DIY eGPU experiences

Sadly, my dad was very slow on logging into ebay. He insisted that there was no rush, so I didn't make the bid for the 2GB 4870 on time.

Any other 2GB 4870's out there?

 

No dice on that one, unfortunately. It still sits at C0000000-CFFFFFFF. Do I need to specify somewhere a place to put the 4500MHD above the 4GB line, or is this automatic (I have been guessing that part is either the IO win, or just an automatic thing).

I was hoping the 4500MHD was just always moveable for whatever reason...is it a BIOS thing that makes it stubborn? (The system won't even boot with the card plugged in with over 2GB of RAM, I have to plug it in as soon as the built in display shows the HP logo and before the bootdisk option...but it definitely detects when it scans). Perhaps I should wait to plug it in till windows is ready to stick it into that hole formerly occupied by the IGP (that is...if we can make that hole).

Is this where we are telling the IGP to go?

I'd love to play with this...baby steps first though! Learning and all!

I'm playing it safe with a Radeon HD 4670 with 1GB of DDR2 RAM. I figured having more RAM for textures might cut down on the things traffic jamming the limited bandwidth to it. I'm not sure if the speed of the RAM really comes into play all that much since the system can only write to it so fast with that bottleneck. (Plus the card was on sale ).


I should also say that I actually have two 2730p tablets at the moment (temporary) so I'm in a perfect situation to test these things. One runs 7 x64, the other is 7 x86. (Not that it should matter below 36 bits right?)



EDIT:

Ok, I re-read what you said, and I get the io-window thing now. Looks like everything between 4000 and 4FFF is free, so I just set it to 4000.

And to specify where my IGP resides by default (per what I see in that image included earlier) I keep the CFF1C001...I'm not sure I get the FF1C001 part of that through....what's that for?

So the part that specifies where to put the IGP...that's in the first two setpci lines...but all I see is 0c and 3....what are those short for?

 

If no dice, run 'lspci -vv -x', note items using Dxxx addresses. Create batch file that uses setpci to change those PCI config registers to Fxxx. This will relocate all the devices at Dxxx to Fxxx. Confirm Dxxx is free with 'pt PCI map'. Then set the HD4670 to use Dxxxx. Ie: set MEM_WIN=DFF1D001 in bridge.bat. That would be slightly harder solution if 4500MHD relocation doesn't work.

 

I wonder about this setup with the internal LCD, sure you'll loose performance. But what about DVI/HDMI > Composite > USB > Video Editing Software? There are products such as EasyCap for converting composite to USB interface, but would the performance be less?

 

Hi guys!

Although I have not received my PE4L or my video card yet, but I just tried to do the USB bootdisk installation. Perhaps my English is not good enough, but somehow I could not success. I followed the "DIY ViDock Bootdisk Installation Instructions". I did the first 3 points, but I don't get point 4. Do you mean I should boot my computer with the USB stick? I tried but it could not boot from the USB at all. Could you please discribe point 4 a little bit more?

 

Or do I really need this USB boot thing at all if I'm using WIN7?

 

Having issues w/the video card intermittently losing power (fan stops, but both lights on the PE4H stay on) which subsequently locks up windows... I'm wondering if the PE4H's fuse is faulty.

It occurs regularly when the card's power draw increases from idle to load. But it seems like only a particular kind of load. DMC4 benchmark runs over and over w/o issue. Starcraft II beta frequently locks up in the battle.net menu -- not in game. Maybe software is contributing to this one.

Maybe my power supply be at fault? I'm using an antec ATX 350W. The most annoying part is that the diyvidock rig worked totally fine the first week.

Any thoughts ideas or troubleshooting steps you guys may think of please let me know. Its been a very frustrating couple of nights.

 

It's possible you won't need it. Especially if you're running 2GB RAM or less.

 

is it PE4H v1.0? you might need to do some soldering with that fuse.. that info if buried somewhere in 2 diyvidock threads

 

Nope... v2. Possibly feeling the wrath of early adopter agony. perhaps shoulda got a v1.4.

 

My PE4H V2 hasn't skipped a beat when combined with a HD5750. That's running either in x1 or x2 mode. Worth acquiring another US$6 DX mini hdmi cable just in case that's the problem. I had one cable become problematic due to a kink.

 

Yes, I have only 2 GB RAM. But in case I have error 12, what shall I do if I cannot boot from USB? I mean as I mentioned I could not do what was writen in the installation guide...

 

Instructions explains how to create Win95 DOS DIY ViDock bootdisk if the Freedos version doesn't boot.

 

Thank you Nando! I have no idea how I skipped that part!

 

Hello Nando,
I finally noticed your list of 2GB Nvidia and Radeon cards.

There is also the 2GB 4890 you linked for me, and a 1.7GB GTX 275 that goes from anywhere between $310 to $375. This may be an interesting solution to some, as apparently the 2GB version provides better framerates than a GTX 285 and a 4890, and also runs on less power/heat. I'm not sure if it's a dual gpu or not, however.

 

Any video driver changes?

 

Wow! I'm so impressed with my new system. I've tried a few games and for the first time in many years I can run them with maximum settings! Thank you Stacky, I wouldn’t try this if I hadn’t read your post. I also want to thank nando and everyone else involved. This project really deserves more attention.

System:
Dell Studio XPS 13
Intel C2D P8400 (2.26 GHz)
4 GB RAM
Windows 7 Pro - 64 bit
MCP79 chipset

DIY Vidock hardware:
XFX Radeon HD 5770 1GB
PE4H & EC2C (ExpressCard)
Deltaco PSU - 350W
No enclosure needed

Pictures:





Benchmarks:

3Dmark06: 10344


RE5-DX9: 65.2


DMC4-DX10: 49.59


3DMark Vantage (GPU): 6923

 

Thank you for posting your experience. It has been added to the first post.

All the benchmarks are where I'd expect them compared to the T9300-HD5750@x1E and P8600-HD5750@x1E. The only odd one out is your 3dmark vantage score. Based on the other results I'd expect the GPU score to be in the 5300-5500 region unless those other results are amiss.

MCP79 is x2 capable

If you connect a PM3N to your wifi card, it might default to x2 mode. The chipset is capable of x2 (x16, x2, x1, x1) based on the information here. If it defaults to x1 then would require the programmer's reference from NVidia that shows how to set it to x2.

Another place to figure out how to do x2 would be by using PCI Scope Trial, seeing if it's internal database of PCI registers makes mention of pci-e lane width anywhere. You'd need to load XP to use it as it BSODs in W7.

 

I received all parts what I needed and try to get them work, unfortunately no success so far. The card and PE4L has enough power, the fan works and the leds are on. Nothing happens if I just plug everything while windows is on, nor when it is asleep or if I reboot the whole system, so I probably need the diy vidock usb reboot. The problem is that it just doesn't work. If I do the first version it says no boot files on the usb, if I use win95 dos boot, it doesn't say anything it just simply doesn't boot.
Could you please help me what to do?

THANKS!

 

If the 4870 is working and connected successfully on the system it will appear in Everest -> Motherboard -> Chipset -> South bridge, with or without having a driver loaded. If it doesn't appear then check the expresscard slot is active and working.

Once the card is detected OK you'd be able to install ATI Catalyst to provide a driver for the 4870. At that point if you see an error 12 on your 2GB setup then the underlying bridges are not configured. Suggest trying the Magma Full driver first and resort to the DIY ViDock bootdisk if no go.

There are many tutorials on the web on how to create a USB DOS bootdisk. Could try FreeDOS, MSDOS 6.22. Win95 DOS, Win98SE DOS.

 

Still looking for a radeon 4870 2GB vapor-x.

So, to set this up for a x2 connection, I would need a PE4H, two P3MN's and a 300-350 Watt power supply?

 

got my pe4h v2.0 today
waiting on a 2GB 5850 to arrive in a couple more days
will try x2 link on a lenovo t410s

 

I thought I remembered seeing them available on NewEggs site for about $150 each a few days ago, but now they are not listed. I guess you can keep waiting or call up to see when they may get more. God Bless

 

Well, I link everything but the port is still empty in Everest. Nothing changes when I plug the expresscard. It is active, if I check it properly...

 

I got solved it. The card needed more power. Everything worked smoothly. I only had to plug the expresscard and that's all. I still need to do some adjustments and setting as somehow it doesn't play mkv videos. I will send you benchmarks asap.
Thanks for you help, guys, I really appreciate it!

 

3DMark06 score: 7135

Anyone knows how to turn off the audio of my card?

 

Device Manager->Sound, Video and Game controllers will have an ATI HDMI Audio device. Just disable to dedicate all bandwidth to video activities.

Could also try to enable x1E since you are using port3 to host the HD4870. Might need to pull out the wifi card since setting port3 to x1 also makes port1 (your lan) a x2 link as well.

 

X200 totally docked.

PE4H + GT240

 

I tried that already but I have only my normal audio device there, not the ATI card. Perhaps it is shown only if I really use the HDMI and not the VGA cable?

Ok, I will also try to pull out the wifi card later, and make a banchmark test again.

 

Do I need to only pull out the wifi card to enable x1E, or something else as well?
What software do you use to check the FPS while you're playing?

 

Need to switch port3 into x2 link width to see the 20% better performance. I call x2 link width using only a single lane "x1E mode". See x1E mode instructions.

Use FRAPS to measure FPS while playing.

 

A wee bit of a steer, but it's related.

Fudzilla

 

I want to built my own DYI Vidock, but my specific laptop isn't listed. It's a Vostro 1500 very similar to XPS 1530 (which is tested). My question is will my system work with this set up?

 

finally pulled the trigger and order the PE4H. I am glad to say that HWtools service was excellent. The whole process took exactly 1 day. I got the PE4H and tested it with my friends 5850 and it worked fine. I order the parts to do x2 and i know my system is capable as i have tested both the express card and mpcie and they both work. I know i can do x2 as when i plugged it in the express card was shown on port 2 and the mpcie was shown on port 1. I had the resource 12 problem but initially solved it by just having 2gb of ram. I was wondering i was going through you instructions and how do you boot the DIY ViDock Bootdisk. i can't seem to get it to run.

 

I've been using my DIY ViDock for over a week, so far it has done everything I had hoped with a HD 4670! It only works with 2GB of RAM so far, could someone take a look at my memory map and see where I could reallocate memory so I can take advantage of my 4GB sticks? Thanks!

 

Well, I'm stuck and I'd like to ask for advice/help. I'm hoping that I'm just missing something easy here.

Lenovo T410s, 4GB RAM, Intel IGP Graphics, Windows 7 64-bit
PE4H v2.0
ATI 5850 2GB
Antec 550W Power Supply

Card, PE4H, and Power Supply hooked up correctly and running great - power to all components. PE4H hooked up through ExpressCard, just trying x1 right now - will do x2 through internal mini pcie when I get this working. ATI Catalyst installed.

I put the computer into "sleep" and then hook up the PE4H to ExpressCard. Wake the computer back up, Windows detects the card, the card shows in Device Manager "this device is working properly" - no error codes, no code 12. I am assuming/hoping this means I might get to bypass the pci/igp allocation business?

Anyway, here's my problem - the card is there, working fine - windows even detects my external monitors through the card, but I can't figure out how to make the machine switch over to the card as the display adapter instead of the internal IGP graphics and laptop screen! How to make the switch? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

you need a WDDM 1.1 driver for your igp and might need to mess with .inf files or manually install the driver from device manager
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...851-diy-vidock-experiences-9.html#post5590209
if you installed the "right" drivers for both cards then you will be able to choose either 5850 or igp as primary or you can use both with 'extend desktop' option. if not then you can only choose igp. rightcclick on desktop -> isplay/screen or sth like that

or temporarily install a XP driver for 5850 and disable igp

 

I got it figured out; thank you for your suggestions!

1.0 x1 link working now very well.
Did not require PCI/IGP allocation or any kind of bootdisk. (4GB RAM)
Original system 3DMark06 (default settings): 1720
With 1.0 x1 ATI 5850 2GB: 12,765

Tomorrow's project will be to try to learn how to set this thing up for x2 link.
Will run full benchmarks and make detailed post about results when I get x2 figured out.

Very happy so far just with x1 performance!

 

Hmm, this should be an interesting comparison, due to the surprising results of the 2GB 4870 actually being slower than the 5750. I'm getting a 1GB 5870 after Nando discovered the little benefit of the extra VRAM in his card. I'll post my results after I get mine.

My (soon to be) system:
Dell XPS M1330
Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 (2.00 Ghz)
4GB DDR2 RAM
Onboard: 8400M GS (1770 3dmark06)
DIY Vidock: x2 1.0 ATI Radeon 5870 1GB
Windows XP Pro

 

great work. Awesome software. Rep +. This would definitely solve a lot of problem. Most of the software see to have worked fine for me except when i try to chain load the os. it keeps on saying the boot file not found. this is for w7 and mbr option. I wonder what could be the problem. Any suggestions. Also when i try the pci allocation part it say i have no resources to allocate. Could his mean i can't use more than 2 gb ram.

 

Thank you very very very much to nando and others who worked on this new release. I'll be putting it to the test this afternoon in an attempt to get x2 working on my system. I'll keep you updated!

 

Well, I'm running into trouble, so here's another question:

I'm trying to get x2 link working and having problems. I read back through the forums a bit and I think I may know what the issue is, but I couldn't find a solution.

On my machine I have ExpressCard slot (port 4) and two mPCIe slots (port 1 and port 2). Am I correct in thinking that my port numberings are going to cause me issues setting up x2 link using ExpressCard and one of my mPCIe slots? If so, any possible solutions?

The new ViDock Setup Bootdisk does not recognize x2 link when using port 4/1 or port 4/2, although it allows me to "set x2 width" on port 1 - doesn't offer this option for port 4.


No port #3 shows up in Everest.

 

I tried to use DIY ViDock Setup v1.0b USB Bootdisk with no results, my HP Pavilion is not able to do PCI Allocation :-( and also I´m not able to switch to X2 mode.
I try to follow all the steps:
select the Port nº 1
Edit Startup.bat
Apply Startup.bat
But unfortunatelly when i restart windows 7 and load Everest, nothing has changed..
Imageshack - p27051022400001.jpg
Imageshack - hppaviliondv9925nr.png

 

Thank you for the positive feedback. A work in progress, but a significant step from the previous released DIY ViDock bootdisk. The 1.0b reflective that it is a beta release.

I could see a movement to x2 links so the software was released to help those users along. I would very much like to see what a HD58x0@x2 i-core system would benchmark. Some Lenovo T4x0/X20x folks heading that way so iport was released for them try a x2 link. iport.txt giving example commands of what they would likely need to do to setup a x2 link.

It should be noted that compact and iport utilities have been written for Intel chipsets. compact may or may not function with AMD/NVidia chipsets. I haven't tested it. If it doesn't work then NVidia/ATI chipset systems requiring PCI compaction will require manual setpci writes.

iport only works with Intel chipsets. Users are encouraged to develop aport and nport for AMD/NVidia chipsets to do x2 links. NVidia making it hard to do since they won't release programmer's reference to the public as shown here.

Run 'diag', rar the contents of the resultant \diag directory and post a link. This will capture compact output for analysis. I hope you have an Intel chipset system.

x2 link on Intel chipsets requires either port1+port2, port3+port4, port5+port6

The "Set x2 width" option will present a list of odd ports enabled on your system. Since port3 isn't enabled it won't be listed. You can choose "Enable ports 1-6" or run 'iport on' to enable all ports. Then port3 and port5 will be options you can then select. Enabling all ports is only useful to us if the enabled ports have physical wiring to a mPCIe or expresscard slot. I know Lenovo's X200/T400 bios disables port3 if a turbo memory card isn't detected in mPCIe port3 on bootup. The "Set x2 width" option is also presented to allow users to run a x1E link [x2 width, only 1 lane connected].

Intel have limited x2 on their chipsets to be possible using port1+port2, port3+port4 or port5+port6. So on your system the way to do it would be two PM3N's connecting port+port2 . x2 using port1+port4 or port2+port4 is not possible.. though worth trying the former as a x4 link.

Since you have a PE4H 2.0 with 4 mini HDMI connectors, it would be worthwhile connecting port1 to lane1, port4 to lane4, physically disconnecting anything on port2 (eg: wifi) using 'iport x4 -check' followed by 'iport scan' to see if the system can do a x4 link, with the two intermediate lanes missing so becomes a x2 link. I'm not sure how the pci-e protocol handles that situation. Likely won't work but worth a try.

You can also enable all ports using 'iport on' and attach your wifi card to any additional mPCIe slots in your system. If 'iport scan' shows the wifi on port3 then could do a port3+port4 x2 setup. However, if that was the case then you'd have the possibility of doing a x4 connection

AMD chipsets not supported by iport - not sure what compact will do either

iport that sets x2 mode will definitely not work with your AMD chipset nor do you need it, since your AMD chipset's x1 port works at full speed and your Villagetronic ViDock 2 has no x2 capability.

I am not sure what compact will do on an AMD chipset but am curious to find out. Run 'diag' at the DOS prompt, rar the resultant \diag directory, upload and link here.

I recall last we did a manual analysis (which compact's activity is derived from) you simply did not have the ability to create a 256MB window in < 4GB space with 4GB installed. As your onboard graphics AND the HD4670 are ATi devices you couldn't relocate to 36/64-bit space to create some more space.

The solutions for you would be:

1. Run with 3GB of RAM (as you are now)

2. Figure out how to set the equivalent of TOLUD on an AMD chipset so can make the usable RAM in 32-bit space less, so free up a 256MB PCI window in 32-bit space. May require hacking the bios as such parameters are often write-once locked by the bios (eg: D_LCK bit on Intel chipsets).

3. Use an NVidia card. Their drivers do work with 36/64-bit BARS. Problem there is NVidia are worse performers on our limited x1 link than ATI cards. Also don't offer good bang-per-buck.

4. You might be able to do the equivalent of igpdisb on your system, hijaak the onboard graphics 256MB window and use XP drivers.

5. Sell your system and get an Intel-based system with 4500MHD or newer onboard graphics with at least a x1E link capability (expresscard is an odd-numbered port).

6. Petition ATI to make their driver 36 (PAE)/64-bit PCI BAR compatible then could relocate the HD4670 to use a 256MB window in 36/64-bit space so you'd be able to run your system with 4GB. That is the root cause of the need to perform this PCI relocation to begin with. If NVidia and Intel can make 36/64-bit PCI bar compatible then ATi should be able to as well.

 

Hi Nando:

I send you the results using the "diag" command

DIAG.rar

I hope this will be helpful for you

 

Thanks for the suggestions! Played around a bit, and no, I cannot accomplish the x4 workaround trick on this Lenovo T410s. Iport does not detect the x2 link. It looks like x2 may be out of my reach on this machine because of port numberings. Although I can enable Port 3, on the T410s, there is no physical mPCIe connector for this port, as Turbo Memory is no longer an option, so they removed the connector.

I suppose I could order another PM3N and x2 with Port 1 and 2, but I know I'm not actually going to use my system this way. My laptop travels with me daily, and cracking it open, removing the wireless card, and installing the PM3Ns every evening would be too much hassle. Probably the only reason I'd do it would be a one-time curiosity - how much extra performance would that x2 link give on my system?

So, I stand at an x1 link through ExpressCard port 4, and I'm very happy with that. It gives incredible performance compared to IGP graphics, and it is very convenient to setup with the ease of the ExpressCard. Adding to the convenience is that this x1 link requires no bootdisk. Plus, the main game I play, EVE Online, performs perfectly at full resolution with all graphics on high under the x1 setup.

It is x1 for me going forward, I guess. Too bad there's not a way to change the numbering of my mPCIe ports.

I'll do full benches and post a writeup here over the weekend.

Huge thank you to all involved in the development of the DIY ViDock. This is incredible work you've done here.

 

Did you run the diags with 3GB or 4GB? Your previous PCI memory map here starts at D0000000, whereas the diag dump shows C00000000 is free. I would assume it was run with 3GB installed. In any case, diag.txt shows compact works properly with your AMD chipset.

You can boot with 4GB installed to DOS mode with HD4670 attached and run:

Code:

compact pciend 100000000 import \core\devcon.txt

It will report if a solution can be found or not. Based on your previous memory map I believe it can't provide a solution, only being able to free a 128MB window.

Now here's a the final workaround I can propose. We've discovered that the ATI driver can have a 64-bit BAR allocation to it and will appear in Device Manager without a problem, even listing monitors attached to the adapter. Its just when trying to enable the adapter to display something that they fail. So then with 3GB installed, setup Win7 to use the HD4670 as the primary display, then reboot to DIY ViDock bootdisk and relocate the onboard ATI gfx to 64-bit space with command below, allocating the HD4670 to use the 256MB window that is freed in 32-bit space. I'm hopeful this will just allow the AMD onboard graphics to driver to function as a passthru so that the HD4670 can take over and do the job with 4GB installed.

Code:

compact pciend 310000000 import \core\devcon.txt force32 1002 9490
grub4dos w7

Great feedback. If you're not going to buy another PM3N to do a x2 link using port1+port2, can you attach the PM3N you already have to port1, ensuring nothing is physically connected to port2, switch port1 into x2 mode and do x1E benchmarks? I found x1E gives 15-30% better benchmarks. Though games like NFS Shift's performance is far better at x1E than than those 15-30% benchmarks would indicate. I'm assume your port1 doesn't need any PCI relocation, exactly like your port4 has functioned so far. So only need the following. Can even remove the iport scan lines since they are just for visual inspection.

Code:

iport scan
iport x2 1
iport scan
grub4dos w7

Petition your notebook manufacturer to get proper x1 1.0 performance in Intel chipsets

It should be noted that Intel chipsets are underperforming. Their x1 1.0 ports are not delivering the performance specified in their datasheet. I placed an enquiring with Intel over my concerns to which they informed me to escalate the issue via the notebook manufacturer here.

This is recommended DIY ViDock users do so Intel can provide a solution. The current workaround is "use an odd numbered port in x2 mode" to get proper x1 1.0 performance on Intel chipsets. Means then users with even-numbered expresscard slots miss out on full x1 1.0 performance.

I hope Intel provide proper 5GBps full duplex performance with their upcoming expresscard 2.0 chipsets.

 

I have an older HP Pavillion dv6663ca and I want to try this out. According to Everest, I have the following configuration:

PCI-E 1.0 x1 port #1 In Use @ x1 (Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN Network Adapter)
PCI-E 1.0 x1 port #2 Empty
PCI-E 1.0 x1 port #6 In Use @ x1 (Realtek RTL8139/810x Fast Ethernet Adapter)

However, the DMI page says that all three of those slots are empty. Strange. I also have an unused expresscard slot, which I think would go into port 2.

It's a Santa Rosa notebook, which means it has a ICH8 southbridge -- confirmed by Everest.

It's a long thread, so my questions so far are:

- How would I go about checking to see if I have enough memory allocation to avoid the error 12 ahead of time? I already have 3 GB of RAM, but I want to make sure that I won't run into any problems.

- Is there a factor I should consider when choosing an adequate video card, considering the link speed?

- Is it currently possible to enable 2x link speed through the express card route?

 

My opinion is that a Intel x1 1.0 link gets seriously bottlenecked when rendering multiple textures simultaneously. Benchmarks may show a HD5770 is faster than a HD5670 but both will crawl in heavy texture games. An Intel x1E link is noticably better and would be worth a HD57x0 or better investment. A x2 link providing more breathing space yet again. Hoping we get some x1E/x2 HD58xx benchmarks posted to show just how much better a HD58xx is over a HD57xx.

If your port2 is an expresscard slot then can do a x2 link by combining with your wifi port1. Only way to confirm if the expresscard is port2 is to plug a pci-e expresscard (not USB) e-sata or USB 3.0 into, or DIY ViDock, and see what it come up as in Everest.

Can use the DIY ViDock Setup v1.0b to see if you have a free 256MB window to host an ATI card in < 4GB space. "free@xxxxxx(yyyMiB)" shown on the menu (which I didn't capture in the screenshot - need to do that again) will inform you how much PCI space is free atm. Selecting any of the compaction methods will then change that number. You want yyy to say 256MiB or more. 3GB won't be a problem (that's 4x256MB windows available for devices which should provide at least 1x256MB to be free). It's only if you have 4GB or more that you'd need to confirm a 256MB window is free, or can be made free, by performing PCI compaction.

 

Here is the diag files you requested
Diag.rar.
I have an intel motherboard. it is a pm45 ichm9. Also i was wondering how to i go about using the new method of chainloading that you mentioned earlier. Do i have to edit the grub4dos or remove it? i am not familiar with the grub application so i a unsure how to do what you mention earlier. Thanks anyway for all the help you have provided so far. You have been extremely helpful.