Best GPU for Vidock 4

So I went and bought myself a Vidock 4, I wanted a simple solution that I can bring around to friends houses without spending money on a desktop.

I was wondering what video card I should pair it with? I have a Lenovo T420 right now.

Thanks

 

If you have the money GTX 670 or 680 with an optimus enabled setup will serve you perfectly. There is already someone with a T520 on the diy egpu experiences thread who successfully utilized one. If you have the money, I suggest you buy the Zotac GTX 670 4GB version which has exactly the same PCB/Cooler as the GTX 680 version.

 

The Vidock 4 only has one PCIE 6 pin though...

 

So it's limited to 150W. There's no GTX660 yet so the most powerful NVidia card within your power limits is a GTX560 (150W). I'd suggest figure a way of getting a refund for that weakling enclosure that is imho, overpriced for such a simple device.

Instead, I'd suggest make a DIY enclosure using a PE4L 2.1b and power it with a portable 203W xbox 360 PSU. The money you'd save going the DIY route plus the higher max power available means you could look at a GTX560Ti (175W) or a GTX670 (195W).

 

By the time I spend money on the Power supply, Enclosure, and all the stuff it's going to be like 200, and it will just be a mess... The reason I went for this is because I wanted something I can easily bring to my friends house that I can pack up and go. The only thing I could make would be a wooden box for it...

 

Fair enough, but the sums are way off. Can buy the basic DIY bits for ~$99. That gets you a more powerful product.

$81-shipped PE4L 2.1b from HIT
$18-shipped xbox 360 203W PSU

Then just need some soldering to make the XB360 PSU usable + creativity to come up with an enclosure, examples here. Usually there is a tech head in the friends circle that could volunteer to make something to spec for some small incentive like beers

 

I have a lot of carpentry tools, and I'm sure I could make a box for it. I'm just being lazy... I don't play many demanding games either so I don't need anything more than a 7770 or a 7850...

Will a 7850 work with Vidock by the way?

 

My bad, I mistook Vidock 4 for Vidock 4+, 225W version. Can't you just hack into a 12V laptop power adapter and make another 6-pin pci-express power connector?

 

Nice suggestions. I'm looking forward to getting or making one.

 

ViDock 4+ 225W achieved using a 150W + 75W AC adapter

Maybe. A ViDock4 uses an external 150W AC adapter. A ViDock4+ uses a large 150W and a smaller 75W adapter to achieve 225W like shown below which imho, is not a compact or tidy solution at all.


Source: here

If hacking in a 12V laptop adapter why not just go a cheaper DIY eGPU solution instead? eg: A GTX560Ti was powered by a modified 203W XBOX360 AC adapter here and here using a PE4H. It wires through it's 12V (and 5V if using a PE4L) like shown below (Yellow=12V, Red=5V, Black=GND)



Source: here.

The example xbox360 PSU + enclosure may not be as pretty but it's cheaper and more portable. I personally would enclose the xbox360 PSU to get a neater finish.

 

I agree with you nando4, but it's my understanding that the op has already bought the vidock 4 possibly thinking that it will save him a lot of hassle. I can't fault him for that since I myself bought a vidock 2 for 100€s, to save some time but mostly to avoid dealing with the potential headache that could be caused by turkish customs officials when importing the necessary parts for the diy vidock project. Now I realize that not starting with a modular build ends up taking more time in the long run which I have to address soon.

I plan to build an enclosure similar to what you pointed out (much better looking of course ), hopefully replacing (upgrading) parts with future revisions of hwtools hardware along the way now that I have a foundation to work with. In that sense, maybe the op is better off with a temporary fix, as he builds a case/psu/board combo that is road-proof on the side. Speaking of road-proofing, I see high end workstations which are shipped with the graphics cards being fixed to the case using plastic/backplate solutions, especially if the graphics card has a heavy cooler, as most high end cards do nowadays. Have you seen anyone implement such a thing with their egpu cases for when they just lug the thing around in their backpacks? I am asking this because I believe most desktop hardware isn't built with people lugging them around in mind.

 

The best GPU for the ViDock 4 Plus that has been tested to work so far is a GTX 670. As far as the ViDock 4 with only 1 6-pin power, I don't know what is the best card in that range.

 

as long as you will stay in the 150W limit you can use PCI Express power splitter cable picture - so using GTX 560 and VD4 is possible

 

If you are able to wait a bit longer, A nvidia 660 would be the best choice given it only uses 130w of power.

 

Are you under a budget? You can still find a GTX 460 for a good price, last time I checked it's around 1/3 (if you're lucky, 1/4) the price of the GTX 660 Ti. If the OP isn't planning on intensive gaming, I don't think I could justify the cost for the amount of performance difference.

 

What gpu are you running Epicblob,
I'm thinking of running an eGPU with my early 2011 mbp 13".
Just not sure if I would go vidock 4+ route like yours or set up a DIY eGPU.

From the pic I seen with the vidock 4+ looks quite messy.

 

I am running mine with a nvidia 560. That picture makes it look messy because it is all clumped together. I just have the power bricks and dvi cable running behind my desk so the only cable visible is the expresscard cable.

 

Tested and confirmed, the ViDock 4 Plus can accommodate a GTX 670 4GB.

 

Is your VD4+ still running exposed to correct a resonance as detailed in your last post at http://forum.notebookreview.com/e-g...51-diy-egpu-experiences-1115.html#post8821556 quoted below? Does this then negate having the enclosure where a cheaper hwtools' PE4L 2.1b DIY eGPU hardware may be preferrred?

 

The resonation problem was mysteriously resolved after I flipped the ViDock sideways then bellyup. Now it is fully covered and working at its rightful place, under my TV.

 

Thanks for the info,
Is there performance hit running on the internal screen??
Think I will go vidock route. Have not seen much video on the vidock4+.
Do you mind sharing pic of your set up?

 

There is a small performance hit, but still destroys the integrated gpu in my macbook pro. I'll post a pic soon. Desk is currently covered with school work

 

At the same resolution and refresh rate, what's the performance difference between internal and external screen?

 

My results for ViDock 4 Plus and GTX560ti under Windows8 with my Lenovo x220 i7 and external monitor:
3dMark06 - 15250
3dMark11 - GPU 3995
Crysis 2 Ultra 1920x1080 - around 30 FPS

I use the latest desktop Nvidia driver 302.82.
So far everything works just fine but when I look at the benchmarks it seems there is still potential for more power. It would be interesting to see your configs and results.

 

Just installed my GTX560ti on my Lenovo X220.

Specs:
Windows 7, 64bit
8 GB Ram
i7 2640M @ 2.8 GHz
Nvidia driver: 306.97

3DMark06, 1920x1080, no AA
HD3000:3491 points
GTX560ti: 17'113 points

3DMark06, 1280_1024, no AA
GTX560ti: 18'735 points

Other results I found in the internet with the same X220 setup and 3dMark06@1280_1024, no AA:
Asus DC2 Geforce 560 TI 448: 19'043 points
Geforce 650 TI: 17'211 points

Would be interesting to see some benchmarks with faster GPUs but the same setting. I really would like to know if you are already bottle necked with the ExpressSlot using a GTX 560 ti

 

Holy mackerel, that difference is insane. My Vidoc 4 Plus and my GTX 560 are on their way to me. I can't wait to get them set up.

EDIT: My setup:
Dell Latitude e6420
Core i7 2640
Windows 8 64-bit
16 GB RAM

 

Looking forward to your benchmarks
For some comparison you might want to check out this: My eGPU Expirence - EXTREME Overclocking Forums

 

Thanks for the reply I've got it all set up, but I have a slight problem. It is using the built-in Windows 8 driver, and I can't update to the newest Nvidia drivers. Running the install package from Nvidia results in the installation failing and updating through Device Manager results in Error Code 28, the drivers for this device are not installed. Not sure how to move forward.

Only 6359 in 3DMark06. I'm hoping new drivers raises that. Am I supposed to use Setup 1.x with a Vidock? Or is that only for the DIY kind?

 

Afaik it's only for the DIY kind. I did not use any other software than the Nvidia drivers to get it running. Unfortunately I don't know anything about your Error Code 28

 

I really don't get it. How do you achieve up to 20% better results with the same setup? Is it really Win8 vs Win7?

Could you post any other config details? Maybe specific chipset/express card port drivers?

 

1. Do you also have 8 GB of RAM?
2. Which version of the Nvidia driver do you use?
3. How can I check the chipset / express card port driver version?

Comment about my system:
I bought the GPU 2nd hand, so I still have to check if it is not overclocked.

 

1. Yes, 8GB of RAM
2. 310.70
3. Good question, no idea I have installed the latest 9.3.0.1021 chipset driver from Intel.com

Now I see that I have slightly slower cpu, i7 2620M. But come on, 20%?

 

I have a question about the GTX 660 and the ViDock 4 plus; the power connectors are on the top of the GPU rather than the side so does it still fit inside the ViDock?

 

It could, my GTX 670 fitted.

 

Thanks and those connectors are on the top?

I take it you need both PSUs for the ViDock for the 670?

 

I attempted to upgrade a GTX Titan today, but things did not go well.
OK, GTX Titan will fit in the ViDock 4 Plus enclosure, and it will be recognized by Windows, but it will not work for whatever reason.
Device Manager only reports Error 43. I assume this is because the ViDock cannot supply adequate power.
I tried to verify this with my backup eGPU kit, but it appears my Seasonic X 1050W PSU is not functional.
So I am back to my GTX 670 4GB for now.
These are some updated benchmarks I made in preparation of the upgrade.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuuGP9YVjlQ9dG1EZEFaR0dvMGYxenNEVWdzejhGaWc#gid=0

 

Please keep us up to date about the GTX Titan!
Did you test the GTX Titan in another system like your regular desktop gaming rig? Error 43 could afaik be a "bad card". Don't hesitate to contact the villagetronics support. Concerning my issues they were always really helpful and fast responding. Also due to the many customers with different system, they appreciate a short feedback if it worked.
Cheers and good luck!

 

I don't have a regular desktop to test with...LOL
If I have time, I will go to the local CompUSA tomorrow to grab a PSU and see if it works on the DIY eGPU kit.
Otherwise, I would wait till Seasonic sends a replacement.

 

I got the GTX Titan working...but there are some tricks involved...and not a cost effective solution...
I am quite disappointed for now.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/e-g...51-diy-egpu-experiences-1165.html#post9162415