DIY eGPU experiences

Hello!

Some time ago finished my egpu setup:

Lenovo X200
I7 2640M
8Gb RAM (1333Mhz Samsung I guess)
320Gb 7200rpm HDD
eGPU:
PE4H v2.4
GTX460SE (underpowered edition =( (core clock 648MHz, Memory 1700)
XBOX 203w power supply.

Installation was plug and play, absolutely no issues. Used latest desktop drivers (unmodified) 295.51. Used them to make my 3D vision work with ViewSonic V3D245.

Results:

3DMark06 12648 (internal); 16968 (extrnal)
3DVantge 10131 (external)
RE 5 DX9 119 fps (external)
DMC4 DX10 Sc1 142.68 Sc2 121.17 Sc3 167.90 Sc4 93.20

Got screenshots of results, but dont know how to post them. For those who interested in Nvidia 3D vision - it works!! and actually very well, ofcourse it cuts your fps in half but it is worth it!

Allan Wake is unplayable at 14 fps on lowest settings, I am now waiting for PE4L 2.1a hope that sorts bandwidth problems with that game.
Mass Effect on max runs flawlessly
SWOTR on max without a hic
Fallen Earth on max with 3D vision ~ 30fps
RE 5 max on 1280x800 with 3D vision ~35fps

Nevertheless I am very satisfied with results and big thanx for this thread with such an excellent information!!

Regards and good luck in your technical endeavours!

 

Hi Guys,

i recently received a PE4L v2.1b - and finally it connects the GPU to my X220. But now I get the standard VGA Adapter in device manager with a yellow sign: Code 10. Device could not initialize.

I tried installing the nVidia drivers but this doesn't help.
The X220 has the newest BIOS, so there should be no TOLUD issue.

GTX560 hooked to a Corsair CX 600. Any advice?

 

is SW1 set to 1?

 

Hi Xav,

I've just managed to get the GTX560 to work. It's a 448 cores version, and it seems the nvam.inf doesn't contain this. So it modded it - now the GTX560 works but I experience rather low 3d mark 06 scores (15k, should be something about 19/20k).

GPU-Z says PCI-E 2.0 x16 @ x1 2.0

Any ideas?

 

bbplus just responded that they will ship a replacement if i send back the defect one for ananlyses.... sounds good but another couples weeks waiting wondering if it worth all the hassle

thanks anyway for the reply and info greatly appreciated

 

Update on personal egpu:
Using flat hdmi cable instead of the regular round one that was coated with twice as thick shielding and insulation material does neither improve connection speed (2.0) nor intangibly corrupt the signal transmission.
I doubt my combination of dell 1340 and ati 4870 allows pcie 2.0 connection ...
However lengthening the connector by ~1m does perceptibly improve egpu usability. (~1,3m entire hdmi cable length)
Also added an internal powered usb-hub for basic docking capabilities of the external case that will be done in the near future.
(cutting and sanding currently - will add some pictures later this week )

 

did you somehow leave the VGA connector plugged into the laptop (from the monitor) while another connection runs from your monitor to the 560? If both connections are both simultaneously, it will default to internal LCD mode.

other than that i cant think of anything else (besides driver) to cause the reduced performance.

 

Have you purchased a standard flat HDMI cable removing then the connectors? 1m would be good as improvement for my enclosure

 

I have a friend who has a Z12 (Arrandale) could he use the PE4L 2.1 just like the 1.5? or will there be a problem like for my PE4H 2.4 and my Z2 ?

 

All mobile processor platforms before Intel Core-i second generation series ("sandy bridge") do not support PCI-E 2.0

 

Z12 will run well with the PE4L 2.1 or older versions. The PE4L 2.1 connected to a Z1 just does not give any performance improvement over 1.5 since Z1 don't support PCI-E 2.0

 

before I sell E6320, I connected it to PE4L 2.1a.

when I run benchmark, i see strange result, 6,5k 3dm06.
device manager sees only one card, GTX560ti, installed drivers 295.73 + nvam. so it means that there is no optimus. how to activate?

when I try to "remove safely VGA adapter", laptop continues work, but there is no image, external or internal, the only way i can go through is to power off latitude by long-holding power button.

GPU-Z says there is x1 1.1, even with rendering. there is no blinking x1 2.0.

people says to turn on eGPU (with EC already plugged) as soon as possible to POST ends. when the POST in latitude launching process?

 

Strange - I can't access pg 931 of this thread.

You've booted without the iGPU active. The iGPU must be active for the Optimus pci-e compression to engage. This happens with Dell bios' if the eGPU is powered when you start the system.

So power off the eGPU, power on the system, halt Win7 bootup with F8, power on the eGPU, plug in the EC2C and resume Win7 boot. Then repeat your benchmarks which should see 3dmark06 well and truly over 10k.

 

Yes, I did, it's a so called "highspeed ethernet" flat hdmi cable purchased from a german reseller for a mere 2,5 euros (appearently sold out, thus the link to its 3m fellow)
Buying those bare hdmi certified cable doubles at least the price per length(unit), e.g. 5 and 25m cable reels.

If you migth consider doing so (ordering flat hdmi cable and whatsoever ...) be warned:
Removing the insulation coating can be quite tricky due to the absence of an extra shielding net encasing transmission wires.
Those will be cut when stripping hdmi cable with your knife or standard insulation stripper.

 

I powered off system, powered off and unplugged eGPU, started win7, by klicking f8 went into menu where i could choose metod of startup, plugged eGPU, powered on by SWEX and choose a normal startup windows. windows boot to internal screen and device manager doesn't sees GTX560, only HD graphics what is wrong?

 

Per previous instructions, when you have halted the Win7 bootuip, power on eGPU then plug in EC2C.

 

I did this manner but nothing has changed, win7 went into internal screen without eGPU in device manager.

 

Actually I'm getting the BSOD with and without eGPU, I though that but seem to be something else.

Spoiler

I'll try to create a custom bios rom and change some acpi option to see if it can work

Spoiler

Default ACPI setting

About turn on with the eGPU
I can make it work without the iGPU Because when I turn on my lap with the eGPU On, the iGPU is automatically disabled by the bios and I can't initiate it with the Setup 1.0 because it's not detected.

 

MSI GUS II still coming... and if so.. when?


MSI GUS II available in April.

 

yes but i think it will be equipped with the mid class gpu inside (and we don't know the price yet)

 

does it really matters if it has a mid class gpu inside? even with a low class cpu it will greatly outperform any current external gpu solution in the world even if it's equipped with the best gpu ever.
Also it's not limited to mid class (you can have any card if you supply the power to it) and it will also be sold unequipped without gpu (at least is what msi said).
Prices starts at 249 USD with pre-installed Radeon HD 6770. So about $150 for an external thunderbolt solution with enclosure and power supply.

 

It matters at least if it can accept a dual slot card or a "long" one (and looking from the backplate and the global length is not so obvious)
It matters if the TB cable that has electronics on board will be provided together or not (an apple one costs 50$ so a normal one could easily cost 25-30$) and if you want further power you'll need anyway to modify the enclosure to use a standard ATX PSU. For sure, if everything goes in the right direction, it will be the best in class, but first i would like to see a complete solution working and make a comparison in everyday use. Anyway April is coming, so the waiting will be short

 

I made working connection with 8460p. Firstly, I hotplugged eGPU to working 8460p, device was found (parallel to HD graphics), I installed 295.73 and I run 3dm06 - 14,5k. After this I installed nvam. During installation, image went to te external monitor. After installation, run 3dm06 and gained 17,4k points.
After nvam installation, to get to the internal screen i need to press f8 and turn on eGPU. After few attempts I could not achieve x1 2.0. I was trying to "safely remove hardware" but after this, image dissapears on both screens. Rendering option also makes x1 2.0. I am aware that there won't be boost in 3dm06 results with x1 2.0 but I can not figure out how to get it.
I did not make a disable of audio high definition controller. I need to swap SSD from E6320 to 8460p, install clean win7 without HP heaavy bloatware.
Anyone any suggestions how to achieve x1 2.0 ?

few images of my mess (yes at work place )

 

I think I know why you get BSOD. I noticed you're using older version of iasl.exe. Please use at least iasl.exe revision 4.0a. The DSDT you gave me is "Revision 0x01". I checked DSDT directly in the BIOS file, it should be "Revision 0x02". I don't know for sure but this is probably the reason why you get BSOD.

Anyway, look like you don't need DSDT override. I have another suggestion but this doesn't come without risk.

******** Follow this suggestion at your own risk! ********
In Chipset >> North Bridge Configuration, there is one item called Primary Display is by default set to Auto. You can try change it to IGD. I think this can prevent your notebook from disabling Intel HD Graphics/3000 when booting with eGPU connected.

Just an advice, be careful with AMIBCP tool. It can produced bad image sometime.
**********************************************************

 

The game changer is coming. $150 is excellent value. Can wire up a ATX PSU + pci-e extender if need more powerful GPUs. Mid-range would put us < 150W, so a GTX550Ti. With a little undervolting it's possible to get a GTX460/GTX560 to run at 150W too. Consider that you'd be getting GTX570M (mobility) performance levels. The Apple ppl will be ecstatic.

GTX560M = 192 cores = GTS450/GTX550Ti
GTX570M = 336 cores = GTX460/GTX560
GTX580M = 384 cores = GTX560Ti

Keplar will give more performance-per-watt than the above examples.

In the 8460P bios change the expresscard port speed from Gen1 (default) to Gen2.

 

I assume $150 because MSI says it will sell the gus II without a gpu and because they said that prices starts at 249 USD with pre-installed Radeon HD 6770. Considering a 6770 costs around $100 you get the $150.
I really doubt that it can't handle more then 150W if we add more external power. Also dual slot and longer cards won't be an issue since the electronics aren't soldered. it will have a normal pci-e slot. at least that was what they did in GUS I.
It seams a solid product already tested and everything and even reviewed. We will see if they really are going to release it. Since many years ago most of us are used to egpu vaporware or even ready made products that never reached production.
Also MSI doesn't have any notebook with thunderbolt (and plans for future notebooks don't indicate it either) but it has desktop motherboards with it (actually they were the firsts to add thunderbolt).
They just presented the product using a macbook.
But the product makes sense to MSI because they don't sell a lot of notebooks. They would much profit more selling loads of egpu's then just selling new notebooks. Unlike other manufacturers like Asus for example (that also had egpu products that were never released).

 

Hi guys,

Today I finally got my PE4H for HIT. Have been playing with it for hours now. I have successfully managed to get it to work in 2x width twice now. I have couple of questions tho.

1. I am using GTX560 with ATX power supply. Should the jumper on the PE4H be open or closed? I left it open for safety reasons for now.

2. Is there any easier way to get the card working in 2x because the process is just painful.
The way I got it to work is following:
Boot with GPU on.
Set port3 to 2x.
Reboot
Set port3 to 2x again
Boot into windows.

The problem I am having is that when it boots the first time, in Setup 1.x it shows the card is @1x. Setting port3 to 2x still shows the card is @1x. Rebooting and looking in Setup 1.x shows ports3 and 4 are @1x but the GPU is @2x. Setting port3 to 2x again and booting to windows makes the card work in 2x, confirming it in GPU-Z. If I skip the reboot, GPU-Z shows the card is in 1x. Any way to skip the reboot and still have it working in 2x? Or is it how it suppose to work?

P.S. Will post benchmark later. Noticeable improvement over 1x tho. Much higher fps, if not double.

 

Finally, my eGPU setup works!

X220 i5 2520m, 8 GB RAM, GTX 560 Ti 448 with PE4L v2.1b

3d Mark 06: 17.638
3d Mark 11: 4.373

Battlefield 3 runs like hell at 1920x1080 with high settings (haven't tested ultra yet). No frame drops, no stutters.
Skyrim runs at very high. No stuttering. Impressive!

Now my only problem is, that the PCB of PE4L is bigger than the PE4H. My GPU fits into my shuttle case perfectly, but the PE4L is a little bit to big. Maybe I have to cut a little hole in the case...

 

Two more pioneering DIY eGPU implementations. Great work.

You can either try the PCIe ports->Hot Reset after setting x2 width. If no go then the way to get a x2 link is set the port to x2, ensure lane2 is connected then hotplug lane1. Alternative is to add some smarts to your startup.bat to check if it's running x1 or x2 and reboot until it is running x2. See the two-pass script.

Yes, G72GX (Q9200-2.0) +GTX560@x2 results please, a first for that notebook. Would be interesting to compare against the onboard GTX260M. If you have the ability to overclock the pci-e bus then can wring some more performance out of it. A Quad-IDA modded bios would also get an extra multiplier (+266Mhz) out of the CPU too.

Can you pls post a full set of benchmarks so I can add you to all the tables on the first page? We are not seeing much x1.2Opt contributions. Your system has the GTX560Ti-448, something we don't have any results of as yet.

 

What do you need? RE5?
I had to mod the nvam.inf, because the 448 was not listed there

 

@kizwan
Same result. Should I mess up with the iGPU Digital Port Mode?

Spoiler

 

Hey nando,

here are all benchmark stats:

Set-Up: X220 i5 2520m, 8 GB RAM, GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores, PE4L v2.1b

3D Mark 2006: 17.879
Resident Evil: 143,6

3D Mark Vantage GPU: 17.973
Devil May Cry: 181,4

3D Mark 2011: 4.560
Heaven: 1306

 

Second part of the video library!

Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty (Maxed)
<width='640' height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ACvVFr40y6M?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ACvVFr40y6M?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='640' height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (Maxed except shadows on "High")
<width='640' height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Oy92HPnQM3k?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Oy92HPnQM3k?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='640' height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

The Elder Scrolls Skyrim (Maxed with no fade object and 2xAA 4xAF)
<width='640' height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JEg2M0HvZ6g?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JEg2M0HvZ6g?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='640' height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

Dragon Age 2 (Maxed in DX11 + High textures)
<width='640' height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U-e_gxIlSlo?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U-e_gxIlSlo?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='640' height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

 

Today I received a CX430 but I run benchmark on Tagan TG380.
When I try OC by MSIAfterburner, benchmarks run, but during test there is error with DX11 or color issue. I do know what is the reason, probably Tagan.
HD audio controller is off, color depth without changes.

8460p (i5-2540M), Asus DirectCUII GTX560ti + Tagan TG380 + PE4L 2.1b

Here is my results, I forgot to take a picture with 3dm11 and RE5, but I wrote down results. All of them, run on default seetings. Aren't they a little to low?

3dm11 - Opt.1.1 vs Opt1.2
3736 vs 4070

RE5 - Opt.1.1 vs Opt1.2
67 vs 85

3dm06 - Opt.1.1 vs Opt1.2



Vantage - Opt.1.1 vs Opt1.2



Heaven - Opt.1.1 vs Opt1.2

 

I heard the PE4H 3.0 will be released some times in May ? At the moment, should I buy the PE4L 2.1 or wait for PE4H 3.0 ? As the front page states, the only difference between them is the latter is sturdier ?

 

is there possibility if any BIOS update for 8460p could remove ability to run eGPU or run it with Gen2? at the moment I have F03 version and F25 is avaible. I can read what F25 will change but I do not know what was changed between F03 and F22 (wchich is included in F25?) for example.

 

SimoxTav How many Marks 2006\Vantage\2011 do you check on GTX 560 900\2400 P4EL 2.1?
I have same spec but P4EH and Crysis 2 performance is not smooth. I have 18-20fps on 720p all ultra in first level 'open door'. But i have 3750 2011 marks, and some lags in Alan Wake and NFS shift 2.

 

anyone need a "cheap" PE4H 2.4a? I am already selling mine including EC2C :q

 

Hi all, I receive my PE4L rev 2.1b but i have some troubles.

i installed the verde drivers + modded nvnam.

It's ok in control panel as you can see in the picture. gpuz tell me that it is x1 link, and i can't launch nvdia control panel it says that i don't use any nvidia video card.

I tried safety remove and replug but noway.?!
Thanks for help !

 

turn off NVS4200M (in BIOS?)

 

i can't do anything in the bios. Just unable or disable optimus (it's enabled in my case)

 

fabi3n, i send you mp with my process in french

 

I wanted to use this DIY vidock to test laptops that i work on

We do reflowing and reballing and if we can use a DIY to double check that the GPU is in fact the problem

I was hoping to use a usb version as not all laptops have express cards the mini pci e might not work as when the GPU goes bad the wifi stars to fail as well

 

Also i guess PM me if your selling yours as well

 

has anyone done a successful thunderbolt implementation yet?

 

Yes. I have gotten it to work with the Vidock and sonnet adapter while borealiss has gotten it to work with the diy egpu and sonnet adapter.

 

Thanks Kizwan for the guidiance.

I have managed to get it to work on my current Sony Notebook.
Was having an error 12 initially. Only thing that worked for me was to remove
additional 2GB of ram physically.Was wondering if i can still make it possible with 4GB without having to use .x1 setup. Anyone?

Will be running some benchmarking test soon.

 

Joss i follow your process but nothing happened !
It's the same thing. I'm chocking too, not seeing cuda, physx checked ?!

 

All the strategies to deal with error 12 are covered in the Troubleshooting FAQ: My eGPU is detected and drivers loaded but has an error 12: cannot allocate resources against it in Device Manager as well as the Pre-purchase FAQ 2. How can I check if my notebook is compatible with an eGPU?

Your system would preform better with a NVidia Fermi class card like a GTX460 instead of the HD5770 since it has a 4500MHD so is x1.Opt capable.

 

Hi,

Everything just works fine.
I have a Thinkpad T400 with 8Gb RAM, C2D T9400, X4500 MHD, and eGPU GTX460 1Gb DDR5. But I only have a little problem. I followed the instructions available to install optimus drivers. But I can't manage it to work. I Installed the Verde 295.73 + kizwan's nvam.inf exactly as said (Begin by installing the NVIDIA Verde (Mobile) drivers, then overwrite the [install dir]\Display.Driver\nvam.inf with the modded one below containing Fermi desktop video cards. Then run [install dir]\setup. ). But when I open the nVidia control panel, there is nowhere I can activate Optimus or internal LCD activation... Could you help me solving this problèm ?

Thanks a lot for everything
Vincent