DIY eGPU experiences

GPU-Z will report the bus interface in this format " PCI-E X.X x16 @ xY Z.Z", e.g. PCI-E 2.0 x16 @ x16 2.0. The " PCI-E X.X x16 @" is the maximum supported link (by the PCIe/ExpressCard port), while " @ xY Z.Z" is the negotiated link (by the GPU).

@ antiknown, you reported that your card is reported PCI-E 1.1 x16 @ ..., which means most likely ExpressCard is set to Gen1. So, need to set ExpressCard to Gen2 either in BIOS or using Setup 1.x. You can confirmed (ExpressCard set to Gen1) yourself by following this example.

@ edvandreas & bjorm, if you can see ... @ x1 2.0 in GPU-Z but after a couple of seconds later it show ... @ x1 1.1, this show GPU is in idle mode. Try run GPU-Z integrated renderer.

This is an example of GPU-Z report when x16 card is in idle mode ( ... @ x1 1.1). The link speed reduced (from x16 to x1 & 2.0 to 1.1) because of power management.


GPU-Z report when GPU is under load (@x16, this GPU only negotiated 1.1 link because it is by design but yours should report "@x1 2.0").

 

me too gpuz shows only running at PCI-E 1.1x16 not 2.0


and today i have lot of crash of windows :/

 

i search in my laptop bios, but i don't find any option about expresscard to set up in 2.0 !!

 

Did you try run the GPU-Z integrated renderer anyway?

 

yes but not changing

 

You can go to first post. You can find a list of SB notebook with successful eGPU PCIe 2.0 implementation (look for @x1.2Opt or @x1.2 in eGPU+enclosure column & empty in Setup column).

Dell Latitude E6520 have almost simplest setup but have some quirks & twists.

Lenovo x220 have the simplest setup because you only need to boot with eGPU connected (with BIOS 1.11, 1.12, 1.24, 1.26). However, some x220 owner unable to get their eGPU to work though. Don't know whats wrong.

 

exactly, and I do know why it doesn't work with item (E6320) from the same family...

 

No way to obtain 1.2opt link with e6520 ?

 

That means ExpressCard is set to Gen1.

Please confirm by checking LCAP (Link Capabilities Register). Download & run SIV. At the bottom of SIV window, click "PCI Bus" button. In the "PCI Bus" windows, look for " 0 - 28 - X" on the left, where X are:-
- X=0 (PCIe port1)
- X=1 (PCIe port2)
- X=2 (PCIe port3)
- X=3 (PCIe port4)
- X=4 (PCIe port5)
- X=5 (PCIe port6)

Check in AIDA64 what is the PCIe port number where eGPU is connected to. For example, if eGPU is connected to PCIe port1, click " 0 - 28 - 0" button. A window will appear, like this:-


Look at the LCAP register. It should report " Link Rate 5.0GT/s" if Gen2 disable bit is not set. You will see " Link Rate 2.5GT/s" if Gen2 disable bit is set.

 

Joss27 has the same chipset as mine, so is there possibility that he has a Gen2 disabled if mine is not disabled?

 

Dell Latitude E6520 does support x1.2Opt setup but there are some quirks & twists. (Read "Setup" text at the end of that post.)

 

Joss27 have E6420 & you have E6320. So, Yes, it is possible on his notebook, Gen2 is disabled. Same chipset doesn't means they will have same settings. Please post your GPU-Z screenshot so that we can compare it with Joss27's GPU-Z screenshot.

 

How in aida can i say that, i never use aida (noob inside )

 

Download & run AIDA64, go to Motherboard >> Chipset >> South Bridge.

 

I didn't take a screenshot when I was trying to setup viDock (already resell). :/ but i remember that i have the same values as Joss27 has.

 

ok, i have this :

aida =

SIV64 =

 

Can I ask before fully embarking on this project...

I have found a medion for £800 with the following specs:

Intel® Core™ i7-2670QM processor, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX560M DirectX® 11 graphics, 750GB hard drive, 8GB RAM, USB 3.0, Bluetooth® 3.0, keyboard optimised for gaming, Dolby Home Theater® v4, Blu-ray, 39.6 cm/15.6" HD display


My PC broke and I currently have these spare parts: 430cx corsair psu, HD5770 GFX card, Desktop Case to house it until I can get a smaller enclosure.

Now my question is: Given a budget of £800, would it be possible to buy a Express Card compatible laptop & eGPU parts, and either use my current GFX card or upgrade to a GTX460 to build a eGPU laptop. Or is the performance negligable given the reduced 1.0 performance (I haven't researched 1.2 [2.0?] yet) compared to the medion above (I understand the 460m is much less powerful than desktop 460).

Is it worth the hassle / messing versus the ready built? I'm not afraid of messing with computers but nothing massively technical or properly DIY as I've seen on some of these replies.

All the best and sorry for the long post,

Ben.

 

Joss27,

That show ExpressCard is set to Gen2 but eGPU only negotiated Gen1 link. Please try "disconnect" eGPU by using the "Safely Remove Hardware" (icon in the notification area, near clock) but do not disconnect the EC2C card from ExpressCard slot, instead when you see the "... device can now safely removed from the computer" balloon, turn OFF the eGPU & after several seconds turn it back ON again. Check in GPU-Z whether it is now negotiated "@x1 2.0" or not.

 

tension grows...

 

Got an answer from redtrontech from ebay. I order my pe4l on March 12nd.

 

I think £800 is a good budget for setting up eGPU laptop; SB notebook + PE4L v2.1 (USD70) + PSU (USD0: Corsair CX430) + GTX460 (£202.46).

I don't know whether £800 is expensive or not for a laptop over there but that specification is good. GTX560M is high-end graphic card. You can see GTX560M game benchmarks over here. Let us picked Battlefield 3, settings on ultra: 15.5 - 19.2 FPS (average 17 FPS). Compare it with eGPU setup (Dell E6420 + Intel HD + GTX560Ti = Optimus setup): 20 - 30 FPS, sometime drop to 15 FPS (64 player, see here & here). Look like, at least for Battlefield 3, eGPU PCIe 2.0 x1 link is on par with GTX560M. The only time GTX560M will outperform eGPU GTX560Ti is when running bandwidth-hungry games. With older PE4L (v1.5) some bandwidth-hungry games perform poorly because PE4L v1.5 only support PCIe 1.1 link (5Gb/s concurrent). PE4L v2.1 which support PCIe rev 2.0 (10Gb/s concurrent) solved the bandwidth problem (on SB notebooks only).

You have several choices here:-

1. Wait for Thunderbolt notebook. Thunderbolt supposedly support x4 link with 20Gb/s bandwidth (please check). Imagine performance the x4 link Optimus* setup can deliver. It will huge. However, you might need to wait for eGPU Thunderbolt kit to be available which might turned out to be expensive.
   
   (* on Nvidia Optimus notebook, Optimus does work at x16 link. So, I don't see any reason why eGPU Thunderbolt will not work at x4 link since it is single link & single port.)
2. Go ahead buy a SB notebook with quad-core processor & Intel HD 3000, basically with good specification (excluding discrete graphic card) and setup eGPU for gaming when you're at home. So, you have mobility & gaming power when you need it.
3. Buy a gaming notebook, preferably with MXM card if you like to upgrade the graphic card later. Honestly that £800 notebook look good. If you want "mobile" GPU power, this is preferred choice for you.

On some notebooks, setting up eGPU can be challenging, a lot of troubleshooting before it can work smoothly. So, you decide which approach you want.

 

Few hours ago also bought PE4L 2.1a and i was assured that they send me version where won't be necessity of soldering

 

I would like to go for a eGPU because I don't need complete portability I would prefer performance in this case.

I looked at the Dell E6320 but the prices I was getting were around £500-600 for a laptop. Then I found a Gigabyte gtx560 for around £140 and PE4L £40 + shipping. So it comes in around the same price.

Would I be getting the fastest possible PCIe speed there without waiting for thunderbolt or DIY rigging something? The speeds confuse my slightly.

Finally: In anyones experience is that dell fairly simple to set up or is there other SB laptops that are generally hassle free to attach a eGPU to? The Levono 220 looks fairly pricey here at £700-800.

(Retailers I'm likely to use: overclockers.co.uk, dabs, ebuyer, microdirect & any trusted uk / european online retailers)

 

Dell E6320 look like a good choice. However, Joss27 (E6420) & bjorm (E6320) currently unable to get eGPU to work at PCIe 2.0 link. I'm still waiting Joss27 to try my suggestion earlier.

E6320/E6420 are SB notebooks. SB notebooks support PCIe revision 2.0 (10Gb/s concurrent bandwidth). Chipsets in older notebooks including first generation Intel Core notebook (Intel 5 series chipset: PM55, HM55, etc) only support PCIe revision 1.1 (5Gb/s concurrent bandwidth). So, you're going to get the fastest possible PCIe speed with SB notebooks, with latest PE4L v2.1 (support PCIe revision 2.0).

Again, please wait feedback from Joss27 first before buying the E6320.

 

I might steer clear of it if he is having trouble. Which of the SB laptops on that list are you aware of that have typically been plug and play, or extremely easy to get working?

By the way thank you for your help so far, really starting to clear things up for me.

All the best,

Ben.

 

I just purchased a PE4H+EC2C and Nvidia GT 430 to use with my Lenovo T410 running Windows XP 32bit. I can't get it to work.

I booted up the laptop, powered on the PE4H/video card and then plugged the express card adapter in. I got the new hardware message found message. I cancelled the Windows driver search and then I got the pop up message that the new hardware was installed and ready to use but might not be functioning properly. I then tried to install the Optimus 295.51 beta desktop drivers (295.51-desktop-winxp-32bit-english-beta.exe), but it did not find any compatible hardware. Looking at the Device Manager, I don't see anything listed under display adapters or anywhere else.

Is there anything I missed or that I should check? Where should the video card show up in the Device Manager? Should the 295.51 beta desktop drivers work? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

So far I only saw three SB notebooks that have almost plug and play setup:-

1. HP 2560P
   (read "How to startup the eGPU" in that post)
2. Fujitsu AH531 (&)
   (basically just need to disabled dGPU using Setup 1.x & boot with eGPU connected)
3. HP ProBook 4330s (so far only tested with older PE4L v1.5 which only support PCIe rev 1.1 but eGPU should work on PCIe rev 2.0 with PE4L v2.1)
   (just need to connect eGPU after windows loaded)

 

It should appear under "Display adapters". Did you try click the "Scan the hardware changes" icon in Device Manager. Let windows try to install the driver & then install the Nvidia driver.

Look like there are two version of Lenovo T410; one with Intel HD Graphics only & another one with Nvidia Quadro NVS 3100M only. <strike>If the latter, you should use Nvidia Verde + modded nvam.inf driver (latest at this time of writing is Verde 295.73).</strike> EDIT: sorry, the available modded nvam.inf files are only for 32-bit/64-bit Vista & Win 7. So, you need to modded nvam.inf for Win XP. Also, if you have the former (with Intel HD Graphics only), you need to upgrade to Windows 7 at least for Optimus setup to work.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! I have the Intel HD iGPU, so I would have to upgrade to Windows 7, correct?

This is what I was afraid of. This laptop actually belongs to my work so to upgrade the OS I would have to buy Windows 7, another hard drive and caddy for the expansion bay adding more cost to this project...

 

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 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 with past setup 1.0f pre28 but now i have a problem, after 15/20 minutes my system just crash , and everytime i unplugged my egpu same 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 30 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 .

I'm using Setup 1.1b3 , i cant update it and i can't find my previous version .

I even tried a new installation of windows but still have the same problem.

If Nando Kizwan or any of you have suggestions that would be great.

 

Suggest the following steps in order to identify what is causing the instability issue.

1. Underclock the GTX560 in case it's failing under load at factory clocks
2. Try another PSU in case it's failing under load
3. Try a new mHDMI cable - can cause intermittent failures are described
4. Test your eGPU equipment on another expresscard equipped notebook to see if the problem follows the notebook or eGPU equipment.

 

tech9 Please test you eGPU with overclocking VGA 940*2400 or around. On x220t with 560 GTX 940*2400 have only 3750 2011 Marks.
I want buy GTX 660+P4EL 21 i need 7000 marks in 2011 3Dmark.

 

Sorry for delay, yes, you just need to "short" the 2 connections as they explain it.

I just put a blob of silver solder on the 2 pins and it worked perfectly, well almost. Have to sleep cycle it and/or reboot to hotswap the card.

Also mine is running at 2.0, I have the delay at 0, and the card at the non 1x setting, default I think is 1x and 0 delay.

Mine does switch to 1.0 under no load though.

 

i try this and for working, i need to disconnect/connect the EC2C card and after in gpu-z it's passed @x1 2.0 a few seconde aned passed @ x1 1.1 but when i run the GPU-Z integrated renderer, it's passed @x1 2.0

 

I tried underclocking it but same problem.
I"ve juste tried another PSU still the same .

I'll try another mHDMI cable tomorow , but unfortunately i don't have another laptop with an expresscard so i can't really test it .

The thing is when i disable/enable the egpu through device manager , everything goes well , i hear the little sound and its ok , but when i unplug it same crash again and again, so i don't really know what do next , i tried everything :x

 

Any tip for checking TOLUD under linux? I have the following output:

Code:

cat /proc/iomem |grep PCI
000a0000-000bffff : PCI Bus 0000:00
000d0000-000dffff : PCI Bus 0000:00
c0000000-fedfffff : PCI Bus 0000:00
  c0200000-c03fffff : PCI Bus 0000:30
  c0400000-c05fffff : PCI Bus 0000:30
  c0600000-c08fffff : PCI Bus 0000:28
  c0900000-c0afffff : PCI Bus 0000:10
  d0000000-dfffffff : PCI Bus 0000:01
  e0000000-e00fffff : PCI Bus 0000:28
  e0100000-e01fffff : PCI Bus 0000:20
  e0200000-e02fffff : PCI Bus 0000:10
  e4000000-e7ffffff : PCI Bus 0000:08
  e8000000-e82fffff : PCI Bus 0000:02
  e9000000-ebffffff : PCI Bus 0000:01
  f8000000-fbffffff : PCI MMCONFIG 0000 [bus 00-3f]
fee01000-ffffffff : PCI Bus 0000:00

 

With my 560 a little OCed:
895mhz / 2187

Not stable any higher.

P3747

I'm going to test my 7970 that is in my desktop now, see what it gets.
I bearly get 8000 in my desktop with it though.

 

have you tried any benchmarks?

 

no for the moment, i have some crash of windows, probably pb with drivers, maybe tomorrow i make a clean install of windows.

 

Just a question to be sure.

Is HP 6460b with setup below capable of running x1.2opt ?

Intel Core i5-2410M
Intel HM65 Express
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Express Card/54
...

btw I already read all FAQs and recommended notebooks etc.
so am i right if notebook has SB and intel HD 3000 card it can run x1.2 opt?

 

Your TOLUD is 3GB, so you're good to go.

 

Don't do it! you might beat my 7356!

 

Ok i just got my PE4L and its not detecting anything.

I'm trying to open up my expresscard to see if I can fix it, but I cant seem to get the thing open!

I know someone said to turn it over and put a screwdriver in the gap. When I'm looking at the expresscard, where should the gap be? Is it close to the cord connecting it to the PE4L, or closer to the side that is inserted into the laptop?

I'm just afraid I'll break this $92 part because of my idiocy

 

No need to buy any additional items (except Windows 7). You can run dual-boot Win XP + Win 7 on your notebook.

OK. eGPU is successfully running at PCIe 2.0 speed on Dell E6420. Dell E6320 also need to go through the same routine.

(Thanks to Khenglish for figuring this out on his Dell E6520)

It should be the same, first "PCI Bus" with 8 digits memory address. So, your notebook have TOLUD register set to C0000000 (3GB).

Yes all SB notebooks (Intel 6 Series chipsets) support PCIe rev 2.0. Your notebook have Intel HD 3000 which means you can do x1.2Opt setup.

Please refer to Pre-Purchase FAQ >> " 2. How can I check if my notebook is compatible with an eGPU?" for checking TOLUD register on your notebook.

 

The top piece, with the wording on it, comes off.

I used a little razor blade.

The top is also held in with a little glue/tape. It will snap off eventually if you pry it open from the back (where the cable is) end. The front end has the tape and a little hinge part.

 

in pictorial form -



Stick your flat screwdriver into the gap as shown by the red arrow and open it along the red line.

Oh and if you're using a razor blade / penknife blade to pry it open..pls wear a safety goggle. Not funny if it snaps and gets into your eye

 

Hello everyone,

Wow what an amazing, enormous thread. Dear community I wanted to ask you about running eGPU with Dell XPS m1530. I already tried to learn whatever I can from this thread but its to big for me to overcome it
I can't understand some things so please can you clarifty that to me?

For me unclear is the meaning of "x2" connection. What exacly is x2? Connection using TWO miniPCI-E in x1 ports or connection using ONE miniPCI-E in x2 port?

Also what configuration would you suggest for m1530:
Conf 1: PE4H + EC2C + Ati card, connection to PCI-E #5 (express card slot) running in x1E. I asssume port #4 need to be empty, but what about #3 (help?)

Conf 2: PE4H + 2 x PM3N (I know I need 1.2 version of this cards for modified CLKRUN jumper) + Nvidia Fermi (maybe for future use with Optimus), connection to PCI-E #3 and #4 running x2. I know I need to remove Wifi card because when setting #3 to x2, #1 (where LAN is connected) will also go to x2 so I can't use #2, but can I use #5 (express card) in this configuration for wifi card (of course expresscard one).

What about problems with address space for m1530? I know that it has TOLUD=3,5 so I need to have max 3 GB RAM to run eGPU. Is this true also for x1E connection, for x2 or for both?
Also is it possible to do DSDT override method in this laptop to have eGPU running with 4GB+. If yes is it possible to use ATI card that need to have non-fragmented 256MB of memory?


I plan to change my laptop to a new one in like 5-6 months. What model from Dell/HP/Lenovo manufacturers you would suggest me to buy? It should be some lightweight model (<15", best would be 13-14") with price range <2500$, of course the main goal is to connect some powerfull GPU with less performance loss as possible using max. 2 cables - I simply dont want tons of cabling running out of my laptop.
I assume that the ideal laptop would be something with 2 full wired PCI-E 2.0 x2 miniPci-e ports (so i can run x4 with 2 cables) and TOLUD<3,5GB? Or maybe you have some info from HWTools when they will release Thunderbolt version and you will suggest me to wait and buy laptop with Thunderbolt interface?

Dear community thank you in advance for your help and let me apologise if there are any mistakes in above post - English is not my best skill

Cheers,
Nedro

 

I`m following this thread for half a year and am thinking about to make my own DIY eGPU.
I am a lucky owner of a Dell Latitude E6520 (with HD3000+NVS4200M) -- perfect platform for a eGPU.
Not a i7-2920XM as Khenglish, but my i5-2520 are good too, i guess.

I am planing a portable/enclosure eGPU, similar as thendless "GTX460 + 203W XBOX 360 power adapter". First i am going to use it for output on the internal LCD, perhaps external later.

But i have some questions:

1. Is the PE4L V2.1a now available with 60cm cable? Or with 100cm too?
Did hwtools say, they sell limited quantities for 70$ and than for 105$? I didn`t got that price discussion right. Should i order it from ebay, or from their site?

2. The GTX460 needs about 150-160W, does it get enough from two of 3 12V pins from the xbox 360 PSU?
May I connect the both or all three of the 12V pins from the xbox 360 PSU together and than split it again to the two 6-pin connectors on the GTX460? Or is it not advisable? (perhaps with double wiring to handle the power?)

Thanks for the answers in advance!

 

I would say, that are Dell Latitude E6420 14", or E6320 13". With a best possible CPU.
The allow to use the Optimus due to Intel HD3000 and the sandy bridge CPUs.
As you can see above, people archive good scores with them.
Especially Khenglish on his E6520

Of course, Nvidia Fermi.
And get the PE4L V2.1a it allows to use the PCI-e 2.0, not limiting it to PCI-e 1.0, so far I understood.

 

Hi everyone!
I haven't posted here in a while but was wondering if anyone here has attempted a x2 (or x2e) link with my Laptop (The Dell inspiron 1545).
Unfortunately I had to buy a new GPU as my old one broke so I am now running with an AMD HD 6850.
If anyone has done a x2 link with my laptop could they please post here and tell me what they did?

Thanks!