DIY eGPU experiences

I see what you mean, but the problem is that I cannot boot if the eGPU is turned on, but if I booted the device and turn on the eGPU it doesn't recognise even if a hit F5. Maybe the problem is with the AMD HD Audio. You see, if I disable every audio device from UEFI and trying to boot with the eGPU its (almost) working, because the bios doesn't find any boot device. Its driving me nuts...

 

Does anyone know the answer to my earlier question or is this just the way it is? Three more questions...#1..Why is it that I get a low score benchmarking but I can play BF3 just fine..
#2..Why do I have a Pcie slot that's open and I install the wifi card in it and it doesn't install or show up in Everest?? .It's like it's there but windows doesn't know it..#3..Why can't I switch between the two video cards like some of you can??I seen the pic on an earlier post..
Sorry for the questions.I'm doing a lot of reading but just can't seem to find the right answer..I know a bit about computer hardware but not so much about software and coding..

 

#1 You don't have an Optimus capable system so 3dmark06 will be < 7k. You are running a x1 1.0 non-Optimus link because your system doesn't have a 4500MHD, HD or HD3000 active iGPU. The iGPU being a requirement for the pci-e compression to activate and switching between the iGPU and eGPU available in the driver. That's a NVidia limitation.

#2 Could be a WWAN slot which only has USB pins connected.

#3 Due to #1.

Suggest read more about NVidia Optimus in the modded driver section.

 

No. Was there a prompt during installation? Given the license, I'll uninstall/remove it (although in a very real sense, I haven't used the software with the ViDock yet as I've made zero progress towards detecting the egpu.

I did notice those posts after I purchased, and to be honest I'd be willing to live with slower speeds if the thing worked. I paid a premium intentionally for the vidock expecting (apparently naively) that I could save time by avoiding the hassle of putting one together myself.

I've been a bit surprised at my lack of progress as it seems that other t420 users have been able to make an egpu work apparently taking the same steps that I have.

 

If Clevo would update their bios for the D900F I could just buy the new GTX580 GPU and install it and everything would be fine..They just want people to buy New high price laptops..I barely could afford this one.What exactly does the DIY eGPU setup 1 for and do? Do I need to install it??

 

Hey Khenglish, you seem to know what you are doing, and I have a few questions.

Is the best we can currently do with an E6520 the 1.x setup? Is our expresscard slot a 2.0 slot that allow a much higher throughput (theoretically)?

How much of a difference do you think upgrading the GTX 460 will make? I don't know if I should use the 460 or something else?

Basically, I don't know when to start the system, given that I am not in too much of a rush. If something better than 1.x is going to be available soon, or if a GTX 560 Ti makes much of a difference I am going to wait for prices to come down, given that I don't want to have to upgrade this eGPU system in the next 2-3 years.

I have the i7-2720qm and 8GB of RAM and would love to be able to play games at 1080p on an external monitor. Is this realistic with the e6520? If desktops with one HD 6870 can play games on three 1080p monitors, I don't see why my eGPU couldn't do 1080p...

ALSO: Would it be better for me NOT to route audio out of the video card via HDMI, as it would waste bandwidth? Should I only route it it out of the laptop headphone jack instead? Thanks.

 

The expresscard slot is 2.0 spec. This is why we have to set it to the 2.5gt/s rate to make it stable since the cables/PE4H can't handle it.

GPU strength is definitely a major factor in performance even on an x1 link with laptop CPUs. You will definitely notice a difference between a GTX 460 and a 560 ti in modern and upcoming games. I plan on getting a nvidia 6x0 based GPU when they come out. A i7-2720qm should have no problems with modern games.

As for 1080p, you can pull that off with GTX 460. In something like BF3 though fps will be a bit low at 1080p on high, and a 560ti will fare better.

Yes you should avoid using the eGPU's HDMI port for audio. Also make sure it is disabled.

Also I do advise waiting for the 2.0 compliant PE4H. It should be out in 2 weeks.

 

I found 2 interesting things when sifting through Intel docs. The first is this:



I'm thinking that this scrambler may be the 8 to 10 bit encoding. If we could disable this encoding, we would gain 25% PCI-E bandwidth. The problem with this is it may make the link unstable since error detection and correction would be disabled, and the other problem is the offset address. Programs like BAR-EDIT and RW-Everything do not list addresses that high, so I don't know how to change the bit.


The second thing I found of interest is this:



I checked the bit on my system, and this feature is not disabled. Does this mean that if a device is connected to say ports 3 and 4 that the system will automatically set x2?

 

Sweet! Do you think something (maybe from Villagetronic or from someone who wants to capitalize on an opportunity) will be made to allow us to use the full 5G/s? Like a PE4H v2.0? I'm glad thunderbolt allows a higher throughput, but why has there been nothing for Expresscard 2.0?

Thanks.

 

I'm not so sure. A GTX460 overclocks very well, whereas the majority of GTX560Ti units are clocked near their max. Then the only difference is the 384 cores vs 336. I've done back-to-back testing of a GTX460 vs GTX560Ti here and there is at best 15% more performance, yet a GTX560Ti cost 54%+ more than a GTX460. The idea of waiting for a GTX6xx has merit. If you need a card now then suggest grab a GTX460.

Use the pcimemw command to write to registers past 0xFF:

Code:

  pcimemw -s [bus]:[slot].[func] [offset] [data] [size] 
  pcimemw -d [vendor]:[device]   [offset] [data] 

The backend converts the pci-e write to use the PT command that access the actual memory address. Just note the pt command used then use the 'read' version to know what the existing data is that you need to modify. There isn't a pcimemr as hadn't anticipated it would ever be required.

New PE4L/PE4H using active transmitter/receiver Redriver ICs scheduled for release this month will allow full 5GT/s speed. AFAIK Villagetronic doesn't have a current product that has demonstrated a successful pci-e 2.0 link on a Series-6 system by any apps such as Setup 1.x, GPU-Z, AIDA64. This contradicts their 'expresscard 2.0' compatibility claim.

 

I tried setting up x2 and seeing if it set automatically. It didn't change to x2. Trying the pcimemw thing now.

Update:

What do you mean by "slot" for the pcimemw -s command? I tried the device number but it said it was invalid. Below is what I tried:

pcimemw -s 0:28.2 324 00000100 8

Since all the other bits are reserved I figured it didn't matter what I tried to set them since any change would be ignored anyway. Also is the second line needed? I thought it was just an alternative method so I just used the 1st line. I do not know what you mean by "vendor".

Update2:

OK I got the write command to work I think. The problem is there is no performance change, so I don't know if the bit did not write, or if the scrambler is in fact not the 8 to 10 bit encoding. I tried pt MEM read 0xf8300324 to try to see if it was written or not, but I see nothing when I type that.

Update3:

OK now I got the read to work. It turns out the bit is still 0.

 

Ok, the 50% cost increase is not my cup of tea, but it is heartening to know that stronger GPUs can better use the small amount of bandwidth (1/2/4x) than their weaker sister cards.

Ok, great. I used VT as the example assuming they would be first-to-market with something. But these new PE4L/PE4H , in allowing 5GT/s speeds will be, according to page one, "30-60% faster" than what is currently allowed?

So, and I am sorry to ask for things to be put so layman-ly for me, if I were to wait for a new PE4L/PE4H setup, and used my e6520 optimus-enable laptop with Expresscard 2.0, I could achieve...what...a x2 link representing 1/8 the bandwidth of a desktop PCI-e bus and therefore anywhere from 1/8th or better of the performance of the card in a desktop?

Again, sorry to ask for a simplification.

 

Hello all,

I just want to say that I'm incredibly impressed with the advances made within the entirety of this huge thread. I've lurked for a couple weeks pouring over many of the pages as well as information within the forum unrelated to this but pertinent to the laptop in my signature; my Qosmio X505 series. Although not a hardcore online player, I am an avid laptop gamer and love me some graphics-intensive titles! Although laptops aren't the most cost effective method for staying on top of the computer technology world, I thoroughly enjoy mine and wish to keep it around for as long a possible. Although I can run most games on very high settings with high anti-aliasing (ME2, Empire/Shogun TW, Dragon Age,etc), with graphic heavy games such as Skyrim, ME3, Diablo III, and others on the horizon I've found myself wanting to be prepared for the future.

I only game when I'm stationary so utilizing an additional monitor isn't a problem because I'm currently hooked up to my TV as of typing this. I've already upgraded the original i7-720QM to a 940XM and maximized the RAM so I'm not afraid to open it up and believe the CPU and RAM are powerful enough to last a long time. My first idea was to upgrade to a GTX 460M since they were available in later models with the same chassis but I haven't found anybody who has done this yet (and reported it at least) and am therefore skeptical to order a $450-$500 GPU that nobody can show me a picture of to verify the validity of an endeavor.

Therefore, after that long-winded introduction I am led to the eGPU solution. I'm not in a hurry so I'd like to slowly collect parts to make my own assembly. In addition to running my thoughts by you, I also wanted to request some aid in addressing potential roadblocks which I have seen. That said, here goes:

Thoughts

• I've read the news section and have noted that there appears to be a PE4H version which will support PCIe 2.0 which is due out in November. AIDA64 says that my PCIe ports are all 2.0 so the no-brainer is that it would be wise to wait until this new board comes out. This would allow me to run at least x1 2.0. Correct?
• I don't want to go extremely overboard on a graphics card right now but I have had my eye on a GTX 570. They aren't too expensive and appear to still pack quite a bit of power (Dollar/Performance ratio) Anybody else have input as to this decision? I am inclined towards NVIDIA cards btw...
• With that level of card, I'm inclined towards a 350W PSU. Any flaws in that line of thinking?

Concerns

• In going over the how-to, one of the biggest things to know is how your ports are arranged so you know if you can link multiple ports together. Unfortunately I am confounded at this point. Here is a screenshot from AIDA64
  
  As can be seen, port #1 is empty (probably the expresscard slot), but numbers 2, 3, 6 and 8 don't show up on the list. Why is that? The GPU shows as #3 on the North Bridge if that means anything. There also exists no schematics for Qosmio laptops but I do know that I am supposed to have 8 ports in total... Is there a way for me to figure this out??? I've already consulted the internet gods on multiple occasions. If I were able to run a Port 1/2 combo in 2.0 that would be awesome as I can't work any Optimus magic on my laptop.
• Although I've tried to diligently scan over the mass amount of information, I haven't seen much relating to Toshiba users or even Qosmio users at that. Can any of the senior members tell me of any particular problems encountered by others using Toshiba products?
• Okay really those are just my two off-head concerns but they're major ones!

My only fear when dealing with computers is messing with BIOS so I'm more of a slow/deliberate/cautious user but I don't have any problems seeing a project through. If anybody cares to know my Mark06 score was in the 108XX range on the stock CPU but I haven't done another one since swapping.

If everything looks correct, I have no problem acquiring certain parts (PSU and Graphics Card) while waiting on other certain developments such as the PE4H with 2.0 usability.

Is there anything else I'm forgetting or alternative measures I haven't seen/read yet?

Many thanks to anybody who actually takes the time to read this post!

Oh and I'll be subscribing to this thread so that I can follow any replies and stay on top of it. This is an excellent thread and I hope to contribute in a positive manner.

~Chris
___________________________
Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q870
Intel Core i7-940XM
Nvidia GTS 360M
8GB DDR3 1333MHz

 

Wow, this thread is a stellar source of information regarding eGPU setup and function.

After reading this entire thread (took days!) and doing a little outside research as well, i finally settled on a refurb'd Lenovo x220 (i7, 8gb RAM, EC slot) and an Asus GTX 560. I can't wait to get the gear and start experimenting!

Thanks for all the great info!

 

Any updates on USB 3.0 to expresscard? I still haven't gotten any replies on the forum support.

^^frmr, as far as I know, you will only be able to use 3GB of RAM with the DIY vidock due to TOLUD issues?

 

Drag SGT:

Unfortunately, the higher 5.0gt/s rate is not a requirement for PCI-E 2.0 compliance. The series 5 chipset, although called PCI-E 2.0, cannot do the higher rate. It can only do the slower 2.5gt/s rate. Only the 6 series chipset can do the 5.0 rate.

How BIOS's handle displaying PCI-E ports caries from one system to another. Mine for example always shows the expresscard slot and one of the mPCI-E slots, but will disable the other 2 mPCI-E slots if nothing is plugged into them. In your case only port 1 is shown as empty. Port 1 must always be enabled since it is the root port. All other ports can be disabled. You may very well have empty mPCI-E ports that the BIOS is hidding. The only way to check is to see if you have empty slots and plugging something in to see what number it is.

Since you cannot do optimus, you must do x2 for acceptable performance. If you can only do x1 then I say stick with the 360m.

As for power supply choice, the total wattage rating means nothing. You need to go by the 12V current rating to determine if a PSU is strong enough.

 

I don't know what series chipset I have.. It is North Bridge Intel Tylersburg X58 and South Bridge Intel 82801JR ICH10R..I was looking in Everest at the video properties and I have two different drivers and thought I cleared the older one out..Here is what it says...Field Value
Video Adapter Properties
Device Description NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
Adapter String GeForce GTX 560
BIOS String Version 70.24.21.0.0
Chip Type GeForce GTX 560
DAC Type Integrated RAMDAC
Driver Date 5/19/2011
Driver Version 8.17.12.7533 - nVIDIA ForceWare 75.33
Driver Provider NVIDIA
Memory Size 1024 MB

Installed Drivers
nvd3dumx 8.17.12.8562
nvwgf2umx 8.17.12.8562
nvwgf2umx 8.17.12.8562
nvd3dum 8.17.12.8562 - nVIDIA ForceWare 85.62
nvwgf2um 8.17.12.8562
nvwgf2um 8.17.12.8562

Is this a problem??

 

Update..I was reading Wikipedia and it says that the X58 has a BUS Speed Up to 25.6 GB/s and 36 PCI-E 2.0 at 5 Gb/s (IOH); 6 PCI-E 1.1 (ICH)..
So does this mean I can get faster frame rates or not?

 

Thanks Khenglish, it's a shame nothing can ever be so easy. It would be nice if there was a BIOS line that could be inputted to enable all ports to make them viewable. However, if I'm remembering correctly, all of the 5/6/7 chipsets are supposed to have 8 PCIe lanes so mine definitely should as well. Common sense also tells me that I wouldn't have ports #1/4/5/7 without having a 2/3/6/8 (the numbering just wouldn't make sense otherwise).

I guess what I'm going to have to do is tear this thing apart, use the wifi card as my test dummy, plug it into any PCIe ports I can find, reassemble, boot, identify the port number, rinse & repeat. Then I would really know what I can do. If there was somehow space I could even permanently move the wifi card and open up a port 5/6 combination in addition to the 1/2 possibility, correct?

If I can make a least a two port connection, and one of the slots is hard to access, there shouldn't be any problems with putting a card extension ribbon in such as this one, should there? Then I could leave one of the bottom plates off and run it through there for access...



I noticed that there also isn't a dis-assembly guide for X505 series computers in the website database linked within one of the forums. Maybe I can take the opportunity to snap some photos and make one.

 

Toshiba X500/X505 x1.Opt/x2 capability?

Within the manual linked at http://forum.notebookreview.com/toshiba/546160-found-x500-disassemble-manual.html I found a fuzzy schematic with the port layout: port1=expresscard slot, port2=WUSB/JET. If you can identify if WUSB/JET is an accessible mPCIe slot then could do a x2 link using [port1+port2].



Worth noting too the schematic highlights the Arrandale CPU as having UMA, though doesn't indicate if it's switched through. Would be worth swapping in one to test since, if it works, you'd get the simpler and cheaper x1.Opt link going using the Intel HD iGPU.

 

You can't, and I'm pretty sure wikipedia is wrong. Either way you have to use the eGPU off the southbridge, not the northbridge, and ICH10 only supports the 2.5gt/s rate. Where I think that wikipedia is wrong is that I'm pretty sure that the 5.0gt/s rate was not implemented even in desktops until the 6 series chipsets, and the x58 is a 5 series.

 

The PCIe port you connect the eGPU to is from South Bridge. According to the Intel ICH10 chipset datasheet, it support PCIe 1.1 with 2.5Gb/s bandwidth in each direction, 5Gb/s concurrent. Anyway, the performance you got now is the best you can get from PCIe x1 link. The only way to get better performance is by doing at least x2 link setup which your notebook unable to do.

He is referring to North Bridge (X58 chipset) which does support PCIe 2.0 5Gb/s bandwidth in each direction. But there are not physically available. All usable PCIe ports are from South Bridge.

 

Thanks Nando4.

Unfortunately my CPU is a Clarksfield instead of an Arrandale and I believe they use different sockets (Wikipedia confirms that mine is a G1 whereas all but two Arrandale are BGA-1288). The two G1 compatible chips also appear that they would be a major step down in terms of power.

I recognize WUSB JET as being wireless USB and what I think is JET transfer systems. I'm fairly positive my laptop doesn't have either of those things. If they do I certainly haven't used them! Haha.

The other discrepancy I notice is on PCie slot #3 and what appears to be the acronym TMA/B. I have no idea whatsoever what that is and it doesn't show up in my AIDA64... Other than that, ports 4/5 are correct, respectively, and what they show as the Gigabit Ethernet Controller on port 6 is listed as port 7 on mine. You know, I don't use the card reader either so I wonder if it's possible to disassemble that take advantage of it's PCIe port to create a 1/2/3/4 setup utilizing 3 PM3N, an EC2C card and some ribbon extensions.... Either way a x2 setup certainly seems feasible. Since I know know that my lappy has fake 2.0 I guess I don't have to hold off until BPlus comes out with a 2.0 PE4H card no either!

Just scrolling though that manual though I can see that it has some potentially interesting information which could be helpful to me in the future. Either way, thanks for the link.

 

It is not fake. It is PCIe 2.0 specification but with 2.5Gb/s bandwidth.

 

You are correct. I was merely implying that it was fake wholly on the grounds that it only had the 2.5GB T/s instead of 5GB T/s, as limited by the chipset, not anything else.

 

Hey guys!

I've already posted here, but I have still difficulties with my eGPU. As I already mentioned, I have a HP ProBook 4525s (triple core AMD, 8GB of ram, discrete HD 5470...) and an HD 4850 eGPU.Furthermore, I have a Lenovo S9. I use ViDock.

The problem is I still get Error 12 on my HP whatever I try, but it works fine my Lenovo. What's wrong? I'd be very grateful if someone would write a step-by-step description for me what to do to solve this "Error 12".

By the way, there are 2 jumpers and switches on the ViDock. What settings do you recommend for them? Should I set delay or not?

Thanks for your reply in advance!

 

If you're using Vidock, you might want to consult the manual what is the recommended settings for the jumpers & switches, if there's any. You might want to contact Villagetronic support.

 

Oh sorry, my mistake, its a DIY "ViDock", I'm actually using this, so I need your help setup this on my HP ProBook, because it's working with my Ideapad S9, but not with my HP.

 

I see. Did you use Setup 1.x to do 32-bit PCI compaction & chainload windows? Please open Device Manager. Set View to " Resources by connection" & then expand the Memory tree. Take the screenshot & post it here.

 

I posted earlier regarding getting some advice about what laptop to buy given my funds/where I could shop, etc. While trying to read through the FAQ sections and understand my options, I was looking at the list of recommended laptops, and I did not see one I thought about getting: the HP g7-1260us 17" laptop. It has an i3-2330m cpu and intel hd3000 gpu (which as I understand is helpful for using the Optimus drivers, correct?).

This laptop would be within my means and would allow me the funds to get a decent graphics card and use the methods described in this thread.

I was wondering if this laptop would be capable of using a DIY eGPU solution, and secondly, would I be able to use my internal LCD? I thank you all in advance for any help!

 

Yes, you could do a DIY eGPU implementation with a G7-1260US. However, since it has no expresscard slot you'd need to (i) ensure the mPCIe slot that hosts the wifi card is accessible and (ii) if need concurrent wifi then obtain a USB wifi device. The price of such G7 units is ~$500. I would suggest look at expresscard equipped systems for a much simpler implementation.

Below I've linked a i5 4730s with a HD+ LCD from HP's Outlet for $599. It is a better built system with an expresscard slot. The i5's Turbo boost gives a significant performance improvement over i3 CPUs so I'd recommend the slight stretch in price for a significantly better system. Dell Vostro 3750 also recently had a $600 i5 deal which you may want to see if will be repeated sometime soon. It too has an expresscard slot. Ref: Deal of the Day: 17-inch Dell Vostro 3750 with Core i5 CPU for $599 .

To use the internal LCD you'd need a NVidia Fermi class eGPU (GT240, GT430, GTS450/550.GTX4/5xx) + the modded Verde driver. The pci-e 2.0 PE4L/PE4H kit will be released this month so I'd suggest wait for it to gain x1.2Opt performance. It will give two times more bandwidth than the current kit's x1.1Opt.

 

Thank you very much for the info nando4!

Unfortunately, the reason I was looking at the g7-1260us is because I have a little over $400 in amex gift cards that can only be used at certain retailers...staples being the only one offering computers. So my selection is limited. I can spend a little over that limit, but I dont have the extra cash at this moment to be buying the laptop elsewhere out of pocket Otherwise, spending the little extra wouldnt be an issue so much.

Thank you for the info on waiting! The extra performance from the x1.2Opt performance would be nice to have. I was planning on getting the laptop in the next week or so, getting everything set up and installed while I was getting my research and buying done for the eGPU implementation. That way, I can start working on that when I have all of the parts.

Did you have any recommendations based on the selection at Staples?

 

Sorry, I had two take two screenshots because of my low-resolution screen: The first:
...and the second:
BTW, sorry about the language, too. My operating system's language is set to Hungarian.

 

@Mavericko93,

From the screenshot, the first PCI bus with 8 digits memory address is 0xC0000000 which means TOLUD is 3GB. You can use Setup 1.x to fixed the Error 12 you got with eGPU. Just need to do 32-bit PCI compaction. Did you try Setup 1.x?

 

Alrighty looks like I need some help getting my eGPU working properly.
Specs:
Dell E6420, 4GB RAM, i7 2720QM, Intel 3000 HD, nVidia 4200.
PE4H (first one) and using GTX 560 DirectCU II OC (Asus).

This is what I did:

Downloaded the Verde 285.62 driver and installed, restarted and plugged in eGPU, put in modded inf in install folder, re-installed drivers, showed GTX 560, was able to connect to an external display. I then went on to do Setup1.xx and first got this message "Warning no A:/config/devcon.txt. Compaction may freeze Run \devcon\mkdevcon from windows to create devcon.txt" only problem is I can't find a devcon or mkdevcon anywhere on my computer in windows... So I press enter to continue anyways

I then go to PCIe and disable the port 2 which is the internal nVidia gfx card, then I go to link speed G1 port and make p6 (eGPU) 2.5Gt/s per lane. Then I go to PCI compaction and do method 32bit A, then do run compact then all devices, I press enter after the line "More -- <STDIN> (43) --" then I get "No Solution found. Set another method then try another PCI compaction" same thing happened using the 32 bit method.

So then I go to Video - Hybrid GFX - and turn off the dGPU that way as well. I then tried 32 bit A PCI compaction and it only showed the iGPU which I don't know if it is correct, but when it says press enter to return to menu, nothing happens, the _ is still blinking so I don't think it is frozen.

Any ideas?

 

Look like you able to get GTX560 to work at first attempt. Regarding the devcon warning, please follow installation instruction in Setup 1.x page. It's under "How do I install this software?" Next thing you need to do is disabled dGPU (nVidia 4200). This way Optimus will work with eGPU. PCI compaction only needed if got Error 12/43 or if other device(s) stop working.

 

Hi All,

I have boot windows with "F8 --> Disable Driver Signature Enforcement" once on June when I want to install DNA drivers for ATI dGPU & eGPU. I read I need to repeat it on each boot however I didn't do it. The drivers/windows didn't complain at all. Today I updated from official 11.8 desktop drivers to official 11.10 desktop drivers (added ATI dGPU PCI ID in INF) without booting with "F8 --> Disable Driver Signature Enforcement". So, what I experienced is contradict from what I read. If anyone with ATI & using unsigned driver such as DNA or using desktop driver for dGPU, experienced the same thing, please let me know.

 

First off, your system does not require compaction. All you need to do in the setup program is set the port to 2.5gt/s, and disable the NVS 4200.

 

Correct. Hoping for a BIOS update eventually

 

Alrighty, so I did get it running on the internal LCD, I ran 3dmark a few times and here is one rundown:
"3dmark06 results on internal LCD, 3dmark ran at 1152 * 864 because my screen is 1600 * 900 I suppose?

Score:
12125 3DMarks
Add to compare
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 video card 3DMark06 benchmark test score
Name

Description

Processor
Processor
Intel Core i7-2720QM Processor
Processor clock2093 MHz
Physical / logical processors1 / 8
# of cores4
Graphics Card
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
VendorAsustek Computer, Inc.
# of cards1
SLI / CrossFire Off
Memory32 MB
Core clock0 MHz
Memory clock0 MHz
Driver name
Driver version8.17.12.8562
Driver statusNot FM Approved
Graphics Card (Secondary)
General
Operating system64-bit Windows 7 (6.1.7601)
MotherboardDell Inc. 032T9K
Memory3978 MB
Detailed scores
3DMark Score12125 3DMarks
SM2.0 Score4959
HDR/SM3.0 Score5003
CPU Score4218
GT1 - Return To Proxycon38.03 FPS
GT2 - Firefly Forest44.63 FPS
CPU1 - Red Valley1.44 FPS
CPU2 - Red Valley1.98 FPS
HDR1 - Canyon Flight50.3 FPS
HDR2 - Deep Freeze49.77 FPS
Settings
Default settings used No
Width1152
Height864
Anti-AliasingNone
Texture FilteringOptimal
VS Profile3_0
PS Profile3_0"

I have gotten a BSOD or two, but I just re-ran 3dmark06 three times on the internal LCD and had no issues...

On external screen I ran into an issue, I tried to change the resolution and now the computer will BSOD any time I connect it to that same TV, I am going to try a different monitor and see if that works.

 

@theneighborrkid,

What is the PSU specification? Did you set the PCIe port where eGPU connected to, to Gen1 (G1)?

 

Hey guys I was just messing around with the eGPU and I usually have it plugged in the express card slot but I tried it on the internal pci slot and I thought there would be no problems. It seems that the internal one is different because it gave me the #12 error code..I tried all the ways to get it to work and taking out a stick of ram cured the problem..Just thought you would want to know..

 

I did set it to Gen 1, and the PSU I am using is this one Click

I tried connecting the eGPU to my monitor and when I launched 3dmark06, things got wacky and then I got this error message "Idirect3d9::GetDeviceCaps failed: Not available (D3DERR_NOTAVAILABLE)"

After the above happened, the computer got what I would call laggy, and then unresponsive, windows would be mostly black, and then would get stuck on black till I restarted my laptop. Don't know what is going on here :/

 

Hi all
Please help to choose the best solution for:

Acer Aspire 6930G, Win 7 (32 now) or (64)? , 4 GB DDR2 (PC2-5300), WiFi Link 5100
Intel PM45 + ICH9M (1066 QDR)
GeForce 9600M GT 512 DDR3
Core 2 Extreme [email protected]

I have several questions:
1How to choose a card that does not overpay, and do not limit it to PM45
2 What connected for best performance (I have an external sound card under ExpressCard54, but the performance is paramount, and LCD TV HD Ready 32 but I would rather use the internal Samsung 1366 x 768 and I need to use WiFI)
3 Is the internal card is still needed and if I could in that case, replace it on the ATI HD 2300 with my Acer 5720G

Many thanks for any help, sorry for english

 

Well I tried switching PSUs, and at first it seemed to be working better, but after the first part of 3dmark06 I got this Click, and the screen went wonky again, followed by a BSOD.

 

GTX560Ti OC can consume up to 260W of power on peak 3D. That PSU have +12V1@18A which mean the max power it can provide to graphic card is only 216W. That is too low. This explain the BSOD you experienced when using external monitor. You can either change to PSU with at least 24A on the 12V (or 12V1 if it is dual-rail PSU) OR downclock your graphic card.

Make sure only the external monitor is active (internal monitor is disabled). Reinstall DX9 if the error still persist.

 

Your notebook cannot do eGPU x1.Opt because your notebook doesn't have Intel GMA 4500MHD. The only way to get good performance with eGPU if your notebook can do x2 link setup. x2 link will required two PCIe ports (2 x mPCIe ports OR ExpressCard+mPCIe) with combination of either [PCIe port#1 & #2 ] OR [PCIe port#3 & #4 ] OR [PCIe port#5 & #6 ].

Aspire 6930G schematic


Referring to schematic, PCIe port#1 & #2 are available. Look like both mPCIe port. So, need to find out where are they & either they are empty or in use. Please post screenshot of AIDA64 (Motherboard \ Chipset \ South Bridge). Also please post screenshot of Device Manager (set View to " Resources by connection" & expand the Memory tree).

1. You can use any ATiAMD Radeon HD 5XXX or 6XXX series or Nvidia Fermi graphic card. The card performance will always limited due to limited bandwidth. In your case, I recommend only do eGPU if you can do x2 link. Please see this performance comparison dGPU vs. eGPU. It can give you an idea what kind of performance you can get.
2. You can play games on internal LCD but only in windowed mode & still need external monitor.

 

Don't know if this is real or not:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?LegacyDocID=MIGR-77150
(New) Improved memory resource allocation process to reserve more memory space for optional hardware devices.
Lenovo finally listened ?

 

Code:

[New functions or enhancements]
- Improved memory resource allocation process to reserve more memory space for
  optional hardware devices.

I can't believe my eyes. Hope to see someone test this with results if the eGPU works with 4+GB RAM.

 

Didn't fix the addressing on my laptop with 8GB of RAM - though I don't have an eGPU to plug in to see if that is required for the BIOS to adapt.