DIY eGPU experiences

I need some help, i think you have been asked several times.

My new GTX460 got an error 12 so i tried the pci allocation.
I've installed ViDock Setup, following nado4s guide. I've done step 1 to 3.

While booting, i can choose between windows 7 and the setup.
When i choose the setup, it loads a few seconds, then i get "grub>".
What shall i do to solve the problem?

When i get in the setup i have to do the pci allocation, after this the cahinload?

 

Just to add to this, they do ship to outside the US, there was a user recently who ordered his and he's in Germany. You might not find it for sale locally but you can order it.

 

Hi,
I have Asus A8js and I bought Geforce GTX 460 1gb for Diy ViDock.

What do you think about my pcie port configuration?
Can I do x2 link?

Core2duo T7200 (2 Ghz) is enough for this geforce?
What should I buy: PE4L-EC2C or PE4H-EC2C ??

 

Well, you can try to make it yourself. Got a soldering iron?

 

IMHO the better idea to create an own mobile platform from scratch or build a quantum computer Quantum computer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

@nando4
so it seems that my benchmarks are not far off of those from the first Tx2 implemented. 7865 vs. 7799on mine. now my system is running RM-74 w/4GB ram. the first tx2 was running RM-75 w/8GB ram. both running HD3200 integrated

The big difference is the FPS is RE5 dx9. 42.2 vs 36.1 on my system.
could this be down to the difference in RAM?

It seems that he was able to get his system to run in 1x 2.0 PCI mode with the following script
:: This section enables x1 2.0 speads on AMD RS780M chipset system on port 1 (0:4.0)
:: Using setpci with [register].[b/w/l]=[data],[mask] syntax below to switch
:: individual bits
:: 1. Disable Link - 0.4.0/0x68 (Link Control), bit 4=1
setpci -s 0:4.0 68.b=10:10

:: 2. Set target link speed=5Gbps
:: 0.4.0/0x88 (Link Control 2), bit 3:0=2 (5Gbp/s, *assumed, not in datasheet*)
setpci -s 0:4.0 88.b=2:F

:: 3. Retrain link
:: 0.4.0/0x68 (Link Control), bit 5=1
setpci -s 0:4.0 68.b=20:20

:: 4. Enable Link
:: 0.4.0/0x68 (Link Control), bit 4=0
setpci -s 0:4.0 68.b=0:10

:: 5. Disable retrain link
:: 0.4.0/0x68 (Link Control), bit 5=0
setpci -s 0:4.0 68.b=0:20

:: 6. Check the Link Status Read-Only register
:: 0.4.0/6A (Link Status), bits 3:0 (Link Speed)=2 (5Gbp/s)
echo Checking port status, bits 3:0=2 (5Gbps) 3:0=1 (2.5Gbps)
setpci -v -s 0:4.0 6A.b

Nando4: Do you think this will work for my system? im not really sure what im looking at here. does this disable the wireless card?

 

can i use it with my dv8 hp laptop ...and have gtx 470 card ?

i have all the stuff ? but i wil how it will run ? on a 1x?thanks

 

anyone? :/
I try reinstall.
I found my fault I compressed my SSD, so the bootloader was unable to start the files.

 

hey,

i have everything hooked up. the video card came with a dvi to hdmi adapter. i pluged that into the video card and the other end of the hdmi cable i plugged into a TV. i installed the optimus drivers (i have an intel 4500m). in everest, the pci port shows that the PE adapter is installed (and it even says a gtx 460 is there which i have). however i cant get an external monitor setup working. my TV shows nothing when i switch it to the HDMI input. if i right click the desktop -> personalize, I cant detect additional monitors. how do i do this? If I go into dxdiag it still says im using the intel 4500m. if i go to nvidia control panel, an error pops up saying that no external display was detected. how do i fix this?

 

Here's my debut

My setup:

Dell XPS M1330 (Borderline Fried GPU, using hot air gun to keep it alive)
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.00Ghz T5750
4GB DDR2 RAM
Onboard Nvidia Geforce 8400M GS 128MB VRAM
External ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB VRAM
PE4H v2.0
Delta Electronics Model DPS - 600NB A 600W PSU (OEM I think)
x1 1.0 Expresscard
Windows 7 Ultimate
Needed to use DIY Vidock Setup made by Nando

Price:
Laptop = $1200 from 2 years ago
used 5870 = $320, a LOT more with shipping and handling etc, basically $400
PE4H v2.0 + EC2C = $120
PSU = Free







I'd like to thank Nando especially (it's been a rough ride), my Dad's company for the PSU (Nexen), and everyone else who helped make this possible.

Sandy Bridge laptop results coming soon!

 

So i was skimming through the first post again and noticed that x2 1.0 links don't support Optimus... Right as i order my whole setup specifically for it. I was even going to do a whole benchmark at x1,x2,x1 Opt.,x2 Opt.

Oh well i guess x2 without Opt. has the advantage of not messing around with even MORE drivers lol.

I'll post my benchmarks and/or problems that I find with my setup.

 

Try another HDMI cable. I had problems with one losing my monitor. At the very least, ensure the one you are using works when another device to your TV, eg: xbox, DVD, bluray.

Yes, the info about x2 locking out Optimus was a recent addition. Learning as we go.

Since x1.Opt performs similarly to x2 non-Opt AND you have x2E link capability, consider either a basic x1.Opt GTX4xx setup or a HD6850@x2E. The HD6850@x2E will be faster than the NVidia solution on your system. ATI cards also outperform NVidia on DX9. DX9 still uses widely for console ported games.

 

hey everyone, it works! the problem was my 460 gtx wasnt seated in the pe4l. the pe4l is small and has a little base, my video card (the asus branded one) is very heavy and somewhere along the way it was tilted on the connection to the pe4l.

my laptop is a toshiba l305-s5933 with windows 7 and 3gb of ram. setup was extremely easy. i dont have to standby the system. i just turn on the power supply then turn on my laptop. windows detected the video card and installed basic drivers, i then installed the latest drivers from nvidias website, rebooted and everything worked without having to do any standby or unplugging anything. im connected to a TV.

I will post pictures and benchmarks after im done playing games . i just tested left 4 dead 2 on max settings and it was smooth as butter, previously i would get max 10 fps with all settings on low and 800x600 resolution.

 

Yeah I hear you on learning as we go, I was not being critical about it or anything, this whole thread is based on testing and I'm glad this gets sorted out for newcomers on the project.

Now my basic understanding about x1E tweak is that you need to have the next even port free, now my system will use port 1 and port 2 for the x2 link with port 3 not even having a physical entry. Does x2E work different in which you just need to have port 3 and 4 free?

Any estimation about how much better the performance would be with x2E over x1 Opt. or x2 No Opt.? Because If it's not much I'm getting a better bang for buck with NVidia since I'll mostly play WoW and SC2 nonstop haha, and almost certainly with the Internal Monitor solution.

Could the Optimus drivers be tweaked/hacked eventually to support x2 links? Or do you think that NVidia won't listen or play dumb like they did with the primary video card requirements needing to be Intel based?

Once again thanks for your help.

 

hey i got a g51j with a 260m and a i7 720QM I get 11500 of 3dmark06 so what kind of score would i see doing this? Also i am totally lost of the 1x,2x and optimus stuff

 

x2E sets up a x4 link using only the first 2 lanes, port1+port2, so either port3 or port4 needs to be disconnected to work. x2E works on series-4 or older chipsets. It didn't work on my series-5 DV4-2000 testing here.

The first page of this thread shows that a HD6850 performs faster than a HD5850. So consider JameBond007's P8400+HD5850@x2E results to compare your [email protected] to see if it's worthwhile pursuing. If you are getting satisfactory results then no need to look further. x1.Opt is pretty impressive imho and will only improve if attach to a x1 2.0/3.0 expresscard slot provided by a Sandy Bridge notebook.

If you did go the HD6850 solution then it would mean you'd lose the nice Optimus internal LCD mode so would need to use the Ultramon/Chung-gun method instead which is limited to windowed apps and < 30FPS. It would also be a more fiddly 2-cable setup.

I'd love to say NVidia will unlock the x1.Opt tweak for all systems and x2 links. All those ppl getting a ~5k 3dmark06 would see 2-3 times better result. Something which would be against NVidia's system-upgrade interest$$. Likely we'd get a quicker result unlocking the driver if DIY ViDocker's approached the hacker community to do it for us.

A HD6850@x2E (series-4 or older), [email protected] or GTX4xx@x2 are the highest performance setups available with pre-Sandy Bridge notebooks.

Your series-5 chipset can't do x2E, nor are you likely to have the port layout for x2 to begin with. Lack of Intel HD means the x1.Opt tweak wouldn't be enabled by the driver. So there is no way to better the internal GTX260M performance other than by upgrading to a notebook that's better suited to DIY ViDock purposes. (ie: Intel HD primary graphics, better yet wait for Sandy Bridge).

\/\/ @sidhu looks like you have a Studio 1555 with HD4570. Studio 1555 has port3=mPCIe, port4=expresscard slot. So could do a GTX460@x2 setup to improve graphics performance considerably. Better yet would be finding someone who'd swap your HD4570 systemboard with a 4500MHD one, so could do a x1.Opt setup via expresscard slot instead.

 

Any1 tried this on a dell studio???

 

I have a problem with the pci allocation. I tried nearly all of the possible combinations, 4500mhd -> 36bit/32bit, GTX 460 32/36bit. Both on 36bit/32bit and everything in between.

It seems that i have a problem with the 36bit allocation. My IGP isn't recognized with the 36bit allocation. Same happens with the gtx460. If i allocate it with 36bit and the IGP with 32bit, my pcie port 4 (expressport) gets the error 12. (Are there some new driver for the pcie controller? Not the standard microsoft 2006 driver)

The 32bit allocation can't find a solution (i have a english devcon file).
Bridge gets a bluescreen.

Maybe you can help me.

 

A number of Dell E43xx/E64xx users have had similar problems as yours. With 4GB installed you will have to allocate one of the video cards to 36-bit since Dell set TOLUD=3.5GB to maximise memory available when running a 32-bit OS. The consequence is there is no room to allocate two video cards in 32-bit space.

This problem is baffling since a Dell Inspiron 1440 with the same PM45 chipset and 4500MHD does allow a 32-bit/36-bit or 36-bit/32-bit allocation of the 4500MHD/GTX470. This was with a *reinstalled* Win7/32-bit from standard Microsoft media. Only additional driver was the Alps touchpad, Optimus driver and Catalyst 10.6.

Can you run a 'Save Diagnostics', rar the \diag directory contents, upload and link? I'll compare the data to see if there is any discrepancy b/w them.

Also have a look at your pci-express port 4 in Device Manager. Note the resources list (if any) against it when you do a 36-bit allocation. Consider too a fresh Win7 install if you're running any Dell specific build.

EDIT: Since your GTX460 will be switched on after bios bootup, it will be 'unconfigured'. You'll need to use the 'Video Card.PCI Config->Save dump' option as well, uncomment a line in the startup.bat 'pcicap -load..' then use the 'Using startup.bat' + 'Chainload' to have all foundations setup for a working system, so long as PCI compaction is correct.

 

Thx for your help, i have Windows 7 retail 64bit ultimate installed.
My e4300 is equipped with 8gb ram.

I will upload the file, give me 5 min

Here it is, i hope everything you need is included.

 

has anyone had any issues with XFX HD 5770?

Im not sure if its the card itself... but after about 20-30mins of gaming, my FPS drop right down. Ive been playing FEAR with Fraps running and during normal game play its around 40-50 FPS, but after some time it suddenly drops to a consistant 6 FPS! my temps on the card never get over 55C

 

What driver version are you using? There was a memory leak in catalyst 10.6-8...something. What's the cpu temperature?

 

Hi, there
Just a bit confused about how to enable the higher performance x2 1.0 pci-e link(it expected to have about 60% improvement on performance). I 've read through few pages and still couldn't work out whether my laptop support x2 mode or not. my laptop is Acer Aspire 4520G
TurionX2 Tl-64 2.4G
2Gb DDR2 667
8600M GS(was 8400M G)
Attached the snapshot on PCI-e Controller
thanks a lot

 

For test, my Dell Studio XPS 1645 with external NVIDIA Geforce 8600GT desktop card.

Still testing for stability. Tested with FF14 benchmark.

Waiting for AMD Radeon HD 6950...

 

OK. But I tought that x1E requires 2 ports : an odd numbered port (port 3 in my laptop, expresscard) AND another free port, +1 numbered. But in my case there is no port 4... however there's port 2, with a wifi card mounted.

At last, wich card should i get? I read that HD 5XXX have more efficient bandwidth use. So I tought to get a DH5670. but what about Nvidia's cards, like GTX460? wich one would gives best results? thanks!

 

nando4, sorry for the late response, but I finally found some time today to test GTS 450 and GTX 460.
EVGA GTS 450 1GB: 3dmark 2006 - 12958 3DMarks - Link
EVGA GTX 460 SC 1GB: 3dmark 2006 - 15546 3DMarks - Link

For some reason I could not get 3dmark vantage work on GTS 450. I've tried 258.96 and 259.12 Optimus drivers, in both cases it freezes on loading of the first test.
Tried to play NFS HP - works perfectly on resolutions up to 1920x1200, little bit slow on 2560x1600. Unfortunately COD BO FPSes are much worse, even on 1024x768. If I switch COD to 2560x1600, I cannot feel much difference between this mode and 1024x768. Of course the game is still playable but anyway it could be better (on the native hybrid driver it works very well on 1366x768). Probably an optimization issue? Guys, does anybody have problems with COD BO same as me?

 

You need 260.99 modded drivers (GTS450 supported since 260.xx). I've posted modified nvam.inf that works with GTS450, although there is a problem with external monitor in my Gigabyte GTS450, no idea why - sometimes work, sometimes not.

As far as I remember, my GTS450 hit about 8.5k in Performance 3DMark Vantage.

 

I have a Dell Latitude E6410 with Core i-5 M520, 3GB RAM and 32MB Intel HD Graphics. I also have a GTX460 768MB connected to the laptop with the DIY ViDock using the PE4H 2.4 x1 through the expresscard slot.

I can use the latest drivers downloaded from EVGA's website, or I can use driver version 258.96 (8.17.12.5896) from this post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...1-diy-vidock-experiences-172.html#post6731696

Either way, I can't seem to get Optimus installed. I noticed there is so nvuopti.inf file in the folder when I extract the drivers. Do I need to rename it to nv_disp.inf? Or should they both exist in the same folder?

When I download the optimus drivers from nvidia, I get this message: The NVIDIA setup program could not locate any drivers that are compatible with your current hardware." I assume I can't use the downloaded optimus drivers without some modification?

Any help/instructions on how to get optimus installed would be greatly appreciated!

 

Find GTX460 in Device Manager and try to update driver, selecting by hand copied nvuopti.inf from driver dir.

 

That doesn't work either. Let's go through this from the beginning. From a fresh Win7 32-bit install:

1) Laptop is off. Plug the DIY ViDock in. Turn on Computer
2) Computer boots into Windows with low resolution graphics
3) Windows automatically detects and starts installing a driver (even if I click cancel, it does this anyways) and tells me to reboot
4) Reboot - computer boots up with native resolution (1440x900)
5) Download and extract the 258.96 drivers from previous post to any folder. (These drivers are the NVIDIA drivers with Optimus, right? I don't need to install anything else?)
6) Download the INF file from previous post and copy/paste the 32-bit one (just the file) into the folder created in step 5. (I do not rename it and I do not delete the other INF file)
7) I run Setup.exe - no problems, installs successfully. Tells me to reboot.
8) reboot
9) Open the NVIDIA control panel. Manage 3D panel does NOT give Preferred Graphics processor option.

If I download and try to install the optimus drivers from NVIDIA's website, I get this message: The NVIDIA setup program could not locate any drivers that are compatible with your current hardware."

If I go to device manager and update the driver, pointing specifically to the nvuopti file, it installs successfully and I reboot, but the NVIDIA control panel is still the same.

What am I missing?

 

The NVidia Optimus driver needs to find an active primary Intel HD graphics. Some bios will use your GTX460 as the primary if it sees it upon boot.

So ensure you boot with the eGPU switched off. Boot to Win7 with the Intel HD (native LCD) active, standby, poweron eGPU, resume system.

1st-gen i-core and core2duo Dell Latitudes are not allowing 36-bit PCI Compaction

2nd-gen i-core Latitudes are OK as found in http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...ostro-latitude-egpu-friendly.html#post7633189 .

These systems cannot do a > 3GB of RAM DIY eGPU implementation as have TOLUD=3.5GB. This is seen by perusing the PCI BUS resource in Device Manager and seeing it starts at D0000000 (3.5GB). With the iGPU needing 256MB + system devices in the last 256MB, there is then no free 256MB in 32-bit PCI space to host a desktop video card.

While DIY eGPU Setup 1.x can relocate the iGPU or eGPU to 36-bit space, booting up Win7 will find them moved to 32-bit space OR produce an error 12 if no room for it.

Investigation has identifed that Windows uses the ACPI bios entry PNP0A03 or PNP0A08 to determines the root bridge address range with these systems having an entry that is limited only to 32-bit space. The simplest way to identify if your system is 36-bit PCI allocation compliant is to look for a "large memory" PCI BUS entry in Device Manager as shown below. If don't have it you are limited to 32-bit PCI allocation only.


Dell Inspiron 1440: TOLUD=3.5GB with a rare "large memory" PCI BUS, 4.5GB to 12.375GB allowing 36-bit PCI allocation

This will also be seen in Linux, 64-bit only, 'lspnp' -vv output:

Spoiler

Code:

00:00 PNP0a03 (unknown)
    state = active
    allocated resources:
	bus 0x0-0xff
	io 0x0-0xcf7 window
	io 0xcf8-0xcff
	io 0xd00-0xffff window
	mem 0xa0000-0xbffff window
	mem 0xd0000-0xdffff window
	mem 0xe0000000-0xf7ffffff window
	mem 0xfc000000-0xfebfffff window
	mem 0xfec10000-0xfecfffff window
	mem 0xfed1c000-0xfed1ffff window
	mem 0xfed90000-0xfed9ffff window
	mem 0xfeda7000-0xfedfffff window
	mem 0xfee10000-0xff9fffff window
	mem 0xffc00000-0xffdfffff window
	[B][COLOR="Red"]mem 0x120000000-0x317ffffff window[/COLOR][/B]

How to get 36-bit PCI compaction working?

Obviously the solution would be to alter the ACPI entry to extend the root bridge to 36-bit space. This was done successfully on a E4300 as part of Avlan's DSDT override.

Linux has a "pci=nocrs" kernel option to ignore the ACPI bridge allocation. Is there an equivalent option in Windows?

The other way of course is to free up a 32-bit PCI window by contact Dell and asking for a bios with a TOLUD set to 3.25 or 3.0GB. There is no reason to have such a high TOLUD with 64-bit OS. This has been requested in the thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...ostro-latitude-egpu-friendly.html#post7633189 .

Until a fix is made available consider running with just 3GB by physically removing a 2GB RAM module and replacing it with a 1GB RAM module.

It appears too that these systems allow bootup with the external gpu as the primary video adapter. That is another workaround for *all* non-Optimus setups.

 

When I put my laptop in sleep mode, power on the DIY ViDock and then open the lid (which wakes it up - power light is solid instead of blinking), all I get is a black screen.

Laptop wakes up normally if the ViDock is not turned on.

My laptop only has 3GB, so I don't think PCI allocation/compaction is an issue (x1 works great, I just want Optimus to work).

I may have forgotten to mention that I have PE4H 2.4. Doesn't this have a timer to bypass the whole boot>sleep>vidock>wake process? Is there something I need to do to enable this timer?

When I boot with DIY ViDock connected, device manager does not list Intel HD Graphics. I assume this is the problem - As you said, Optimus needs to find an active primary Intel HD graphics. Do I turn on the laptop and then DIY ViDock right after? Or DIY ViDock first, then the laptop? Does it matter with PE4H 2.4?

Any other suggestions?

 

Avlan, I've modified the INF and tried to install 260.99, it works, but Optimus is not enabled. Are you positive those modifications should be enough to make the 260.99 driver working (on VAIO Z)?

 

Guys, I've noticed another problem in my system - when I connect the video card to the laptop, the "SYSTEM" process ("NT Kernel & System") starts taking about 20-30% of all CPU resources. Sometimes it doesn't happen, but usually it does. As I understand the "Sytem" process shows a consolidated result for all drivers in the system, so something is probably wrong with the NVidia driver.. Does anybody have a similar issue? Any ideas how to fix?

 

Let me see if I can get a 260.99 update out for you guys. I was trying to wait for the 265 release with optimus which should be coming out any day now. The 265 release should have some improvements for optimus including punkbuster fix AFAIK. Until then...

 

Nautis, you are da man!!! Thank you, sir...

 

Nah Nando is the man.. I just mod drivers.

I am still going to mod some up for you guys, but since I have not had much time lately for my favorite hobby, I figured I would write up a DIY (keeping in the spirit of this project). If you already have modding experience and know where the Section### and nv_miscBase__### areas are for your GPU you can skip to Part 2 below.

Optimus Retrofit (DIY Edition)

>>>>Part 1<<<<

Identifying your graphics hardware and its Hardware ID.

Open Control Panel -> Device Manager.
Double Click “Display Adapters”.
Double Click “NVIDIA Geforce…..” .
Click the “Details Tab”.
For Device Name: Under Property choose “Device Description”. It should be the only thing there.
For Device ID: Under Property choose “Hardware IDs”. It should be the one on the second line.
Note: You can easily copy the information on the details tab by right clicking and choosing copy.

Example
My Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
My Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E5&SUBSYS_9025104D

This should be all the information you need to locate your device in the INF.
​

Breaking down the Hardware ID

PCI\ = Connection Type (PCI Bus)
VEN_ = Vendor ID (10DE = NVIDIA)
DEV_ = Device ID (06E5 = GeForce 9300M GS)
SUBSYS_ = SubSystem ID (9025104D = Specific Sony Vaio Z hardware configuration)​

Locating the sections related to your graphics hardware in the Nvidia INF.

It is usually easiest for me when modifying a driver install information file (INF) to start with the strings at the bottom.

Example

Code:

[Strings]
NVIDIA_DEV.06E5.01 = "NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS"

We can see in the example this INF supports my graphics device as we have found both its Device ID and its Device Name. Now that we know this particular INF supports my graphics device we can continue.

The next and one of the most critical areas for hardware identification is located near the top under [NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1] for 64bit or [NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTx86.6.1] for 32bit.

Example
64bit

Code:

[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1]
%NVIDIA_DEV.06E5.01% = Section002, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E5&SUBSYS_9025104D

32bit

Code:

[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTx86.6.1]
%NVIDIA_DEV.06E5.01% = Section002, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E5&SUBSYS_9025104D

Breaking down this example

• %NVIDIA_DEV.06E5.01% = links to the [Strings] section at the bottom of the INF.
• Section002 = Tells the installer to use [Section002] for this device.
• PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E5&SUBSYS_9025104D = The Hardware ID of my Vaio Z. This is the part that the INF uses to detect if this driver is appropriate for my system.

One thing to note is that if the SubSystem ID is missing or excluded the installer will use the Device ID to identify the hardware. This means if we shorten it to PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E5 it will install on all NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS’ with the Device ID of 06E5. This is very useful if you need to create an INF that works on more than just specific systems.

It is important to note that NTamd64.6.1 applies to Windows 7 64bit and NTamd64.6.0 applies to Windows Vista 64bit (for 32bit it is NTx86.6.1 = Windows 7 and NTx86.6.0 = Windows Vista) . The string information under these lines only applies to the corresponding operating system.

Moving to [Section002] we see things like AddReg, CopyFiles, DelReg and RegisterDLLs.

• AddReg = Settings that will be added to the registry when the drivers are installed.
• DelReg = Settings that will be deleted from the registry when the drivers are installed.
• CopyFiles = Files that will be copied when the drivers are installed.
• DelFiles = Files that will be deleted when the drivers are installed.
• RegisterDLLs = These will be the DLLs that will be registered when the drivers are installed.
• Feature Score = Is basically a driver rank for our purposes the most essential information is F6 = Windows Vista and E6 = Windows 7.

The strings after the equal sign are some of the final locations that we need to pay attention to. Nvidia likes to mark specific sections with numbers after the string if there is more than one section required in the INF.

Example

Code:

[Section002]
…
 AddReg = nv_miscBase_addreg__02
…
CopyFiles = nv_sysDrivers_copyfiles
…
RegisterDLLs = nv_common_registerdll__02

In this example we can see the settings under [nv_miscBase_addreg__02] will be added to the registry. The files under [nv_sysDrivers_copyfiles] will be copied to their marked locations. The DLLs under [nv_common_registerdll__02] will be registered.

One of the most important sections to pay attention to here is nv_miscBase_addreg__##. This section is where the majority of the settings that will be used specifically for your graphics hardware are located. There are usually multiple nv_miscBase_addreg__## entries because each is unique to the individual graphics hardware of which a typical INF supports many.

And with that we have the general flow of the install information file when the driver is installed. In my case using the previous examples, the flow to find the settings specific to my graphics hardware is easiest to read as:
[Strings] -> [NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1] -> [Section002] -> [nv_miscBase_addreg__02]

Now that we have some of the basic understanding of the flow and function of the INF we can move on to some specifics.​

>>>>Part 2<<<<

In order for Optimus to work properly with 260+ series drivers the following must be in the INF under the correct section for your GPU vs standard/non-Optimus: (Note: This may be slightly different depending on driver version. I expect it to change slightly with the 265 series.)

These must exist:

Code:

[Section###]
NVBusUpperFilter = nvpciflt
NVSupportOptimus = 1

[Section###.Services]
AddService = nvpciflt, , nv_nvpciflt_serviceInstall

(Note: You can find the correct [Section###] for your GPU using the information above under Part 1.)
this must also exist in the INF

Code:

[nv_nvpciflt_serviceInstall]
ErrorControl = 0
ServiceBinary = %12%\nvpciflt.sys
ServiceType = 1
StartType = 0

and the following must exist under the correct miscBase

Code:

[nv_miscBase_addreg__##]
HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\CoprocManager",OptimusEnhancements,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\CoprocManager",ShowContextMenu,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKLM,"System\CurrentControlSet\Services\nvlddmkm",EnableCoproc,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKLM,"System\CurrentControlSet\Services\nvlddmkm",PreferCoprocOverHybrid,%REG_DWORD%,1

for 64bit include:

Code:

HKLM,"Software\Wow6432Node\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\CoprocManager",OptimusEnhancements,%REG_DWORD%,1

for some this line might be required for others it may not:

Code:

HKR,,EnableCoprocPowerControl,%REG_DWORD%,4

for proper audio through HDMI on some systems with Optimus also include:

Code:

HKR,,HDAudioCoprocDynamic,%REG_DWORD%,0x00000001

(Note: You can find the correct [nv_miscBase_addreg__##] for your GPU using the information above under Part 1.)

It is usually easiest to identify drivers that are capable of being modified for use with Optimus by looking for the Display.Optimus sub-folder. Verde drivers by nature should always be Optimus capable.

 

Awesome... Thank you for sharing your valuable experience, Nautis! By tomorrow we'll probably have tens of new Optimus-enabled driver packages (and thousand more questions to you) I'm going to start messing with it tonight.

 

Would the above guide accomplish anything for me if I can't get Intel HD Graphics and the GTX 460 to appear in the device manager at the same time?


I guess part of my confusion lies with this:

Given my normal setup: Dell Latitude E6410 with Core i-5 M520, 3GB RAM and 32MB Intel HD Graphics. Display only shown on external display - laptop's display is off.

Given my DIY ViDock hardware: EVGA GTX460 768MB attached to PE4H 2.4, both powered by an Antec Basiq 500W PSU, with the mini HDMI cable connecting the PE4H to the expresscard.

Given there are no NVIDIA drivers on my laptop, and the DIY ViDock is not connected to the laptop.

What steps do I take to get everything running with Optimus?

Scenario 1: If I connect the DIY ViDock to the laptop and connect the external display to the GTX460 and then turn on the laptop, Windows 7 will load, detect the GTX460 and install the drivers automatically. However, Intel HD Graphics is NOT listed in the device manager. I can then: 1) download and install the latest drivers OR 2) download and extract the 258.96 drivers, put the modified INF file in the extracted folder and run Setup.exe. In both cases, I have a standard, working x1 link without Optimus.

Scenario 2: Boot in to Windows 7. Connect the DIY ViDock to the laptop and external display and turn it on. Nothing happens. No changes in Device Manager and I continue to use Intel HD Graphics. Internal display is ON, external display is black. This happens if the GTX460 drivers are on the machine AND if they've been removed.

In both Scenario 1 and 2: I cannot install the Optimus drivers downloaded from NVIDIA because it says: "The NVIDIA setup program could not locate any drivers that are compatible with your current hardware."

Scenario 3: Boot in to Windows 7. Put it in Sleep mode. Connect the DIY ViDock to the laptop and external display and turn it on. Wake the computer. I get a black screen (I've waited up to 5 minutes). Same thing happens if I connect the ViDock to the laptop, but leave the external display disconnected. This happens if the GTX460 drivers are on the machine AND if they've been removed.


The only way I can get the GTX460 to do anything is to connect and turn on the DIY ViDock before turning on the laptop. Otherwise Intel HD Graphics is listed in Device Manager but GTX460 is not.

Do I need to use the Setup 1.x ? Did I skip a step somewhere?

I would really appreciate some help with this!

Edit: Do I need an NVIDIA graphics chip in my laptop for Optimus to work? Or can it work with just Intel HD Graphics + external GTX 460?

 

You need to apply Scenario 3 to get your Intel HD active if want the Optimus functionality. Are you sure you doing a 'sleep' and not a hibernate? A hibernate will NOT work. A sleep generally does work.

If the sleep doesn't work for you, then yes, you'll need to use DIY ViDock Setup 1.x to 'configure' your GTX460, perform PCI compaction and chainload into Win7 with an active and working setup. No sleep will be needed then.

 

I think I have it working!

Here's what I did (starting from a nice fresh image of Windows 7):

1) Boot into Windows 7 normally. External display is not connected to the laptop.
2) Connect external display to DIY ViDock
3) Turn DIY ViDock ON
4) Connect the DIY ViDock to the laptop
5) Windows detects and installs the GTX460 driver. Tells me to reboot.
6) Do NOT reboot
7) Put the Nautis' 32-bit INF file (nvuopti) in the extracted drivers folder (258.96)
8) Run Setup.exe successfully. Tells me to reboot
9) As soon as the computer shuts off (screen is black) and BEFORE it can POST, unplug the expresscard. The DIY ViDock is ON, but not connected to the laptop.
10) Boot to Windows 7 normally
11) Connect the DIY ViDock while it's ON and Windows 7 is running. GTX460 is automatically detected and I then have access to the NVIDIA control panel with the option to select a graphics card.

I will do further tests, including making sure I can repeat this process multiple times. If it all works, I will benchmark it using PCMark05 (any better suggestions? Must be free...).

Will report back soon. Thank you to everyone!

 

AzzMan, all 3dmarks are relatively free (they may have some limitations though, but a free version should totally be enough to make couple of tests).

 

I will have to modify those instructions a tad for 32bit.
Only differences should be
[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTx86.6.1]
vs
[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1]
and excluding the
HKLM,"Software\Wow6432Node\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\CoprocManager",OptimusEnhancements,%REG_DWORD%,1
line. (though even if this line is included it shouldn't really do anything.)

EDIT: Ok instructions have been updated.

 

Update: The 11 steps above are repeatable. I tried it 5 times without any issue.

Benchmark Results

3DMark06: 10,347

RE5 DX9 1440x900 32-bit: 51.4 FPS
RE5 DX10 1440x900 32-bit: 45.4 FPS

Both RE5 benchmarks were run for the entire duration (100%). How do you take a screenshot? Print Screen doesn't work...


Can I expect a significant performance boost from overclocking?
Are there any other (free) benchmarks I could run that would be helpful for anyone?

 

Your 3dmark06 score looks lower than I'd expect. Can you re-run?
The RE5 comparative scores on the first page are at 1280x800. Can you re-rerun? Also ensure the GTX460 Audio Controlleris disabled in device manager. To take a RE5 screenshot, hit ALT-ENTER to enter windowed mode, then can do a Prt-Scrn.

Overclocking will certainly improve your results. GTX460 has plenty of headroom too.

 

Figured out what was the deal... For some reason M$ Xbox wireless controller conflicts with the video card driver. If I unplug the controller from the USB port and plug it in again, "SYSTEM" CPU % goes back to normal. So if somebody has a similar issue, now you know what to do

 

Thanks Nando; you saved me a crapload of money, time, and aggravation!

 

I rebooted the laptop and connected the GTX460. Went to Device Manager and disabled the 4 High Definition Audio's that were listed, leaving IDT High Definition Audio CODEC and Intel(R) Display Audio. Didn't do anything else before running the benchmarks and got near identical results, even at 1280x800 in RE5.

My 3dmark score was actually about 100 lower. Is that CPU test supposed to bring my FPS to ~1?

 

Ok, got first results:

Driver 3dmark 2006 3dmark Vantage
258.96 15546 (Link) P12893 (Link)
260.99 15645 (Link) P13409 (Link)
Diff +0.6% +4.0%


So the new drivers are definitely better (especially in Vantage).
Thank you nautis for the good explanations!

Here is the link to the modded x64 INF if somebody interested:
Mediafire
I've added support of GTX 460, 465, 470, 480 and GTS 450 to the http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook-win7-winvista-64bit-260.99-whql-driver.html. Let's see what NVidia has prepared for us in 265.xx...

 

I've run into some trouble. I have a GTS450 card PE4L and a 120W 12v 10A adapter. No matter how I change the jumpers, neither of the LED lights light up. I have a wire from the PE4L to the graphics card's pci-e slot. The fan doesn't turn up to full speed. It just barely spins.
It's similar to YouTube - Problem - PE4L 1.4c with 12V adapter

Help please?

Edit:
It's working now thanks to nando4 in the post below. I will try to post a picture of my setup sometime, as I am trying to make a box for it at the moment haha.