DIY eGPU experiences

What an awesome thread, really informative!

I just ordered the kit from harmonicinversion.com for $65 shipped. I found an old shuttle box case lying around with a 200 watt PSU. I am going to mod the case to fit the card. Now I just need to buy a graphics card. I think I am going to pick up a Radeon HD 5770 from newegg.com.

Does anyone have any recommendations on which one to get? They all seem to be about the same price.

My laptop's specs are:
Sony Vaio SR-129
Mobile Intel PM45 Express Chipset
Core2Duo P8400 (2.26ghz)
4gb of DDR2 ram
ATI Radeon Mobility HD 3470 (128mb ddr3 ram)
windows 7 64bit

I plan to do just a 1x, I just want to be able to play games on a 1680x1050 display on decent settings, nothing crazy. I can play a lot of games now with my laptop's onboard card on lowest settings (through the laptop's display) fine, although some games like bf: bad company 2 do not run very well even on low settings, and I am hoping my diy vidock will fix this!

Anyone else have any other suggestions?

 

See ithildin's comment RE: BC2 here where a onboard HD3650 clearly outperformed a external HD5750 until the x1E tweak was enabled. So if your SR190 can't do the x1E tweak then suggest go a GTS450 instead.

 

asus, msi, sapphire, xfx

does your 200w psu have 6-pin connectors?
read its specs and multiply 12V rail amperage by 12 = that's how many watts your card will get

 

Wow thanks, I didn't realize that! I'll look into the x1E tweak, otherwise I'll roll with a GTS450!

EDIT: wow that x1E tweak sounds like a hassle for me, since the GTS450 is roughly the same performance and cost as the Radeon HD5770 I think I might just pick up a GTS450, especially since they have some end of year rebates that make it CHEAPER than the Radeon HD5770!

Does it matter that my onboard card is an ATI if I get an Nvidia card?

EDIT: so I double checked, my computer is a Sony Vaio SR-129 with the following chipset: "Mobile Intel PM45 Express Chipset"

Thanks. I think it only has 4 pin connectors, I was just going to use a 4 pin to 6 pin adapter that comes with most graphics cards. I'll check out the amperage. Hopefully it's enough. Worst case I'll have to scavenge for another PSU, I think I have a 250 watt one some where.

 

It doesn't matter what brand your onboard card is because the external will be separate from your internal since you wont be using optimus with your internal.

If you get a GTS450 just get a 120w 12v ac adapter and your good to go. The EVGA comes with a molex to 6 pin, so just pick up a molex splitter and you can connect the pe4l to the splitter to the included adapter and leave both jumpers in.

 

Thanks! I think I am going to try to use the spare PSU I have lying around. So I will have one 4-pin connected to an adapter feed into he pe4l and then have another 4pin connected to the 6 pin adapter feed into the graphics card. Would that work?

I think I am going to pull the trigger on the GTS450 soon since they have a $30 rebate at newegg.com for one that ends on 12/31. Is there any reason my proposed set up wouldn't work? TIA

 

I'm having a trouble finding the location for "snapshot.BPD" file.

My OS is Windows 7 64bit.

Would you help me find this file?

 

Hi all,

Is it allowed to sell items here in the forum? I have a PE4L/PE4H that I don't use. I have posted mine on ebay just in case...

Thanks

 

Firstly,

Many thanks Nando, and others, for your efforts.

it has taken me a little while (ok many days) to read this entire thread, and digest the possibilities. So now I cease to lurk.

Firstly, I've only seen one or two posters running very similar systems to mine. (The dell D630 with Nvidia Quadro NVS 135m)
Since I started reading this thread, the GPU finally died, and the tech installs the new motherboard tomorrow. So I cannot be certain which GPU Dell has stuck me with this time.. But I have another full year of warrantee to go ( and most likely the 135m again), so...
Once the new motherboard is in, I can finalize my options, but for now.


This is currently a D-Docked unit already pushing an acer 22' monitor, and dual dvd setup, with a diamond digital audio in the PCI slot running the surround sound.
It is set up so, as I need to be able to take it on the road at a moments notice, without the hassle of syncing everything and I do not usually have time for heavy gaming or 3d stuff then anyway.

A DIY ViDock does appear to be the best route to this former computer service tech.

But realistically, Can I expect a passable performance with the gts450, on a D630? or am I really doing this to save the heat cycles so I can keep using this laptop as a desktop a few more years until the nice ones finally come down enough in price to make replacing it an even more cost effective solution? I do game, but certainly nothing higher-end than Fallout or NewVegas
thanks.
Off to re-price parts..

 

Appears the D630 has the following port layout

port1=expresscard
port2=wifi
port6=LAN

Which means you could do a x1, x1E, x2 or x2E link, the "E" ones relevant to ATI cards to gain 15-30% more peformance over their non-E equivalent. Recommendations listed in order by performance and cabling complexity:

1. GTS450@x1 OR HD5770/HD6850@x1E with wifi card removed
2. GTS450@x2 with wifi card removed + cable in a PM3N
3. HD5770@x2E/HD6850@x2E with wifi card removed + cable in a PM3N

You might also be able to do a dualIDA overclock to get 8-13% more CPU performance. An ebay T8100/T8300/T9300/T9500 CPU upgrade would mean the x2/x2E setups could be used for more substantial gaming.

Refer to x1E/x2E tweak info.

 

Are there any updates on performance boosts with AMD motherboards... similar to 1XE connection or Optimus drivers?

Also does anyone else have gtx 460 and getting high ping with Bad company 2 (i.e. 800 when first loaded... dropps to around 100-400 gameplay)

 

Thanks nando and others for replying to my earlier posts. I have ordered the kit and graphics card (I went with the GTS450 suggested by nando) and they should all be arriving sometime next week. Once I get it all set up I will run some bench marks and take some pictures. I hope the 200 watt PSU I found is enough.

The power supply I found does not have an on/off button, does anyone know if simply unplugging it when I want to turn off the card is okay? Is there any potential that I might damage the card? TIA

 

Hi Guys.
I have a Sony VAIO Z21MN/B (Its a UK model) with P9600 processor and nVidia 9300GS/Intel graphics. It has a hardware switch to choose between stamina and speed modes. I am thinking of getting a ViDock and intend to use a Radeon HD6870 with it as I want multiple displayport output and believe an nVidia card will conflict with the special driver for the 9300GS already in the machine.
Any help/thoughts on this would be welcome - all the guidance I can see so far is for newer models which have Core i5/i7 and optimus graphics.

Thanks in advance!

 

So, I've tried to read as many posts as I can about my laptop, a Dell XPS m1530. I'm trying to get a setup going so I can play BFBC2 with family online. I have 3gb RAM, 2.4Ghz dual core.

My problem is trying to find the best setup for the money. I know I can get the PE4L + EC2C shipped for 65$, but I'm limited on money and would like to make the best setup for the best price. Many of the earliest posts show prices based on May, but these have changed dramatically since then.

I know my system uses port 5 with an unused port 6, allowing me to do a 1XE tweak.

I can get:
ATI 5670 1GB from Newegg for $70 after MIR.
ATI 5750 1GBfrom Newegg for $100 after MIR
ATI 5770 1GB from Newegg for $100 after MIR.
Nvidia 450 1GB from Newegg for $95 after MIR
Nvidia 460 768MB from Newegg for $120 after MIR.

So, my problem is that even though most of the cards sit right around the $100 mark, it's the extra stuff I need for them. I can get a 72W power supply for around $10, but If I get the 5770, 450, or 460 I'll need to get the ATX power supply + ATX adapter. (This is something I'd like to avoid, due to the extra desktop space it will require for all this)

I also don't want to gimp my system for only $10, but I don't want to spend an additional 30-40$ for a measly 10-15% increase.

I'd really like to keep the whole thing at $170-$180 max if possible - because I'm taking this from my med school loan money, which is pretty tight already. Can I get some recommendations based on current pricing? I also realize with CES in the near future some cards may drop in price very soon as well...

EDIT: If it helps, the only external monitor I have that I can use this with is a cheap 1366x768 westinghouse 32" LCD TV with a 60Hz max refresh rate, so I can't render at resolutions above that, which might make some higher end cards a waste of money.

 

Thanks Nando for the very fast response.

Ok, The Dell tech has come and gone and I still have the NVS 135... and also stuck with a T7250.. so I'll be looking for a new chip even sooner.

I'm starting with the PE4H with EC2C, (HIT)

and a GTS 450 1G in the PNY flavour (was an additional $20 less)
The wifi may be a problem, I'm going to have to do some checking to see if I can 'move' it rather than remove it as I need it for internet on the road for now.
when its set up; I too will add pictures and benchmark.

My PS will be one of the 'used' Atx's from our schools junk pile.. wamerocity, if you are anywhere in the mid USA, I might end up with a spare I can send your way.. It's sad we trashed a truck-load of old cases and power-supplies just last year..

 

D630 schematic shows the WWAN slot is pci-e so could relocate the wifi there. Might need to re-route the antenna wires to do it.

Your system has 4500MHD+9300GS switchable graphics. The 4500MHD component means it's x1.Opt capable, so NVidia is recommended over an ATI solution. This can be setup very easily. Switch to Stamina mode, disable the 9300M using DIY ViDock Setup 1.x (Video Card.Hybrid Graphics.Dedicated [off]), boot Win7, remove the Sony-specific drivers and load Nautis' Optimus drivers. You'd be doing pretty much the same thing as the Z13 implementation.

The HD5770/GTS450/GTX460 will come with a molex to pci-e power connector so no extra cost there. A salvaged ATX PSU would be the cheapest way to go. If want a compact solution then add ~$33 to do a 12V/120W implementation and scratch off the 150W GTX460 from the candidate list.

x1E's extra bandwidth will make use of the extra performance a HD5770 offers over a HD5750 or HD5670.

Only dilemma then is whether to go a NVidia or ATI solution for your BC2 requirement. Review ithildin's BC2 performance results here and here to help you decide. Could be a toss up b/w a HD5770 and a GTS450/GTX460.

 

Thanks for the quick reply nando. Just one question- I know the pe4l is limited to an 80w power supply, so how can I plug in a 120w (12v x 10a I'm guessing) without it frying the card? Or will it only deliver 80w to the lane, while channeling the extra thruthe molex?

 

Thanks for the insight Nando. I take it this method will mean I can't then return to using the nVidia graphics on the laptop for the Internal LCD or later on when not using the ViDock. If I went down the ATi route which provides support for Displayport where nVidia currently doesn't, would I be able to just switch the laptop back to speed mode and continue working normally when disconnected from the ViDock?

 

A HD5770 or GTS450 both require < 120W peak power. So you'd split the 120W b/w the slot and pci-e connector shown here. lingo124 runs a GTS450 that way as confirmed here.

I cannot give you a firm answer other than saying that NVidia Optimus would likely require a driver revamp which may cause problems with the hybrid graphics switching. ATI would have it's own driver just for the ATI card so less likely to be a problem.

Another factor. If you did need to free up resources to overcome error 12 by using "Video Card.Hybrid Graphics.dedicated[off]" in Setup 1.x then you would need to reboot to get your 9300M GS back.

 

I just realized my laptop has an expresscard slot! It blended in so well I thought I didn't have one. Anyways, now I am really pumped to getting this DIY VIDOCK to work. I've been out any GPU card scene since my last upgrade was around the 8800GT time. What's the best I can get for a DIY VIDOCK? What do I need for a power supply? What are recommendations for video cards and what's the best? The info on page 1 I am scared it's a little unupdated so please let me know.

 

I think it depends on what CPU you have. For example, my GTS450 is just killing the graphics on SC2 BUT SC2 is destroying my CPU (Turion TL-58 64 X2) for shadows and physics, so when I max everything but the CPU intensive things it runs well. However, other games I don't know if you have as much control over individual graphical settings like some may just be low medium high, and you might end up not using the full potential of your graphics card (e.g. using around 40-50% of the GPU on some games even when maxing out the settings, ending up with about 10 fps or less haha).

 

I have a vgn-ns110e
some specs
intel dual core 2ghz t3200
4500mhd
1280x800 resolution native
2gb ram
I play sc2!

What should I get?

 

Haha I'm not sure because I am not too knowledgeable about CPUs and their limitations on graphics performance. Just noticed that I had the problem with my setup. If I can get windows working on my core duo macbook pro 2ghz ill let you know what the results are.

 

So you can put a pci-express x16 card in that x1 slot on the adapter or do you need to buy a pci-express x1 card?

 

4500MHD means your system can do x1.Opt. Suggest then a US$200/$220 GTS450/GTX460 PE4L setup from here to give best gpu performance.

An ebay T6600, T6670, T8100, T8300, or T9300 CPU upgrade would also improve performance over your T3200 (667Mhz FSB, 2.16Ghz) on your GL40 chipset (max=200Mhz FSB). Worth keeping a eye on ebay prices of expresscard+4500MHD-equipped Inspiron 1545 or Inspiron 1440 with a better CPU. It might be cheaper/easier to just do a system upgrade over a CPU upgrade.

PE4L uses an open-ended x1 slot. PE4H uses a x16 slot. Either can accept a x16 card. The latter being able to access up to 4 lanes.

 

If you go for a gts 450 shop around for a bit first. I got mine for $70 after MIR.

edit: its a EVGA GTS 450 superclocked btw. pretty good deal I think.

 

thanks for the response nando4. this makes it alot more appealing for me. I may have to give this a shot with my E6400

 

So, I want to have an external video card setup. I don't want to use an external monitor. That means I have to get a 460 gtx to work with optimus correct? The 450 gts will not work?

I don't understand exactly what x1 vs x2 is...so I need to buy this kit? http://www.harmonicinversion.com/pr..._id=25&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=193

What about the $85 kit? The only difference I can see is a atx power supply on/off switch. Could I easily make my own to save some money? How?

Anything to look for specifically in a power supply? Modular is nice but I can cut wires off a regular one too right?

The included cable is only 1ft? I can always buy a longer wire right without any performance decrease correct?

After I get everything.....getting this to work....should be as simple as following the steps, downloading the stuff I need and that's it?

 

Thanks for your help Nando. I'm going to order a ViDock 4 Plus and Radeon HD6870 - want a clean, boxed solution rather than a pile of bits on the desk.

 

Hello again,

I have a GTX460 1GB along with a PE4H v2.0a, this setup however experiences the black screen syndrome under heavy load.

I understand that the fuse bypass is a solution to this problem. However I am wondering if it is considered a safe solution?

Cheers Anton

 

Panzer's fuse bypass is a safe solution. The idea being to bypass the fuse that may activate under heavy load. So safe is the solution that the PE4H 2.4 allows you to jumper the bypass instead. I have it jumpered on my 2.4 to ensure no blacking out with my GTX470.

Please refer to the first post. It answers all your questions and more, ie:

- paperclip trick to jumper a ATX PSU
- port layout required to do a higher-performance x2 setup (not recommended since you can do x1.Opt which gets similar performance with less cabling complexity).
- Setup 1.x software if need specific port requirements or encounter error 12 issues
- difference b/w PE4L and PE4H

 

Awesome, thanks for that man

 

Anyone ?

 

This is the start (in a couple of implementations by two different users): you bypass the two fuses; it works fine for a short while then you start getting the black screen/no signal again and finally the whole PE4H is blown:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...-dragon-owners-lounge-2-a-87.html#post6984256

 

Hmm, I wonder if its a problem with the PE4H board being unable to stably supply enough power to the video card via the floppy or laptop power connector. That is, would you still have this problem if you connected your video card directly to the PSU

 

Hello Nando and all,

This is to update you on the implementation of the DIY Vidock on my HP 2540P (core i7 LM640, 4gb RAM, Intel HD, win7 64bit ultimate). I returned my GTS450 for a GTX460 1gb OCed (PNY XLR8) as I could not find a good 150W DC charger so I went for a PSU anyway.

I have sort of managed to run the diy vidock , but several weird problems remain

Connecting the Vidock
- Plugging the ON vidock to the laptop BEFORE switching on the laptop results in black screen, computer hangs.
- Plugging the ON vidock to the SLEEP laptop results in black screen and eventually crash when resuming from sleep.
- Plugging the ON vidock to the laptop while loading win 7 or once win 7 is loaded works just fine.
- Unplugging the vidock while the laptop is ON or in SLEEP results in freeze. I must switch the computer OFF to unplug safely.

Vidock on external and internal LCD:
- Optimus only works on internal LCD (3Dmark06: 10660 under Nautis' modded driver 258.96, but drops to 9500-10000 under Docusync's modded driver 260.99, with a 500 points amplitude depending on whether HD audio is disabled, power from adaptive to performance, etc)
- No vidock (simple or Optimus) on the external LCD connected to the GTX 460
- Under 258.90: windows desktop shows on the monitor of my choice, but I cannot launch Directx software on the external monitor. When I try, I get the very same directx problem Azrael reports at the bottom of page 235
- Under 260.99: the external monitor won't even show windows desktop.
- This is a VGA lcd connected to the GTX 460 through a dvi-to-vga adapter. I could try with my HDMI tv later if VGA is the problem here, but I would like to use my VGA projector ideally..
- Various combinations of options in win 7 display manager and Nvidia Control Panel did not help either the directx issue nor the external LCD issue.

Misc issues:
- the laptop's speaker stop working when the vidock is on. Kind of annoying. Even when the HD audio of the GTX 460 are all disabled and several other in-built devices (camera, footprint reader, bluetooth) are disabled in the bios.

If anyone sees solutions for the aforementionned issues, I am interested

 

Great. I've wanted to see someone do a 2530P/2540P implementation to accompany my 2510P one.

Two likely problems. (1) Win7 is reshuffling devices to accomodate the GTX460, causing some problems with your audio (2) The VGA monitor is not working properly with the Optimus drivers -> use a HDMI/DVI LCD instead.

For (1) Use DIY ViDock Setup 1.x as follows:

1. Save the GTX460 Video Card.PCI Config Space so it's in a 'Configured' start. Refer to the "Video Card.PCI Config.Save(Win)" menu instructions.

2. Edit your startup.bat to prepare it so can just select "automated startup via startup.bat" bootitem once you have your solution worked out.

Code:

call waitvid 60 10de:0e22
call pcicap load -d 10de:0e22
call pci
call grub4dos w7 

3. Hot Plug your GTX460 in Setup 1.x, load the GTX460 PCI Config Space using "Video Card.PCI Config.Load" menuitem.

[ TEST chainloading to Win7 at this point to see if it's made a difference. If not, proceed to 4. ]

4. Perform (3) then perform PCI compaction methods, chainloading to Win7 after each one to test functionality.
-32-bit: 32-bit Intel HD + 32-bit GTX460
-36-bit: 36-bit GTX460
-36-bit: 36-bit Intel HD + 32-bit GTX460
-36-bit: 36-bit Intel HD + 36-bit GTX460

Consider too installing Throttestop, tweaking the TDC/TDP values to turn your i7-640LM turbo mode on all the time (2.8Ghz). That should give a substantial performance boost. I would only do it on AC and ensure you monitor CPU temps during some trial runs to ensure it's safe to do so.

 

Still waiting for reply on this. I've given all of the info that I can.

"Error: bridge 2 window 0 goes into reserved allocation space (fe4000000, something...)"... How do I stop it from doing that?

Free allocation space: 1024 MB

 

JN-Pathfinder-

I am in the US. In fact, I'm in Davenport,IA which is 3 hours west of Chicago. If you have some extra stuff, I'd love to take it off your hands!

 

If I switch to a PE4H mPCIe... will this work? Because I have a wifi card in mPCIe slot... Maybe I can take that out and place PE4H in and get results? or is my laptop the biggest piece of crap ever?

 

Tech Radar have just done a pretty good article on the subject, 'how to make an external laptop graphics adaptor'. Not a bad summary of the info at all.

Link: How to make an external laptop graphics adaptor | News | TechRadar UK

 

I’m interested in unlocking Optimus for different adapters/pcie modes. I’ve decompiled nvinit.dll, nvd3dum.dll, nvumdshim.dll and found out that Optimus modes are probably managed via environment variable parameters VIDEOSHIM_UMD_INTERCOMM and/or SHIM_MCCOMPAT. So, the first step is to check and find out the values for these parameters in different Optimus modes (no Optimus, Optimus with watermark, Optimus without watermark and so on). If the values are different, then the analysis can be continued.

Unfortunately, I don't have a laptop with required Intel adapter and Win7 to continue this by myself.

 

Can someone confirm that I only need the $55 kit to be able to run a gtx 460?
ExpressCard External Graphics x1

How come the other kit looks a bit longer like it can actually fit the entire slot of the video card while this one only looks like it holds the first part?

 

the PE4H allows for 4 possible connections as opposed to 1 for PE4L so the max you can do with a PE4L is an x1, which is lower performance than x2 and on. I think a lot of people are running gtx 460s with their PE4Ls already. i personally have a gts 450 which is also x16 like the gtx 460 but im using the 55 dollar x1 kit.

basically the 55 dollar kit will be limited to 1 connection to your computer, which is what seems to be more prevalent than having a pcie slot and the wifi card slot used with the PE4H.

 

Hard to understand but i'm guessing x1 is with just the expresscard and doing something like x2 requires the expresscard and the wifi card slot?

I just bought the pe4l $55 kit. Aiming to do x1 optimus. I also didn't buy the swex board.

If I want to run the gtx 460. I just need to look for a power supply that can do around 250w at 12v?
So 12v x 20a = 240w? So I would just have to look at the 12v rail and see if it can do 20+ amps and I should be good? Also it needs 2 pci-e connectors and thats it?

 

Where are those parameters? I cannot find them on my m11xR2 (windows7, rest in sig) 260.99 drivers.

I'll make it a point to check this thread at least once a day for a while...

 

Anyone interested in selling their PE4L setup? I'm interested in buying a setup but wanted to save on the $22 shipping if someone decided to upgrade to the PE4H or went to a desktop. Please email me at: bleuiko[at]gmail.com

 

pretty much you are correct. x1 needs 1 slot x2 needs 2 slots, so unless you have 2 expresscard slots you have to use 1 expresscard and your wifi card slot

just do the paper clip trick on your psu to turn it on.

also regarding your earlier post. gts 450 and gtx 460 both can run the x1.opt.

for the power supply, what gtx 460 card are you looking at? the reference card i see on nvidias website has a maximum draw of 160W so 240W would be a little overkill.

you should check out
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...-out-how-make-diy-vidock-150.html#post6511544
first. it shows you a portable and psu version of the vidock. since theres a portable version, id suggest you just go that route because 1) you dont need to switch the psu on and off 2) it's less cabling unless you buy a modular psu which is just too expensive for your uses

 

Are you sure that the gts 450 works with optimus? According to
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...1-diy-vidock-experiences-121.html#post6542661
It states only the GTX4__ will work with optimus. Though this thread is like 200+ pages and things might have changed So I really don't know if 450 gts can do optimus.

According to wikipedia the TDP of GTX 460 is around 150 and the GTS 450 is around 106. Does that mean I pretty much just need any power supply with a 12v rail with at least 13 amps minimum to power a gtx 460...but maybe a bit more for overclocking potential etc...? Then I would also need a molex to pci-e adapter or two if the power supply does not have it. Then I should be good to go?

If I were to remove the casing of a normal ATX power supply...how high are the capacitors etc normally? I'd really like to remove the ATX casing and put the build a custom vidock enclosure that is 2" tall. Any other options good for me? Like a 360 power brick? disassembled?

 

These are environment variables. In WinXP you can check their values via SET command in cmd.exe, in Win7 probably via Powershell. You should check their values when Optimus is enabled/disabled in different modes.

These environment variables are set and used by Optimus drivers (nvd3dum.dll, nvumdshim.dll, nvinit.dll). They can be found via text search (for example, via FAR manager) inside these drivers.