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

32-bit compaction on the 8600GTm would have also correctly setup the bridge for the HD4670 and moved the 8600GTm to the largest contiguous block b/w TOLUD and 4GB.

Win7 will not automatically do 36-bit allocation. The driver and device needs to support it. Eg: I found mobile NVidia gpus refused 36-bit allocation and recent desktop NVidia and ATI gpus allow 36-bit allocation with latest drivers. You can confirm by checking the memory range resources of the HD4670. If it's less than 0x100000000 then it's 32-bit.

I've linked the Experiences first post to your post above to highlight that a 6GB setup is possible.

 

So it turns out you are right. Both graphics cards are actually in 32 bit space. But the plot thickens. I attempted to shut down and restart and chainload using the created pci.bat but I end up with error 12 on the 8600gt. I took careful notes when testing the various options in the vidock config software. The only way I could successfully get both graphics cards working is if I do:

32 bit compaction on v1 & v2
Boot windows
Restart
32 bit compaction on v2
Boot windows
Restart
32 bit compaction on v1.
Boot windows.

This is the only scenario that windows will successfully recognize both cards. If I shut down instead of resetting, this process will not work.

Couple things I noticed:
32 bit compact ALL will always result with "Please Insert Disk In Drive B:"
Compacting with the various methods on a fresh boot yields different locations for largest available free space. On fresh boot I get
V1 0000000
V2 C000000
V1&V2 0000000

Apon doing the sequence above the last compaction will yield
E0000000

Whenever the largest available space is E0000000 both cards will function.

 

The stupid emoticons made the numbers look stupid. They are
V1 = D0000000
V2 = DC000000
V1&V2 = D0000000

The system is running right now. Is there a way to take a memory dump using RW everything to see what the config space actually looks like?

 

+rep awesome idea ^^

 

So it means you must have both video cards allocated in 32-bit space for it to work.

BY doing a warm reboot, it preserves some PCI config space details. So both Win7's and compacts PCI reallocation get you going.

Three suggestions below on how you could get your configuration happening without those inconvenient reboot set of steps.

Try a ALL allocation, running completely off ramdisk

This is in case the USB or SATA controller is giving problems. Run completely off ramdisk to avoid need to access USB controller

Code:

R:
compact pciend 100000000 import %RAMD%:\config\devcon.txt
grubbeta w7

Try ALL allocation but exclude likely problem devices: usb and sata controllers

1. set @args.fil containing the following. Use this so don't encounter 126char parameter line limits

Code:

pciend 100000000 preserve [vid:did of USB and sata controller] import %DRV%:\config\devcon.txt makebatch %DRV%:\config\pci.bat

2. Run 'compact @args.fil'
3. Run 'call %DRV%:\config\pci.bat'
4. Run 'grub4dos w7'

Compare PCI config space on boot versus working setup

Compare the output of 'pt PCI map' and 'lspci -vvx' on a fresh boot and just prior to chainloading your working setup, then manually create a setpci-based batch file to do that allocation.

 

Ill try it
Screen shot of it running

 

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this, but if anyone is looking for a low power (no ATX) graphics card for their DIY Vidock setup, I'm selling my four-month old EVGA GeForce GT240 Video Card (512MB DDR5, PCI-E 2.0, DVI HDMI VGA) graphics card for $45 shipped.

The card was lightly used for three months as part of a DIY Vidock setup. It's a very quiet and power-efficient card that allows you to play a lot of new games at high settings (e.g. Starcraft 2, L4D2). It does not need an ATX power supply, just a 72W power brick from ebay will work. It was never overclocked and I bought it new from Tigerdirect. Cosmetically it is excellent. It has an one year warranty until August 2011.

I just got a gaming laptop and no longer need this card, so I'm selling the card for $45 with FREE three-day shipping to continental U.S.

Please reply or message me if interested! Thanks.

 

I'd suggest throw it on ebay and see what you get.

DIY ViDock users should consider a US$60AR GT430 Fermi instead, as it too functions with a 72W adapter but can do a x1.Opt setup on candidate systems with 4500MHD or Intel HD primary graphics. Much better performance option for $15 more.

 

Guys, I just wanted to add a bit of info regarding the Dell Latitude E6410 as I see a number of people have asked about this.

So I'm interested in putting together my own DIY setup as although I have a newish QM57/4GB/i5 machine I only have the Intel HD graphics. While they're much better than the old stuff I basically would like to play Left 4 Dead 2 hence me turning here for help.

Anyway, a few people are suggesting that this laptop can do a x2 but I don't think it honestly can. From what I can see there are 5 PCI-E ports immediately visible or accessible.

#1 WWAN Port - Full
#2 Wifi - Half
#3 Firewire controller - Not visible so it must be under what I can see from the first level (i.e. when you remove the first cover)
#4 Expresscard (got this from another thread - don't have any devices to check)
#5 Hidden port next to DC/Displayport - Full

So I can't see how you would put together a combination in order to get the x2. If anyone is more experienced or has had a success story please chime in because I'm thinking of just accepting that I can only do x1 and getting a PE4L/PE4H and pairing that with something low powered. If it helps I can post a screenshot of Everest sometime tomorrow.

On that note - does anyone know the best card that'll not run me more than £70 in the UK (on a budget)? Is a GT430 much cop or should I spring for something a couple of models up - if so what? I'd really like to keep my solution relatively low power so I can feed it with a brick PSU instead of a full blown ATX lump.

Massive thanks to all who have contributed to this thread by the way. It's a great resource so cheers!

 

You could do a x2 link combining your two mPCIe ports: port1+port2. Though if you went a ATI card, your series-5 chipsets can't do x2E, so wouldn't get full performance.

Your Intel HD means you can do x1.Opt, which is very similar performance to x2 non-Optimus as shown, bettering it in some cases. Same link shows the Optimus performance tweak does not engage when it detects a x2 link. In which case you might I suggest stick with the cheaper and simpler x1 setup.

Can get a GTS450 for < 90.quid. It's a 105W device so could save yourself money by using any basic ATX PSU you might find wandering a business district near you, equipped with a phillips screwdriver A GTS450 benchmarks as twice faster than a GT430 on a x16 2.0 link.

Or, if get a PE4L, then can do a portable setup by using a US$20 12V/120W AC adapter + US$2 molex splitter/gender changer + US$2 pci-e to molex (male). Create a jumper lead from the floppy molex to the pci-e connector as shown here to split the power.

 

Thanks for the reply first of all Nando.

Yeah, only problem with that combo is that Port 2 is only half-size. All the pics I've seen of the P3MN show you probably need a full-size port to make a clean job of it unless you hack the board and cable down.

That's valuable info about the x1.Opt - I'll probably go for that now, especially as I've just sorted a PE4L + EC2C for $65 delivered to the UK. I've also asked the seller about throwing in a SWEX as well because presumably I need that if I want to just use a regular ATX PSU.

Actually I'm really happy about this optimus tweak - I'll try and do some forum searches on it now!

 

please delete my post.

 

I've got one, serious question - is it working under Linux?

 

So I got the data from LSPCI and PT. I discovered windows takes no role in the allocation.
The process now goes:

boot dos
plug in vidock
32 bit compaction on vid 1&2
unplug vidock
ctrl alt del

boot dos
plug in vidock
32 bit compaction on vid 2
unplug vidock
ctrl alt del

boot dos
plug in vidock
32 bit compaction on vid 1
unplug vidock
ctrl alt del
check for 64 mb free space at e0000000

boot windows

I got data from PT and LSPCI by doing LSPCI -vvx > lspci.txt and PT PCI map > pt.txt for properly configured spaces and fresh boots. how do I go about using setpci properly? I am having trouble relating the data from pci.bat to the outputs of lspci and pt.

Thanks

 

I tested a HD4670 way back on a DV2000 and 2510P under Linux. Both worked fine. However, PCI compaction (Setup 1.x) was required for a 3GB DV2000.

Would need to note the differences in address space (memory/IO) required to get your 'good configuration' and then manually make those changes with a setpci-based batch file.

Another way that *might* work, depending on where the PCI config spaces are active AND intersect other devices: modify \core\pcicap.bat to save 4kb config spaces (0x1000). Then once you have your 'good to go' config, save all the devices in a batch file using 'pcicap save -d [vid:did]', an entry for each device as listed by 'lspci -n'. To apply this 'good configuration', load your PCI config space for each device via a batch file containing 'pcicap load -d [vid:did]'.

 

Hi again!

Is there any way to make this setup work through an eSata port?

It would be faster I think.

 

Dear Everybody,

I red this thread, and maybe thats what I need for my problem.

I have an ASUS N71JQ notebook, and I would like plug it with a big screen Display: Dell Ultrasharp U2711, or U3011.
BUT Thease monitors, have big native resolution, U2711(2560x1440), U3011(2560x1600), and my laptop have only HDMI out. Dont have any dual link DVI port. And HDMI can only send the picture upto 1920x1200

My notebook have express card slot, so maybe with thease special "tuning" can I solve my problem?

I think I need an express card connector, and a PCI-Express slot thing, and of course a normal desktop graphic card(this will be the easiest point to choose ), but need I mybe power adapter? or anything else?

But what should I buy for that? Which part of spareparts (with exact product types)? Please help me what should I buy step by step, and than how can I setup from the software side this system (drivers, etc)


Im a noob for that, and thats what I need this small help, step by step tutorial...

thanks for your help

 

Has anyone done this to an IBM T500? I haven't look thru as I just discovered this thread and new here!

 

Does the PE4H v2.0a DC-In jack accept a [email protected] laptop adaptor as power source to power a <75W-rated green graphics card (needs no external 6-pin power)?

 

Hi guys!
I read about this external graphics solution, and it made me interested I have a Toshiba L300-2C5 (T4300,2GB DDR2, GMA4500), and i want to play games It's important to play CSS ( before i sold my Desktop PC, i played a lot ), and i want to play other games, in 1680 Low or Medium settings. I'm thinking about buying an ATI 4670 and a ViDock DIY, but:

Why is the P4EH better than the P4EL? The first one is much faster? Because there is a huge difference between 55$ and 85$ ... Which one should i choose?

2nd Q: Can i order from Hungary?

Thanks a lot Kishajos

 

- since you have 4500MHD, I'd suggest going a GTS450 or GTX460 x1.Opt setup for best performance.
- see comments of PE4H versus PE4L for GTX4xx usage
- hwtools does worldwide delivery of PE4L/PE4H DIY ViDock parts.

 

Thanks A GTX460 sounds great

 

Hey guys I just found this and it looks like a great idea but i dont know if my computer would be compatible with this diy vidock, ( i read there are some problemas having 4 gb ram) so i wanted to ask you if you think my computer would be compatible with this, its a toshiba satellite a665 4 gig of ram i7 1.6 thanks for the help

 

If you can swap your i7-720M with a i5 or i7-620M, then your A665 will provide switchable IntelHD+GTS350M. The Intel HD component allowing a Nvidia x1.Opt setup which can provide benchmarks bettering your existing GTS350M. This setup will provide no issues with 4GB installs since the GT350M can be disabled using Setup 1.x to liberate resources if need to.

If you keep the i7-720M, then can't do x1.Opt. In which case a DIY ViDock could not better your existing performance levels. It could however be used to provide Eyefinity multi-monitor support.

 

i see so i cant do any kind of diy vidock setup unless i swap my i7 720m? D:

 

Intel Core Socket G1 (PGA988) MOBILE CPUs
Some prices on Socket G1(Socket 988A) Intel i5/i7 Mobile CPUs.

There are Socket G/rPGA 989 that can take Socket G1/rPGA 988A and/or Socket G2/rPGA 988B (SandyBridge-M) processors.

According to CPU-Z, my XPS laptop's motherboard has Socket G/989, but I haven't physically check it.

 

Whats the diferrence between socket g1 988A and socket g1 989

 

Still searching for information.

 

Dont really understand all this information lol.. guess vidock its the only option left..

 

Hello; I own this laptop(a Sony F11). Could anybody help me configure the best DIY ViDock setup possible for my laptop?

Only requirements are the ability to use this monitor at its native resolutions of 1920 x 1200(is that possible?) and the ability to use FRAPS(I can currently use it, but not as well as I would like; would DIY ViDock raise compatibility issues with FRAPS?).

Why doesn't anybody use the 500 series video cards? Thank you!

 

I'm pretty sure a majority of video cards can run at the 1920x1200 resolution. The GT 8800 supports a max resolution greater than your needs for vga and its quite a bit old.

The viddock should not have any compatibility issues with fraps. I haven't had a problem with it, except for the expected FPS drop... but thats about it.

A possible reason why the 500 series isnt used as widely is because if for example you are using an x1, there is no reason to have such a powerful card because you can only get that much data through an x1, which I assume is what most people have because I don't think many people sacrifice their wifi for an x2.

 

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

 

if nobody does id suggest you get it from harmonic inversion. the shipping costs less

 

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

I just got the P4HL from harmonic inversion, it took less than a week to arrive (I ordered it right before New Years, so it might be even faster than that normally). They shipped from Kansas City to me in New York. Shipping was only $10 via UPS, so $65 total. It worked with no issues.

 

Hello guys and an Happy New Year.

Hope is the right thread.

I have a Vaio VGN-Z21VN/X:

# Intel Core 2 Duo P9500, 2.53 GHz, 6MB cache L2, FSB 1066 MHz
# 4096 MB DRR3 1066MHz
# NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS, 256MB
# Hard Disk 320 GB SATA 7200 rpm
# 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x i.LINK Firewire, 1 x VGA, 1 x Headphone Jack, 1 x Microphone Jack, 1 x Docking-Station, 1 x Express Card/34, 1 x Memory Stick (Duo/Pro Duo), 1 x Slot SD Card, 1 x RJ11, 1 x RJ45

Can i use a ViDock 4 Plus + Radeon HD 5870/GTX 480?

Thank you very much.

 

This thread might be more helpful for you:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gaming-software-graphics-cards/418851-diy-vidock-experiences.html

 

Long time reader, first time poster.

What do you ppl think; Will the current PE4H/PE4L+EC2C work at full speed (5Gb/s) on intel's new 1x 2.0 ExpressCard port?

If so, buying a PE4L+EC2C and GTX460 would be a great solution for my current Thinkpad T400 (using optimus tweak, 3dmark score: 11000pts) as well as a future Sandy Bridge platform (3dmark06 score: 22000pts?).

 

Got a email reply from Tech Support at bplus:

 

so ur saying even if they released a laptop today with a sandy bridge setup that had a working 1x 2.0 expresscard slot, i would still not be able to use it cause the PE4h and PE4l dont support it anyway?

 

That is correct.

I don't know the electric differences between PCI-E 1.0 and 2.0, but according to bplus the current PE4L(v1.4)/PE4H(v2.4) will NOT work at 5Gb/s using ExpressCard adapter on a Sandy Bridge platform

 

In the progress link there were hints the PE4L/PE4H was pci-e 2.0 compliant. To be 100% sure I've asked hwtools to clarify suggesting they could test on a pci-e 2.0 desktop equipped system using their H1PA/H4PA, mini HDMI cable and PE4L/PE4H.

 

wat about the EC2C card is that expresscard 2.0 standard?
i have a suspicion we will need to change it to one that is?

 

will optimus mode be possible with the hm67, and how much better will it increase performance vs current optimus configuration?

 

im looking to get a Clevo p151hm1
FHD 1920x1080
Core i7 2630QM
nVidia GTX 460M
8GB DDR3 1333Mhz

for 1499$ aud. but it does not come with a expresscard slot. in fact im hard pressed to find a consumer retail laptop with expresscard + sandy bridge atm.
so i was thinking, i can just access to the mpcie slots at the bottom of the machine and use a PM3M?

this creates the hassle of having to elevate the machine to access the guts. but at least it allows me to buy a super cheap i7 sandy bridge and vidock
is this a good idea? or am i forgetting some important element,

 

I think I am having the same problem on a tx2 but do not know how to fix it. I have changed the pci.bat to read like your code, but when I hotplug it after windows7 loads I always come up with the code 12 error as well as a instead of the name of the card it is a Standard VGA graphics adapter. Thanks for any input and time!

Sorry to bother, but you seem like the only one that may know.

 

I'm so sorry, but all this information is really confusing to me. I really want to do a DIY ViDock because my laptop has a crappy x3100 built in. I own a Acer Extensa 5620-6830 and I have a expresscard 54 slot. I'm just wondering how would I go about doing a DIY ViDock. I'm seriously thinking about just buying a setup that's already been implemented such as this one here. I don't understand what the difference between a PE4H and a PE4L is. If anything, I know that graphic cards can fit into PE4H since it has that one slot. I wouldn't know what to do with a PE4L. I just want to spend say $200 and stop using this integrated chip I have on my laptop. Any help would be greatly appreciated, really. My cousin has been wanting me to play some new games with him and I can't due to my laptops poor GPU. Either a suggested setup or anything that will work will be helpful. Thank you.

 

I have got a big problem:
i boughts an pe4h -ec2c and his 5770
all was working since yesterday all things i have since 1 week
the day before yesterday i was playing farcry2 on hight all was working
now when i plug in my graphic card just nothing happens ??
i really dont know what to do ...
i tryed a few drivers but it doesnt make it better no soun just nothing
(if i plug it in)
i have got a hp compaq with
win 7 prof x64
intel 965 (x3100)
2.00 ghz dual
4gb ram (only 2 in cos error 12)


sorry for my baad enghlish and i hopfe you can help me ..

laptop000

@rkroha just remove 2 gb ram..
then you wont get error 12 then you can do DIYVdock setup in oyu boot menu

 

As it's not the easiest thing to search on a subject such as this DIY Vidock, I decided to just ask it straight.

As the Thinkpad X200 has 3 PCI-E mini slots and a Expresscard slot: Could I connect 4 x PCIEMM-060 cables to a PE4H adapter? At which speed would it be then running? Would it be running 4x 1x = 4x?

Thanks

 

hello there
i dont know what to do :
i have got my 5770+p4eh and ec2c now for 2 weeks all workes fine and i was able to play farcry2 on ultrahight but now when i plug in the external graphics card just nothing happens ???
i already reinstalled win7 ultimate x64 but with no affect ...
i hope someone can help me cos i dont know what to do

sorry for my bad english
greez
laptop000