Let's figure out how to make a DIY eGPU (previously DIY ViDock)

New thread created to share the DIY eGPU user experience

Nando4 started a new thread DIY eGPU experiences [version 2.0] to share performance, and configuration experiences using the finished PE4H/ PE4L products beginning with his own. The configuration details should apply also to ViDock as well as any other DIY method below, so is a valuable resource.

I would suggest we move the discussion to that thread.
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The following information is out of date. Please refer to the link above.

The aim below is to create something as shown on the right (courtesy of Loppy) a functional equivalent to a $309 ViDock2. It would need external 12V psu to drive it. A 16x card WILL work in a 1x slot as explained here so the 16x to 1x adapter is unnecessary if you melt/cut the edges of the 1x slot to allow the 16x card to slot in.

Current status of DIY ViDock Project

As a result of this thread, hwtools have developed their PE4H / PE4L products that can be connected to an expresscard (EC2C) or mPCIe (PM3N) port. PE4H is x2 1.0 link capable by combining an expressport + mPCIe port. x2 1.0 offering greatly improved performance as shown here, surpassing ViDock's x1 1.0 performance. Some placemarkers of interest in this thread are:

1/ DIY ViDock - My experiences so far shares performance and experiences using the finished PE4H / PE4L products.
2/ Progress link: info on how the PE4H/PE4L/EC2C/PM3N hwtools product is progressing.
3/ Specifications link: hardware specifications requested for hwtools product.
4/ A name to replace DIY ViDock as there may be copywright issues.

DIY ViDock using hwtools products

Consider either a PE4L or a PE4H based on your requirements. If cash strapped consider too Cheapest practical x2 mode: 8 soldered wires to add a x2 link mode if you decide to purchase the PE4L.

• US$55 PE4L: x1 open-ended pci-e slot, USB, 12V via DC jack OR molex
• US$85 PE4H: x16 pci-e slot, USB, x2 capable, 12V from regulated 16~20V/4.5A power adapter OR molex

These are connected using either one for x1 mode, or two for 2x mode, of the following

• EC2C: expressport adapter
• PM3N: mini pci-e adapter

Expresscard: US$55 PE4L-EC2C or US$85 PE4H-EC2C
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mPCIe: US$55 PE4L-PM3N or US$85 PE4H-PM3N


DIY ViDock cheaper options

DIY US$12-US$20US mini pci-e to pci-e adapter (with 12V input and flexible extension lead)


Image: combined PE4L+ PM3N schematic, with edits: removed USB lines and regulated 3.3V.

Circuit extract above shows 21 wires between the two adapters:

• 16 lines: Tx/Rx/CLK/SM each with 2 signal lines and GND signal on either side to minimise external interference
• 2 additional lines: PERST# and WAKE#
• 2 power lines: DVCC_3.3V and GND are provided by mini pci-e socket pins
• 1 psu 12V line on pci-e socket molex end (see pic below)

$5US-delivered ZIF to Mini-PCI E Express adapter + ( $1.50US-delivered IDE cable OR $2-$4US PCI Express X1 Male to Female Riser ribbon cable) + $8.30US PCI-E PCI-Express 1x Riser Card Adapter + soldering effort
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One way of doing it would be to use a $5US-delivered ZIF to Mini-PCI E Express adapter as the blank on the mini pci-e end. Scrape/melt resin close to the pins on the base but far enough to allow it to still plug in. This reveals tracks to then solder 21 wires to. OR solder right on the inner edge of the pins.

Solder 21 wires from pcie riser cable onto mini pci-e adapter's tracks and run it through to the desired other end. Cable could even be threaded internally to poke out of the pcmcia slot or optical drive slot Attach a molex directly to the riser cable's 12V and GND tracks so can attach a external PSU. Melt/cut the 1x pci-e socket ends to allow a 16x card to be inserted.

Optionally: Use an additional $8.30US PCI-E PCI-Express 1x Riser Card Adapter.

DIY 12V PSU to drive the pci-e card

Good if you don't have a 12V PSU, but might have some older notebook adapters lying around. This tells us the pci-e specification says 75W is needed. I would suggest a adapter needs to be rated between 12V-32V with 60W or more. A $2 LM338T voltage regulator (Tandy/Radio Shack/DSE)+tiny heatsink plumbed in to can then deliver up to 5A. See pictures on right.

12V pci-e card circuit

MiniFAQ

1. Will this be compatible with my system?

The answer is "highly likely". Consider reviewing the ViDock Compatibility listing but also note nando4's PCI Bridge Script workarounds and commentary in the the DIY ViDock - My experiences so far thread. Such workarounds suggest then the DIY ViDock likely can be made to work on any system.

2. How much performance is lost running at x1 1.0 or x2 1.0 link speed instead of x16 2.0?

See PCI-E scaling Analysis.

3. How to deal with bios whitelisting of pci-e adapters?

There are two sorts. The first where the bios halts the boot process with an error if an unknown device is found. PM3N has a jumperable 6.9s reset delay so bios does not see the product on bootup to overcome that sort.

The second is as found on HP Business systems. For all intents and purposes the mPCIe port is disabled if a non compatible device found. In that case it is advised the system be booted with the compatible wifi card installed and the PM3N swapped in either prior to OS bootup or if using Win7, a suspend/swap/resume be performed. The PCI Bridge Script batch files here prompt through such a process.

 

The adapter is the opposite of what you're trying to do. It's for desktops that want to use a mini pci-e.

 

No, did you click on the "PM2C" tab in the adapter section of the webpage.

also I have added a link with more info and it has a picture of this card being used in a notebook, again the link is here: http://www.bplus.com.tw/Adapter/PM2C.html

 

So you're saying you can take these components and put them in an enclosure with a PCI-e 1x video card and hook it up to your laptop for improved video performance? Does it run off USB? I'm having a hard time envisioning what you're trying to do exactly. If you could maybe diagram it out.

 

Step 1.
remove your wifi card and put that card/adapter in it's place.
Step 2.
stick the desktop graphics card in the PCI slot of the card/adapter.
Step 3.
connect external power to the card/adapter as seen in the picture here:
http://www.bplus.com.tw/Adapter/PM2C.html
(you have to scroll down a bit to see the pic)

I will try to draw a diagram in paint, give me 5 mins

 

umm...

10char

 

here is a pic:

 

Ah, ok. I see. I was hoping it was a way to run from your notebook to an external enclosure including the card.

 

I'm a little newbie here so umm
How would the external power work..? Like outlet? haha I really don't know and well where would you find the (cables?) to connect to the external power source? Sorry I would need a noob proof guide for help. lol Don't attack me

 

sorry but this isn't a guide, yet.

the external power source would come from probably a PSU from a desktop.

This could be turned into an external enclosure if someone knows where to get a PCI express extension cord.

Also another usefull part would be something like this:
http://www.papyrus.co.il/Products/pci-e_1x_bus_to_16x_socket_extension_card.htm

 

This would maybe work, not sure.

Also the pci-e slot is probably better than the express card slot that the ViDock uses.

Would be cool just to find a long extension so you can use your laptop to troubleshoot desktop hardware, plug your laptop into there desktop card.

 

here is a link to a sort of extension cable:
http://www.adexelec.com/pciexp.htm#PEXP4-SX-4/1

Scrol down untill you see the PE-FLEX1.
or just press "CTRL F" and search for the PE-FLEX1.

 

try this yourself and let us know how it works! :]

 

I will definatly try this when I get my new job, right now I can't afford a PCI express 1x video card.

 

I guess by using the PCI-e 1x bus to 16x Socket Extension Card you could use "normal" video cards, I understand this... Is to see if its possible and also show that the vidock2 is somewhat expensive.


Also LOOK at this:

http://www.bplus.com.tw/Adapter/PE3.html

This is for express card like the real vidock.

Here is my idea :S :

 

Wow, I believe you have just reverse engineered the vidock.

 

wow thats a good idea but im pretty sure u wont be able to take all take stuff everywhere u go

so if its supposed to stay on a desk all the time its easier to get a desktop

but anyways that a amazing idea and creativity ...

reped for the intention

 

Do you guys think this would actually work. We need people to test this.

 

Everyone says this, but when you're on the move a lot, it's much less hassle to have all your files on one computer. The ViDock is clearly meant to sit on a desk.

As for this idea, getting the drivers to work would be the tricky part.

 

Lol yep I guess the vidock is basically just this...

Also I spoke today with my electronic circuits teacher at the university and he told me that vidock2 or vidock4 are just the same, only that the vidock4 uses a more powerful PSU than the vidock2, basically you could (in theory) simulate the vidock4 psu in a vidock2 and somehow trim it to fit a bigger card by using a normal PSU from any computer and redirect the voltages.

 

Just we need a long flexible cable to make it work easy, currently that stuff is like hard wire so you would have to find a way to prop up the laptop and put it under.

I could build a box and get a cheap psu and make this work quite well.

go to radio shack and get a fan and a switch and I will teach you guys how to turn on/off the psu via a switch if anybody wants to build this.

 

This could be really easy, I might try this out!. Its easy and it wouldnt take more than one day to fully assemble it.

Urmmm wire... cables, fans, switches, a metallic case perhaps... maybe I could try to make a ribbon or "special cable" at the university labs...

Edit:

Ribbon cable extension problem SOLVED, look at this connector :



Link: http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PE2.html

There you go is just matter of building the case (the easy part)...

Guess what? OMFG

Here is the VIDOCK! LMAO

http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PE4.html

 

there is still the matter of drivers to be resolved, best to use win 7 or xp since vista doesn't allow more than 1 video driver.

 

Well we could ask for the vidock drivers .

Also I guess that by using this connector and plugging it to the laptop, the laptop will recognize a new hardware, the graphics card and then you could normally install the VGA drivers.

Also I guess that the company sends this with software.

 

Id do it if I had a reason but I have a W90 with dual 4870's

 

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah nahh

Read this:
http://www.hwtools.net/PDF/PE4_brief.pdf

This thing WILL recognize any card attached to it in your laptop, maybe you just drive the external vga port to a screen and there you go.
But it seems that it wouldnt work in vista, by using XP you could select the graphic adapter and voila you get it to work with an external LCD.

Its like what happens when you plug two different vid cards on your desktop with xp, you have to select your main card.


ZZZZZ bye for now, Im gonna sleep .

 

I am considering trying this but how does this work from a software perspective..drivers? recognition etc?

 

Seriously this is more interest than ViDock itself
If someone got this working with this price, I'd say this is going to be the revolution rather then spending 200$ + one card of my own

 

The same here as well, Definitely if this thing got worked I can tell that I can see Chinese brands selling the whole thing in nice box with name like "Magic Video Out laptop" or "External Gaming box" with price that might be even cheaper than $15?


Hopes no Chinese been offended by this... , It just like china is moving the price down or up with its brands

 

So let me get this straight all I need is a ExpressCard/54 slot in my Acer 4315, one of these http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PE4.html#, a desktop GC and a extenal power supply?

If so this is the holy grail for x3100 user ive already upgraded my CPU, memory, Optical and HD for very little making this budget machine quite respectable. However if i can upgrade the Graphics on the cheap, I might just get back into a little gaming.

I do like the ViDock but the price is on the high side,
Got to love the think outside the box (or should I say Dock) peeps to be found on these forums.

 

That's exactly what you will need (Driver maybe as well?) + ATI Card (more likley)

 

Ill be keeping a close eye on this thread in that case, youve just got to look at the x3100 thread to see how many people want this.

Props and rep to the OP

 

lol b1indsp0t , I am almost looking at it since 2007 ,but recently start participating in that thread

 

Awesome thread! I must spread some rep, before giving it to moral hazard again MexicanSnake is repped You guys rock

 

tbh by the time we get an extra 10fps out of that POS i hope to be playing Arma2 on high settings

 

I was thinking this morning... This should work OTB (Well just plugged to your laptop) Since all what you do is simple: replicate a port, for example, you can replicate a port when you use and SD card to USB and the laptop will recognize the SD card, when you use an express card to pcmcia and so on.

Basically you will have a Pci express X16 port capable of reading cards and interacting with your system like any desktop out there, no drivers needed btw, also I dont think that the vidock uses drivers.

 

Exactly!, you plug your card, the pc recognizes your card, you install the drivers, you select the card and finally you drive it to an external monitor. Well people, at least IN THEORY this should work just fine.

 

How are you guys planning to get around the power supply issue? I can't seem to find any smallish external PSUs on Newegg, but not finding any. What about some sort of HDD or network drive enclosure? Some of those seem to have smallish ~30W power supplies that might fit some midrange cards.

 

You just need a regular psu, doesnt need to be external, get one for/from a matx case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338009

 

In fact, this would take several midrange cards at stock, for example:

The unit uses 12V at 5A, thats 60W I guess like "a normal" pci express x16, if you plan to use a bigger card you could simply use a computer PSU say 400W, you plug that on the external power located at the right upper part of the card, that should feed normally the bigger card, or at least this seems the way that normal pcs do for feeding big GFX cards.

Im gonna study the pci express specifications and then Ill reply back.

 

Yeah, I see how that would work, but I'm more interested in a compact solution. I guess DIY isn't always pretty. Don't they sell single bay PCI-e enclosures of some sort with built in PSUs?

edit: Other than the Vidock of course.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104019

this isn't exactly the best case to use an sli power supply but it does do the job relatively well. its compact and should fit neatly in a modified acrylic box from homedepot or lowes.

thermaltake also makes something similar that doesn't require a molex and is a grounded 3 prong plug

 

What is "Engineering Sample Now"? My guess is that they do not have a working version of this technology just yet.
http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PE4.html#

 

Hmmm, now I'm thinking about making my own little ViDock...what if I grabbed a cheap Shuttle PSU ( http://www.censuspc.com/product-pr-77.html), maybe a 80mm LED fan, the PCI-e - ExpressCard Adapter, and something like an ATI 4870 (or whatever will fit in space/power) and then slap it all inside a small metal enclosure, drill some wholes for mounts and air flow...and I should be good to go, right?

edit: Azu, practically read my mind.

 

Engineering sample is pretty much like a beta, maybe you can order an ES. But your last resourse is to do what I drawn several posts back. but in theory it would work too...

 

Shuttle PSU would be ideal, but those are expensive. Luckily I have a spare from my past experiences with Shuttle. It's 240W, more than enough.

But ViciousXUSMC's find will work too, for $20.

I'm very interested in this. I already have a PSU, an 8600 GT (no 6-pin required either), just need the expresscard and PCI-e adapter. Basically PE4 is same as PE2 but with 16x PCI-e then? A PCI 1x card could run games at lower res, kind of like what is in Asus N10J, and it's $30.

I think I'll write them to see what it takes to get an engineering sample. Whole concern is what will expresscard adapter cost? If it's $100 then it's kind of a mute point. But my thinking is cost will be about $50. Could probably come up with a whole device for under $100.

 

Well the PE2 is same thing at 1x PCIe for $30, so figure a bit more. Maybe eventually for $40, but still cheap.

And actually if you don't need a 6-pin PCIe power plug, then you could get away with a 1U power supply (like HD4670 or 9500 GT)

 

wow guys this is quite cool by looking at what all you are suggesting should work hypothetically the only thing i think you need to be careful about is the psu shortening out a component or over surging something. i think someone needs to volunteer doing this. If this works will prolly see this from china in like 2 weeks a cheap kit.

 

From a retail cost perspective as a current "builders kit" I see the ExpressCard device with PCIe 16x adapter for $50 + PSU $25 + Case $25 = $100. Quite reasonable if you ask me.

 

yeah i bet most people have an extra psu lying around