DIY eGPU experiences

are the mPCIes number 5 in the picture? so if i had an egpu, i would have to have my laptop partially disassembled while using it?

 

Lenovo L520 likely has TOLUD=3.5GB making it impossible to run 4GB+ and an eGPU

Your Lenovo L520 likely has the TOLUD=3.5GB issue that is preventing iGPU-only equipped X220, T420s, T420, T520 systems from being able to host an eGPU when there is 4GB or more RAM installed. For details of the problem and what Lenovo are doing to correct it see Request to fix TOLUD in newer BIOS files - Lenovo Community . That is, Lenovo will need to change the locked TOLUD bios setting to be 3.25GB or less. In the interim, remove 2GB of RAM and see if the eGPU works OK.

 

I tried chainloading with the new egpu setup and with both pci compaction configurations, I end up chainloading tO a black screen.

edit: nvm, I've figured out the problem! I used the 32-bitA method of compaction and only compacted the eGPU. Everything seems to be fine now. Thanks nando4 and kizwan for all your help.

 

Actually I thought you confirmed it from my picture... I will swap the wireless card out to the white port and see. It seems to me that that would logically be port #2 since, port #2 shows empty.
PCI Express Controller
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #1 In Use @ x1 (Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #2 Empty
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #4 In Use @ x1 (nVIDIA GF104 - High Definition Audio Controller, Zotac GeForce GTX 460 Video Adapter)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #6 In Use @ x1 (Broadcom NetLink BCM5784M PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #8 In Use @ x1

 

I don't know the PCIe port number. I don't have access to your notebook. Yes, you need to disassemble your notebook. This is why I said it will be difficult to use eGPU with this notebook.

Lenovo L520 have TOLUD 3.1GB as shown here.

I can't tell what is the PCIe port number from the picture. Only you can check the PCIe port number because you have access to it. I only confirmed there are two mPCIe ports where, based on your AIDA64 report, the black mPCIe port where WIFI card connected to is PCIe port#1 & the other one, white mPCIe port is empty, which I don't know it PCIe port number. So, you need to check it out. Even though AIDA64 report PCIe port#2 is empty, that doesn't mean it is the white port. You need to check & confirmed it by moving the WIFI card to the white port.

 

Hi all, I've bought my self the gear (PE4H + EC2C) and i'm trying to hook up a Radeon 6870 to my Dell Studio XPS 1645.

Basically i have it all set up physically, but i cannot for the life of me get anything working. Would really appreciate a step by step list! I know there must be one somewhere, but i've trawled everywhere trying to get it to work !!

 

The white one is port #2, thanks for making sure I check. Again, I appreciate it.


PCI Express Controller
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #1 Empty
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #2 In Use @ x1 (Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #4 In Use @ x1 (nVIDIA GF104 - High Definition Audio Controller, Zotac GeForce GTX 460 Video Adapter)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #6 In Use @ x1 (Broadcom NetLink BCM5784M PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #8 In Use @ x1

 

So the card isn't detected at all? The first thing that comes to mind is did you remember to connect power to the PE4H's floppy connector.

 

I was linked here from somewhere else and thought this looks interesting. I know very little of messing with computer settings but really want to play Skyrim and other newer games on my laptop without getting a gaming PC which I wouldn't have money to get right now. So can someone help me out?

I have a Dell Inspiron 1564 with Intel HD graphics. Was given this graphic of notebook schematic though no idea what it means. Would love to play newer games at medium level or higher, something worth the investment, but spending no more than $200. Trying to find the ports mentioned and no idea where they are. Can anyone guide me towards what would be right? The first post is not helping me at all, so information and links to buying stuff would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

I was just wondering if anyone would be able to tell me if this would work with my laptop? It's a Toshiba Satellite L505D-GS6000 - here are the specs: Toshiba Satellite L505D-GS6000 Specs (Turion II M500 2.2 GHz, 16" TFT) - Laptops - CNET Reviews

These are my PCI ports, as you can see they're all "in use."


Sorry if my terms for things are odd, I don't know a whole lot about computer components. xD

 

You can only do a pure x1 link, and it looks like it would require you to remove your wireless card. It is possible that your BIOS has disabled/hidden a port with nothing plugged into it, so there may be a port to move your wireless card to, but don't count on it. You won't achieve very good performance out of an eGPU, but it would make games playable that otherwise would not be on your 4200.

If you want to use an eGPU anyway despite the x1 limitation, we need to know your TOLUD. You can find it in the device manager by clicking "view", "resources by connection", then open up the "memory" dropdown. Post a screenshot for us to look at.

 

I have just bought:
1- EVGA Nvidia Geforce GTX 460 SE.
2- PE4H (hasn't arrived yet).
3- a PSU 550 Watts from TwinMOS's Xpower.

but now I'm stuck about creating an enclosure for my diy vidock, any suggestion?

BTW, I'm new here.

 

Oh, bummer! Would it be possible to tell if a port has been hidden? Or would that require physically looking and tearing my laptop apart? xD Thanks for the information you've provided so far.

Here's the screenshot of device manager:

 

Yes you would have to take the laptop apart to see if there are any more mPCI-E slots.

Your memory list is significantly different from Intel systems, which I am used to. Your TOLUD appears to be 3.5GB, but I am not completely sure. 3.5GB means that your system is not capable of hosting an external graphics card.

 

Well, poo! D: Oh well - time to start saving up for something. Thank you so much for helping me! :]

 

Can anyone give me an update on the usb 3.0 pcie adapter?
Also, can anyone recommend me a good computer to buy that would work well with an eGPU? my only preference would be that it would have to be a sandy bridge i5. thanks.

 

Hi will my machine work with diy egpu?
i dont wanna get a monitor.. so will use internal display
its Sony cw28
CPU = i5 520m
dgpu = gt 330m
ram =4gb
i read that to display it in internal diplay will need a intel integrated graphics and im not sure with that.. will need you guys to advice.. thanks!

 

I have corresponded with hwtools (Bplus Technology Co). They said that is possible to manufacture an adapter PCI-e to MXM (based on PE4H), but they need evidence of demand for such a device and MXM specsheet including pin-out.

 

finnaly they answered someone. Well I think demand is not really a problem, we can just make a topic and ask people if they would buy. As for mxm specsheet some pdf's but it's not complete. And it was hard to get since you "need" to have a pci-sig account. But there are several types of mxm slots. this may be a problem.

 

Yes, I naively thought that the MXM specsheet are open for access everyone.
At the expense of several types of MXM - they are back-compatible (in 1st generation and in 2nd generation), or am I mistaken?
Sorry for offtopic, but Smaller graphics modules can be inserted into larger slots

 

The cards itselves aren't compatible so I am in doubt about the backwards compatibility of the slots.

 

Hi Kizwan,

You were dead right regarding Win 7 Starter. As soon as I ugraded to Home Premium it worked. It is running great with Optimus via the eee's own LCD.

I did some tests using some of the nvidia demos. On one of the rare ones that the 3150 igpu could actually run, it managed only 0.6 fps. On the GT430 egpu the demo ran at almost 160fps. I'm pretty pleased!

I don't know if anyone has tried an egpu on a netbook but I can confirm that the Asus 1015PEM (igpu = 3150) and nvidia GT430 work very well. The Atom is worked pretty hard, I'm guessing as a result of the need to do Optimus data compression. I might run some benchmarks when I get a chance.

Now I need to determine a decent way to hook the two together. At the moment I have it plugged into the wifi mpcie which is very close (too close) to the front left corner of the netbook. The 1015PEM doesn't come with an mpcie socket soldered on the daughterboard (the traces are there). I bought a daughterboard on ebay from a 1015PN which does have the connector. The port can be enabled via setup 1.x (shows as port 3) but nothing plugged into it is recognised (including the wifi card which appears to be the same for both machines).

I suspect a Bios or whitelist issue as the 1015PEM (Atom / 3150) and 1015PN (Atom / Nvidia ION) are very different machines. The 1015PEG (does any company do more variations of a machine than Asus?) appears to be the same as the 1015PEM but with the second mpcie socket soldered on and a 3G card fitted. That machine uses exactly the same Bios as my 1015PEM.

I will try Nando's advice for un-whitelisting the port when I get a chance.

Mark

 

Congratulations. You are the first to do a X3150/netbook [email protected] implementation. A writeup showing how to do it and the benchmark results would be very much welcome for others as a recipe to duplicate.

Now you may find that your second mPCIe port may be WWAN only (USB), in which case it will be impossible to run a eGPU off it since it needs pci-e lines. A visual inspection of the pinouts USB(36, 38) or pci-e(23, 25, 31, 33) confirming what that second mPCIe slot is.

If it's a WWAN slot, then if you desire concurrent internal wifi while having the eGPU connected, consider purchasing the USB/mPCIe wifi card as shown in http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...wan-port-2710p-mpci-e-slot-2.html#post7335995 .

 

Congratulations! Good to know Optimus is engaged with Intel 3150 iGPU. I can't wait to see benchmark results (3dMark06, Vantage, etc) from you.

 

Just like pci-e has several versions pci-e 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 MXM also has it's own versions. MXM 2.0, 2.1, MXM3.0a, 3.0b. etc. Unlike pci-e they tend not to be compatible. It's different from slot types. yes in THEORY smaller modules can work in larger slots.
It's a lot of slot types unlike mini pci-e which only has 1.0 and 2.0 and I think the pinout is the same.
So they have to produce versions for each MXM slot. If the pinout is the same for MXM for all slot sizes across all versions maybe they can make an universal version. But anyway about 90% of the notebooks that have MXM have a full size MXM3.0b slot. So I think it's better to focus on that one first.

As for possible costumers I don't known if they'll be more or less then the ones for mini pci-e versions. Of course everyone would want a bottleneck free egpu that performs has it should. But at what cost?
So I see 2 possible scenarios:
1)people that only have 1 mxm slot notebook that don't mind removing the current notebook graphic card temporarily to insert the interface. My guess is that it won't be many people wanting to do this.
2)people with 2 mxm slot notebooks. only a few models have it. People could remove 1 card and insert the interface and make some sort of connector and still have a notebook with a connector. forget about thin and light solutions.
But again, a bottleneck free interface would make wonders in performance. And in savings too. Just imagine not having to buy an high end desktop and having the same performance without any issues.

As for the specsheet it's not open for everyone. But some notebook schematics have the MXM slot described.

 

Hey guys. I am new here (but I hope I will stay a little bit longer ) but I was browsing this thread for a long time and couldn't find any information about getting eGPU to work on a Samsung series-4 laptop.

I am planning to buy this laptop but I also would like to know if it would be capable of eGPU (it is also a factor that I will base my decision on). Of course it has Expresscard, Intel HD 3000 graphics (and HM65 chipset), so it seems to be fine, but do you know about any issues that were (or might be - basing on its specification that might be similiar to another laptop which already succesfully got eGPU to work) occur while connecting eGPU? Or the only way is to buy it and check?

I don't know if it will be of any use, but here is it's specification (however the model thas is available in Poland has i5 processor and HSPA modem):
The Business Notebook you can rely on. - 400B2B 12.5" Business Notebook - Business - Notebook Computers | SAMSUNG

So? Any clues? I will be very grateful for any feedback

 

Welcome aboard. I would love to have a Samsung Series-4 implementation. A great alternative to those who might otherwise be put off by a Lenovo X220's or Dell E6220's style, or a HP 2560P's weight.

For eGPU compatibility check that TOLUD <=3.25GB. If not then check if it has a 36-bit root bridge

Check the PCI BUS entry in Device Manager to check that TOLUD is 3.25GB or less. If it's 3.5GB or more, then check if there is a PCI BUS entry in the 'large memory'. The latter has so far only been seen on Core2Duo Dell Inspirons, so is a rare occurence. An example of how to check these is shown below:


Example: Dell Inspiron 1440. TOLUD=3.5GB with 36-bit root bridge

If the Samsung Series-4 passes those checks then there is at least 256MB of pci-e space to accomodate an eGPU.

 

Thanks for fast reply and for infomation! It seems that I will be back when I will have all the necessary data.

 

I finally got my XPS 1645 working with a Radeon 6870! Until the power supply started gives up...

I can boot up windows with the eGPU plugged in, and it will load to my external monitor. Everything's cool there, ran Furmark and it's all working. However, When i'm playing games, Each time the game loads into a new level/space (eg, loading the beach resort on Dead Island) The power supply just stops, thus turning the 6870 off.

Would this be caused by sudden heavy load in the graphics card, making it draw more power, and the power supply not handling it?

It was a free PSU (600w Alpine), so i don't mind buying a decent one.

 

Is this the power supply you're using right now (600W Alpine)? If yes, this PSU have +12V@34A=408W. It is more than enough to drive ATI HD 6870 which power requirement is only 151W & up to 200W if OCed & peak 3D. Probably the PSU is faulty OR it is driver/games related problem. BTW, how long you run Furmark? Did you try running OCCT for 30 minutes or 1 hour?

 

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, that's the one. I am having a problem with Catalyst pro control center, in that it wont open at all. You can see it in task manager starting to load CCC.exe, then it just closes.

I need to get inside it to be able to scale my display to the screen size.

But if it were driver errors, why would the actual PSU turn off? I've heard that in budget PSU's there is not enough "amperage" to maintain the PSU when heavy load is given to the eGPU?

 

If CCC failed to open, then the installation is corrupted. You might need to uninstall it & use Driver Sweeper to removed the driver leftovers. Then install again. PSU is rated at +12V@34A=408W, it's more than enough to provide power to 6870. So, amperage is not an issue. Even if it use less quality components, it still should be able to provide enough power to 6870. 6870 only need max 151W (408W vs. 151W). Up to 200W if you overclocked. You already tested with Furmark but I don't know how long you run it. If PSU is the problem, why it only happen at certain map? It should happen right away when you start playing the games. Can you borrow another PSU to test? If you buy new one & the problem still persist, you only wasting your money.

 

For my Radeon HD 6950 2GB eGPU solution, I recycled a Corsair HX520 PSU with 520 watts with 40A +12 volts rail.

 

If you have a PE4H 2.4 then also set the fuse bypass jumper next to the floppy molex. If have an older PE4H then consider Panzer's fuse bypass. This is necessary due to high power cards causing the onboard fuse to engage during heavy loads. I suggest trying this before moving onto testing/swapping in another PSU.

 

Well, it has happened on Boot about twice, twice in dead island, and twice in Skyrim. So it's insnt dead island having the problem. And I've tried to install CCC about three times, But havent used the driver sweeper (Not sure what it is or how to use it). Might be worth a shot. I'm picking up a PSU off my mate today to try also. And as for the PE4H 2.4 i have, what is the fuse bypass jumper? I'm sorry if it's been said before on here, or i'm being pretty useless, but i do appreciate the help!

 

How many fps do you got with the 6950 in Crysis 2 with Ultra Settings? And Battlefield 3?

Does the eGPU a huge difference against your integrated VGA?

 

The CCC problem you're experiencing is common but hard to troubleshoot or fixed. I used to spent hours for troubleshooting/uninstalling/reinstalling just to get CCC to work whenever updated driver to new version. I can confirm the problem go away after doing fresh windows installation...obviously. I understand you need it to scale the display to the screen size. I need it to do the same thing too. My 5870 need 188W (not overclocked) which is more than 6870 & I don't have to use the fuse bypass jumper on the PE4H. However, you might want to try it. The jumper is near the floppy power port/connector. Let me know when you have tried another PSU.

 

Hello,

is it possible to connect an MXM 3 Slot with an external GPU via Adapter with cable.

or is it possible to connect an Imac to an external GPU via Vidock?

 

Hey guys,

Have been lurking this forum for a long time now and thanks to you guys, I have been able to successfully set up my eGPU. Just a few questions tho:

-Is it possible to boot up the computer with eGPU connected? (I simply get a black screen)
-I get BSOD'd when I tried to hot plug my eGPU. Both while asleep and while running Win7. [But when I boot with eGPU, safely eject it and then try to hot plug the eGPU, it works perfectly)

from reading the forums, it seems that getting a black screen while booting is normal, but I was wondering if there was anyway around it? Its kinda annoying since I have to restart my computer a lot =/

my setup:
-Vaio Z (VPCZ13)
-GTX460 (MSI Cyclone, 1g)
-PE4L
-Using Intel Integrated graphics (hybrid graphics switched off via custom bios)
-nVidia Verde 285.62 driver + Kallitokcao's nvam.inf
-The latest Intel 4500 driver (from Intel website)

 

^ What you describe (black screen when eGPU connected while booting) is a known issue with the VAIO Z1 series. Here is the solution:
Leave eGPU disconnected from the notebook (expresscard in slot but not pushed inside). Switch on the eGPU's PSU. Switch on notebook. As soon as the VAIO logo appears, you can simply push the expresscard into the slot and let it lock. Dont eject the card before 'safely remove' is done or you'll get a BSOD.

The problem is that the VAIO Z's BIOS thinks that the eGPU is the primary graphics card and locks up. The hot plug procedure (plug in eGPU while in windows) should work tho. Please check all cable connections, proper sit of the card in the PE4L and power supply. Should be at least rated at 15A@12V.

 

Yea, I've been using that work around so far. oh well, I guess its only a minor inconvinience.

With regards to my PSU, I'm not too familiar with computer building or ECE, but I have a Modstream 500w from OCZ (which apparently has dual rail 25a@12v), which should be enough?

Just to clarify, when you boot up your computer without the eGPU and plug in the eGPU while windows is running, does it simply just switch to the external monitor for you? Also, my Blue screen mentions something about Plug and Play drivers, if that is of interest.

 

I've got my new PSU in, booted up fine and seems to be running fine, i'll post if it fails me! The next step is CCC and driver sweeper. Can't find a download link for driver sweeper of the guru3D website, any heads up on other safe mirrors?

 

Look like there is some disagreement between guru3d & the author. So, download link is not available at the moment. I don't know any other safe mirrors.

What is the brand & specification of the new PSU? Look like the Alpine 600W PSU you use earlier somehow lost at least half of the rated output power OR simply using very low-grade components. Always buy trusted brand such as Corsair, FSP or Seasonic (to name a few).

 

If the option is set, yes. I just select the external screen only which appears as projector with windows+p. This setting gets saved and when I connect the eGPU with screen attached, it automatically switches off the internal lcd and switches on the desktop screen. It instantly activates Optimus and all this stuff so I can start working or gaming. Works great.

 

So now the big question is...if you were to buy now what would be the most future proof option?

Is thunderbolt suddenly going to be the best option?

I am really stuck on getting to the highest res possible as I have a MBP now and the 1200x800 screen res annoys me every day I use it.

MBA - 900p screen is nice, 4gb ram limit sucks
MBP - 1200x800 screen sucks, plus its a little porky
Z2 - lightpeak port may not work for eGPU as its a unique setup
T420s - battery life sucks, i7 only top model
R840 - sataII capped which sucks for SSD's

Any thoughts anyone?

 

I've had further communications with BPlus re: Thunderbolt finding they are not a Intel/Apple TB partner so don't have access to the chips or the datasheet. They are simply attempting to reverse engineer the pinout! I believe the strategy will not work as the Thunderbolt chip is necessary to demux the TB's pcie/DP signals. If they were successful then their PE5H + EC3C + Thunderbolt cable would be the most futureproof gear since it would work with an expresscard slot or TB port.

Anyway.. back to your choice of notebook. The R840 is the most complete 900P 'thin-and-light' from your list for DIY eGPU via expresscard purposes. Nevertheless, I'd get a 0.64lbs (0.29kgs) heavier and porkier Lenovo T420 (not T420s) + custom i7-quad. Benefit there is proper 6/9 cell batteries giving long battery life, higher i7-quad performance, 900P, NVS4200M dGPU option and a T420 can be had at great price with coupons.

 

Hi, I just ordered a ThinkPad W520, does anyone expect any problems with ViDock via ExpressCard connection?

Sorry, Nando, I didn't take your advice, because the W520 happens to be the most convenient option for me (I wanted to pay cash and get it before Thanksgiving.) Otherwise, I would have bought the Precision M4600.

 

IS it possible to get my w520 to work? I have PE4L-EC2C (expresscard) or PE4L-PM3N (mPCIe) but last I tried (only quickly ) I couldnt get it work but I dont have a gpu atm, just wonder if my dedicated 1000m makes it not possible?

 

....so is anyone mass-producing these external GPU things yet? I would love one, but I don't know near enough about computers to build my own.

 

Yes it's possible. wicked20 (Dell XPS L502 w GT525M) and Fardavid (Fujitsu AH531 w GT525M) have so far done a Series-6 DIY eGPU implementation of a system with a Optimus dGPU. You will require Setup 1.x to disable the dGPU as the NVidia Verde drive doesn't place nice with the eGPU when it detects two NVidia GPUs. Do note:

- the released Setup 1.0f-pre28 cannot chainload UEFI GPT partitions, something that Lenovo *may* have implemented on the W520 as part of the Lenovo Experience 2.0. There are three workarounds. Please PM me to discuss if affected.

- the BUG section on that page as you'll need to apply that as well as setting your expresscard slot to G1 speed. G1 speed being necessary as the current BPlus/HIT hardware cannot do pci-e 2.0 link speed and leaving the port in G2 speed causes the NVidia driver to hang.

You'll need a startup.bat that will look something like the one below. Ensure you use the menu-based setup, disable the dGPU, then run 32-bit PCI compaction on your eGPU so as to create a pci.bat that is used.

Code:

call speedup lbacache
call iport g1 [your expresscard port no]
call iport dGPU off
call pci
setpci -s 0:1c.[your expresscard port no - 1] 1c.w=20,20 (comment: per BUG section)
call grub4dos mbr (comment: or 'call grub4dos w7', whichever works)

Reminder: Villagetronic users are exempt from free use of the Setup 1.x software

@carage - the same applies to your W520. However, as you have a VD4+ I'd ask you either ask Villagetronic (VT) to help you accomplish effectively the same thing, or purchase a $25 license for the Setup 1.x software from HIT and send VT the bill (or request a refund if they are overall uncooperative).

Why is there a $25 fee for VT users? Unfortunately VT have been sending/linking their users to use this software, violating the previous 'not for commercial use' license. They also declined to sponsor the development of this software when an offer was made in May 2010, software that resolved many of the technical issues (error 12, switching g1/g2, disabling dGPUs, x1E performance tweaks) that they could not solve or find themselves.

It therefore makes sense to have VT pay by proxy of their users to help offset the development costs to make this software.