DIY eGPU experiences

when i use Setup 1.x it froze after egpu plug (like windows or the post) i've saw an acer user that have disabled his dGPU from the bios but i haven't got this option ...

any idea?

 

You can't. Dm4-1160US is a Series-5 chipset whose mPCIe slots are only x1 1.0 capable. Need a Series-6 chipset or newer (Sandy/Ivy Bridge) to get x1 2.0 link speed.

It would be an idea to refer to the Setup 1.x htmlhelp, specifically:

* dGPU[off]
* PCIe ports->Link speed.G1/G2

 

this DSDT stuff.. I just cant seem to figure out why its not working.. Everything looks right to me from my limited knowledge on the subject.

does anyone have any ideas on the issue? perhaps take a look as my files? (please)

org post..

I'm pulling my hair out trying to make it work.

my next step will likely be to buy and use setup x1 to try tp solve my resource allocation issues with using 16gb ram on a t520.

thanks everyone

 

@nando4:

i've read the eGPUsetup 1.0x help and found nothing to see.

i've updated my bios and found the dGPU disabling option, but without succes

the computer froze at the gpu plug without waiting the 15s delay that i've set on the sw3 ...

so i've tried to plug wifi, unplug it and replug the gpu without succes

 

hi, I have a "little" argue in polish forum and i'd like to ask if there is any comparison between for example, GTX560ti as eGPU (external + opt1.2) and the same GPU in desktop? benchmarks? battlefield 3 multi ? anything?

 

probably no direct compare.. but.. 80% performance give or take.. as a rough guess I figure.

 

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread it is really amazing. I'm trying to set up my own egpu. I am trying to this on a Dell Inspiron 6400, Core 2 Duo T5500 with 4(2x2) Gb RAM running Windows 7 64-bit.

I've got a PE4L 2.1b connected to a Leadtek GTS450. I've connected the DC jack of the PE4L to a 120 W universal laptop power supply. And there is power running from the PE4L to the GTS450 via the molex cable and ending with the 6 pin pcie plug. I've connected the DLVI to an external monitor. When I plug the EC2C card into the pci slot of my laptop there are two lights on the PE4L. D3 is orange and D1 is green. My problem is that my card is not running (the fan doesn't run). I would appreciate any correction of my setup or suggestions on how to get my card running. Thanks

 

AnandTech - A First Look at Thunderbolt on Windows with MSI's Z77A-GD80

 

So I've run into an interesting predicament. I haven't been using my eGPU at all with my Vostro, and hadn't even set it up yet. I plug in the mHDMI cable into my PE4H, and the mHDMI slot breaks! The computer won't register the GPU in slots 2, 3, or 4. Any ideas? I don't think I can force it to use one of the other slots.

 

Does anybody experience massive performance problems playing League of Legends as well? I'm using a GTX560 @ PE4L v2.1b, but I get some massive stutters every 2-3 seconds (1920x1080).

 

Hi,
I'm really interested in the egpu.
I realized that you can use a GTX 680 to 85% performance.
For now this is the best?
In 2013 you can use desktop card to 100%?
What laptop should I buy to get maximum results? (I like 17").
What is the best adapter?

For now thanks!

 

everything is explained on the first page of this thread, please go there .

 

So in my quest to find an expresscard equipped motherboard for my dell latitude e5400 i stumbled upon this

ExpressCard to mini-PCIe adapter

and it got me thinking about ways i could modify it to fit in my existing pcmcia slot area,the only thing stopping me from making an attempt is my inability to find a mPCIe riser ..although there are tons of mPCIe to PCIe 1x risers with flexible cables.

is anyone aware of a mPCIe to mPCIe riser ? or perhaps a suitable alternative? i basicaly want to make a mpcie extender without having to solder all those pins...twice.

 

Ok so I'm thinking this would be great with my lenovo Thinkpad edge 14 i3-370m.

So, AIDA reports pcie x1 2.0, but device manager reports 5 series chipset:
http://i45.tinypic.com/2ecqhvk.png

I thought only 6 series had pcie x1 2.0? Intel ark confirms i3-370m has pci revision 2.0 Intel® Core? i3-370M Processor (3M cache, 2.40 GHz)

Additionally, depending on the location of the expresscard slot, I can probably do x2 2.0 by either removing the ethernet or soldering on the unattached mpcie slot (hopefully detected as 3), which is on the bottom where you'd expect to see the wifi card.

Running 4 gigs, I believe this is ok though, right?

http://i45.tinypic.com/18yscn.png



Thanks in advance for everything. This thread has been especially awesome!

 

Hi lanceofeden,

PCI Express on i7-900, 800 & 700 mobile processors are fully compliant to the PCI Express Specification Revision 2.0 (PCIe 2.0). Both 2.5GT/s (2.5Gb/s bandwidth in each direction, 5Gb/s concurrent = Gen1) & 5GT/s (5Gb/s bandwidth in each direction, 10Gb/s concurrent = Gen2) frequencies are supported.

PCI Express on i7-600, i5-500, 400, i3-300 mobile processors are fully compliant to the PCI Express Specification Revision 2.0 (PCIe 2.0). Only 2.5GT/s (2.5Gb/s bandwidth in each direction, 5Gb/s concurrent = Gen1) frequency is supported.

But you should look at South Bridge instead because that is where eGPU is connected to. South Bridge is integrated in the chipset, e.g. Intel 5 Series chipsets. PCI express on Intel 5 Series chipsets support PCI Express Specificatin Revision 2.0. It support 2.5Gb/s bandwidth in each direction (5Gb/s concurrent) = Gen1.

PCI express on Intel 6 Series chipsets support PCI Express Specificatin Revision 2.0. Support 5Gb/s bandwidth in each direction (10Gb/s concurrent) = Gen2.

Both chipsets support PCI express specification revision 2.0 but only Intel 6 series support x1 2.0 or x1.2Opt (for Optimus) setup because they support double the bandwidth.

 

Thank you for clearing that up, I couldn't really find any mention of 5 series with pcie 2.0 on the google .


Well, guess I'm just going for an x1.1opt then. When I finally have the money to do it (a few months at the least) I'll make sure to post results for other Thinkpad edgers

Good luck with the progress guys, looking great. I'll come with benches next time I return!

 

@Kizwan , or Nando perhaps

you're pretty good at the DSDT stuff from the sounds of things on the forum

can you look at my previous post?

maybe help give me some insight on what I might be doing wrong, so I can help others in the future on the DSDT subject aswell.

thanks

 

DSDT editting is a huge subject in it's own right. I'd suggest try a newer asl.exe/iasl.exe compiler to see if it does the job. If not, try the DSDT forum at tonymacx86.com for guidance.

 

I experiment on my notebook & found out why you got BSOD on next boot after loaded the modified DSDT. I noticed you put the QWordMemory in the middle:-

Code:

                DWordMemory (ResourceProducer, PosDecode, MinFixed, MaxFixed, Cacheable, ReadWrite,
                    0x00000000,         // Granularity
                    0x000A0000,         // Range Minimum
                    0x000BFFFF,         // Range Maximum
                    0x00000000,         // Translation Offset
                    0x00020000,         // Length
                    ,, , AddressRangeMemory, TypeStatic)
[COLOR="Blue"]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]
                DWordMemory (ResourceProducer, PosDecode, MinFixed, MaxFixed, Cacheable, ReadWrite,
                    0x00000000,         // Granularity
                    0x000C0000,         // Range Minimum
                    0x000C3FFF,         // Range Maximum
                    0x00000000,         // Translation Offset
                    0x00004000,         // Length
                    ,, _Y17, AddressRangeMemory, TypeStatic)
                DWordMemory (ResourceProducer, PosDecode, MinFixed, MaxFixed, Cacheable, ReadWrite,
                    0x00000000,         // Granularity
                    0x000C4000,         // Range Minimum
                    0x000C7FFF,         // Range Maximum
                    0x00000000,         // Translation Offset
                    0x00004000,         // Length
                    ,, _Y18, AddressRangeMemory, TypeStatic)

If you compile this DSDT with IASL revision 4.0/4.0a, you will get BSOD on next boot. To prevent BSOD, you need to put the QWordMemory at the end, like this:-

Code:

                DWordMemory (ResourceProducer, PosDecode, MinFixed, MaxFixed, Cacheable, ReadWrite,
                    0x00000000,         // Granularity
                    0x00100000,         // Range Minimum
                    0xFEBFFFFF,         // Range Maximum
                    0x00000000,         // Translation Offset
                    0xFEB00000,         // Length
                    ,, _Y23, AddressRangeMemory, TypeStatic)
                DWordMemory (ResourceProducer, PosDecode, MinFixed, MaxFixed, Cacheable, ReadWrite,
                    0x00000000,         // Granularity
                    0xFED40000,         // Range Minimum
                    0xFED4BFFF,         // Range Maximum
                    0x00000000,         // Translation Offset
                    0x0000C000,         // Length
                    ,, _Y24, AddressRangeMemory, TypeStatic)
[COLOR="Blue"]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][COLOR="Red"]})[/COLOR][/B]

Latest IASL, Revision 5.0, can generate .AML file even if it throw errors while compiling. The .AML file is usable. So, no need to fixed any errors anymore. But if your DSDT throw 200++ errors, you still need to fixed it (until it no longer throw 201 errors OR until it generate .AML file), per- How to fixed DSDT errors? instruction.

IASL Revision 5.0: iasl-win-20120320.zip

 

I have a Lenovo L420 with SB i5, 64-bit Win7 Pro and 8GB RAM and I'm seeking clarification as to what I need.

1. What adapter is better for my needs? PE4H or PE4L (eBay Link to PE4L)
2. What GFX card is recommended?

Thanks!

 

Have you read the first post? It`s all there.

 

The original post should be updated to include more information about Thunderbolt.

Anyways, there's something I don't understand about Thunderbolt:
1. The Member __-_-_-__ is eagerly awaiting the [MSI GUS II], but what for?
Isn't it simply a GPU enclosure with a weak power supply? Couldn't you easily make that yourself, for example with a [Lian Li PC-Q07A Mini-ITX Cube] and some power supply?
2. Wouldn't adding a GPU to a TB-equipped laptop come down to connecting the port and the GPU using one of those pricey cables?

 

Hi If Anyone Looking To Buy A Pe4h V2.4 With Psu From Uk Im Selling Mine On Ebay

 

The point is Thunderbolt is capable of a 2.0 x4 connection; double of what current egpu speeds are. Connections at this speed only give about a 5-10% loss in performance, meaning that laptop users would be able to harness the full power of their GPU.
Yes, one would have to use an expensive cable (unless one is included like the MSI GUS II) but hey, when was higher performance ever cheaper?

 

Hi everyone.

I have looked through the first page, and really not sure what is the procedure to get it working.

I have PE4L2.1B , Lenovo T420S, external monitor and GTX560ti.

Should I plug it to expresscard slot in win7? But the system could not detact any device... Or should I need to use Setup 1.x?

Many thanks all

 

ii am really interested on this experiment can you give details of the project?? this is my mail, [email protected], thanks!!

 

An advice: it`s better to use a HDMI cable, rather than IDE flat cable.
HDMI cable is properly shielded and BlPlus and Villagetronic are using it for their products too.

 

how high is loss if I use 2.0 x 16 @ x1 2.0 ?

 

Check the videos in my sig to make a comparison with a standard desktop solution
About 80% on external screen, speaking of the GTX560

 

I'm thinking about using a gtx 460. Is the 256-bit version significantly better than the 192-bit version for eGPU?

 

to make it clear, I gain 80% abilities of GPU through eGPU, not lost 80%, right?

and one more question: what gonna give more boost for eGPU performance: new QM processor or new GPU (for example GTX580) - in aproximately the same cost.

 

Intel's Series-7 chipset has a x4 3.0 capable northbridge

Lookie lookie what have we here... Intel managed to sneak in x4 pci-e 3.0 lanes on the Northbridge of their their Series-7 mobile chipset. A Thunderbolt link there would give the equivalent of x16 1.0 or x8 2.0 bandwidth, half of the x16 2.0 of current desktops. That gives 96% of x16 2.0 desktop performance.

So it may well be true that Intel are holding back the release of Thunderbolt to work out all the bugs needed to give us a x4 3.0 (x16 1.0) near desktop-class eGPU bandwidth. How nice of them if that is the reason for the delayed Thunderbolt chips being released to developers.

Otherwise our current DIY eGPU hardware uses mPCIe/expresscard slots connected on the Southbridge. The Series-7 chipset use the same pci-e 2.0 signalling there just as the Series-6 chipset did so doesn't offer any advantages other than the faster and more efficient Ivy Bridge CPUs it hosts.

REF:
(1) Core i7-3720QM: Ivy Bridge Makes Its Mark On Mobility : Understanding Ivy Bridge's Real Target
(2) PCI-SIG - FAQ - PCI Express 3.0

Anybody have GTX670 x1.2Opt benchmark results?

The GTX670 is the most affordable Keplar card for the time being... still a bit rich for some checking in at ~US$400.

 

I'm sending back my GTX560 on next monday (the procedure for the upgrade was unlocked yesterday for me), so i'm going to have the GTX670 by friday of the same week.

Yes, given 100FPS @16x you get 80FPS @1x + Optimus Compression.

About the CPU, i would say that for the Optimus Compressione plain clock matters more than the number of cores or other extra features (cache p.e), so i would aim a high performer dual core instead of an equal "daily performing" quad.

Simone

 

Diablo III

I just received this game today & not done any game benchmark yet but these are two screenshots running it with eGPU.

Outdoor:-


Indoor:-


EDIT: I forgot to set FRAPS to capture FPS when taking screenshot.

EDIT 2: I also received BF3 today, a gift from my friend. I noticed it need more than 4GB of RAM. I only have 4GB of RAM & BF3 utilized it almost 100%. It make the game stutters a bit.

 

I wasn't talking about Thunderbolt, I was asking about the MSI GUS II.
So it replaces...
...the cable.
...an enclosure.
...a PSU.
Right? For ~150$ this seems to be something you could easily do yourself with more customization, more money saved and the option to use faster GPUs.
And the most important issue: You don't have to wait.

 

@kizwan : Yes i play bf3 with my egpu too (on internal screen) and to be ok with my 4GB ram, i have to set vido res to 768p and detail on "normal" to be very "smoothie" playable on big multiplayer servers.

Simoxtav has good result with bf3 and his 8gb ram.

 

i also play bf3, FHD, high, 64x64, canals - fps ~40-50, when killed drop to 25-30.

another question, do you think that there will be necessary to reinstall anything if I swap 560ti with, for example gtx580?

 

Yes bjorm, on multi, ram is very important.

 

Hi guys.Helppp!!
after two successfull implementation on the ferrari one and on a friend computer now i need help..i am trying to implement a egpu on my old laptop a toshiba satellite
A135-S2286 with a T2060 overclocked to 2.4 with pin mod and an ATI radeon XPRESS 200M.The problem is the egpu is'nt recognized at all.If i stby the system and than resume with egpu connected than i just get the card spinning and nothingh happen.the same happen if i boot with egpu powered and connected.any advice?The egpu is a geforce gt430.



























Hi guys.Helppp!!
after two successfull implementation on the ferrari one and on a friend computer now i need help..i am trying to implement a egpu on my old laptop a toshiba satellite
A135-S2286 with a T2060 overclocked to 2.4 with pin mod and an ATI radeon XPRESS 200M.The problem is the egpu is'nt recognized at all.If i stby the system and than resume with egpu connected than i just get the card spinning and nothingh else.the same happen if i boot with egpu powered and connected (sometime i get a black sceen).any advice?The egpu is a geforce gt430.please help!

 

FPS: 20 - 45

This is my settings:-

 

on internal screen ?
(i added you as friend on battlelog )

 

probably external - there is a 1080p.

 

Intel has not yet released the TB chips. So until they release them, we can only wait . And the TB enclosures have been set to release for long enough that when intel releases the chips, the enclosures will come out very soon after.

 

Yes ! i think too ! but never know !

 

Hi,

every now and then I got time I am trying to get some knowledge on the whole egpu thingy.

Something I am still confused about is the PCIe 1.0 2.0 1x 2x 4x - configurations... Is there some link on Information, so I can understand what's what and what speed you can get on each connection? I had something in mind about an 15% perfomance drop on 16x vs 1x, but I do not get the 1.0 2.0 comparison. What is the best connection one can get off an Expresscard slot?

Is there a difference in using an Expresscard34 or Expresscard54?

I'm running a Lenovo W520, has someone already managed an egpu setting with that machine? Is there something like a step by step DIY guide for this?

Will the newest desktop graphic cards give a performance boost, or is the whole egpu-setting already at it's maximum performance...

Last but not least... Is it a plug-and-play setup, since nvidia got optimus on their latest mobile gpus?

Thx for replies,
Cheers =)

 

I have non-Optimus eGPU, ATI5870 (@x2) eGPU. (Thanks. )

Additional Diablo III screenshots.

 

No. The expresscard for the ViDock and the PE4L are 34. But they have a adapter-piece, so the 34 sits good in the 54 slot firmly.
Real Expresscard54 is possible only if you solider the adapter yourself (as i do at the moment).

Only on some systems. For example, on a Dell Latitude E6520 without dedicated graphic card.
I have a E6520 with a dedicated graphic card, so i will have to use Setup1.x to disable it before starting Windows.

 

Hi all

I am a forum post virgin so please be gentle! I've been reading lots of posts and got quite far given my very limited knowledge and skills but now I have really run out of talent and I'm stuck.

I have a PE4H and HD5770 connected to an MSI CR620 Laptop(the older one with P6100 processor) with 4GB Ram. Thus meaning I can't use Setup 1.x to overcome the Code 12 Error

I've managed to update the DSDT table following the awesome information on here, and the Large Memory entry is now in the Device Manager, however I'm still getting the Code 12 error and from the looks of it the TOLUD is still at 3.5gb (although I'm not sure). (Screengrab attached)

I'm not sure where I need to go from here, however I'm guessing that I need to get the TOLUD down to 3.25gb.

Any help would be massively appreciated.
Matt

 

@kizwan

I had the Qword at the end originally too, but either way bsod.

So update. Put the qword at the end of that area.. I used the newest version on iasl, but that just reveiled more errors.

I fixed a few with the buffer/package replacement tip from your faq, also changed one of the _irq to irq (like you recommended to some else in the thread a while back)

This resulted 0 errors, and just a couple warnings.

but even after doing all that, loading the table with asl, still no large memory and bsod on restart.

attached is my original .dsl, with my newest modified one. If you could take another look through it.. or perhaps even if you were so kinda modify the original .dsl with the edits i need to get this working.

thanks for much kizwan, you've been helpful so far, but for some reason it just isnt taking the modified dsdt.

I've also noticed that even if I take my original .dsl and run it through iasl I get errors (without changing a thing). and if I take that aml that is produced using the latest iasl, and load it back in. I get a bsod aswel.

Is it possible that my original dsdt isnt correct somehow? or that windows server 2008r2 has some issue with loading a modified dsdt?

 

All I can tell you it is a generally plug and play setup if you use a ViDock. Unfortunately, the same could not be said about the DIYeGPU solution.
I have a W520 and a ViDock 4 +, I was able to pair it with a GTX 460, GTX 560 Ti and now a GTX 670 effectively. The experience is mostly plug and play. Nando's software eGPU setup is not a necessity on the W520 unless you want to use an AMD videocard. I had a lot of headaches when I tried to install a Radeon 7950. I gave up after two weeks of trouble.
I also have a PE4H-PM3N setup for troubleshooting. It had trouble with the GTX 670. I don't know why I got a Code 10 in Windows 7 x64 and the HDMI device on the GTX 670 refused to be loaded regardless of whether I disable the onboard Quadro 1000M or not.
Ironically, the ViDock box does not have the same issues and the eGPU, dGPU, and iGPU all coexist peacefully together. However, the ViDock did have some issues regarding placement, the fan whines loudly if I do not flip the ViDock over and let the air holes face up. ViDock support claims it might be a problem with the weight of the card bending the PCB.