DIY eGPU experiences

Please follow the procedure in this post to edit Win7 boot menu: http://forum.notebookreview.com/7923848-post5682.html

 

Sweet, thanks guys.

 

Hey, still experiencing BSOD when removing the express card, hot plug feature is not working. What to do?

 

I love these, and I'm trying to gather the parts to build my own. Fortunately for me, I have an Inspiron 1440 just like the benchmarks were tested on.

If I want to have my laptop to have access to the x2 bandwidth instead of just x1, I would need a PE4H of course. What i'm a little cloudy on is the connections from the PE4H and the laptop.

For just x1 I can just use the EC2C between the PE4H and the laptop, but to get x2 I also need to connect the PE4H to an internal mPCIe card slot via a PM3N? Is that accurate?

 

Inspiron 1440 can't do x2 as the wif.i=port2 and EC=port5 so they are not the right combo. If you have a 4500MHD model then suggest getting a NVidia Fermi card like a GTX460 and allow x1.Opt pci-e compression to do it's magic to give ~x2 performance. If you have the HD4330-equipped Inspiron 1440 then it's harder to make a recommendation as x1.Opt is not possible. eg: if prefer DX9 performance then suggest an ATiAMD card running x1E.

 

Hey nando, can you see my problem from my previous posts?

 

What a fantastic thread with so much information! Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any solutions to my issues.

Current setup:
HP DV7T-3300
Mobile QuadCore Intel Core i7-720QM, 2233 MHz (17 x 131)
Intel Ibex Peak-M PM55, Intel Clarksfield
6134 MB (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM)
DIMM1: Hynix HMT125S6BFR8C-H9 2 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz)
DIMM3: Samsung M471B5273BH1-CH9 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz)
BIOS Type Insyde (10/05/2010)
Laptop Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce GT 320M (1024 MB)

New Video Adapter: Radeon 6950 XXX (1GB)

1) I have gotten the card working but it seems I can't start the computer up with the adapter plugged in the Express Slot. Either just turns on to a blank screen or turns on but keeps restart POST (I think it is POST, it just beeps every 3 seconds). Is there any way for me to not have to turn the computer on, sleep it, plug the card in, and then unsleep it?

2) Second issue is that I can't run my computer with more than 2 GB. It really sucks because the performance just dies (and the RapidBoost keeps on saying that my USB ports aren't 2.0? - maybe my flash drives aren't 2.0? - I have no idea). I keep on reading about this PCI consolidating by disabling my dGPU? My BIOS currently doesn't support that type of disabling. Any chance someone could briefly explain the process of running my card with more than 2 GB on my laptop?

Thanks so much for the help!

 

first, no one can turn on the computer with the expresscard as much as i know. Plug it and turn it on in the Egpu Setup, i'll be initialise you GPU before windows and keep your parameters

second, hum i've got 3Go of memory and there's no troubleshot, for disabling your dGPU use the same EGPU setup as i've said before, there's an option inside it to disable your geforce.

what's your windows version ?

 

1) I'll give that a try.

2) This is by using Setup 1.x? If so, I have got that installed but I am a little concerned about making any changes (got no idea what I am doing in there).

I'm running Windows 7 64-bit Home Prem.

 

ok, so it's quite strange your 2GB story, ... we'll see this later

so, yeah setup 1.x

install it like this:

i'll comeback tomorow, i'll think about your memory trouble and try to find something about this

 

Hi,

Put all memory module back. No need to connect the eGPU. Please post screenshot of the Device Manager & Setup 1.x main screen. For the Device Manager, set View to " Resources by connection" & expand the Memory tree (no need to expand the sub-tree). For the Setup 1.x, please refer to Setup 1.x page on how to obtain the screenshot.

Look like to use 4GB or more RAM, your notebook must boot with eGPU already connected. If not, there will be not enough PCI space for eGPU to work. The screenshots will confirm this.

Please post the PSU specification, especially the +12V max current. Are you using PE4H or PE4L?

 

I have already completed this setup. Just curious on what needs to be done to get the card working with 6 GBs.

 

Device Manager:


Without eGPU:


With eGPU:

 

The screenshots are taken with 6GB of RAM installed, yes? If yes, the screenshots show that you don't need to boot notebook with eGPU connected. Meaning you can connect eGPU using sleep-wake method or in Setup 1.x. According to screenshot, devcon file is not created. Make sure you did run:-

Code:

v:\devcon\mkdevcon.bat

Then do 32-bit PCI compaction. Your target is for the "largest_free" (top-right corner of the Setup 1.x main screen) to report 256MB. When "largest_free"=256MB, choose Chainload & boot into windows.

What about other questions:-

Please answer all questions.

 

Thanks for your help BTW!

I did what you said. 32-bit compact on 'dGPU eGPU'. It ended with no solutions. Tried the 32 A and 36 and it ended similarly. Still shows 128 MB largest free. Any chance I can disable Realtek and the JMicron - if it would help?

I am running a 75 watt + 150 watt PSU w/ PE4H.

Here is the log:

 

For 32-bit PCI compaction, if "dGPU eGPU" leads to "no solution found", did you try other combinations?

What is the PSU max current on the +12V? The PSU total power is not important. Since graphic card draw power from +12V lane, the max current on the +12V is what important. ATI Radeon HD 6950 power requirement is 140W (PowerTune 0%??) & can go up to 200W (PowerTune set to max, +20%). Did you run any benchmark or games when running with 2GB of RAM? Your eGPU is running at x1 link only which make the performance not good. So, the reduced performance is not entirely because you're running with 2GB of RAM only. The only way to get best performance is by doing x2 setup. x2 only possible with either of these combinations:-
- PCIe port#1 & port#2
OR
- PCIe port#3 & port#4
OR
- PCIe port#5 & port#6
OR
- PCIe port#7 & port#8

• PCIe port#1 & port#2
  Not possible since port#2 is ethernet card. Ethernet card is not removable.
• PCIe port#3 & port#4
  Not listed. So, most probably these ports not available.
• PCIe port#5 & port#6
  Port#6 is not listed & most probably not available. Port#5 is Jmicron (firewire??) which is not removable.
• PCIe port#7 & port#8
  Port#8 is ExpressCard slot. Port#7 is not listed & most probably not available. To know for sure, see if there is another mPCIe port available. If there is another empty mPCIe port(s) available, move wireless card to that port to know the port number (check using AIDA64).

 

Heres another X220 + 560Ti to add to the list

I can't seem to get the standby-trick working to switch between IGP and EGPU. After resuming from standby the laptop just shuts off.

 

Hi there,

2cond Screen working now - i dit not use an Adapter, it was hdmi.
But i still cant get in 2g mode without freezing on bootscreen.

@AP27: Have u installed the power manager? If yes deinstall it.

 

@kizman, this is all that is listed under chipset.

South Bridge:
PCI Express Controller
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #1 In Use @ x1 (Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 AGN)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #2 In Use @ x1
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #5 In Use @ x1 (JMicron JMB380 PCI-E 1394a OHCI FireWire Controller and Memory Card Host Controller, JMicron JMB38x SD/MMC Card Host Controller)
PCI-E 2.0 x1 port #8 In Use @ x1 (AMD Cayman/Antilles - High Definition Audio Controller, XFX Radeon HD 6950 Video Adapter)

North Bridge:
PCI-E 2.0 x16 port #3 In Use @ x16 (nVIDIA GeForce GT 320M (HP) Video Adapter, nVIDIA GT216 - High Definition Audio Controller)

I was able to run 3D mark 06 and I got a little less than 14k. Skyrim also runs on High with FXAA on. I am using my Jmicron SD reader with an mSD card for Readyboost and that helped a lot. And not sure about the 12V+ thing...I am such a noob.

 

On the PSU casing, there should be a sticker with writing on it. Just look for +12V. Anyway, since you can run benchmark & playing games without any problem (system not crash/BSOD), this show PSU is capable to drive eGPU.

I'm sure you know how to access WIFI card, right? You do know where it is located? Can you open the cover for the WIFI/HDD/memory compartment?

And you not yet answer this question (for 6GB RAM issue):-

 

I can easily access my Wifi card. I tried the 32A and 36bit compaction but all on the dGPU eGPU line. Didn't want to mess anything up. Let me know my safe options and I will try again. Thanks for your help!

 

Try 32-bit PCI compaction again with other option than "dGPU eGPU".

 

Ok guys - I'm finally back with more info. Here is a printscreen of the Device Manager:


The problem is that I cannot see an entry in a format which you mentioned (x0000000) - the only one that is somehow similiar to yours is the entry in the eighth row (it says DFA00000). What does it mean? (yeah - I'm a noob )

Btw sorry for the language - I couldn't change it...

 

I'm not sure that someone will help me solving my problem...just look at the previous posts and you'll know what I mean.

 

Did you tried booting your lap with powered eGPU?

 

Do you think using a PCIe Extender (flexible) could impact on the performances of the card?

 

Sadly your TOLUD is 3.5GB and you do not have high memory. This means you cannot use an eGPU.

On a side note, I found out that you could get PCMCIA to expresscard adapters for around 15 bucks. I have 3 old laptops with PCMCIA ports. The fastest is a 2.4ghz dothan, followed by a 2.66ghz northwood, and a 1.2ghz coppermine (all overclocked). The p3 system has a 20% OC'd PCI bus. If an eGPU works with these old systems, it'd be a great special olympics to see if the higher bandwidth p3 or the faster CPU p-m wins. Sadly the P3 system only has 512MB of ram, so testing will be limited. TOLUD won't be an issue since the laptops have so little ram anyway.

Update:
looks like most if not all of the pcmcia to expresscard adapters support usb functionality only.

 

Hi guys. Thanks to this wonderful thread I gained interest in gaming on laptops again. I was able to get stuff working, but they aren't exactly to the level I'm hoping for.

Problem description

1. My dGPU is kind of interfering with the eGPU.
It's badly worded, but I don't know how to refer to it. I googled but didn't see any with the same experience. I know the eGPU is working; I got Skyrim 1080p almost 60fps with a bunch of improvements, but I feel that the card should be able to do more. I've seen eGPU setups here that have way more impressive results.

Also, doing benchmarks with any programs like 3DMark06 is impossible; it lags beyond belief. I bet it's using only my dGPU for those rendering, but the question is why? Another situation: I tried playback of 720p and 1080p video and it lags! Clearly something is wrong here, the dGPU by itself had been perfectly fine playing the same stuff before. Maybe the cards did some kind of process sharing and it didn't work out well? I can't get the computer to ignore the dGPU and use the full brawn of the eGPU.

I should mention that the laptop display is closed, I used the HDMI directly from eGPU to external monitor.

2. PCIE slots: are they really there?
I took a look at my system configurations in Everest and I think I have 8 ports. #2 is the one officially provided on the laptop, #4 is the WLAN, #8 is a USB 3.0 Host controller. I can't really see any slot except for #2 (provided) and #4 (the WLAN card). Do I really have 8 physical ports (Or at least 7 since one will be the master/dummy port)?

In Setup 1.x I tried enabling PCI port #3 (it worked), then it shows that port #1 is occupied by my dGPU. Prior to enabling port #3, there was nothing there. Why is this? Also, I tried enabling port #5 (or #7) and setup crashes on me.


If there are any additional info needed I'll try to provide them ASAP.


Platform Description
Win7 x64
HP Elitebook 8540w
Intel i7 820QM
QM57 (series-5)
8GB RAM
PE4H + eGPU: NVIDIA GTX 560 Ti
dGPU: NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M

 

Hi,

1. HP Elitebook 8540w doesn't have Intel HD Graphics. So, you can't do x1.Opt setup. With x1 link only, performance will not good. You'll experiencing lagging & stuttering when playing games (when multiple/heavy effects). However, 720p & 1080p video shouldn't lag. At least on ATI/AMD card it doesn't lag. Few Nvidia user complain the video lag issue in the past. BTW, dGPU is not interfering eGPU.

2. The list of PCIe ports reported by Everest/AIDA64 is the list of enabled ports. It doesn't mean they're physically available/usable. You'll need to check them by opening the WLAN/HDD/RAM compartment. According to Review HP Elitebook 8540w Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews , there is only one mPCIe port available which is already occupied by WIFI card.

To get best performance is by doing x2 setup. We know PCIe port#4 is where WLN card connected to. So, if ExpressCard slot is PCIe port#3, you can do x2 setup using PE4H-PM3N(mPCIe)-EC2C. Of course, you will not be able to use WLAN card in this setup.

 

1) Kizman, good news! I tried the 32-bit compression on the dGPU eGPU line and now I am now showing 256MB largest free. I jumped the gun and added 4 GB back into the system (total of 6GB) and tried to connect the express slot.

I am still getting code 12.

2) I rebooted, went into setup and saw that the largest free is back at 128MB . Tried the same compaction and it gave no solutions after that. Tried 32A on all three options (except the top option which is the 'all devices') and that showed no solution as well.

3) As for this FAQ: "Even after successful compaction I still get a error 12: cannot allocate resources in Device Manager"

Is this true for all users (it is what we are supposed to place in the startup.bat) and does this solution apply to me?

Code:

call pci
setpci -s 2:0.0 BASE_ADDRESS_5=d001
setpci -s 0:1c.1 1c.b=d0 1d.b=d0
call grub4dos mbr

Thanks again!

 

1. Please put back all RAM - 6GB RAM, & then, do 32-bit PCI compaction.

2. You need to do PCI compaction on every cold boot. You should concentrate on 32-bit PCI compaction, try all options, including "All device".

3. The words "... successful compaction ..." means when you get largest_free=256MB with total memory installed, which in your case 6GB RAM. You're nowhere near "... successful compaction ..." yet.

 

2) Tried it again with every option and all I got was no solution found. Why would I get it that once and now not be able to get it again on a cold boot?

3) So what you are saying is that I need to NOT get "No solution found" with my eGPU and 6 GB installed. If I only get no solution, are there no solutions for me?

Also, I pulled open my case and it seems there is two open mPCI slots. One has a port soldered to it, the other just has a space for a port to be solder to it. I have attached a photo.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/205/imag0156u.jpg/

 

Any setting you did using Setup 1.x are not permanent. Your notebook configuration will reset to factory settings whenever you turn off/shutdown your notebook. That's why you need to repeat PCI compaction on every cold boot.

2. According to your previous posts, you only do 32-bit PCI compaction on "dGPU eGPU". If you really already tried all options in 32-bit PCI compaction but still failed (no solution found), next you can try 32-bitA PCI compaction. I want to confirm again, are you sure you created devcon.txt file? You should see devcon.txt file in V:\CONFIG folder.

3. The "FAQ: "Even after successful compaction I still get a error 12: cannot allocate resources in Device Manager"" is for anyone with successful compaction (largest_free=256MB) but still get Error 12 in Device Manager. You haven't got successful compaction with 6GB RAM yet, so this solution is not for you.

To solved the 6GB RAM issue, it all depends on successful PCI compaction. If 32-bitA PCI compaction also failed, please run "Save diags" in Setup 1.x & post the diagnostic dump here. How to get diagnostic dump is explained in Setup 1.x page.

 

Hey,

this thread contains so much information, but I cannot find an answer for my simple questions. The basics, so to speak:

1. Is it possible to plug an eGPU to an XPS 10 (L702x) Model? (It doesn't have an express crad slot, is that a problem?)
2. What pieces of hardware do I need to buy? Do I also need an extra cooler for the eGPU?
3. Do I need an external monitor or can I still use my internal one?
4. When using my internal one, can I still watch 3d movies and play games in 3d?


The main problem I have is that I don't know if the XPS 17 has the right slots. I think I read at some point that it is possible, but I don't know. As you see, I'm a technical noob, so I hope you guys can help me out.

Thanks,
SiriusVI

 

Hi,

On Dell XPS 17 (L702x), mPCIe port(s) is/are not easily accessible. The mPCIe port(s) might be located under the keyboard. The only way to get eGPU working on this notebook is by using one of the mPCIe port. If they not accessible, you won't be able to setup eGPU without dismantling your notebook.

2. PE4L/ PE4H & PM3N.

3. You can't use internal monitor because Optimus setup is not possible on this notebook. This notebook lack of Intel HD 3000.

4. See no. 3^^

 

Wonder how good the new HD78xx/HD79xx will be with pcie 2.0, remours suggest they are very damn powerful and hopefully they are also pretty cheap

 

Hey again,

I'm having a problem with the hot plug thing, it seems that it doesn't work for me, what should I do to make it work?

 

Thanks kizwan for the input. Yes, I understand that x1 might not be enough for smooth gameplay at max settings. However, is there a way to fix the video lagging problem, like something I missed/forgot to do? I plugged the eGPU in, Win detects it, install driver, done; haven't done anything else other than that. I wonder what could be the cause.

 

Here is my DIAG.txt: Diag.txt - Pastebin.com

 

Your notebook BIOS is buggy. Any devices connected to ExpressCard slot should hotplugable. If not, there is only one reason, bug in the BIOS.

I want to check something. Please install HWiNFO32/64. In HWiNFO32/64, go to BUS \ "PCI Bus #0" & select "..... - PCI Express Root Port #?" (the #? is ExpressCard PCIe port number). Take two screenshots; one without eGPU connected & one with eGPU connected. Post screenshots here.

The video lag happen not because you missed/forgot steps. I have ATI graphic card & I didn't experienced it. In the past, there are several complain by Nvidia user regarding the video lag. You might want to check your codec. If possible, reset codec settings.

Please post the "DIAG" folder too. We need everything in the "DIAG" folder.

 

Hi, I bought a HP 6460B a while ago when Nando posted them on the SB candidate notebook list. It's a great notebook and I love it to death, the HD 3000 actually run older games like a heavily modded Oblivion very well with some newer Intel drivers, but i'm obviously extremely eager to get my hands on those new 2.0 adapters to BE RELEASED BY HWTOOLS. Ahem. Anywho, I asked earlier and people didn't think this laptop would pose a TOLUD issue, as many other HP series have not...but...I think this may mean trouble. Can someone tell me what my TOLUD is? There are obviously more values in the device manager, but that was the first one with a first entry with just one letter and 8 total digits. I really hope this doesn't mean I can't do what I've been planning. Thanks.

 

The lowest memory address I see in the screenshot is BFA00000 which means TOLUD is 3GB. As long as TOLUD is equal or lower than 3.25GB, you don't have to worry. You can use 4GB++ of RAM with eGPU.

 

WHEW! There are others that begin with A, so I think I'm under 3gb. I thought I might have had to look only at the one with all 0's and one letter. I have never been so glad to have been wrong. Thank you so much Kizwan, your responses are always helpful and super speedy. There are a lot of people in this thread that owe their working systems to you, so thank you.

 

Wondering if anyone can help me with the standby-trick on my X220. Previously someone suggested removing Lenovo Power Manager but that doesn't seem to have helped.

Heres what I've tried: (nVidia drivers are installed and my eGPU currently works)
-Power off x220.
-Plug in eGPU and turn on its power supply.
-Power on x220, load up windows. Everything works. eGPU is powered on and currently displaying on my 24inch monitor.
(This may be where I'm doing something wrong, or have some setting misconfigured)
-Standby system
-Unplug expresscard adapter from slot
-Resume system
(Screen stays blank. No response. After a while it reboots and goes to the 'Windows did not shut down properly' screen. Works fine after starting up windows. eGPU is disconnected and i'm running on my HD3000)
-Standby system again
-Plug in eGPU expresscard into slot
-Resume system
(Power button glows for about 3-4 seconds, then the laptop shuts off. I power it on again, loads up windows and upon reaching the windows screen it moves to my monitor. eGPU is working)


Any thoughts?

 

One more thing, when I about to run 3dmark 06, it goes BSOD and the eGPU fan spins fast, how does that happen and how to solve it?

 

Hi, recently got back into the eGPU hobby after I purchased an x220 a few months back. I just purchased my new video card last week so now it is finally complete.

My specs are:
Lenovo x220 i7-2620, 8GB RAM
PE4L
eGPU: Gigabyte GTX 560 Ti OC @ x1.1 Opt
Xbox 360 203W Power Supply
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

My benchmarks are using the default settings. Results are:
Internal Results:
3DMark06 - 12306
3DVantage - Would not work due to 1280x1024 min resolution requirement
3DMark11 - 3350

External Results:
3DMark06 - 18096
3DVantage GPU Score - 14659
3DMark11 - 4063

Hopefully bplus comes out with the upgraded PE4L soon... can't wait for the pci e 2.0 speeds!

 

Hi guys,
Finally received my card and PE4L. Followed instructions and managed to play once. However, I forgot to turn on the power of GFX before start my lenovo T420(igpu, 8G ram, win7 64bit), so I sleep it, turn the power on and cannot wake it up. Loops over and over cannot get past Bios.
So I turned the laptop off (press the power button all the time till stop looping)
And start the windows again. This time, it did not switch to external monitor. My Gtx560 ti is detected but system is still using HD3000. Cannot open Nvidia control panel, generates error log:
named WER32C.tmp.appcompat.txt

WEI score with HD3000: 5.7
with eGPU working properly: 7.8
now：3.2

whats happening...

Here is a screen shot of the error



Please help~ Thanks

 

have you installed eGPU setup1.x?

 

I need your help. I'm using a Dell Latitude E4300 with 4GB (Win7 64bit & Avlan's DSDT Hack). I have the problem of a dropping frame rate. From very smooth to unplayable...!

My Setup:

• PE4H-EC2C
• Dell DA2 12V Power Supply (It provides only 12V, the 5V are missing)
• 2m mHDMI cable (i don't have a shorter one, for test)
• Gainward Geforce GTX550 TI

I've tested so far Counterstrike Source, Portal, Killing Floor and the R5 Benchmark. I've played the most time CSS. Now it doesn't matter what graphics i change. Always the same Problem, internal & external. With 800x600 pixels or with 1680x1050.


Here my Benchmarks:

First try internal lcd:


Then on an external lcd (resolution 1280x800):


The second started directly after the first one. There is the difference...


In Counterstrike:

I'm starting with 60-80 fps then they drop, then they are raising to 50, then they drop and so on.

So does someone know where the problem could be?
Thanks in advance for any help.

The Geforce audio is disabled, i also removed my wwan card. I disabled the wifi card. I'm not using a bootable bootstick with Setup 1.x and i'm on bios version A13. Hot-Plug works without any problems (i have to disable the geforce in the device manager before removing it).

 

No. Since I don't have dGPU I did not do setup1.x. It worked once, but now failed...I must have done sth wrong and maybe mess up with the .exe file?