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

Using the mini pci-e pinout as a reference, consider:

With it notebook off, check the reserved pins with a DMM doing continuity checks against known GND, 3.3V and 5V points . If they are wired connected, especially to GND, then there's no need to do further testing. If not, then with system connected, check voltage of the reserved pins being VERY careful to not short those with neighbouring pins. That would confirm if those pins are connected to the ICH8M I/O chips. Pins 45, 47, 49, 51 are the likely extra lane pci-e pins of interest. Interestingly, expresscard has only 2 reserved pins.

 

so if I assume that:
pin45 = PCI Express RX -
pin47 = PCI Express RX +
pin49 = PCI Express TX -
pin51 = PCI Express TX +

then I should connect the negative terminal of my DMM to pin45 and the positive one to pin47, then I shoud see the voltage which would mean the guess was right?

Also I would do the same for pin49 and pin51.

 

So, to make it X2. Say I buy the PE4. What else would I need to connect it to the Mini PCIe in y laptop?

...Is the $100US PEMINI2X1-F the only option?

 

If you want x2 you could use the PE4 and the PM3 (witch is very simmilar to the PEMINI2X1-F but it should be $40).

 

Some ideas how to wire it up here. I've yet to hear back from my last two emails to hwtools requesting addition of x2 mode support as suggested in above link. While waiting it's worth identifying which expressport/mini pci-e is physically port1 and port2 by probing them as described here. They're the ones that can be combined to get a x2 link according to Intel's ICH8M/ICH9M I/O chipset datasheet.

 

Ok, i see.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

PCI-E x1 is wonderful but quite silly for anyone buying a new laptop(me).
Barebones with GTX 260M are coming down to very user friendly prices.

I am very surprised noone starts "Let's figure how to convert internal 230pin MXM to an external PCI-E x16 box"
Solution of this sort actually gives you a full x16 speed and brings certain revolutionary consequences with it.

After looking through laptop pci-e x16 pinouts (Nvidia MXM) from

http://www.freehardwarefoundation.org/documents/MXM_Electro_Spec.pdf

and desktop pci-e x16 pinouts from

http://pinouts.ru/Slots/pci_express_pinout.shtml

and reading into it a little more i figured it is quite possible but would require an external video card enclosure with a pcb inside that would consist of the following:

1. Physical converter that splits the 230 pin MXM into PCI-E bus itself, LVDS and DVI/VGA

2. LVDS serializer that would convert desktop video card DVI out into a laptop complient LVDS input - could be a slight problem as not all are the same, but apparently most comply with something similar to this:

http://www.national.com/analog/displays/open_LDI

3. One of those 5.25 inch drive bay mini-itx video card power supplies from Thermaltake.

4. You would have to use barebone laptops for easy and warranty void-free access to your MXM port. Internal card could be either pulled out completely or doubled up to be used with external box is not connected.

At the end we get true laptop with full-speed desktop video card performance experience with no need for external displays.
Would be wonderful to get some smarter electronics people into this.

I have left a couple of posts on vidock's facebook wall:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ViDock/89321949134
Let's see what comes of all of this.
Thank you.

 

It's a good idea, I think nando4 also mentioned using MXM to power the notebooks internal screen.

But if you have a nice mxm port, would you really wan't a big desktop video card ruining your portability. When you could just buy a decent MXM card which would let you play the latest games anyway.

 

I was thinking the same way as toshiki do, but I changed my mind couple of weeks ago. Mobility is always on first place, that's why I have a laptop. Maybe, one day, when MXM 2.1 is totally forgotten, than I'll think the way toshiki does, but now, I still have Mobility HD4650 as an upgrade option, which is pretty descent GPU, and most of all - internal (yeah, a bit pricey though ).

 

It's more like you plug your external card into the box and have a short dvi cable go from the card into the ldvs serializer to feed the video signal back in.
I'm not sure why you're referring to lcd power here.

and

You don't have to sacrifice mobility as such if you, as i was saying earlier, "double up" the internal card with the external one, i.e. disconnect the box and connect the internal card back but on the outside of the laptop.
One possibility is making a small enclosure for the internal card and sticking it to the back of the lcd. You can make it all look quite acceptable.
...And whenever you need a proper desktop GTX 280 boost - connect the box back. This type of a hack is "a little" bigger(politically and speed-wise) than x1.
...With sli laptops you could have quite a lot more fun...

I wrote about ATI/AMD's XGP on VillageTronic's wall earlier: XGP would be an ideal candidate for such x16 external box, but i wish manufacturers' intentions with it were a little clearer on when the mass adoption of the connector is going to start.
In fact, i'm not sure it's worth buying a new laptop until the future of XGP is more or less defined.

...Why don't we talk a little more about he details of implementation?
For starters i'm not even sure where to get a MXM type bus extender cable strip to take the connection outside the chassis

 

By working this hack out we conquer 2 century-old battles:
1. The battle of being able to plug external video signal sources into laptop's LCD. (done through LVDS serializer)
2. The battle of full uncompromised desktop grade x16 video performance experience on a laptop without sacrificing mobility.
edit: And no need for convoluted drivers like vidock's

Let's get to it.

 

I used the wrong word, instead of "power" I should have said "drive".
I understand what you are saying.

Also I agree with working on this. It would be usefull. +rep.

 

Non-external graphic cards are also preventing me from buying a notebook.

I really like Toshi's idea. Especially when using something like the Alienware M17x which, in addition to an MXM slot, has an integrated GPU that can be used when not gaming. What I suggest is to leave the MXM slot unused and run the integrated GPU for mobility, until you want to connect the external GPU.

 

I have bought a Vidock 2 and now received it, they did tell me it came with a HD 4670, which it did not.( I called back they will take it back with not problems) So now i was left with the task of finding out what card would work with it. It has no manuals or specifications for it. I did find the power supply will provide 60-100 watts. So did order the HD 4850 its rated for 110watts max. The price was $292.00 for the Vidock. I will keep you updated on my progress once the card comes in.

 

Ok I found something for you:
http://www.hwtools.net/PDF/RD_list.pdf

It's the HWtools R&D list.

Now look on page 5 of the PDF. Look at the MX1.
I believe that is what you want

 

Marvelous find, moral hazard!!!
I should've thought of doing:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...K&num=50&q=mxm+site:hwtools.net&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
first thing

It says "under planning" for MX1
Here, however:
www.hwtools.net/PDF/RD_list_2009Mar05.pdf
It says that it's been out since june.
Not at all sure that the picture from the first pdf is of the actual product.
Need to drop them a line to suss out more.

This here:
http://www.liantec.com/product/TBM#Graphics_/_Video_Extension_Module
is as far as i got in the mean time... not too useful...

 

If you email HWtools they may make an ES for you.

Nando4 has been talking to them through email and he has saved the PE4 and also now hwtools might make a PE3, all of this would not be possible without nando4s emails.

So if you also email them, you could make it happen

 

Shot off a couple of emails to them.
Let's hope for the best.
I guess it wouldn't hurt if more people showed interest.

edit:
I've got a funny suspicion that MX1 is an adapter similar to the one i posted from liantec, but with desktop pci-e x16 instead of their proprietry "tiny bus"
The reason for this is that HWTool's naming convention starts with the side where the external device get plugged into thier adaptor board and finishes with the side where their adaptor board plugs into the computer.
Take PE3 for example(PCI-E and USB to Expresscard adaptor) means Expresscard side plugs into the computer and "PCI-E and USB" side is where you plug your external devices into PE3.
Hence, MX1(MXM to PCI-E 16x adaptor) is very much likely a desktop pci-e x16 board with an MXM port on it.
The picture in their pdf is almost surely of one of the MXM video cards.

At the end i would conclude that we'd need to get HWTools to make MX2 which should be named a "PCI-E 16x to MXM adaptor".
-> Yet another email coming their way...

 

Here's a proposed MX2 diagram i sent hwtools just so we're all on the same page here.

As btorgman was suggesting - "Hybrid SLI" or "True SLI" would be an ideal setup where you wouldn't need to keep the internal card plugged in on the outside of the laptop.

 

I guess many of the readers here would be considering how they could get x16 speed with their existing notebooks, ones without a MXM port? We can see that, for example, the 965PM chipset's pci-express uses >60 pins and runs off the Northbridge(MCH). An alternative here would be to have a custom BGA board sandwiched in between that chip and the circuit board so that it taps those pins running them to an external x16 pci-e slot via some sort of cable.The x16 pci-express port supports Intel's SVDO card (ADD2 or ADD+ whatever they call it). A bit of work, but it is a DIY thread so someone, somewhere, may take the initiative and perhaps develop a solution. Would require special equipment to lift the BGA chip, insert the custom sandwich board, then reattach the chip on top. Sandwich board would have to pass thru the other pins.

I'll be happy to see the x1 1.0 expressport/mini pci-e solution for the time being, hopefully being able to make that x2 1.0.

 

@nando4...

I know you are not getting any responces from Hwtools currently. But also, would you add one more request?
(If they arent there already) One or Two screw holes in the PE4. This could help in mounting it or placing it.

Thanks. .
Im not sure another way we could secure it. Im planning to make an enclosure/case to hold the PSU and card. But need a way to secure the PE4.

 

I think next weekend I will try to connect a PCIe ethernet card to my miniPCIe port with just an IDE cable.
I will follow nando4s instructions and hopefully get this working.

I did look everywhere in my garage for a PCIe graphics card but I just don't have one. And before I buy one I wan't to get my PCIe ethernet card working.

I will solder one end of the IDE cable to my ethernet card today (might post a pic if I have time) and next weekend I'll try to attach the other end directly to my miniPCIe pins.

 

Decided to start a dedicated thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5182294

 

Interesting HWTOOLS is planning a docking station, did you notice?

 

...hmm, no. i dont see anything like that.?

 

Yep, look here:
http://www.hwtools.net/PDF/RD_list_2009Mar05.pdf

DS1 - docking station
apps:
-Docking station for laptop
-VGA
-LAN
-MiniCard
-USB

status: Under Planning

BTW guys, Hwtools sent me the pack the last week via fedex, but the PE2L isnt here yet maybe in the following week Ill get it . Everything else is more than ready for the tests, photos, vids etc etc

 

Hmm, i wonder if thats going to be like a ViDock remake?

 

I wish you good luck, MexicanSnake

 

^^^
Yep, me too.

....Only a couple more days until the PE4. Cant wait.
Bought an HD4870 (Sapphire Vapor-X) HERE. and a fan.

Making a case/enclosure for it as well. To hold the card and PSU... Making a wood frame, and using a chiken wire type grate around it (in open areas), so there is good airflow, and it will be open to the air. Heres some of my ideas if anyones interested. Ill be posting pics and all when finished.
http://i28.tinypic.com/4lnbpl.jpg

...I wonder if ill be able to monitor temps on it...and control the fan...since its external, i wonder.

 

^^Amazing card!!!!! Im pretty sure your dock will look great! .

Btw here guys, here is how we will power the card using a PSU and the PCIE lane for the PE4 users:

http://aphnetworks.com/lounge/turn_on_psu_without_motherboard_the_paperclip_trick
This one has better pictures:
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/196/1


Its just an "electrical bridge" .

Thanks triturbo and ahl395 for the good wishes .

 

^^^
Yeah, i thought so too. I ended up going for the "deadly" price in the end, and it was fine.

.....hmm, so, the PSU wont power without a Motherboard!
I guess i never thought of this...But it looks like youve got it solved. Thanks!
----id give you rep if i could. need to spread it around first.

 

Nice!
I bought another XFX 4890 XT to try this out. It was actually on sale for 190 lol and I told my self what the heck? If this doesn't work out too well, I could stick it in my comp and run in crossfire

Can't wait to try this out with a PE4

 

yeah, thnx.

wow, nice
i couldnt spend that much. lol

 

question, can I connect an AGP card to my miniPCIe slot just to check if a graphics card will work?
here is the AGP pinout:
http://pinouts.ru/Slots/agp_pinout.shtml

I will try to wire something up today, I have a PCIe ethernet card and an AGP graphics card. Which one should I try?

 

ok, I'm not having much luck.

I think I will make my own PCB board, using something like this:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HG9990&keywords=pcb&form=KEYWORD

or this:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HG9970&keywords=pcb&form=KEYWORD

then I can plug the board into my miniPCIe port and solder directly to the board.

sort of creating my own miniPCIe card.

would that work?

Edit:

Or maybe I should use a pen with conductive ink and draw on a peice of cardboard, then use the cardboard as a miniPCIe card...

pen like this:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=NS3033&keywords=conductive+pen&form=KEYWORD

 

yes

I think I will go to jaycar and buy a double sided PCB board and see how it goes from there.

 

Ok, good.

I wonder if they will be able to change it though. With only about two days until release, right? Cant wait!

 

Wow! nice to see things got so well starting by HW planning of releasing a dock station
I guess I need to read all what I missed to keep myself update...

 

Yeah, id like to wait for the Dock. But... I cant. Im sure itll be released after the persons birthday that this will be for.

Anyway, well, 50 pages is alot to read through.
So, well, The PE4 should be available tomorrow if it passes all tests. The PE2L and PE2H are now released, which is the same as the PE4 with a X1 Connector, but with no USB and Molex. Speaking of that, we got HWtools to modify the PE4 with out suggestions. Of being powered by a molex connector, having a USB port, and i think a couple more things (but i forget ). Hwtools got the PE4 working on two different laptops. But did not work o when it had 4GB of RAM, although 2GB worked fine... We are trying to figure out a way to connect it at X2, instead of X1. This would most liekly be by using an expresscard and Mini-PCIe at the same time. Or modding some connectors. This is because X1 looses 40-60% performacne over X16. And X2 only looses 20-30% i think. I also discovered the ViDocks claim of only 6% loss in performance is BS. And its really more liek 50%. I think thats the general update.

Also, we have two testers for this currently AFAIK.
MexicanSnake and Me.
With a 4850 and a 4870.

 

I have a nice update guys...
But I have 2 good news and a bad new:

-Good new: The package arrived to my home the PE2L ARRIVED!.
-Bad new: Currently Im not at home, Im at the university ...
-2nd good new: One of my friends will open the package and take pictures today, he will send me the pictures later today, and Ill be at home the next Friday .

Hehehe so its here and its just matter of time until I make the DIY vidock.

 

Awesome!

When will you be going home? Have your friend hook it up!

 

Some of these, I already knew about ,but thanks for summarizing it for me (reminding never hurts)
I guess HW sees how much this could benefit them, from the way I see it they are very interested in making this happening (Mass production = Cheap price)

I would be happy to see the difference between 4850 and 4870 with this DIY ,but I can go so far and guess that they would have the same benchmark

Anyway, I wish you good luck with this DIY don't forget to keep us up with the good news

Great news! Congratulation!
If you could make you friend taking the picture for you, I say push him into going to your university this will save your time (and waste his)

 

Hehehe lol, the problem is that Im studying in a different city and my friend wouldnt like the idea of coming here... So I guess Ill have to wait until the next Friday...

 

That's almost 2 weeks Nooooooo, you can't do this to us


J/k

Good luck, I'm expecting more good news and no bad ones, next Friday/Saturday

@ahl395 - When you are expecting your?

 

Same with me, but sometimes when I be at university I can find someone who is going to the same city. So you might be lucky enough to find someone who can carry it for you. Might be one of your relatives or your friend's friend or smiler person who is trust worthy.

I hope you can get your hands on it as soon as possible ,so you can call Fedex and tell them (Your time is over) lol

 

lolol.

Well, im ordering the 4870 tomorrow. and ordering the PE4 (hopefully tomorrow) or whenever it becomes available.

 

...Uhh, wheres that PE4?

Hopefully will be up there soon. :/

 

where did you buy the part im curious and willing to be a "pioneer" but i have a different goal i wish to use the x1 pci e adapter in order to try and use my creative xfi titanium card on my laptop hopefully finally getting some hardware accelerated audio.

 

go to www.hwtools.net

then click on the "buy it now" tab.

the adapter for the express card slot it called PE4.
the adapter for the mini PCIe slot is called PM2, PM2C and future PM3.

I don't believe the PE4 is in the "buy it now" section yet, I think it was supposed to be available today but it's not up there yet.

 

Also the PE2L is available in the "buy it now" section.

check it out. it is for PCIe to express card slot.

Edit: