DIY eGPU experiences

yes me too

 

If the expresscard slot is enabled and no device is appearing then it's likely the PE4L 2.1 is faulty. Best way to confirm would be to try it in another system's expresscard slot.

If faulty, then time to RMA it. I've advised hwtools about quality issues with the PE4L 2.1 with them advising of an improvement to their manufacturing. See the update for pics and more details.

 

i can't try it in another system's expresscard slot.
when i plug PE4L in expresscard slot, without gpu, on the PE4L, D1 and D3 are switched on.

 

What LEDs switch on when you plug a gpu in and attach it to the expresscard slot? Have you set SW2=2-3 (x16)? Mine wouldn't work with SW=1-2 (x1), which is the default.

 

with or without gpu, D1 and D4 swich on.
sw2 is on 2-3 but i've tested sw2 on 1-2 but nothing
i've try with sw1 on 1 and 2 but nothing

 

i try this :
turn off pc
plug egpu with gpu
turn on egpu, D1 D3 and D4 switch on
turn on pc, D1 and D3 switch on, D4 switch off

 

Ey What Gpu 6770 or Gts 450 For a

Core 2 Duo T6670 2.20ghz
4Gb Ram
Windows 7 64Bits
Intel 4500mhd

 

+1 to this problem too. my setup is similar and i get no detection. i have a PE4H 2.4 that i alternate it with and verified that the rest of my system is working correctly.

I noticed between nando's 2.1 and the 2.1a we have been receiving has some slight differences - 2 top left pins of U3 is being soldered on nandos, c10 on 2.1a is a blank (nando's had some resistor?), and some other differences.

Not sure if all the modifications are intention, but its weird how the 2.1 is working but not the revised 2.1a.

 

The table only has 3 values, so am i right to assume that since mine starts with B (BB800000) TOLUD should be < 3 gb?

 

There is a text after the table. You should read it.

 

@Joss which version of PE4L have you ? 2.1 or 2.1a ? (i'm waiting for mine, i hope i'll not have this problem !)

Where are you living ? i'm from Brittany (56) to test on my laptop (latitude e6520).

 

it's PE4L v2.1a !!!
I'm living in Normandy (27)

 

Ouch ! i hope that all 2.1a rev. are not in cause.
It's maybe just incompatible witch you'r hardware ?

 

I've contacted the tech support from bplus and they told me to test it with another hardware to sort out a incompatibility with my vga. Otherwise it its most likely a problem with the pe4l...

I just bought a pcie x1 usb card and will test it tonight when i'am back home.

 

The problem is that joss has already test many graphic cards ! :

 

@joss and pearf, did you try with another PSU ?

Has anybody else the 2.1a rev ? Is the problem for everybody ?

 

me no, i don't have another PSU now.

 

20 minutes I got my PE4L 2.1 but I have the same problems.
My Laptop is detecting absolutly nothing in the moment.

I use an Gigabyte GTX 560 (non TI) and the fans are runnig. As PSU i use an FSP 350 Watt with 19,5 A @ 12V.

 

It seems to have lot of troubles with this hardware :/

 

Hi there,

I can't get my PE4L 2.1a to detect the eGPU either.
Have you tested the USB-connector on the PE4L? Mine works (successfully connecting USB sticks is no problem) but still eGPU is not detected.
Could this still be caused by wrong soldering etc.?

 

I can confirm that the USB Port is OK. I took my Logitech mouse and the mouse was detected imediantly.
So poberly it is the soldering for the PCI Express slot

 

I noticed that a lot of people were having problems with the 2.1 and 2,1a, so I held off in buying it. I contacted BPlus and Masaharu Adachi said that the first batch that went out were considered to be "engineering samples". He specifically said:

" If you are scary for "engineering sample", please wait for officially product version because this product is a kind of enthusiast one."

Apparently, the ones on pre-order now, are the official product version, so those should solve the issues people have been having. I'm going to pre order mine right now, and hope that the official product version works better than the engineering samples.

 

Yes i've tried two different PSUs. Both be quiet 400 and 450W.

I tested now a pcie x1 usb card and guess what? No detection.

Neither does the usb port have any function for me. I tested it with a keyboard and a mouse.

What is the next step? Ask for RMA?

2.1 a IS the official product and considered as the final product by bplus. The tech support told me that my version is fine and passed the QA...

 

Of course its just an sample but the PE4L 2.1a should be the final sample which has all the functions. But in the moment it is just a 60 cm USB extension.

So tomorrow i will write a e-mail to bplus to talk about a solution for this problem.

 

i just test the cable with ohm meter (by remove the bottom of express card) and no pb, just yellow cable black cable are connecting between them (i don't know if it's normal).

 

You need to confirm with Bplus whether they are the official version. When i pre-ordered it during the 6th Mar batch, i thought it was ordering a final version as well. But i was shipped 2.1a version (which Masaharu told me it was a sample). The sales page also mentioned that "PE4L design for engineering test. NOT for home or office use." and since it didnt state the revision, i assumed the PE4L product line are all engineering samples?

 

@Joss27
Can you post a photo of the open ExpressCard slot? Maybe we can say if it is normal!

 

engineering test ok but it has to work indeed !!

 

Hello Fabi3n,

I received my PE4L-EC060A (version 2.1a) yesterday and I´m already trying to fix it with another PSU, first attempt was with a bequiet 430W but now I´ve switched to a SuperFlower 450W P14XE.

My setup:

T520
Intel Core i7-2670QM
Intel Cougar Point QM67, Intel Sandy Bridge
8075 MB (splitted in 2x DIMMS)
NVIDIA NVS 4200M (1024 MB)
and HD3000

eGPU Zotac GTX 560 Ti with 1024 MB

Even with different boot settings

GraphicsDevice:
"IntegratedGfx", "DiscreteGfx", "SwitchableGfx"
or
OsDetectionForSwitchableGraphics
Enable”, ”Disable

I have no chance to receive any notification about a new device.
I´m totally clueless at the moment because I expected at least a device popup as little hint.

Regards,
Tom_ger

€dit: Damn, haven´t seen the latest posts, yet! Unfortunately I "ordered" also an engineering sample..... any solutions known?

 

Intel: Optical Thunderbolt cables arriving this year -- Engadget

 

I got the laptop (Probook 4530s) back with a new mobo, and this updated ref comes with a USB 3 port hehe but I keep getting error 12 now.

I upgraded to Setup 1.10b5.
Compact sometimes finds solutions and sometimes doesn't, I don't understand why.
PCI alloc is YES, not YES* (as well as the line before that) and I can chainload Win7 easily.
I had no problem getting the card (HD 5770) detected and the driver installed.


Any idea that's going on?


Edit:
Don't ask me how, but it somehow started working... stupid egpu

 

Vostro 1320

Intel Core 2 duo T6670
Intel 4500mhd
4gb Ram
windows 7 64 bits

Woot | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Yea I had that same confusion as well. I was under the assumption that the 2.1a products you guys got was the full product. I was very close to ordering it on Mar 6, but I guess its better that I waited to see all of your results.

I really don't know how they delineate between engineering samples and official product versions. The funny thing is, he mentioned that the first batch of 2.1 samples had sold out, and that the official product versions were on pre order now. However, in a later email he said "If you think about ordering now, please wait for a few more day just in case." As if I would get another engineering sample if i pre ordered that day.

Either way, i completely agree that engineering sample or not, the product should at the very least work!

 

So, I just registered, and maybe someone can help me with a problem I am having.

This may sound a bit strange and maybe off-topic, but I assure you it is not off-topic, so please bear with me. Anyway, I recently decided to build a low-power desktop system. I chose an Intel miniITX motherboard called the D525MW, which is based around the Intel Atom D525. Regrettably, the board does not have a PCI express slot for adding a desktop graphics adapter (because I want to use the system for light gaming, and the GMA 3150 integrated graphics is just aweful), but it does have a mPCIe slot. Prior to finding this site, I stumbled upon the PM3N mPCIe adapter and the PE4L v1.5 breakout device, so I ordered them.

After messing around with the adapter and encountering the Error 12 issue, I purchased a copy of DIY eGPU setup 1.x, and after a bunch of adjusting, I figured out how to make the system boot and work the way I want it to... mostly, which brings me to the reason for my post.

While I am able to get the system to work with the external GPU (in this case, a Zotac GeForce GT 520 PCIe 1x Edition), I have a problem with the system. When I boot the machine up with the graphics adapter attached (both with and without running DIY eGPU setup 1.x), it boots REALLY slowly. As in, it takes nearly an hour to make it from the POST screen to the Windows 7 log in screen (normal boot time is about 15 seconds), and it persists in being really slow even after booting. However, if I put the computer into standby (not hibernation) and bring it back, the problem goes away entirely. From that point, if I previously ran DIY eGPU setup 1.x, I can play games, high-definition video, or anything else I'd normally do with the machine with no problems whatsoever. I've seen posts by people who seemed to be having the same problem with their NVidia external GPU, but no mention of any real solutions. Does anyone know what the problem might be, and how I might be able to fix it instead of having to wait an hour for Windows to be ready to allow me to put it into standby?

Again, my hardware configuration:

Intel D525MW motherboard
Zotac GeForce GT 520 PCIe 1x Edition
4 GB of RAM
PM3N + PE4L v1.5

Also, as a side note, this is probably very obvious and I expected it, but when my setup works, man, is that Atom processor ever a bottleneck... It is soooooo close to being playable with games like Fallout New Vegas and Valve's Source Engine games, but it just isn't quite there. I'm considering overclocking, but it looks like it might be difficult for this board...

 

Please refer to Pre-Purchase FAQ > " 2. How can I check if my notebook is compatible with an eGPU?". Please read from " Identify this by looking for the first PCI bus entry with a 8 digit memory address...". (TIP: The " 8 digit" is referring to the hexadecimal number on the left of " PCI bus".)

Can you boot with eGPU power ON:-
1. run Setup 1.x
2. before Chainload power OFF eGPU
3. Chainload
4. In windows, put computer to sleep/standby
5. Power ON eGPU
6. Resume

 

I must be retarded Because i didnt Understand.

 

no more 4GB+ issues: use a DSDT override to extend the root bridge into 36-bit space (Windows only - MacOS/Linux are unaffected)

36-bit DSDT override user contribution repository>>>

Below are the contributed DSDT overrides created using the details of this post. Linked here to easily find them.

Dell: Latitude E4300, E4310 (nando4), E6400 (dummyaccount), Studio 1557 (kizwan)
Samsung: 400B2B (xxlukexx)

Introduction>>>

This problem and solution is only relevant to Windows operating systems. MacOS ignores the root bridge and can allocate in 64-bit space as kizwan found here. Linux has a "noCRS" kernel parameter to ignore the root bridge boundaries so the OS can also also allocate in full 64-bit pci-e space.

A small number of problematic systems like the Dell Latitude Ex410 series, Samsung Series-4, Sony F-Series and MSI CRx20 have insufficient free 32-bit PCI space to accomodate a eGPU if have 4GB or more of RAM installed. They can't use Setup 1.x's PCI compaction to create sufficient space because they either have TOLUD=3.5GB, or a lower TOLUD like 3.25GB but with an unmovable systemboard device occupying candidate free pci space making it unusable.

Need a 36-bit root bridge DSDT override

I happened to run into one of these problematic systems - a Dell E4310 with TOLUD=3.5G, which can be maxxed out at 16GB of RAM. It's too nice an ultraportable to be need to resort to 3GB of RAM to use an eGPU. So I set of in pursuit of how to add a DIY eGPU to it which is documented below. The same solution can be applied to any 3-gens old PM965 chipsets (2007) or newer system. They have a 64-bit CPU and chipset so are fully PAE/64-bit compatible. This fix may mean not requiring Setup 1.x at all so is really quite a nice way of fixing this problem.

The solution requires the eGPU to be hosted in 36-bit PCI space. However, just using Setup 1.x's 36-bit PCI compaction on the eGPU to relocate it in such space will see the eGPU still give an error 12 in Device Manager. Why is that?

Avlan confirmed that the 32-bit root bridge definition limited allocation only to 32-bit space. The fix being a modified DSDT loaded as a registry override that extends the root bridge (ACPI PNP0A08 or PNP0A03 device) into 36-bit space. Avlan's fix was cryptic so wasn't attempted on other systems.

After a bit of digging I found the QWORDMemory DSDT static resource entry can be used to easily extend root bridge entry into 36-bit space.

Ref: [Qemu-devel] [PATCH 6/6] 64bit PCI range in _CRS table plus two examples at virtualbox and Coreboot.

Example 36-bit root bridge DSDT override>>>

We can do extend the E4310's root bridge into 36-bit space with the following steps. The iasl and asl tools used plus the modified E4310 DSDT table are in DELL-36b-root-bridge.rar.

NOTE: kizwan expands steps 1-3 here. Useful if you need more assistance with these steps. Kizwan also provides a video tutorial here.

1. Identify the resources used by the PNP0A08 or PNP0A03 devices in Windows. This can be found by perusing Device Manager->Resources by connection->Memory. Then check the last PCI BUS entry. Eg:

Spoiler

2. Capture the DSDT table using:

Code:

iasl -g

3. Open the resultant [].dsl file and look for the PNP0A08/PNP0A03 'DWordMemory' resource entries. Under the last DWordMemory entry in that area, add a 'QWordMemory' (64-bit) entry such as the one in RED below. I ensure that I stay in the 36-bit range (< 64GB) so the location is compatible with the PAE-capable Win7 32-bit. I also chose a location above 48GB so we won't have issues with maxxed out memory. The range chosen was 48.5GB to 56.25GB.

Code:

DWordMemory (ResourceProducer, PosDecode, MinFixed, MaxFixed, Cacheable, ReadWrite,
   0x00000000,         // Granularity
   0x000A0000,         // Range Minimum
   0x000BFFFF,         // Range Maximum
   0x00000000,         // Translation Offset
   0x00020000,         // Length
   ,, , AddressRangeMemory, TypeStatic)

[COLOR="Red"][B]QWordMemory (ResourceProducer, PosDecode, MinFixed, MaxFixed, Cacheable, ReadWrite,
   0x0000000000000000, // Granularity
   0x0000000C20000000, // Range Minimum,  set it to 48.5GB
   0x0000000E0FFFFFFF, // Range Maximum,  set it to 56.25GB
   0x0000000000000000, // Translation Offset
   0x00000001F0000000, // Length calculated by Range Max - Range Min.
   ,, , AddressRangeMemory, TypeStatic)[/COLOR][/B]

4. Create a [].aml file with the 'iasl [].dsl' compiler directive. It may fail to compile because of of some minor syntax errors in the dsl file. Those will need to be corrected with common fixes explained in How to fixed DSDT errors? (kizwan). It may help to try a newer IASL version 5.0 iasl-win-20120320.zip and ask for guidance at tonymacx86.com DSDT forums. DSDT editting alone could have it's own forum. Then try compiling your DSDT again.

Code:

iasl E4310.dsl

5. Loading the [].aml file into into the registry as a DSDT override using 'asl /loadtable [].aml'. You must be an admin user for this to be successful.

Code:

asl /loadtable E4310.aml

6. Check you now have a 36-bit PCI BUS (> 0x100000000) entry in Device Manager->Resources by Connection->Memory as shown below:

Spoiler

7. While my PE4L 2.1 isn't working atm, so I can't confirm it on the E4310, I can say the same fix was done on a Dell E4300 and Win7 did automatically allocate the eGPU into the 36-bit space. If you still see error 12 then there are two options to pursue:

i) Re plug'n'play the devices. Go into Device Manager -> Video cards, delete the eGPU. Also go into Device Manager -> System devices and delete the PCI Express Root Port x entries.

Upon restarting the system, halt Win7 startup with F8, attach and power on your eGPU and then proceed to load Win7. Win7 should now be clever enough to re-allocate the eGPU into 36-bit space upon realizing there is insufficient 32-bit space to host it.

Can go one step further and delete your eGPU NVidia/ATiAMD driver, restart the system and reload it. That may help as well.

(ii) Hard allocate the eGPU into 36-bit PCI space before booting Win7 using Setup 1.x. The next Setup 1.11a has integrated the DSDT override details so will give the user a list of endpoints that bound the PCI compaction, eg: '36-bit (56.25GB)'.

With the current Setup 1.10b5 need to do this manually. At the DOS prompt create a new pci.bat relocating the eGPU to 56.00GB:

Code:

cd %DRV%:\config
compact pciend E10000000 useonly [eGPU PCI ID] makebatch pci.bat import devcon.txt
call pci
:: Chainload the MBR
call grub4dos mbr

The result will be similar to that shown in the spoiler in step 6 above, but with the eGPU rather then the Intel HD iGPU being in 36-bit PCI space. Can then proceed to automate this by editting your %DRV%:\config\startup.bat (or V:\config\startup.bat in windows) so can just select the Automated startup via startup.bat Setup 1.x bootitem and have it do everything for you:

Code:

call speedup lbacache
call vidwait 60 [eGPU PCIID]
call vidinit -d [eGPU PCIID]
call pci
call grub4dos mbr

Testing results>>>

* Dell E4310 (nando4): SUCCESS! I relocated the Intel HD iGPU into 36-bit space using Setup 1.x as shown in step 6 above freeing 256MB of contiguous 32-bit space to host an eGPU, so it will definitely work. Plus there is plenty of 36-bit space for the eGPU too. Unfortunately my PE4L 2.1 isn't working so I can't show the iGPU+eGPU both being active but it will work

* Dell Studio 1557 (Kizwan): SUCCESS! His HD5870 successfully relocated to 36-bit pci-e space.

FAQ>>>

1. When do I need to hotplug my eGPU to overcome the error12 with a DSDT override?( kizwan)

2. How to clean the DSDT override properly? (kizwan)

(*We will need to delete DSDT key in registry)

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet[B][COLOR="Red"]XXX[/COLOR][/B]\services\ACPI\Parameters\DSDT

* where [B][COLOR="Red"]XXX[/COLOR][/B] are 001, 002, 003 & so on.

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\ACPI\Parameters\DSDT

I didn't really tested whether deleting "DSDT" key in ControlSet XXX ( XXX are 001, 002, 003 & so on) really necessary but I will test this when I test your latest Setup 1.x. For sure deleting "DSDT" key in CurrentControlSet is necessary. You can access registry via command line. So, you can put it in .bat file.

 

Before originally posting here, I had tried this a few times already, and it still drastically slows down during Windows boot, even if I disconnect the eGPU before continuing to boot Windows.

To be more specific, these are the conditions under which the system will majorly slow down during Windows booting:

1) Powering on with the display card connected and booting Windows.
2) Powering on with the display card connected, disconnecting the display card before booting, and booting Windows.
3) Powering on with the display card connected, running Setup 1.x, and chainloading to Windows.
4) Powering on with the display card connected, running Setup 1.x, disconnecting the display card, and chainloading to Windows.

I have tried a few different configurations that all result in a working system that has the same start up slow down, including compacting everything to 32 bit space, putting the eGPU in 32 bit space and the GMA 3150 into 36-bit space, as well as just disabling the iGPU entirely.

Also, an unrelated issue that someone has probably mentioned before:

Something else that I would like to mention is that I have noticed that, if you hibernate the system, that Windows Hibernation somehow seems to take precedence over the normal Bootloader, preventing me from running setup 1.x before it attempts to come out of hibernation. It will, however, warn me that the PCI devices are not on the same addresses as they were in the hibernation file, and it will give me the option to boot anyway (obviously doesn't work) or clear the hibernation data and proceed to the normal bootloader. Is there a work-around for this that would allow me to force Setup 1.x to run before this check? (Kind of important to me, as I normally use Windows Hibernation a lot, though I could live without it if I had to)

 

I don't know what you had tried before since you didn't mention about it in your first post. I'm going to assume you already tried everything. I think you also already tried boot with eGPU OFF, sleep/standby, turn ON eGPU & resume.

When wake up from hibernate, it will resume straight to windows. That is how it works. The only way you can enter Setup 1.x before resuming from hibernate, IF Setup 1.x have it own bootloader.

 

ASUS K/A42JV + ATI Radeon HD 5870 eGPU @x1

Asus K/A42JV have dynamic TOLUD which BIOS/UEFI will lower the TOLUD automatically to accommodate the eGPU. This allow all three GPUs; Intel HD Graphics (iGPU) + Nvidia GT335M (dGPU) + ATI Radeon HD 5870 (eGPU); active at the same time.

Default TOLUD 0xB0000000 = 2.75GB (when boot without eGPU connected)


TOLUD 0x90000000 = 2.25GB




Another interesting fact, at least on this notebook, I can't use Optimus with dGPU when eGPU is active. So, most likely I don't have to disabled dGPU if I implement Optimus setup (x1.Opt) with Nvidia Fermi desktop graphic card later.

 

@Nando

what do you with you PE4L is not working? Becasuse in the moment some other guys and I are having the problem that our new Pe4l 2.1 a is not detecting anything.

I the moment I just want to make sure that i am not too stupid to use an egpu before I annoye Bplus with my problems.

 

Yeah, I tried that first, before purchasing Setup 1.x. It resulted in Error 12 being reported on the eGPU in the Task Manager. I'll keep messing with it and see if I can make some headway.

I'm going to try giving DIY eGPU Setup 1.x its own bootloader and see if my system can resume from a hibernation without the previously described problem. If it does, that would be good enough.

Anyway, thank you for the assistance.

 

In details, boot with eGPU OFF, enter Setup 1.x, do PCI compaction, Chainload, sleep/standby, turn ON eGPU & resume.

Setup 1.x use windows boot manager. Try create Setup 1.x disk but I don't know whether you can or can't select boot drive when resume from hibernate.

 

Hi guys ,
Here is my spec

Msi Cx 623
I5 460m
4gb Ram (3,79usable)
iGpu: Intel HD
dGpu: Geforce 310m
Egpu: Geforce Gtx 560
Nvidia 295,73 with moded inf

My statup.bat :
call speedup lbacache
call iport dGPU off
call vidwait -d 10de:1201
call vidinit -d 10de:1201
call pci
call grub4dos mbr

Well everything was working fine since 3month but now i have a problem, after 15/20 minutes my system just crash , and when i unplugged my egpu everything crash again .

In the past i could plug it and unplug it as i wanted even when i was playing a game .

So now i can't stand more than 20 minutes without a crash , and its totally random not because of temperature or something . i think both my problems are conected . So i am trying to find something to be able to unplug my egpu without crashing everything .

If any of you have suggestions that would be great.

Ps: sorry for my english :x

 

hi, did you try formating and reinstalling OS ?

 

That's a fresh install of windows :x

 

I am having the same problem, but with a used PE4L 1.5. I've just ordered a PE4H from HIT. Hopefully when I it comes in it will detect the brand new psu and gtx 460 I just bought for this setup.

 

Should have PM'd me! Could you post a little bit more about what's going on? The PE4L was 100% working when I packaged it up, so I'd like to see you get it up and running. I've got 3DMark benches posted in here somewhere as proof. The green light comes on? Have you checked the position of the switches, they could have gotten moved during shipping. Next thing I would check is the cable. These short cables have caused problems for several people, simple replacemnt fixed everything. I never tried to use that cable, I used a mini-to-standard HDMI cable and the standard-to-mini adapter that came with my 460. Could try that if you haven't.

Although you did mention you already bought a PE4H..

 

I seem to be having the same problem as everyone else with the PE4L 2.1a. The card does not appear to be recognized at all.

Dell Latitude e6430
550w Ultra PSU
GTX 465
old ATI x1800

Both cards work in desktop mobo with that power supply.

The USB port on the PE4L does work (mouse recognized immediately when plugged in).

I also get lights D1, D3 and D4 when laptop is off, and D4 turns off when laptop is on. What does each light mean?

I just got it today and after reading these forums I was VERY careful with the cable so I don't think I would have broke it. I'm pretty sure I've tried all configurations of the switches and turning on the egpu both before and after the computer started. Does anyone know what the jumper is for? I have not touched it.

Has anyone gotten a v2.1a to work?