DIY eGPU experiences

Hope you enjoy!

x220t
i5-2520M (2,5GHz up to 3,2GHz with turbo, usually 3GHz both cores)
8GB RAM
PE4H + EC2C @ 30cm cable
EVGA GTX460 1GB FPB (little stock OC!) and Gainward GTX560 Ti 1GB
275.33 + modded inf from the first post

Booted with PE4H connected into Windows. No change has been made between those cards - just switched them!

dmcv4-dx10@1280x800 var

GTX460 (104,51FPS scene 4) and GTX560Ti (113,45FPS scene 4)


RE5 dx9-var@1280x800
GTX460 (116,3FPS overall) and GTX560Ti (124,6FPS overall)


Vantage
GTX460 -> P10701 3DMarks
GTX560 Ti -> P12323 3DMarks

3Dmark06
GTX460 -> 15855 3DMarks
GTX560 Ti -> 17182 3DMarks

No "real gaming benchmarks" like ingame Mafia 2 or L4D2. Just started Steam from my external HDD and L4D2 never starts then (have to reinstall).
Measured the fps of L4D2 for 120 seconds with fraps, playing a replay from some ESL match with the GTX560 Ti. 1920x1200, 8xCSAA, 8xAF, everything high -> Min 44, Max 180, Avg 91.817
Steam needs some time to download L4D2 again, so I can bench with the GTX460. Won't have time to test it much more...

Probably I will return the GTX560Ti, because I just wanted to get sure, that my GTX460 isn't broke or something (micro lags), but that was just CoD
Would love to test an AMD card, but they won't perform that good as far as I read. Will be getting a GTX560 (non Ti), because of the price... maybe

L4D2 ESL Replay - 120 sec fps counting with fraps - 1920x1200, 8x CSAA, 8xAF, everything high (or highest if possible).
GTX560 Ti -> Min 44, Max 180, Avg 91.817
GTX460 -> Min 37, Max 130, Avg 65.783

Is this possible @ L4D2? I'm sure, that I have nothing changed or anything, but that is a huge difference. Same replay!

 

Any chance people running DX11 setups could run 3dmark11 as well?

 

I already run 3d Mark 11 with HD 5870 ( P3156).

 

Is there any news on when Expresscard 2.0 setups will come out? I don't know which I have in my system (it's a new Dell Latitude, but might just be EC 1.0), but I'd be interested in replacing the EC module with an EC 2.0 module if that would work...

Or using the expansion bay...

 

Please help me, my diy vidock use msi gtx 560 Ti. But benchmark 3dMark06 only 4810. How increased the score?
System: Dell inspiron 1410
CPU: Intel core 2 duoT6400 @ 2.0Ghz
OS: Windows 7 32-bit
RAM: 2GB
GPU: MSI GTX 560 Ti

When I installed verde 270.61 my LCD is blank. Please help me

 

The CPU is indeed the bottleneck. That's why you got low score. What is the SM2.0 & SM3.0 scores? Your notebook have Intel X3100. Too bad it doesn't support optimus.

 

So, how to improve the score my vidock?the SM2.0 score 1955 and SM3.0 score 1880. pLease help me..

 

DIY Vidock , My experience if anyone is interested,

$500 Toshiba Vista P305D AMD TURION X64 RM70 Dual Core 4 GB DDR2 17in, Wei Graphics score 3.7.

I basically spent about a month reading, learning and trying to get the parts to work, after a lot of trial and error and taking my stuff to a computer shop and giving them $120 to spend 3 hours of their time on it and have it still not work. I never gave up, and I finally got it to work ,and my Graphics score is now 5.9, my lowest Wei score is the AMD rm70 processors at 4.8.

I guess everyones experience may be different, but in my case it ended up nearly being plug and play. the key was 2 or 3 factors I believe.

Windows7, 3 gigs of Ram instead of 4, and updates for both W7 and the Nvidia GT430 card that I picked because of the low 85 watt power needed.

I didn't have to run any of the 1x setup or Pci tools for memory allocation, error 12 or 14 etc.

I wish I had read in BIG BOLD PRINT try 3 Gigs of Ram 1st, and upgrade to Windows 7 will be more than worth it, even if you never get this DIY thing to work.

It was a real challenge, my next idea is to try and run an external DIY RAID 0 controller card using the same PE4H or Mini PCIe card slot, Is there a Forum on that subject, comments welcome.

AMD users try 3 gigs of Ram 1st ......Sincerely ....Bob

 

Your notebook have Mobile Intel® PM965/GM965 Express Chipset. Upgrade the CPU to any of these:-
* Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9500 (6M Cache, 2.60 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
* Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9300 (6M Cache, 2.50 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
* Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T8300 (3M Cache, 2.40 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
* Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor X7800 (4M Cache, 2.60 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
* Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor X7900 (4M Cache, 2.80 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
* Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor X9000 (6M Cache, 2.80 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)

Acer Extensa 5620 (Intel GM965 & Intel X3100) able to score 7xxx with 3DMark06:-
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...s/418851-egpu-experiences-99.html#post6411725

* Will need someone else explain to you why your score is lower.

 

Just my opinion: I always go for high quality ... I love to play games on high settings and just locked 30fps ... I dont desire fancy 60+fps. As long as I get solid 30fps 1920x1200 on high settings with Anti Aliasin 4x on games like Dirt 3, BF3 etc. Im sold.

Waitin for 2.0 x1 card to be released ...

 

DIY Vidock , My experience if anyone is interested,

$500 Toshiba Vista P305D AMD TURION X64 RM70 Dual Core 4 GB DDR2 17in, Wei Graphics score 3.7.

I basically spent about a month reading, learning and trying to get the parts to work, after a lot of trial and error and taking my stuff to a computer shop and giving them $120 to spend 3 hours of their time on it and have it still not work. I never gave up, and I finally got it to work ,and my Graphics score is now 5.9, my lowest Wei score is the AMD rm70 processors at 4.8.

I guess everyones experience may be different, but in my case it ended up nearly being plug and play. the key was 2 or 3 factors I believe.

Windows7, 3 gigs of Ram instead of 4, and updates for both W7 and the Nvidia GT430 card that I picked because of the low 85 watt power needed.

I didn't have to run any of the 1x setup or Pci tools for memory allocation, error 12 or 14 etc.

I wish I had read in BIG BOLD PRINT try 3 Gigs of Ram 1st, and upgrade to Windows 7 will be more than worth it, even if you never get this DIY thing to work.

It was a real challenge, my next idea is to try and run an external DIY RAID 0 controller card using the same PE4H or Mini PCIe card slot, Is there a Forum on that subject, comments welcome.

AMD users try 3 gigs of Ram 1st ......Sincerely ....Bob

 

Hey....if I put the laptop to sleep.....and the vidock is still on....how much wattage am I using in general...? Only things that are on is the power supply with the fan....that little board....and the graphics card...

if my laptop has a display port....could I somehow do pci-e 2.0.....in the future?

 

Hello again guys.

Just wanted to show the case that I made, and even if I had to take out 2gb of RAM to make it work it was worth it. It's very nice to play with max settings and high FPS.

Used an old miniATX cabinet, a Dremel and some tape and paint. Did a replaceable front so I can change the image.

Inside I have a Corsair CSX600 PSU and a Radeon HD6950 gfx card.

Had to use MSI afterburner to get the fan to work though, but now it's running completely smooth and doesnt overheat at all.



























Kind regards. Lurifax

 

Sorry double post..

 

Dude that it is one awesome setup u got there ... double line on chasis like Dodge Viper and that Picture of MOH is like cherry on top ... literally impressed.

 

Very nice... wish I could find a cheap case like that to turn into an enclosure.

 

Easy, I recognize that case and I actually have two systems sitting in one just like it.

Its a shuttle pc, can probably find cheap used/dead systems on ebay/craigslist etc.

I think I'm done trying to find a cheap itx case that fits everything and will do the same thing to the slower one. Haven't booted the thing in a few years anyways.

Its a little oversized, but you might be able to cram in a usb optical and external hard drive as well so it could be a multipurpose dock of sorts. Gives you room to hide the rats nest of PSU cables too

 

My "case"

Actually my fileserver in another room - 2,5m minihdmi cable

 

Ok thanks,,
one question again sir,,why my LAN adapter turned off when i turn on and use my diy vidock?i want play game online like Point blank.Please answer my question sir..

 

Hi!
As you could see I also have an extensa 5620, and everything works perfect at me. I'm not sure about the LAN though. I'm using my WIFI and that works while I'm using eGPU. Try to do that.

David

 

mbrongges have Dell Inspiron 1410.

@mbrongges, did you use Setup 1.x? If not, do PCI compaction using Setup 1.x. Win7 is doing PCI allocation for your GTX560Ti which probably stealing the LAN's resources.

 

Hi,
I'm new here and read almost all information I cound get here to install an eGPU on my Lenovo Thinkpad T410. I think I'm almost at finish but have some problems to configure PCI compaction.

My laptop config:
- Thinkpad T410
- i7 620M
- 8 GB RAM
- NVS 3100M (driver ver 275.33)
- Win7 64bit

DiY ViDock with GTX470 over ExpressCard.

I installed the ViDock Setup utility and did all described in threads.
But the screen to log in (win7 boot) is shown on my external screen. When I type my password to log in I get a bluescreen, my eGPU shut down (GPU fan and PSU fan both off) and the system restarts.

Same happens if I want to turn my external screen on after win7 booted up.

I hope you can help me. Thanks!
bye

 

Probably PSU unable to deliver sufficient power to drive GTX470. Maximum power the GTX470 draw is 215W. What is the maximum current your PSU support on the 12V rail?

 

Sounds about right.
It is obviously working fine since you can get the login screen. Maybe it increases its power draw to start up Aero when Win7 is loading and crashes when the power draw increases?

 

hello I have same trouble with mbrongges

my rig
laptop hp pavilion dv 3518tx
CPU = T5900 2.20Ghz
PSU = Cooler master 750w
gpu = Nvidia geforce 9300gs
eGPU = Msi gtx 560ti hawk
PE4L-EC2C 1.5
SWEX ATX Power Supply Power-On Switch ver1.1



i already instal setup for 4gb ram at http://forum.notebookreview.com/7375587-post3465.html, its work on me,thx

but i have some probleme with gpu performance
this is the windows rating

i have already talk with mr mbrongges, we got same point too,but we have a diffrence cpu.

this is my direct 9 kombuster test

i already benchmark just cause 2



and i already setup like this


if the cpu problem but why we got same problem with the diffrence laptop? please somebody help :confused2:

 

I have a 500 W PSU, should be enough, I think. The PSU has 2 6pin for PCI-E, so there is no problem with it.
I will try it without Aero and report you immediately.

EDIT: Same problems without Aero. Perhaps any other ideas?

 

Nvidia recommend to use 550W PSU. Of course that is the minimum requirement for desktop computer. What is the brand of the PSU? If I know the PSU brand, I can take a look the specification.

 

It's a Thermaltake TR2 QFan 500W ATX PSU (P/N: W0194). Maximum current for 12V output is 18A. Sure that isn't enough?

 

12V x 18A = 216W. Maximum power the GTX470 draw is 215W. That is too close. I don't think your PSU able to provide stable power to GTX470.

 

I thought, if there are 2 PCI-E 6pin connectors, it would be enough. So, I will look for another PSU and try it once more. Thank you for your help!

 

Try get a PSU with single 12V rail. 80 Plus PSU is recommended. Corsair CX500 V2 look suitable because it have 12V/34A (408W). That is lot of room to power your card.

 

Which video card do you recommend for best performance on my system? show you that your system can't do x1.Opt so 3dmark06 will be ~5k with your current system.

Solution? Upgrade to expresscard-equipped system with an Intel HD3000 iGPU or with an Optimus setup as listed at Sandy Bridge notebooks for an eGPU, then get a x1 2.0 compliant hwtools kit (ETA: August 2011) for maximum performance from your GTX560Ti. There's a 14" Lenovo E420 that can be had for US$500.

 

wow, any solution too me? p
my friend good better with Core 2 Duo T7250, he got 6.9 for gaming. he use
PE4L-EC2C ver 1.5
SWEX ATX Power Supply Power-On Switch ver1.1
Kabel Mini HDMI
Kabel Floppy Drive Molex
XFX Radeon HD 5670 512Mb
PSU 500w
why?
cos i use nvidia? or ati is more better?

oy, this is indonesian egpu threat [VGA CARD] DIY ViDock (Solusi External Graphic Card Untuk Laptop) - Kaskus - The Largest Indonesian Community , my friend benchmark is there too
long life egpu, cheer

 

help me....

 

How to setup 1.x and where can i download setup 1.x?i have not done..please help me

 

Hi Gil3,

With 2GB RAM, you shouldn't get error 12.

eGPU already have video memory. The 256 is PCI space required to accommodate eGPU.

It looks like your notebook can support eGPU but nobody have tried on this notebook yet. So, you're going to be the first person to test it. B560 have extra mini-PCIe port & it also have Intel HD graphics which means you can setup x1.Opt (x1 link with Optimus).

 

The link to Setup 1.x can be found at first post. You can obtain it over here:-
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6295529-post641.html
or latest development:-
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7375587-post3465.html

If in any doubt, just use latest development.

 

Picking a GPU with little cash, so could anyone please tell me whether PE4L supports a 9800gx2 which is essentially two 9800gt running in SLI ? If not then I guess I'll go with a 9800gtx(+)... THANKS!!!

 

You helped me a lot!

I can not wait to bring the news to the world and I hope it will work

It's very cheap laptop with better hardware then Other laptops that more expensive

 

9800 is old generation and will be slower on a x1 link than a Fermi card (GT4xx/5xx). Dont pick a previous gen card - I suggest to pick a cheap fermi card which draws less power and has the better overall performance and is Optimus-enabled if you have a iGPU as listed in the first post.

 

Can you post a screenshot of the Device Manager. Set the View to Resources by connection. For example like this:-

I want to determine TOLUD on your notebook.

 

Updated the Sandy Bridge notebooks for an eGPU list with the highest bang-per-buck system seen to date:

$450-shipped 14" Lenovo E420 i5-2410M 2.3 4GB 500GB W7P 5.25lbs (2.39kgs). 1.43" thick. mSATA option *expresscard slot*

 

I don't know if anyone else has had this error, but I can't seem to play YouTube videos while using my DIY Vidock setup. I get a green screen and then my Shockwave Flash plugin crashes; sometimes I have to force close the browser. Any ideas?

EDIT: I turned off hardware acceleration under Flash settings.. that fixed the problem.

 

I have similar CPU and much slower eGPU (HD 4870) and my score is 7k, so I wouldn't say your score is due to the CPU...

 

I've been reading through this thread and am quite a bit lost with most of the technical aspects, so I think it's best I go ahead and ask some questions before I go through with purchasing the necessary equipment.

I'm running a Sony VPCF114FX with an Intel Core i7 Q720, 6GB ram and an nvidia 310m. I definitely have an expresscard slot, but is it certain that this will work with my computer? It doesn't seem like it's been tested on my Vaios.

I would like to run an Nvidia GTS 450 if possible. I also pulled a psu out of my old dell xps in hopes of saving a few dollars. It's a PS-6371-1DF-LF, 120V 9A. I know that this is way more power than is necessary... would it be complete overkill to run the eGPU off of this psu? Would there be any negative side effects?

Thanks!

 

If it's a free PSU, then it's not overkill.

The main problem you may have is resource issues. To see if you will have a problem, put Nando's setup program on a flash drive, boot to it, and see if you have 256MB free. If you don't, run compaction, then see if you have 256MB free. If compaction is unsuccessful is getting a 256MB window free, tell us what your TOLUD value is, which will be in the upper right of the main setup screen.

Also it seems that you do not have an intel IGP, which means that you cannot do Optimus, so your performance will be lower than what you've seen other people get. In your case though with having such a weak internal card I would get the 450 anyway if you can clear a window for it.

 

Hi Zeralith,

Please see post #4494 & post here the screenshot. From the screenshot we'll know the TOLUD value & know whether you can use 6GB of RAM or not. Because your notebook don't have Intel HD Graphics, to get the best performance from eGPU is to setup x2 link at least. This required PE4H-PM3N + PM3N card package. If the ExpressCard slot is at PCIe port #4 & there is a mini-PCIe slot at PCIe port #3, you can use PE4H-EC2C + PM3N card package. Nvidia Fermi card (DX10/11) perform better than ATI on x1 link though. Please check using AIDA64 for port number assignment, for example like this:-

However, this doesn't proved whether the empty PCIe port is available or not. So, you'll need to physically check it.

GTS450 max power is 106 W. So, you can use portable power brick to power GTS450. That PSU also can, whichever you want.

 

Hi Kizwan,

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. As requested, here are both screenshots (spoilered since they're large)

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

Based on the Device Manager, the first PCI bus entry (x0000000) indicates TOLUD on your notebook is set to D0000000 = 3.25GB. Which means you will have problem running eGPU with 4GB or more RAM (not enough PCI space to accommodate eGPU). As Khenglish mentioned earlier, you'll need 256MB PCI space to allow eGPU to work. Because of the high TOLUD, you'll need to reduced the RAM to 3GB only. Actually 3.25GB is too tight to use 4GB or more of RAM (might work or not).

Looks like x2 link is not possible. Only x1 link using the ExpressCard is possible. Avoid ATI graphic card. Your choice, GTS450 should be OK.

 

Wait a sec. TOLUD=3.25GB means we need an expansion of the PCI BUS device @D0000000 to be 100% sure whether there will be 4GB+ RAM issues. There may still be room to accomodate a 256MB window, or might be able to create one using Setup 1.x's PCI compaction.