpu performance, than its the way to go.

[cyclone5]

yea Village kind of sucks

I am not pleased at all to find out how they have treated other customers. I haven't even been using my ViDock since I figured out how to get the U3011 going without it, since Cyclone's dock caught fire I am not too keen on leaving it unattended. Maybe if I decide to get another U3011 I'll get that Matrox card that does 4x WQXGA.

Update: After about 4 or 5 weeks wait I have got a response from Village. ________________
A customer support staff member has replied to your support request, #329483 with the following response:

Dear Peter,

Thanks for your picture. Can you ship the ViDock with power supply to this address:
VillageTronic,YinZhi
XiaoMao Wei
No.19,Xintai,street,
Lijiang Garden,
Dashi Panyu,
Guangzhou,511431
P.R.China
Phone:+86.20.39981362

We will try to repair it and let you know the result and ship back. Thank you very much. If you have any problem, please let us know.

Best Regards,
Michael
___________________________________________________

[User Retired 2]

We will try to repair it and let you know the result and ship back.

Have you considered asking for a new board? Surely it is relatively straightforward to swap out. The cost to send tracked items to China are quite high in Australia.

Or perhaps ask for a refund since:

(1) a the 225W a VD4+ supplies cannot drive a GTX570 contrary to what you were told prior to purchase.

(2) it cannot transmit pci-e 2.0 (expresscard 2.0) contrary to the their advertising. While not an issue with a Z1, it would mean lowered performance if you were to attach it to a Series-6 chipset system like a Lenovo X220 or Toshiba R830, both with pci-e 2.0 compliant expresscard slots with double the bandwidth.