DIY eGPU experiences

All connectors are not needed on the graphic card because of the speed limit.
PE4H just allows you 4 connectors to do x2 link (through ExpressCard and mPCIe) ...
but if you just want to use EC port, PE4L and PE4H + EC2C will give same perf.

 

@thaatz, I was wondering same thing, and they told me that PE4H was sold out !
They proposed me a PE4L kit but I preferred cancel my order to purchase a pe4l v2.1a but it wasn't a good idea because it seems to get problem on the boards ...

 

At current, which are the affordable mid range gfx that makes use of the
Opt technology? or lets say if i were to go ahead with HD5770 x1 link setup, is
it still possible ?

Yes i see the price difference on both the PE4L and PE4H.
How does the version varies ? I read that the 2.1a is not stable on some boards.

Actually where did you get 0xC0000000 (3GB) ? I cant seem to find it from
my own screen-shot, lol.
Having said that it means my TOLUD is 3GB and save to proceed on with eGPU ?

Thanks

 

so are You trying to explain me that PE4H long socket and PE4L short socket are compatible with this kind of plug ASUS GeForce GTX 560 Ti DirectCU II TOP Review and SLI Performance - The Card ? if this is correct can I order PE4L like PE4L V2.1a+ EC2C +SWEX +60cm Flat HDMI +SPB087 GEN.2 PCI-E / PCI-E Slot Adapter | eBay available from 22 march?

ok, I can see that only part of GPU plug goes into socket but if it is stable when connected? If possibility to get opt.2 (with PE4L V2.1a) is worth of buying this solution instead of PE4H 2.4a? I need to consider pros and cons of this two options.

 

I emailed harmonicinversion.com both ways you did the other week, and I received a response from the admin one after a few days. You should check the link in the confirmation email they sent you. Your Order Status will say Confirmed at the very least if nothing is wrong with your order. I had to cancel a PE4L from there, but somehow my order was overlooked anyway, and my order status was stuck at Pending for a while.

They never charged me because it hadn't shipped, but do know your order has been acknowledged if your Order Status says Confirmed. I recently ordered a PE4H and it has been confirmed, but I don't know if it will change to Shipped or if I will receive a UPS tracking number when it ships, if it hasn't already been shipped.

 

I ordered from them, and it just shipped, no email comf. From Tw to USA in like 2-3 days from DHL.

 

thanks for your input. they just recently came back into stock with the PE4H. you should check it out

thanks for the help. my status does say confirmed now, so im not too concerned now, but I just dont know when it will come in.

 

If your computer is a Sandy Bridge machine, it should be able to negotiate a PCIe 2.0 x1 connection with the new mPCIe to PCIe adapter. Once again, setup 1.x will be your friend here.

 

After getting tired of waiting and looking at my pe4l 2.1a adapter, I found this:



Going to test now and let you know.

 

Worked perfectly.


in t420s bios I turned pci express to auto, and turned off discrete graphics.

3dmark link
http://3dmark.com/3dm11/2989996

 

You need a Nvidia Fermi desktop graphic card (+ the existing Intel GMA 4500MHD on your notebook) for Optimus. ATiAMD graphic card doesn't support Optimus. Nvidia GTS450 is cheaper & support Optimus. If you're looking for better performance, you might want to consider GTX460. And, Optimus only supported in Windows 7.

PE4L v2.1a is only useful for Sandy Bridge notebook because they support PCIe rev2.0 10Gb/s concurrent. Your notebook only support PCIe 5Gb/s concurrent. You can use PE4L v2.1a with backward compatibility speed but this version is currently have issue. So, better buy PE4L v1.5 or PE4H v2.4.

In the screenshot, under Memory tree, you see a lot of devices. On the left of each devices, there is a range of memory address. The one you're looking for is PCI bus. Look on the left of PCI bus device & look for the first PCI bus with 8 digits memory address (they are in hexadecimal). For example, 000A0000 --> A0000 --> not 8 digits.

Technically you can use eGPU regardless what the TOLUD is. The issue is whether you can use eGPU with 4GB or more RAM. If TOLUD is more than 3.25GB, and if 4GB or more RAM is installed, there is not enough PCI space to accommodate eGPU. The only solution is to reduced the RAM to 3GB at least.

Feel free to ask me any question if you still don't understand.

 

That's great that you got it working tech9. Was it an easy fix?

I "pre ordered" the PE4L 2.1 regular product version, but it seems like it has already shipped out. So much for a pre order.

I just hope this one works.

 

answer from redtrontech

But I don't understand what to do on picture.
I'm witing for tech9 test.

 

He's asking you to connect pin16 (CLKRUN#) and pin17 (DETECT). I assume BPLUS did put the JP3 jumper in place to separate these so the rework is like bridging JP3. This is what the EC2C 1.4 schematic shows:

 

OK so we have to solder pin 16 and pin17 together ? Is-it it ?

 

maybe it's apprioprate to ask redrontech for how long they going to sell PE4L 2.1a with this necessary DIY mod ? i'm not keen on to do this by myself...

 

That's what I asked them but the didn't answer me about that.

 

Sorry, but why do they need this modification? Isn't their express card detected or what?
I'm also having issues sometimes with my PE4L 2.1 when I plug it in the EC slot. I'm not sure if it is a connection error or what. If I twist the cable a little bit the laptop detects it...

 

i test the modification that Tech9 do, and for me it's working :


Now, i will test with BF3

 

Good job Joss ! I'm waiting for bf3 multiplayer test (fps on ultra mode).
I'm a BF3 player too

Can you post a picture of your modded card please ?

 

I also appreciate it if you could share a picture of your soldered ExpressCard.
The not working adapter (PE4l 2.1a) is really annoying.

 

i'm just make a solder between pin16 and pin17 just like this picture :

i don't take picture and i don't want to open the expresscard since it's works

i played to BF3 1 hour and no pb it's working very well !!!

for information, my laptop is in dockin station, and i have no pb for use the PE4L

Now, some pictures of my eGPU box :

I use a ITX case : Gigabyte MIB T5140


Inside there is alim atx modified (floppy/molex power and pci-express power)


Bluray Samsung 5.25 with a USB-SATA adaptator and ITX power modified (just sata power used)


PE4L v2.1a with GTX560TI Gainward

 

Very nice installation Joss !!

Good job and thanks for explications !

 

redtrontech answered me that if I order now PE4L 2.1a, they will send me a item from new stock which will arrive at this weekend (old stock is already sold out).

 

@bjorm : when do you order it ?

 

Hey Joss,

how's BF3 performing? 1920x1080 Multiplayer at high possible?
Thanks!

 

going to order today.

 

OK thanks, mine should be in plane or boat

 

It´s for 100% on a plane and from experience I can tell you that it takes 2-3 business days to ship from Taiwan to Europe via air freight!

The trick used by Tech9 also worked for me! I just crossed botch cables instead of soldering them.
Okay maybe it isn´t as stable as soldering them but I´m going to report it after I finally managed to get it to fully work!
For the first attempts I would like to use my internal display for some gaming but at the moment the system doesn´t allow me to do it.

In a few days I´m going to write a full report how I did it.

 

Thank you for information ! I order mine on ebay on March 12 and i'm waiting for it !

 

i test in ultra on map metro and i have between 20-30 fps

 

with how much players? Anyway: impressive!

 

So, is it playable without constraint ?

 

Very nice.. okay now how do i rip open the expresscard with minimal damage?

 

i played with 64 players only
sometimes fps decreases on 15 fps
i don't test in open map with lot of object

 

Just turn your express card around, then take a minus screwdriver to get into the gap and spread the metal softly. It´s ok to open only one side of the backplate first, after it you can open it easily on the other side.
Just take care of the two noses who are holding the plate on the side of the connector. I hope my explanation is understandable and helpful

 

me i used a cutter, but to explain this, i try to take picture if you want, for me and my english, it's more simple

 

Thanks a lot! (was actually searching for the thanks button..)
Thanks to tech9 for ripping it open and comparing it with the schematics.

 

@Joss

Thanks for your discovery! I allready ask a friend of mine wheter he can solder the two pins for me

But in the moment I wait for an ansewer of Bplus because technicly i bought a functional PE4L.

 

Is there any way to ensure Setup 1.x will work? I don`t want to spend money if it`s not working.

Thanks for instructions on a self soldered egpu. My friend succeeded in doing one.

 

Hey kizwan,
Can you mod Nvidia new driver that it was released a week ago?

 

killed the enclosure project Fabi3n :\ didn't have the right equipment to cut the metal plate for the graphiccard slot...

but I got an old shuttle case, which is simply perfect for modding, pics will follow!

 

After soldering 2.1a it works, but gpuz shows only running at PCI-E 1.1x16 not 2.0. What are your switches set to? Is there something else I'm missing?

Dell e6320 (2nd gen i5) + GFX 465

 

I can confirm that the rework works. Using a T420s with latest BIOS

 

Thanks.

Pardon me but im still unclear on TOLUD. 1st PCI bus: 000A0000 - 000BFFFF
Is this the one you are reffering to ?
How do i determined if it is more than 3.25GB?

Will this setup be sufficient? PE4L V1.5 + EC2C +SWEX +60cm Flat HDMI+SPB087 PCI Express To PCI-E Slot Adapter ?

 

Will do when I updated the driver on my notebook later.

If that is what GPU-Z reported, then it means ExpressCard is currently set to Gen1. You need to set it to Gen2 either in BIOS or using Setup 1.x.

You should look at the " PCI bus" device; the first one that have 8 digits memory address. It is in hexadecimal & in this format; XXXXXXXX - YYYYYYYY. Ignore the YYYYYYYY, just pay attention to XXXXXXXX. That is TOLUD. Compare it to TOLUD table (in " 2. How can I check if my notebook is compatible with an eGPU? "). Do you know how to read hexadecimal?

The example I gave in the quote is just an example, just want to show that it is not what you're looking for since it is not 8 digits.

This is an example of how to find the first "PCI bus" with 8 digits memory address:-

It is in " XXXXXXXX - YYYYYYYY" format. Just look at XXXXXXXX. In this example, TOLUD is A8000000. Compare it to TOLUD table:-
[/TR][/TR] [/TR][/TR] [/TR]

First PCI bus with 8 digits memory address	TOLUD
E0000000	3.5GB	D0000000	3.25GB	C0000000	3GB

You see, A8000000 is below C0000000 (3GB). So, we know it is < 3GB. Then, we need to check this with the rule:-

TOLUD is " < 3GB" & it is < D0000000 (3.25GB). So, the conclusion is this notebook will not have problem with 4GB or more RAM when using eGPU. Now, check your TOLUD by following this example.

Yes. PE4L v1.5 + EC2C + SWEX + 60cm flat mini-HDMI cable package is what you need. You don't need " SPB087 : EC2C expresscard 34mm to 54mm adapter" since your notebook already have ExpressCard 34mm slot.

 

I see a lot about DIY /Soldering etc. Is there an easy way to set up an eGPU without that? I was looking at a new laptop and this seems the perfect way to make it a gaming PC at home but my work computer while I'm out. Ideal considering I need a new laptop and my desktop CPU has just broke!

 

I have the same problem.
Tested with Vostro 3750 and Latitude E6520. Only 1.1 in GPUz.

I checked the Ports with Setup 1.x and it shows me 1.2 capability.

My switches set to x2,x4,x16 and to 6,9seconds delay. Jumper is set.

 

did you try change it in latitude BIOS settings?
Khenglish reports that there is no need to use compaction and nando's setup.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/8278938-post8102.html and http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...851-diy-egpu-experiences-503.html#post7826913

the same issue as mine, E6320, i5-2520M, but i was trying with viDock4+ (GTX460, GTX560Ti). for some while i was able to see 2.0 but this dissapear after second.

does anyone know if this is possible in latitude BIOS v.A12 ? I'd like to avoid Setup 1.x.

 

If I wanted a eGPU that could run BF3 comfortably say with a GT460 or 6770 would I need to look towards 2.0 as I've heard some 1.0 micro lag/lag problems, if so what kind of laptops are best (by best I mean simplest) to get a eGPU set up going on?

All the best,

Ben.