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
Introduction	The how and why of installing an eGPU.
Pros and Cons	What to expect from the installation - Both Positive & Negative
Pre-purchase FAQ	What you need to know before proceeding
First Steps	Products and tools you'll need to perform the installation of a DIY eGPU
Performance: ATI/AMD versus NVIDIA benchmark results	A comparison of AMD and NVIDIA performance under equal situations
Performance: Scaling Analysis	Compare performance over x1, x1E, x1.Opt, x2, x2E links
Implementations: Examples and Leaderboard	A table of eGPU implementations by NBR users (please note: this is no longer updated)
Implementations: Macbook	Installing an eGPU on a Mac system
Implementations: CUDA/OpenCL Applications	Implementations using the GPU for applications+computation
Implementations: non-video	Non-video implementations: sound cards
Non-English eGPU Forums	A 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.

	SimoxTav's Video game benchmarking Graw/TWE/MafiaII 12" Len.X201t+HD5770 StarcraftII 13"_Dell_M1330+GTX460 Star Trek Online 15"_Macbook Pro+GT240		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 ATI Eyefinity – up to 3 LCDs attached to any HD54xx or better card. ATI 5870 Eyefinity - up to 6 LCDs off a single card. ATI FirePro 2450, 2450x1, and 2460 - up to 4 monitors from a low power card NVIDIA Surround - up to 2 LCDs. - up to 2 LCDs. ZOTAC GTX550Ti Multiview – up to 3 displays Zotac GTX460 3DP – up to 4 displays Zotac GTX560 Multiview – up to 3 displays KFA2 GTX560Ti MDT X5 – up to 5 displays 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 address	TOLUD
E0000000	3.5GB
D0000000	3.25GB
C0000000	3GB
B0000000	2.75GB
A0000000	2.50GB

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:

• If you have a C2D/Arrandale Dell Latitude, your only option is to go through with a 3GB setup. A fix requested in REQ: bios mods to make Vostro/Latitude eGPU friendly.
• Sandy Bridge Lenovo X & T series require the latest bios to do a 4GB+ setup. See Petition to fix TOLUD in newer BIOS files - Lenovo Community.

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 Config Resolution FPS [email protected] HD4670-1GB x1 1.0 W7/DX9 1280x800 34.7 1280x1024 32.5 1680x1050 27.6 1920x1080 25.3

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 Chipset max# PCIe ports x2 link x4 link ICH7M 4 p1+2, p3+4* p1+2+3+4 ICH8M/ICH9M/HM55 6 p1+2, p3+4*, p5+6 Series-5 PM55/HM5x/QM57 8 p1+2, p3+4*, p5+6,p7+p8^ p1+2+3+4, p5+6+7+8 Series-6 HM6x, QM6x 8 NA NA

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 slot ¹ + 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

x1

x1E

x1.Opt

x2/x4

x2E

x2.Opt

x1

x1.2Opt

x2/x4 (TB)

x1

x1.3Opt

x2/x4 (TB)

AMD RS*

Y1

N

N

?

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

NVIDIA MCP*

Y1

N

N

?

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Intel ICH7M

Y

Y3

N

Y5

Y4

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Intel ICH8M

Y

Y3

N

Y5

Y4

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Intel ICH9M

Y

Y3

Y2

Y5

Y4

N2

N

N

N

N

N

N

Intel Series-5(1st-gen i-core)

Y

N

Y2

Y5

N

N2

N

N

N

N

N

N

Intel Series-6(2nd-gen i-core)

Y

N

Y2

N6

N

N26

Y

Y2

Y6

N

N

N

Intel Series-7(3rd-gen i-core)

Y

N

Y2

N6

N

N26

Y

Y2

Y6

N7

N7

Y6

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


[email protected] vs GTX560Ti (i7-2820QM 2.3, carage)
[email protected] vs [email protected] (i7-2630QM 2.0, timohour)
NVS4200M vs [email protected] (i7-2670QM, Tom_ger)
[email protected] vs x1.1Opt and
GTX580 versus [email protected] (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)
[email protected] scaling analysis internal vs external LCD, +25% PCIe, +40% GPU core O/C ([email protected], 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	eGPU+enclosure	benchmk		Setup Details
				3Dm6	RE5var	Experience details		1.x1	Ports2	OS
Thunderbolt port &	3rd-gen i-core (IVB)	??	[email protected]	-	-	96% of x16 2.0 performance			HM7x/QM7x TB	Win7/64
	2rd-gen i-core (SB)	??	[email protected]	22905	150?	85% of x16 2.0 performance			HM6x/QM6x TB	Win7/64
15" Lenovo W530	i7-3820QM 2.7	16.0	[email protected]	23995		Pearf			QM77 EC	Win7/64
15" Lenovo T520	i7-2860QM 2.5	16.0	[email protected]	23749	226.8	Kuro-D &&			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Lat.E6520	i7-2920XM 2.4	8.0	[email protected]	22596	193.0	Khenglish &			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Lenovo T520	i7-2670QM 2.2	8.0	[email protected]	19537		Tom_ger bolusoo			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Lenovo W520	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	18125	166.1	accountabc			QM67 EC	Win7/64
13"_Sony_Z21	i7-2620M 2.7	8.0	[email protected]	19900	161.0	MikjoA		Y	HM67 mPCIe	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i7-2640M 2.8	8.0	[email protected]	19461	157.0	jemino & DrizzitT			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" HP 4530s	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	17889	150.0	timohour			HM65 EC	Win7/64
12" HP 2560P	i5-2540M 2.6	8.0	[email protected]	18340	148.3	nando4 SimoxTav			QM67 EC	Win7/64
14" HP 8460P	i5-2540M 2.6	8.0	[email protected]	18220		bjorm			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220T	i5-2520M 2.5	8.0	[email protected]	18078	144.0	arsenal243			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2520M 2.5	8.0	[email protected]	17879	143.6	Cabaal			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2520M 2.5	4.0	[email protected]	18038	141.4	papluh			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Lat.E6520	i7-2920XM 2.4	8.0	[email protected]	20661	141.3	Khenglish			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" HP 4530s	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	17765	139.9	timohour		Y	HM65 EC	Win7/64
15" Fujitsu AH531	i5-2410M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	16393	133.1	Fardavid &		Y	HM65 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Lat.E6520	i7-2620M 2.7	8.0	[email protected]	18249		rubenhan			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220/T	i7-2620M 2.7	8.0	[email protected]	18216	131.4	Xav Suumas mavrik13crunchytheory thendless			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Lat.E6520	i7-2760M 2.4	4.0	[email protected]	17334		Fabi3n			QM67 EC	Win7/64
14" Dell Vostro 3450	i5-2410M 2.3	4.0	[email protected]	16121	128.0	celli			HM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220/T	i5-2520M 2.5	8.0	[email protected]	17237	125.6	atticus182 MuF fatpolomanjrStriker_Zero Warwickeo 600X			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Acer 5755G	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	17605	125.9	azori			HM65 mPCIe	Win7/64
15" Lenovo W520	i7-2720QM 2.2	8.0	[email protected]			mactavish2k8			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell XPS15.L502	i7-2720QM 2.2	8.0	[email protected]	19009	123.7	wicked20		Y	HM67 mPCIe	Win7/64
15" Dell Studio 1557	i7-720QM 1.6	4.0	HD5870@x2	13556	121.2	kizwan		Y	PM55 mPCIe x2	Win7/64
14" HP 8460P	i7-2720QM 2.2	8.0	[email protected]	18517	120.8	danenick1212			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell XPS15.L502	i7-2720QM 2.2	8.0	[email protected]	18415		wicked20 &		Y	HM67 mPCIe	Win7/64
15" Lenovo Z570	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	17895		primoxtian &			HM65 mPCIe	Win7/64
13" Fujitsu T901	i7-2620M 2.7	8.0	[email protected]	16560		maeth soundoff geinmass			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Dell Lat.E6220	i5-2520M 2.5	4.0	[email protected]	16475		kevmanw4301			QM67 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo T420	i5-2540M 2.6	6.0	[email protected]	16399		sprtnbsblplya &			QM67 EC	Win7/64
13" Sony_VPC-Z11	i7-620M 2.66	8.0	[email protected]	16270	117.5	pyr0			HM57 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_Y460	i7-640M 2.8	8.0	[email protected]	15974		madseason		Y	HM55 EC	Win7/64
15" Lenovo Y560P	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	15891		bakudannar			HM65 EC	Win7/64
13" Sony_VPC-Z13	i7-640M 2.80	8.0	[email protected]	15867		kturnbull docusyn &		Y	HM57 EC	Win7/64
13" Sony_VPC-Z11	i7-620M 2.66	8.0	[email protected]	15623	116.0	MikjoA &			HM57 EC	Win7/64
15" Sager NP2096	[email protected]	4.0	GTX460@x2	11060	110.8	Khenglish & & &		Y	ICH9M EC+mPCIe	Win7/64
14" Lenovo T410	i5-580M 2.66	8.0	[email protected]	15645	110.0	ittius			QM57 EC	Win7/64
13" Sony_VPC-Z12	i7-620M 2.66	8.0	[email protected]	15600		yuuma			HM57 EC	Win7/64
14" Dell Vostro 3450	i5-2410M 2.3	4.0	[email protected]	15540		Xenitic		Y	HM67 EC	Win7/64
13" Acer 3820TG	i5-450M 2.4	8.0	[email protected]	15479	107.8	Ponjornoh²³			HM55 mPCIe	Win7/64
14" Lenovo E420	i5-2410M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	15385		apac		Y	QM65 EC	Win7/64
13" Sony SB	i7-2620M 2.7	6.0	[email protected]	15151		euchrid_eucrow		Y	HM65 mPCIe	Win7/64
13" HP 4330s	i5-2410M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	15073	107.4	lerdlarp damogari			HM65 EC	Win7/64
12" Fujitsu T731	i5-2410M 2.3	4.0	[email protected]	15059		denshaSai		Y	QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Prec.M4500	i7-920XM 2.0	8.0	HD6850	14979		bc2946088			QM57 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo T410	i5-560M 2.66	8.0	[email protected]	14492		Mide			QM57 EC	Win7/64
15" MSI CX623	i5-460M 2.53	4.0	[email protected]			demolk			HM55 EC	Win7/64
17" MSI CR720	i5-460M 2.53	3.0	[email protected]	14268	103.7	tootthebagal			HM55 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo_X201	i7-620M 2.66	4.0	[email protected]	14530	100.6	AgentYura			QM57 EC	Win7/64
12" HP 2540P	i7-640LM 2.13	4.0	[email protected]	14114		Skiddy			QM57 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo_X201	i5-540M 2.53	4.0	[email protected]	13910		shining.at &		Y	QM57 EC	Win7/64
	i5-520M 2.4	6.0		13852		Harris M &
12" HP 2540P	i5-540M 2.53	4.0	[email protected]	13817		robotti80			QM57 EC	Win7/64
14" Dell E6420	i5-2410M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	13745		Elmopol			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" HP 2540P	i7-640LM 2.13	4.0	[email protected]	13742		allister			QM57 EC	Win7/32
14" HP 8440P	i5-540M 2.53	6.0	[email protected]	13702		Ramizs &			QM57 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_Y460	i5-520M 2.4	4.0	[email protected]	13500		Mjolner		Y	HM55 EC	Win7/64
14" Toshiba R840	i3-2310M 2.1	3.0	[email protected]	12796	104.0	anilpalepu		Y	QM67 EC	Win7/64
14" HP DV4-2000	i5-430M 2.26	4.0	GTX470@x2 .Opt	9226	102.2	nando4		Y	HM55 mPCIe x2	Win7/64
14" HP DV4-2000	i5-430M 2.26	4.0	[email protected]	13205	100.8	nando4			HM55 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X201s	i7-640LM 2.13	8.0	[email protected]	12929	98.5	Initial D			QM57 EC	Win7/64
13" Dell Lat.E4300	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	15177	95.9	nando4			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Studio 1557	i7-720QM 1.6	4.0	HD5870	13157	94.7	kizwan			PM55 EC	Win7/64
16" Dell XPS 1645	i7-740QM 1.73	8.0	HD6950	13946	94.6	ronvalencia &			PM55 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo Edge 14	i3-390M 2.66	6.0	[email protected]	12513	93.1	useafo			HM55 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i3-2350M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	12064	89.3	hlgr			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" HP 2530P	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	13882	86.9	nando4			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo T410	i5-540M 2.53	8.0	HD6850	13352	86	timrenzi &			QM57 EC	Win7/64
12" HP 2740P	i5-520M 2.4	4.0	[email protected]	12137		Agent 9			QM57 EC	Win7/64
13" Dell Lat.E4310	i5-520M 2.4	4.0	HD6850	12994	84.0	mattlach &			QM57 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_T410s	i5-520M 2.4	4.0	HD5850.2GB	12765		wilse &			QM57 EC	Win7/64
15" MSI A6200-021US	i5-430M 2.26	8.0	[email protected]	12539		afetherw8			HM55 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo T410s	i5-520M 2.4	8.0	[email protected]	11860		hobbesdaboba			QM57 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell M4600	i7-2820QM 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	11746	82.7	docsaro			QM67 EC	Win7/64
13" Fujitsu S6420	P9600-2.66	8.0	[email protected]	12071		fujian &		Y	ICH9M mPCIe	Win7/64
15" Dell Insp.1545	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	11967		hizzaah			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_T400	T9400-2.53	4.0	[email protected]	11883		apollo-fox suo vincentbihler			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" Sony_CW	i5-520M 2.4	4.0	HD5770	11758	78.3	anarkie			PM55 EC	Win7/64
15" Lenovo T510	i5-520M 2.4	4.0	HD5770	11748	-	katamari &		Y	QM57 EC	Win7/64
14" HP 6930P	P8800-2.66	4.0	[email protected]	11711		Legu314			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Clevo M860TU	[email protected]	4.0	HD5850@x2E	11761	78.3	jamesbond007		Y	ICH9M EC+mPCIe	Win7/64
			HD5770@x2E&	11393	77.4
14" Lenovo T400	T9900-3.06	8.0	HD5850	11623		jessea510			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Toshiba A665	i3-350M 2.26	4.0	[email protected]	11583	-	masterjumong2012			HM55 EC	Win7/32
15" HP Probook 4530s	i3-2310M 2.1	6.0	[email protected]	11569	76.4	lazyboy		Y	HM65 EC	Win7/64
13" Dell_XPS 1340	P9600-2.66	6.0	HD5770+green	11548	76.1	Stacky &x1E-type			MCP79 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2540M 2.6	8.0	[email protected]	7498	75.6	sivikchen			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X201T	i7-620LM 2.13	4.0	HD5770	11400		MechOz			QM57 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo_X200	P8700-2.53	2.0	[email protected]	11308	??	ithildin			ICH9M: EC	Win7/32
13" Sony_VPC-Z11	i7-620M 2.66	6.0	HD5750+basic	12059	68.7*	joseph_lin		Y	HM57 EC	Win7/64
17" Clevo M570RU	[email protected]	2.0	HD5850	11120		Gershom			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X200	P8600-2.4	8.0	[email protected]	11014		hallucinate			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Acer 5920G	T7300-2.0	4.0	GTX560Ti@x2	7724		AJIEKC		Y	ICH8M EC+mPCIe	Win7/64
15" Lenovo W500	T9400-2.53	6.0	[email protected]	11000		marteng			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" HP 6930P	T9800-2.93	2.0	HD6850	10906		giux787		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7/32
13" Fujitsu T5010	P8600-2.4	4.0	[email protected]	10879		stejni			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_T400	P8700-2.53	4.0	[email protected]	10867		Gravy9872			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_T400	P8600-2.4	3.0	[email protected]	10780	??	becak			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_T400	P8600-2.4	4.0	[email protected]	10759	??	pushead			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
13" Dell Lat.E43004	SP9400-2.4	2.0	[email protected]	10317	73.2	avlan			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
16" Dell XPS 1640	[email protected]	3.0	GTX560Ti@x4	10815	71.2	Derbish		Y	ICH9M EC+PM3N	Win7/64
15" NEC Versa E6500[/span]	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	10500		DuyFat		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Lat.E6500	E8435-3.06	3.0	GTX460	5500	70.0	hishamkali LOGIC 3		N	ICH9M EC	Win7/64
12" HP 2730P	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]+	10598	70.9	thendless &			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
	[email protected]		[email protected]+	10320		Agent 9
15" Tos.L305-S5921	T9300-2.5	2.0	GTX460		69.2	kizakisu			ICH9M EC	Win7/32
20" HP_HDX9000	[email protected]	4.0	GTX260@x2	6000		kindheart		Y	ICH8M EC+mPCIe	Win7/64
15" Sager NP8662	P8700-2.53	4.0	GTX580@x2	8732	68.2	mangos47 &		Y	ICH9M: EC	Win7/64
14" Asus_F8SA/P	T9300-2.5	4.0	GTX460	5221	68.2	ithildin		Y	ICH8M EC	Win7/64
14" Dell Insp 1420	T6900-2.5	2.0	GTX460			sklsy			ICH8M EC	Win7/32
15" Sager NP5793	X9000-2.80	4.0	GTX460SE	5295	67.9	mental2			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
15" Acer EX5620Z	[email protected]	4.0	GTX460.7	5160		masterjumong2012			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
14" Asus_F8SA/P	T9300-2.5	4.0	HD5750@x1E	10499	66.1	ithildin		Y	ICH8M EC	Win7/64
13" Dell_XPS 1340	P8400-2.26	4.0	HD5770	10344	65.2	Kristoffer x1E-type			MCP79 EC	Win7/64
14" HP_Pavilion DV4	P8600-2.4	4.0	HD5750@x1E	10151	64.0	nando4		Y	ICH9M mPCIe	Win7/64
12" HP 2530P	L9600-2.13	6.0	HD6850@x1E	10123		mz31100		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo_X201s	i7-640LM 2.13	4.0	HD5850	7887	64.2	ashura			QM57 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell_Vostro 1500	[email protected]	4.0	HD6670@x2	9371	63.1	gilipollas		Y	ICH8M mPCIe+EC	XP
17" Apple MBP	T7600-2.33	3.0	HD6850	9618	61.9	ajscorpio		N	ICH7M EC	Win7/32
13" Dell Lat.E4300	SP9400-2.4	3.0	HD5850.2GB	10749	60.9	wvr &		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2410M 2.3	4.0	[email protected]	8997		serialk11r			QM67 EC	Win7/64
14" Dell_Insp.1440	T6600-2.2	4.0	[email protected]	10264	58.4	nando4 &			ICH9M EC	Win7/32
			HD5750@x1E	9551	60.9 &	nando4		Y	ICH9M EC
			HD4870.2GB@x1E	9188	57.0
16" Dell XPS 1640	P8600-2.4	4.0	HD4850@x4	7476	59.5	Derbish		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Toshiba L300	T8100-2.1	4.0	[email protected]	9411		BarkBark			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
13" Dell_Vostro v130	i5-470UM	4.0	[email protected]			kimchoo			HM57 mPCIe	Win7/64
15" Dell_XPS M1530	T9300-2.5	4.0	GTX460	5059		vremix			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
13" Dell_XPS M1330	T8300-2.4	4.0	GTX460	5182	59.2	flaunt &			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
13" LG P300	T8300-2.4	4.0	GTX460	5200	59.0*	junusa &			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
13" Fujitsu T5010	P8600-2.4	4.0	HD5850+Raaco	10752	58.7	Max_Headroom		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7/32
15" Acer 5742G	i3-370M 2.4	4.0	HD5770	11376	57.4	BTR		Y	HM55 mPCIe	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_T400	T9400-2.53	4.0	HD5770	10214	??	royk50 & thinkpadfreund			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
19" HP DV9690en	T7500-2.2	3.0	GTX460	4934		Max399			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
15" Asus VX2S.lamb	T7500-2.2	2.0	GTX460			Kaighal			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
15" Compaq CQ60	QL62-2.1	2.0	GTX460	4862		vg19t &			MCP77 mPCIe	Win7/64
15" Dell_Lat.D830	[email protected]	3.0	GTS450	4122	57.0	[Sander]		Y	ICH8M EC	XP
14" Asus A8SR	T7500-2.2	3.0	HD5750@x1E	9237	55.5	villiankknd			ICH8M EC	VHP/32
16" Sony VGN-FW45	P8700-2.53	4.0	HD5770	9829	54.9	ronvalencia			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
13" Dell_XPS.M1330	T7500-2.2	2.0	GTX260		53.3*	BPlus			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
13" Sony Z46GD	P9700-2.8	6.0	HD5770	10151	53.7	andeelym		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo T61p	T7300-2.0	3.0	GTX460	4827	53.6	bleuiko			ICH8M EC	Win7/32
15" Dell_XPS.M1530	T9300-2.5	3.0	HD5770+xb360	10058	53.2	Scott1620 & lazyboy			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
15" Dell_Studio 1555	T6500-2.1	4.0	HD5870	9297	TBA	Pyro515 &			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" Asus X42JR	i7-740M 1.73	4.0	HD4870	9133		d23durian			HM55 mPCIe	Win7/64
12" Lenovo_X200	P8600-2.4	4.0	[email protected]	7496	52.0	hallucinate &		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7/64
16" Tosh.A505-6965	P7350-2.0	4.0	9800GT+SFF	3809	51.9	Oddious			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" MSI CR630	P320-2.1	4.0	HD6870	9089		Gausen			RS780M EC	Win7/64
16" Acer 6930	T5800-2.0	4.0	[email protected]	9006	49.5	Rizzett			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
17" Acer_9525	T7200-2.0	4.0	GT240@x2	5197	47.0	JohnnyEM		Y	ICH7M EC+mPCIe	Win7/64
			GT240@x1	3464	37.3
17" HP DV71267CL	ZM86-2.4	4.0	HD5770	8848	46.5	Malumake & x1E-type			RS780M EC	Win7/64
13" Dell_XPS M1330	T5750-2.0	4.0	HD5870	8500*		ruhtraeel		Y	ICH8M EC	Win7/32
16" HP HDX16	P7550-2.26	4.0	HD5750/GTX460	8112		Panzer... &			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
18" HP HDX18T	QX9300-2.53	6.0	9600GT	-		exe			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Dell_Insp 1520	T8300-2.4	3.0	GTS450@x2	7205	45.5	Moerf		Y	ICH8M EC	Win7/32
12" HP_TX2	RM75-2.2	8.0	HD5770+CMElite	7865	42.4*	yuutsumi Chesniak		Y	RS780M EC	Win7/64
15" MSI M610	RM76-2.3	2.0	HD5670	7850		rednaxela			RS780M EC	XP
12" Fujitsu U9200	[email protected]	4.0	HD4870	7730		timohour			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
13" Dell_XPS M1330	T8100-2.1	4.0	HD5670	7657		tan		Y	ICH8M EC	Win7/64
12" HP 2510P	[email protected]	2.0	HD5750.HD4670	7341	44.8	nando4		Y	ICH8M mPCIe	Win7/32
15" Toshiba L300	T3400-2.16	4.0	[email protected]	8438	44.7	lightnica			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Son.VGN-NS110e	T3200-2.0	2.0	[email protected]+	8111	41.1	acer47ok			ICH9M EC	Win7/32
13" Dell_Vostro 1310	T7250-2.0	2.0	HD5670	7426		Lichtenstein			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
15" Ak14-550t	T5500-1.66	2.0	HD5670@x1E		41.1	chung_gun			ICH7M EC	Win7/32
16" GtWay MC7805E	P9500-2.53	1.5	HD4850	8495	40.6*	MexicanSnake			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
17" HP DV7-3020ED	M300-2.0	4.0	HD4870	8087		Adjai		Y	RS780 EC	Win7/64
15" Acer Ext.5620	T5750-2.0	2.0	HD4870	7314		Fardavid			ICH8M EC	Win7/32
14" HP_Pav.DV2000	T2050-1.6	3.0	HD5750@x2	6735	38.5	nando4		Y	ICH7M mPCIe x2	Win7/32
11" Acer 1810TZ	SU4100-1.3	??	HD4890	5490		Omatier		Y	ICH9M mPCIe	??
15" ASUS X59SL	P8400-2.26	3.0	GTS450	4605	38.2	Jeykhob			SIS968 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell_Insp.E1505	T2300-1.66	2.0	HD5770+green	6948	??	Stacky			ICH7M EC	Win7/32
			HD5750	6716	38.0	key001				XP
12" Lenovo_X61T	L7300-1.4	2.0	HD4870	6700?		Collaris112			ICH8M mPCIe	Win7/32
14" Lenovo_T61	T7300-2.0	2.0	HD4850	6908	37.5	Muftobration			ICH8M EC	Win7/??
14" HP dv2416US	TL56-1.8	2.0	9800GTX		34.9*	Shewtemup			MCP51 EC	Win7/32
15" Dell_Insp.1545	T4400-2.2	4.0	[email protected]	6047		bache &			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" HP 6910P	T7300-2.0?	4.0	HD5570	-	-	NosIreland & &		Y	ICH8M EC	XP
14" HP NC6400	T7200-2.0?	3.0	HD5570	5872	-	NosIreland & &		Y	ICH7M EC	XP
12" Lenovo_X200	P8600-2.4	3.0	HD4670			grojules			ICH9M EC	Win7
15" Acer 5720G	Txxx	???	HD4670@x1E	4825	26.9	SmellyGeekBoy		Y	ICH8M EC	Win7/64
11" Acer 1410	SU3500-1.4	3.0	GTX460	4313	23.7	K5Doom & &			ICH9M mPCIe	Win7/64
11" Acer Ferrari One	TK42-1.6	??	GT430	4017		ciccio64			RS780M mPCIe	Win7/??
15" MSI GX640	i5-430M 2.26	8.0	GT520	2840		Axeia			HM55 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_T60	T2400-1.83	??	GT240	2446		Kwisatch			ICH7M EC	Win7/??
10" Asus 1015PEM	N550-1.5	2.0	[email protected]			mabrown			NM10 mPCIe	Win7/32
10" EEE-PC X101	[email protected]	1.0	HD4850	2047		7words			NM10 mPCIe	Win8
9" HP Mini 2133	Via C7M-1.6	1.0	HD5850	1659	6.0	timohour			VIA EC	XP

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

System	CPU	RAM	eGPU+enclosure	vant.gpu	dmcv4.s4	Setup Details
						Experience details		1.x1	Ports2	OS
15" Lenovo T520	i7-2860QM 2.5	16.0	[email protected]	29463	295.3	Kuro-D & &			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Lat.E6520	i7-2920XM 2.4	8.0	[email protected]	24399	217.3	Khenglish &			QM67 EC	Win7/64
13"_Sony_Z21	i7-2620M 2.7	8.0	[email protected]	19829	214.8	MikjoA		Y	HM67 mPCIe	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220T	i5-2520M 2.5	8.0	[email protected]	25847	197.4	arsenal243			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i7-2640M 2.8	8.0	[email protected]	20457	184.8	Fausts			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2520M 2.5	8.0	[email protected]	17973	181.4	Cabaal			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2520M 2.5	4.0	[email protected]	18198	174.0	papluh			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i7-2640M 2.8	8.0	[email protected]	16693	157.4	jemino &			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Lenovo W530	i7-3820QM 2.7	16.0	[email protected]	16520		Pearf			QM77 EC	Win7/64
14" HP 8460P	i5-2540M 2.6	8.0	[email protected]	16481		bjorm			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Fujitsu AH531	i5-2410M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	15880	155.4	Fardavid &		Y	HM65 EC	Win7/64
12" HP 2560P	i5-2540M 2.6	8.0	[email protected]	15587	147.5	nando4 SimoxTav			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" HP 4530s	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	14241	145.0	timohour			HM65 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_Y460	i7-640M 2.8	8.0	[email protected]	14483		madseason		Y	HM55 EC	Win7/64
15" Sager NP2096	[email protected]	4.0	GTX460@x2	11989	138.3	Khenglish & & &		Y	ICH9M EC+mPCIe	Win7/64
13" Sony_VPC-Z12	i7-620M 2.66	8.0	[email protected]	18831		Phatboy69			HM57: EC	Win7/64
13"]Sony_VPC-Z11	i7-620M 2.66	8.0	[email protected]	17957	128.8	pyr0			HM57 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220/T	i7-2620M 2.7	8.0	[email protected]	14578	120.2	Xav / Suumas			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell XPS15.L502	i7-2720QM 2.2	8.0	[email protected]		118.9	wicked20		Y	HM67 mPCIe	Win7/64
13" Sony_VPC-Z11	i7-620M 2.66	8.0	[email protected]	15426	117.7	MikjoA &			HM57 EC	Win7/64
14" Toshiba R840	i3-2310M 2.1	3.0	[email protected]	14629	-	anilpalepu		Y	QM67 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_Y460	i5-520M 2.4	4.0	[email protected]	13953		Mjolner		Y	HM55 EC	Win7/64
15" Acer 5755G	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	13348		azori			HM65 mPCIe	Win7/64
14" HP DV4-2000	i5-430M 2.26	4.0	GTX470@x2 .Opt	11183	116.4	nando4		Y	HM55 mPCIe x2	Win7/64
12" HP 2530P	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	11868	115.4	nando4			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
14" HP DV4-2000	i5-430M 2.26	4.0	[email protected]	12859	114.3	nando4			HM55 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220/T	i5-2520M 2.5	8.0	[email protected]	14056	113.5	atticus182 Warwickeo			QM67 EC	Win7/64
13" Dell Lat.E4300	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	12915	113.0	nando4			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
16" Dell XPS 1640	[email protected]	3.0	GTX560Ti@x4	13542	112.0	Derbish		Y	ICH9M EC+PM3N	Win7/64
15" Dell Lat.E6520	i7-2920XM 2.4	8.0	[email protected]	13233	106.3	Khenglish			QM67 EC	Win7/64
13" Sony_VPC-Z12	i7-620M 2.66	8.0	[email protected]	11842		yuuma			HM57 EC	Win7/64
13" Sony_VPC-Z13	i7-640M 2.80	8.0	[email protected]	11686		docusyn &		Y	HM57 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo E420	i5-2410M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	11294		apac		Y	QM65 EC	Win7/64
14" Dell_Insp.1440	T6600-2.2	4.0	[email protected]	10972	96.5	nando4 &			ICH9M EC	Win7/32
15" Acer 5920G	T7300-2.0	4.0	GTX560Ti@x2	10667		AJIEKC		Y	ICH8M EC+mPCIe	Win7/64
14" Lenovo Edge 14	i3-390M 2.66	6.0	[email protected]	9521	95.0	useafo			HM55 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Studio 1557	i7-720QM 1.6	4.0	HD5870@x2	14616	93.3	kizwan		Y	PM55 mPCIe x2	Win7/64
12" Lenovo_x201	i7-620M 2.66	4.0	[email protected]	10503	92.9	AgentYura			QM57 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo_X200	P8700-2.53	2.0	[email protected]	10331	90.6	ithildin			ICH9M EC	Win7/32
15" Dell Insp.1545	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	10092		hizzaah			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Tos.L305-S5921	T9300-2.5	2.0	[email protected]		87.4	kizakisu			ICH9M EC	Win7/32
16" Acer 6930	T5800-2.0	4.0	[email protected]	10083	94.8*	Rizzett			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" HP 4530s	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	15021	89.2	timohour		Y	HM65 EC	Win7/64
15" Sager NP8662	P8700-2.53	4.0	GTX580@x2	14129	88.3	mangos47 &		Y	ICH9M: EC	Win7/64
15" Clevo M860TU	[email protected]	4.0	HD5770@x2E&	9627	76.3	jamesbond007		Y	ICH9M EC+mPCIe	Win7/64
			HD5850@x2E	10543	68.0
14" Dell E6420	i5-2410M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	8419		Elmopol			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Sager NP5793	X9000-2.80	4.0	GTX460SE	7318	68.5	mental2			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
14" Asus_F8SA/P	T9300-2.5	4.0	GTX460	7200	69.6	ithildin		Y	ICH8M EC	Win7/64
13" Dell_XPS M1330	T8300-2.4	4.0	GTX460	7202	65.3	flaunt &			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
16" Asus M60J	i7-720QM 1.6	6.0	GTX465	6443	69.3	JohnnyEM			PM55 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell_Insp 1520	T8300-2.4	3.0	GTS450@x2	5630	69.1	Moerf		Y	ICH8M EC	Win7/32
14" Lenovo T410	i5-540M 2.53	8.0	HD6850	10196	59.4	timrenzi &			QM57 EC	Win7/64
14" HP_Pav.DV2000	T2050-1.6	3.0	HD5750@x2	5579	55.4	nando4		Y	ICH7M mPCIe x2	Win7/32
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2540M 2.6	8.0	[email protected]	4295	52.7	sivikchen			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Studio 1557	i7-720QM 1.6	4.0	HD5870	13357	52.5	kizwan			PM55 EC	Win7/64
15" Acer 5742G	i3-370M 2.4	4.0	HD5770	6753	51.0	BTR		Y	HM55 mPCIe	Win7/64
13" Dell_XPS 1340	P8400-2.26	4.0	HD5770	6923	49.6	Kristoffer & x1E-type			MCP79 EC	Win7/64
14" Asus_F8SA/P	T9300-2.5	4.0	HD5750@x1E	5436		ithildin		Y	ICH8M EC	Win7/64
14" HP_Pavilion DV4	P8600-2.4	4.0	HD5750@x1E	5215	41.8	nando4		Y	ICH9M mPCIe	Win7/64
14" Dell_Insp.1440	T6600-2.2	4.0	HD5750@x1E	5004	42.1	nando4		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7/32
			HD4870.2GB@x1E	5486	43.6
13" Dell_Lat.E4310	i5-520M 2.4	4.0	HD6850	7051	40.5	mattlach &			QM57 EC	Win7/64
13" Sony Z46GD	P9700-2.8	6.0	HD5770	5577	37.9	andeelym		Y	ICH9M EC	Win7/64
16" Tosh.A505-6965	P7350-2.0	4.0	9800GT@x1E+SFF	3651	37.8	Oddious			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo_x201s	i7-640LM 2.13	4.0	HD5850	7163	34.0	ashura			QM57 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_T60	T2400-1.83	??	GT240	2964		Kwisatch			ICH7M EC	Win7/??

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

System	CPU	RAM	eGPU+enclosure	3dmk11	Heaven	Setup Details
				GPU		Experience details		1.x1	Ports2	OS
15" Lenovo T520	i7-2860QM 2.5	16.0	[email protected]	8626	2441	Kuro-D & &			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220T	i5-2520M 2.5	8.0	[email protected]	8585	2347	arsenal243			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Lat.E6520	i7-2920XM 2.4	8.0	[email protected]	6883	2089	Khenglish &			QM67 EC	Win7/64
13"_Sony_Z21	i7-2620M 2.7	8.0	[email protected]	6080	2099	MikjoA		Y	HM67 mPCIe	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i7-2640M 2.8	8.0	[email protected]	5741		Fausts			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2520M 2.5	4.0	[email protected]	5144	1934	papluh			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2520M 2.5	8.0	[email protected]	4919	1306	Cabaal			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Fujitsu AH531	i5-2410M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	4360	1418	Fardavid &		Y	HM65 EC	Win7/64
14" Toshiba R840	i3-2310M 2.1	3.0	[email protected]	4337	1245	anilpalepu		Y	QM67 EC	Win7/64
14" HP 8460P	i5-2540M 2.6	8.0	[email protected]	4240		bjorm			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Sager NP8662	P8700-2.53	4.0	GTX580@x2	4219		mangos47 &		Y	ICH9M: EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i7-2640M 2.8	8.0	[email protected]	4211	1324	jemino			QM67 EC	Win7/64
16" Dell XPS 1640	[email protected]	3.0	GTX560Ti@x4	4147	959	Derbish		Y	ICH9M EC+PM3N	Win7/64
12" HP 2560P	i5-2540M 2.6	8.0	[email protected]	4096	1351	nando4 SimoxTav			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Lenovo W530	i7-3820QM 2.7	16.0	[email protected]	4049		Pearf			QM77 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_Y460	i5-520M 2.4	4.0	[email protected]	4041	1156	Mjolner		Y	HM55 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_Y460	i7-640M 2.8	8.0	[email protected]	4030		madseason		Y	HM55 EC	Win7/64
14" Lenovo_Y460	i7-640M 2.8	8.0	[email protected]	4030		madseason		Y	HM55 EC	Win7/64
12" Lenovo X220	i5-2520M 2.5	8.0	[email protected]	3762	1230	atticus182			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Lenovo Z570	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	3751		primoxtian &			HM65 mPCIe	Win7/64
15" Dell Lat.E6520	i7-2920XM 2.4	8.0	[email protected]	3668	1093	Khenglish			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Studio 1557	i7-720QM 1.6	4.0	HD5870@x2	3667	714	kizwan		Y	PM55 mPCIe x2	Win7/64
15" HP 4530s	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	3621	1141	timohour			HM65 EC	Win7/64
15" Acer 5755G	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	3570		azori			HM65 mPCIe	Win7/64
12" Dell Lat.E6220	i5-2520M 2.5	4.0	[email protected]	3549		kevmanw4301			QM67 EC	Win7/64
15" Acer 5920G	T7300-2.0	4.0	GTX560Ti@x2	3380		AJIEKC		Y	ICH8M EC+mPCIe	Win7/64
13" Dell Lat.E4300	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	3359	1248	nando4			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" HP 4530s	i7-2630QM 2.0	8.0	[email protected]	3308	909	timohour		Y	HM65 EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Studio 1557	i7-720QM 1.6	4.0	HD5870	3220	572	kizwan			PM55 EC	Win7/64
14" HP 8460P	i7-2720QM 2.2	8.0	[email protected]	2874	666	danenick1212			QM67 EC	Win7/64
12" HP 2530P	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	2810	1246	nando4			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Insp.1545	[email protected]	4.0	[email protected]	2786		hizzaah			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Dell Prec.M4500	i7-920XM 2.0	8.0	HD6850	2612	727	bc2946088			QM57 EC	Win7/64
15" Toshiba L300	T8100-2.1	4.0	[email protected]		1011	BarkBark			ICH9M EC	Win7/64
15" Sager NP5793	X9000-2.80	4.0	GTX460SE	2037	383	mental2			ICH8M EC	Win7/64
14" Dell E6420	i5-2410M 2.3	8.0	[email protected]	2032		Elmopol			QM67 EC	Win7/64

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:

• x4 1.0 (four x1 ports): Dell Inspiron 1520, Vostro 1500, XPS 1640/1645, Lenovo X200.
• x1 2.0 (single port): ExpressCard 2.0 with Series-6 chipsets. Not Series-5 PCIe 2.0 chipsets
• x2 1.0 (two x1 ports): Acer 5920G, 6920G, 6930G, 8930G. BenQ S41. Dell M1530, E4300, E6400?, Studio 1558 (WWAN=port1, wifi=port2), D630, D830, E6410, E5500, Vostro 1310, Fujitsu Amilo xi2555, HP DV9690en, HDX9000, Lenovo T400s?, T510, Y450/Y550, W510, MSI GT627 &, Toshiba A665-3D.

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

• Finland (murobbs.plaza.fi): DIY eGPU eli p&ouml;yt&auml;koneen n&auml;yt&ouml;nohjain kannettavaan
• Germany (hardwareluxx.de): ATI HD5770 per ExpressCard am Laptop !
• Germany (computerbase.de): [Erfahrungsbericht] [PE4H] externe Grafikkarte f&uuml;r das Notebook
• Hungary (prohardver.hu): eGPU külso videokártya notebookhoz #1
• Indonesia (kaskus.us): [VGA CARD] DIY ViDock (Solusi External Graphic Card Untuk Laptop)
• Italy (techarena.it): eGPU
• Poland (notebookcheck.pl): Zewnetrzna karta graficzna, (DIY) ViDock, Magma Box i pochodne, czyli czym to sie je

Acknowledgements: Many thanks to all of the NBR members who have shared their experiences for others to benefit from.

 

Wow, that's a great write-up. Thanks!

 

rep +1 for awesome

 

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

 

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?

 

think the performance is cpu limited? or is the 1x express card limiting it. i have a 2.53ghz

 

It's a 256MB window into the video card's 256/512MB/1GB VRAM.

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.

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->[email protected](OC)->~U9400 levels so I'd expect that to continue slightly.

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.

 

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?

 

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?

 

8600M vs s good desktop graphic card limited at 1x pci-e. not much of an improvement...

 

Run 3dmark06 and resident evil 5 benchmarks on your laptop and post the results and we could figure out the difference from your scores.

update: inspiron 1520@ with 8600m gt gets 19.6fps with dx10@1280x800 on the 1st scene out of 4 (skipped the remaining 3 scenes) in RE5 bench

haha when did ViDock2 drop to $199? Can we solder another cable to it that'll connect to mini pcie? XD

 

It always cost $199 with no GFX or $300 for HD4670

 

Ah yes you are right, my bad.

 

Here's a quick write-up of my experience with the PE4L:

My end objective is to run a Radeon 4550 Low Profile card inside an old 3.5" HD enclosure. The old power adapter for the enclosure spits out 12V/3A, so a 4550 should be able to work without any additional parts.

For now I'm still in testing and troubleshooting, and perhaps I can get some answers. As it stands, I have not been able to get my laptop to recognize anything plugged into my PE4L, though my test equipment thusfar has been a USB thumbdrive and a Radeon 4850 (pulled and powered by my desktop for testing).

With the desktop acting as PSU, my 4850 will power on. What differs is the LEDs that light up on the 4850 and on the PE4L, depending on the JP3/JP4 configuration. In at least one case, I can have only one LED light up on the PE4L, and in some cases, the Critical Temperature LED on the 4850 stays on (even though it's quite cool).

Regardless of jumper combination or power supply, my laptop recognizes neither my Thumbdrive or my 4850. I'll test my PE4L on some of my friends laptops to see if it is defective, or if my laptop has a defective Expresscard slot.

Does anyone have any information on what the status LEDs on the PE4L mean?

 

I'm interested in PE4H connected to the express34 with the cable when it will be available in 'Buy It Now' on the website. I'm gonna test the xpress card port to make sure it works normally before connecting anything to it.

 

Thanks Nando,

I don't have an HD4550 yet, I figured I would hold off buying it until I confirmed having a working PE4L and compatible system. Once I get something working up and running, I'll post pictures. (The 4850 is back inside my desktop, which I'm using to write this)

As it stands, if I insert an unpowered EC2C/PE4L with any jumper combination, nothing lights up, leading me to think the Expresscard slot on my laptop is faulty. Even with USB/D2 lit up by an external source, my laptop does not recognize my thumbdrive. I'll take my PE4L to campus tomorrow and check it on my friends' laptops.

 

This morning i stumpled upon the Vidock in my searching for an external graphics solution to my laptop which lead me to this. Now i read like 50 pages in some of the main threads regarding this project but i still have a few questions to be answered before i jump into this.

1. mini pci-e and expresscard is same performance?
2. I have no gfx at this moment? any recommendations? (mid-level)
3. My laptop is a Sony Vaio VGN-FW21E running Windows 7 64bit (4gb RAM) anything i should be aware about?

Thanks for an awesome project.

 

1/ mPCIe and expresscard give same performance. They are just different packaging of Intel's ICH I/O pci-e ports. Each is a x1 1.0 pci-e link, unless it's expressport 2.0 in which case it's a x1 2.0 pci-e link. To get best performance would require linking 2 such ports together. See MiniFAQ section of first post to understand what may be required for this.

2/ Win7 64-bit would be required to use the full 4GB. Win7 is a breeze to setup and use. Can activate the external graphics without a reboot. I just suspended my system, connected the EC2C, resumed and the HD4670 would be available to setup as part of the multiple display. Depending on how it is setup, is may even automatically disable the primary LCD display when the external graphics is detected.

Only issue is the setting up of the pci bridge memory window as highlighted in the first post. Without that the system will give the error 12: cannot allocate resources error. Can do that using the example pci config scripts to setup a USB bootdisk with grub4dos to chainload your OS. You can thank Microsoft and your bios vendor for that if require such a workaround.

 

Very cool post mate. Express port 2.0 will be very interesting !!!

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Ye i read about the 2x1.0 but from this picture
http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24365&d=1221568841 conclude that I only have 1 mpci-e and even if I had 2 none of them where easy accessible through a plastic gate.

I don't require that much gfx power anyway just a little more than my 3470 can provide. This would also make me able to focus on CPU and power consumption when buying my next laptop.

do the PE4L support 2.0? (i know my notebook doesn't)

Even though you could get better speeds with the PE4H I'm just thinking it will be to unhandy and if next time I buy a laptop is in 1-2 years Express Card 2.0 slot should be possible to get in your laptop by then. Then I could a gfx upgrade and be going strong again.

A 72w psu should be enough for a HD4670 right? Think it's max power consumption is 64 if i remember right.

 

The PM55 chipset supports expresscard 2.0?

 

So a bit of bad news,

The Expresscard slot on my laptop is evidently non-functional. I hooked up my PE4L with thumbdrive to a friends laptop and it worked perfectly, so at least my PE4L is functional. I'll crack my laptop open soon and see if I can repair it.

 

There's no BIOS option for Expresscard. Everest recognizes there is an unused PCIe port, but I can't figure out what the offsets are using Baredit (I'm running a C2D on an AMD M690 chipset with SB600 southbridge) and the datasheets of either offer little insight.

I'm on my way back home soon, once I get there I'll crack open my laptop (the warranty's up anyway) and check the connections on the Expresscard. If all else fails, I've got an IDE cable I can sacrifice and hotwire the EC2C to the chipset.

[EDIT] UPDATE 28/9/09: After cracking my laptop open, I couldn't see any visible damage to the Expresscard port. I couldn't get my laptop the entire way open, so I couldn't hotwire the IDE cable. I'll be calling LG tomorrow to see about a repair.

[EDIT2] UPDATE 30/9/09: Looks like a repair is prohibitively expensive for an out-of-warranty system that's been discontinued. Looks like I'll be selling and replacing my laptop.

 

is it possible to use those adapters with crossfire?
would be nice to add another 4650 to my internal one even if it send Processed data back throught the cable??

and is it possible to build a docking station out of it? maybe use the usb which is present to my knowledge on the pci-e slot on a laptop for keyboard and mice connected to the pe4h pcb?

 

Crossfire support

Not sure if mobile ATI cards have a crossfire bridge connector. If they do, then if the cable can be extended out from the notebook it would be possible to attach it to a desktop card. That would be a great way of increasing processing power.

If you were otherwise considering using an expressport and mini pci-e port to crossfire 2 external desktop cards, I would instead recommend using those ports to create a x2 1.0 link as the bottleneck is the pci-e bandwidth. For expressport 2.0 (x1 2.0), it might be different though again the choice there would be x2 2.0 versus 2x ATI graphics cards, likely again having more benefit from the increased pci-e bandwidth.

PE4L/PE4H as a USB docking station

Yes - PE4L and PE4H have a USB connector, so it it can act as a keyboard/mouse/USB hub docking station. I tested the EC2C (expressport) connected to a HP DV2000 and confirmed a USB memory stick/bluetooth mouse worked off the USB connector. The same USB connector was not functional on the 2510P using a PM3N (mini pci-e). This is because the mini pci-e's USB pins are not be electrically connected.

The USB docking station function should be universal for all expresscard products as it's part of the expresscard electrical specification. mini pci-e would be on a case-by-case basis. So we can say when using expresscard, PE4L/PE4H is a USB docking station with an additional x1/x2 desktop pci-e slot.

 

well, i have a Dell M1330 laptop, T8300, 8400 M GS....

searched that someone over at the main DIY thread ran a GTX260 on their M1330 with same 8400 M GS and got 54fps on RE5vs 10fps on the 8400 card.... so barring any manufacturing deviation, M1330 should be supported

4670 ATI 1GB can be found between $40 and $70, plus $50 for the adapter to get at least 2x performance for less than $100... call me sold..(was planning to build a $400budget gaming system, not anymore)


questions:
1) have anyone actually got a working linked Expresscard+mPCIe and got a lot better performance?
2) is the (current) Engineering sample compatible with a 4670 1GB ATI GPU? heard about the issues with VGA, want to get some definite answer(reading the main thread, but NBR is pretty slow today for me, probably'll take me 2hours)... does this mean only output via DVI/HDMI on the GPU card?
3) how 'stable' do you think this setup would be, or would you be putting it in a box to secure it?

 

You don't need crossfire/SLI anymore:
http://www.pcper.com/comments.php?nid=7372

 

Given that the drivers for both ATI and nVidia are proprietary no one can give you an exact answer on how or what a video card uses the PCIE bus for.

It does not send raw frames over the PCIE bus. Video memory is dual ported so data can come into the memory from the PCIE bus and leave as a frame buffer to your display.
In terms of 3D games, all textures are sent over the PCIE bus at varying amounts depending on the engine the game uses. Some may send all the textures ever used in the game to the video memory at one time. Others will stream texture data as needed. This is only one example of data sent over the bus and as you can see it dependent on a number of factors. Various other data is also constantly being streamed over the PCIE bus so you can't really make a concrete quantification.

 

edit: moved to different thread

 

Keep in mind that the PCIE bus is full duplex, meaning, upstream data(GPU -> Memory/CPU) does not have an effect on downstream data.
I think the bottleneck is downstream rather than upstream so, eliminating upstream shouldn't affect performance substantially.

 

Guys - can we keep the tech discussion in Let's Figure Out How To Make a DIY ViDock

That thread, currently at 65 pages is an open forum of all sorts of varied discussion. This thread too is now already 4 pages, with only my own post as giving "My experiences so far". Please paste/delete content into the other thread to ensure this one remains true to it's intent to provide just the results for who'd rather not delve into the technicalities. I'll lend my expertise in that thread wherever I can.

 

Mobile cards do have xfire connectors

I am not sure if they are the same in the mxm department as the desktop world

 

PE4H experience to help with purchasing decision: PE4L or PE4H?

I got a PE4H engineering sample to test on a ICH7M HP Pavilion DV2000. Some observations that may help folks decide if they go for PE4L or PE4H based on their requirements. There is a noticable price difference between them too. PE4L=US$77 delivered with a 30cm cable. Equivalent PE4H costs US$107 delivered using a 30cm cable.

PE4H's regulated power

- my 12V/80W DC adapter did not work via the regulated DC jack. I was advised that this needed to be 15-20V/4.5A, so I tried my HP 18.5V/65W power supply which was not enough to even allow the HD4670 to bootup in XP, though it would be recognised if I did 'atiflash -ai' in DOS.

- I ended up connecting the 12V/80W adapter via the molex connector via a makeshift connector to get it to power.

You'll notice hwtools added a bridge rectifier to the circuit (the big black chip on the far right) usually used to convert AC to DC which I find unusual. I never would have connected an AC source to the DC jack. That means 2x0.7V diode voltage drops. For a 19.4V/80W DC adapter, it means 5W of power lost there.

Conclusion: The 60/65W DC adapters supplied with most notebooks will not be enough to drive a HD4670 via the PE4H's regulated DC jack. You'd need the higher power 80/90W versions. It's annoying that I could not jumper the DC jack to be unregulated 12V on the PE4H to function like the PE4L's DC jack.

PE4L versus PE4H for x1 operation

- the PE4H is far bulkier than the PE4L and it's port placement making it more suitable for upright operation.

- the PE4L is small and nimble. Great to allow my HD4670 to work sitting sitting flat and occupying less space.

- either could be adapted for use in some enclosure if desired, as both have screwhole mounting points.

Conclusion: For my basic usage of HD4670 with 12V DC adapter, I prefer using the PE4L as it allows my HD4670 to lay on it's back and occupy less space and the DC Jack accepts my DC adapter's plug.


x2 mode: Can you get it to work?

Can you get a x2 mode working? Seems based on my experience you'd need ICH8M or newer chipset to even try with the ICH8M spec suggesting the expressport/mPCIe port or mPCIe/mPCIe port must be port1/port2 as shown in the ICH8M/ ICH9M details captured below. I believe only a small handful of systems would satisfy this criteria. How many ppl on here prepared to pay US$163 to find out? I'd suggest the $US77 PE4L or $US107 PE4H, that's delivered cost to your door, with the Cheapest practical x2 mode: 8 soldered wires to add a x2 link mode if curious.
This is posted to help avoid x2-mode-doesn't-work disappointments. x1 link speed works on the HP DV2000 and 2510P with either the PE4L or PE4H.

 

have you guys got anything working yet?

 

I should be ordering my PE4L soon. And an Sapphire Vapor-X 4870.

I will definitely be doing tests and will post it all.

Nice post above Nando, for clearing that up.

 

Moved to Let's Figure Out How To Make a DIY ViDock

 

Gaming-GPU of my Alienware m15x is broken so i tried to get the PE4H to work with an old nvidia 6800 Ultra:

1) With mini PCI-E just NOTHING happens. I got 2 free slots and even tried in the slot of WLAN-Card. No reaction at all, the notebook just start with the integrated GPU and Everest shows "free" on the slots...

2) With Express Card i can start the notebook, the 6800 Ultra is identified but it always freezes when the logo of windows 7 shows up.

3) I tried safe mode and it freezes there as well. Last thing that shows up is windows/system32/drivers/classpnp.sys, after that nothing...

4) If i plug in while windows is started, my notebook screen goes black but TFT doesnt come up.

So doesnt work at all

Any ideas?

 

what's the video card in m15x? if it's nvidia maybe the driver for it is used for both cards and won't work with 6800? dunno if uninstalling it will help

 

Answered here where we can do troubleshooting steps if needed.

 

it is a 8800 gtx so good idea, but didnt help. thx anyway...

 

If I have a code 12 with my LG p300 what exactly do I do? I'm sorry I don't fully understand your guide