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

Thanks for the update!
...Man the PE4H better be good on Sept. 11th

But, im unhappy to notice on the pictures that it uses DC Jack again, not Molex.

But, very good that theres screw holes and instead of solder points, another port.

Now, one question. Does the PE4L have Molex? or DC?

Well. At X2. The Performance is cut by 14-22%.
So, you basically want the best card you can get, because keep in mind its performance will be lowered.
And then if you look at X1. You really want the best card you can get. Because at X1 you have 47%-60% drops.
So. There is really no possible bottleneck.

HP and Lenovo Use BIOS Whitelisting, as said below.
Mainly, it is so You need to use on of their wireless cards. And not any one you want. Really, just a way to make them more money because you hve to buy their approved WiFi Cards.
...Really in the end its a FAIL. Because HP cards wont always work in other HP's even though theyre certified. Im not sure if this is the same with Lenovos.

But, anyway, back on topic. That is why. There are ways to get around it (for the WLAN cards) by sleeping/hibernating and inserting the card. But i doubt the card will get the allocation and resources it needs that way. but you never know

im not sure if its on ALL Models. For HP's I can personally say the dv2000/6000/9000 have whitelisting. And many Elitebooks do too ive seen. To find out if yours does, a quick google search should answer your question.

You dont have to find an X2 Benchmark. Look at an X16 benchmark and you can figure out the loss going by the percents.
...Ill figure it out below.

HD4890 - Crysis: High / 1920x1200 / No AA-AF
x16: 40.5 ( 0% Loss)
X2: 31.6~34.8 ( 14-22% Loss)
X1: 16.2~21.5 ( 47-60% Loss)

The GTX 285's performance will probably be worse. Even though its a better card.
This is because, at least for now, ATI cards are better externally. AFAIK, because they have better resource allocation at lower connection speeds. Something like that. Maybe Nando4 could confirm?

Any other cards you want compared at X1/X2 Speeds?

 

There is a floppy molex connector for external 12V DC.

ATI have done more work to minimise pci-e traffic. I would predict the ATI would be the superior performer on the higher end of the scale because of this, eg: HD48xx vs GTX2xx. We don't have benchmarks to confirm, but if you know someone with both series AND a desktop system. they can mask the other lanes (x3-x16) and do testing with say Resident Evil 5 benchmark.

Whitelisting of mini pci-e ports (for x2 mode AND for those without expressports)

expressports are not whitelisted. Only the mini pci-e ports are. If wanting x2 link mode then it is important that the mini pci-e port providing one of the lanes is not whitelisted.

Gerry will be adding some RESET delay circuitry to get around one sort of whitelisting that simply prints a bios error message and stops the boot process when a non whitelisting compatible card is found. That sort of whitelisting is worked around by a resume, plugging the mini pci-e in, then scanning for it upon resume.

HP Elitebooks and the Santa-Rosa business series before that have a more sneaky whitelisting. You cannot suspend/resume the notebook to workaround. It does something to the port so that if a whitelist compatible mini pci-e card is not detected on bios bootup, it appears to electrically disconnect the port.

Ideally HP/Lenovo/Toshiba would remove whitelisting altogether. If they did not disclose that info in their product brochures then you are entitled to have an open mini pci-e port as advertised via a bios fix. Otherwise it is fraud by omission. Really $elfi$h vendor interests at play to even invest time and effort with such practices to begin with imho.

 

DN and DP are USB data wires - no way to get x2 out of a single port - need at least 4 wires for 1 lane anyhow.
Any news on PCI-E 2.0 Southbridges???
Any x4 1.0 or x2 2.0 benchmark comparisons around???

 

Oh, ok. now i see it..... So that is all you need to power it? it seems a floppy connector wouldnt be able to suply enough power... but what do i know?

Hmm.... I wonder if thats the same as with the HP Pavillions....

 

If the ExpressCard and Mini PCIe are based on the same technology, how come only the ExpressCard is hot swappable? Maybe there is a way to go in that direction?
Not sure now, i have a HP DV6000, it does have whitelisting, should i just buy a
PE3 so i get X1(everything is better than onboard graphics) or maybe wait for the PE4H to see if they found a way to get around the BIOS whitelist?

 

FilipT,
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=120190
Didn't it work for you???
------------------------
USB 3.0 looks like an interesting frame grabber option for PE4H(WIN 7 only).
Could also be used to extend video bus capacity.

 

Because it uses an "Expressport" so its like a USB. Its made to be pulled out, say while the computer is on, which is "hot-swappable"

Mini-PCIe is just like a desktop's PCIe port. You cant just rip out a PCIe card when its on. Because its not made to do that.

No to the PE3. It does not allow for an external power source to be connected which is vital. You need the PE2L or the upcoming PE4L/PE4H.

 

Has anyone tried the DIY ViDock with non-functional HP/Compaq units (with the nvidia overheating problem, blue bar of death). Does this "disable the onboard video" like when you install an AGP video card on the desktop with integrated graphics?

Also does it lower the temps of an "still working" hp/compaq listed in the "service enhancement" or maybe disable the gpu completely?

 

Hmm. Not sure if it would. Its possible. But the probablem is you might need to go into Properties and tell windows to output the video to the Monitor. Not sure if it would do it automatically. I know on my laptop, just connecting an HDMI cable. Sometimes it will sometimes automatically show it, sometimes not.

Your taking a chance. =/



...Any updates nando4?

 

Anyone have any ideas about what i could use to put between the Wood of my enclosure, and the PE4H?

I was thinking of some type of rubber... Any ideas anyone? It is much appreciated.

 

if we have two mini pcie slots do they both share 1X connection or can we sli both of them for 2x (and maybe together with the express card slot for maybe 3x)

 

each miniPCIe slot will have it's own PCIe lane.

In fact each one has two PCIe lanes.
One of the lanes is reserved, we need a datasheet to know which pins are what.

you can get 4x with just 2 miniPCIe ports (if you're lucky).

by the way, you can't get 3x.

 

I c. If i can get access the data sheet how to i go about accessing the reserved lanes. Thank for all the help so far. You guys have been great.

 

It would be simple if we had the datasheet.

But to get access to the datasheet you would need to become a member of PCISIG and that will cost you $2000.

We already have the 2003 and 2005 versions of the datasheet.

they show 8 reserved pins for another PCIe lane. But we dont know exacty what those 8 pins are.

we do know which three of them are GND, but there are 5 more pins we dont know.

EDIT: If we find out what those 8 pins are, we can just let HWtools know and they should make a new adapter.

 

this is regarding an earlier question is is posible to connect a 2x connection with a 1x conection.(that is what i meant when i said 3x). Since u said there is no 3x connection does that mean that the above connection is not possible. Also i found this on the intel datasheet for my mobo "PCI Express Ports 1-4 can also be configured as one x2 port (using ports 1 and 2) with ports 3 and 4 configured as x1 ports." Does this mean i need all four port just to get a 2x connection or only port 1 and 2

 

I guess maybe you could connect one card with at 2x bandwidth.
then connect another card at 1x.

Then if you connect the two cards in SLI mode, I don't know but it sounds possible.

Worth a try at least

 

does that mean u can't connect the port with the 2x connection with the port with 1x like when express card 2.0 comes out it should have 2x connection and u try to connect it with the mini pcie slot which is only 1x using PE4H to make one output instead of using two separate cards

 

If you have two seperate cards in SLI, there will only be one output.

with express card 2.0, it is 1x 2.0. which is double the bandwidth of 1x 1.0.
But it is not 2x.

so I don't think you can get 4x combining expresscard and 1 mini PCIe port.

 

i see. Thank for the info. Looking forward to the official release of the PE4H

 

Anyone tried this with a T400s?

 

PE4L is released

Adds mini pci-e connectivity using a PM3N. PE4H is still the performance enthusiasts choice, with better USB port placement, full x16 slot and 12V voltage regulation. Last ETA for PE4H release was Sep 11.

Difference between PE2L/PE4L/PE4H products

• US$35 PE2L: x1 open-ended pci-e slot, 12V via DC jack[discontinued]
• US$55 PE4L: x1 open-ended pci-e slot, USB, 12V via DC jack OR floppy molex connector
• US?? PE4H: 16x pci-e slot, USB, x2 capable, 12V/60W regulated input so can use 12-20V notebook power adapter

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

 

Wow I thought of this ever since like 2006 finally someone else thought of it with more knowledge then me does it work? I wouldn't mind preordering hahahaa

 

Yessssss!!
Do they ship to Germany?

 

Why the change in price all of the sudden? if we want x2 mode, when the PE4H is released, will there be option to get express card adapter and mini pci-e? I'll have to see if x2 is even possible on my LG P300.. Can't wait for release of PE4H

 

Greed There's a few pieces of plastic, 1 transistor, a few cables.. no way that's worth $65

 

Well there was some development costs as well as the price comparison to the vidock. It's still more than $100 cheaper

 

Users who are following this thread may have noticed that the PE4L is available at a higher price than originally thought.

There is a solution

If the PE4L/PE4H 30cm mini HDMI to mini HDMI cable is too short, the options are:

- the hwtools 100cm cable is US$30 as shown below


- other ebay/online sellers mini hdmi to mini hdmi cable. 0.5m (1.5ft), 1m (3ft) available for < US$10 shipped



Just note if intending to use it with mini pci-e the bulby bit needs to be as shallow as possible if you have a narrow and short cavity, as most mini pci-e slots are. Not sure if the 1.8m would be suitable. It *might* degrade the signal too much. I guess we'll find out soon enough. I'd be looking at a 50cm+ cable if intending to use the mini pci-e slot since it's not on the edges of the system like the expresscard is.

 

so all we need to do is buy the adapter and buy either a power supply or laptop power adapter + the video card of our choice correct? let me know if im missing anything. Working with a brand new studio xps 13 so im sure i have express card slot.

 

Yes, development cost is probably the main reason why the price is high. The more that are bought though, the lower the price will get.

 

yes, it should work for you.

But I would wait for the PE4H to be released.

 

Also in order to do x2 mode we have to remove out wireless card to access the mini pci slot? if so then i would just stick to the regular L version since thats a big hassle to do.

 

so, any word on the PE4H release date?

 

yes you would need to remove the wireless card.
But you would get more than double the performence of 1x.

 

I have an AGP card that is not being used, can this method also work with an AGP card, pending we get an AGP dock? How does this DIY work compare to that Asus XG or the like?

 

I highly doubt they are making a version using AGP. Its old, outdated, and slower and not as good as PCIe. So, there would be no point.

 

What will happen if you connect 1 PE to the expressport, 2nd PE to the miniport and then connect 2 video cards with the crossfire bridge?

 

Well I have an apg card with nothing to do with it atm.

 

true but i cant game with out wireless internet......

 

Oh. Well, AFAIK there are no PCIe to AGP adapters... So you'll just have to buy a new card if you want to do this.

Yeah... But you could always get a USB WiFi card.

 

So you need to remove your wireless card for PE4H? Is here anyway to use it without doing this? Im upgrading to a geforce 280.

 

No. To get X1 Speeds all you need is an Expresscard.

if you want X2. (Which is much better), you will also have to remove your WiFi card, to plug it in there.

No way around it, if you want X2.

 

Does the wifi have to be removed or do you just need a mini pcie slot available? while most people are looking at how this will be a great addition to their laptop, I'm more interested in this for a custom build I might start.

 

you just need a free miniPCIe slot.

You can get 2x many ways.

1. express card + miniPCIe

2. 2 miniPCIe ports

3. 1 miniPCIe port (if you can figure out how to get the reserved lane working).

 

man i just noticed on my xps 1340 its not easy to take my wireless card out. i have to take the whole panel on the bottom off............. so this is definitely a no go for the x2 model for me. unless i buy a newer laptop with unscrewable panels

 

@tvdang7, if you buy the long cable you can probably string it through a hole in your notebook.

 

can we ask for pci male - pci female cable that's pretty short if we want to configure the mini-pcie pe4h inside so we dont have a cable hanging out of the notebook?

 

price droped to $55 for the PE4L.

I'v noticed HWtools does like to drop the price of their adapters.

 

Still waiting for that PE4H! I'll probably be running it with a mid range card though.

 

what is the point of this... i dont get it at all? your adding a external graphics card in addition to the internal card? or does this replace an internal card?

.

 

It replicates the functionality of the ViDock. Using it we can add an external graphics card that is usually much more powerful that what we have in our laptops by connecting it to our expresscard slot or mini pci-e. There's a trade off of needing a power supply, the need of an external monitor and a performance loss