Lets figure out how to build a PE4H

First post here

Anyway, I've been doing a lot of research on how to install a eGPU on to my computer(toshiba L300), and what the cheapest options would be.

I'm more of a diy guy, and there are some posts on how to create your own adapter, but I couldn't find an x2 or x4 solution; the only diy ones are x1 1.0.

so here's my take:

Why can't I buy a 16x to 4x riser adapter (this also saves alot of time on soldering since it is already wired) and figure out how the slots connect to the graphics card, then solder accordingly?






Also, If somehow this technique workes, it would be 2.0 compatible right?

Lastly, I couldn't find any diy posts about how to connect a pcie to an express slot, can someone show me where the guide is hidden (between the thousands of pages ).

Oh and I don't take "there's no way" as an answer

 

Your Q should go to "Let's figure how to make a DIY..". thread.
Anyway. What's your L300 toshiba's port config? I mean EC and the mpcie ports numbering.

 

See Pre-purchase FAQ -> 12. Can I solder my own adapter to host an eGPU instead of buying one from HIT, BPlus, Redtrontech, Villagetronic? for some DIY adapter examples.

pci-e 2.0 link speed requires special cabling layout and endpoint termination which is difficult to achieve using home style gear. Though why would you need multi-lane pci-e 2.0? Only Series-6 (Sandy Bridge) and newer chipsets have pci-e 2.0 capable mPCIe/expresscard slot so require special OEM-only software to set x2/x4 mode. Series-5 (1st gen i-core) and older can set x2/x4 mode using Setup 1.x software.

I'd advise checking ebay for a s/h PE4H 2.x (multi-lane pci-e 1.x) or grab a pci-e 2.0/3.0 capable PE4L 2.1b from HIT/BPlus so save you the $$ and trouble of trying to doing it yourself. PE4L 2.1b is also sold on ebay with slightly cheaper international shipping by a company called redrontech.

 

Thanks for the fast response

What I'm trying to do is find a way to create a X2 1.0 link that was <50$. All of those questions were theoretical so I could get an idea of what to build.

(I was asking to see if making a x4 link was as easy as getting a x16 to x4 adapter and soldering the correct wires, then why isn't it implemented yet?)

I've already taken a look at the DIY links (the acyd(russian) sends me to google translate, it never links to a real page ) none of them were really clear on the circuitry.

Is a mpcie the same circuit as an expresscard? If so I can work off of this:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/e-gpu-external-graphics-discussion/397667-lets-figure-out-how-make-diy-vidock-65.html#post5383584

and this

http://forum.notebookreview.com/e-gpu-external-graphics-discussion/397667-lets-figure-out-how-make-diy-vidock.html

If I can figure out some way to make a cheap, practical X2 1.0 link, then I can make my completely portable egpu setup which I will share when I'm done with it


*EDIT*

Nothin like good old google and wikipedia:

PCI Express - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

PCI Express Mini Card (Mini PCIe) pinout and wiring @ pinoutsguide.com

 

I found something odd on the Mini pcie schematic


What are those reserved pins?

can they be used to extend the X1 to X2?

 

Hi,

I've just tried (and failed) to solder my own expresscard-Pcie x1 1.0 adapter as many others have in the 'Pre-purchase FAQ' section, and thought I'd share my experiences (If they are of any use to you). Although I cannot speak for the 2.0 wiring, for a 1.0 adapter I imagine wiring a x2 or x4 link is largely the same as wiring a x1 link, i.e. with the exception of the pins above the mechanical key, just connecting the transmitter reciever pairs and grounds from the pcie riser to the respective mcpie/expresscard pins.

I attempted it using a similar method to you, using a pcie riser with a cable (the exact one you posted) and tore apart an expresscard to gain acess to the pins. The reason I abandoned the project is I ran into difficulty soldering many cables side by side on the expresscard - there is a block of about 10 simultaneous pins that must be soldered, which are in an entirely different order than the ribon cable of the pcie riser leading to loads of tangles. In addition the pitch of the expresscard pins is incredibly narrow, about 1mm, and is ever so slightly narrower than the ribbon cable that runs from the pcie riser, which leads to lots of bunching up of cables. In the end, after two days of soldering 8 and accidentely de-soldering 1 or 2, then starting again I gave in. I'm pretty experienced at soldering and have had success in the past soldering SMD LED's, but these tiny connections were too much for me. I'm sure you're probrably alot better than me at soldering and probrably wont run into too much difficulty, but just thought I'd share my experience.

I've also attached a table for the pinout from the expresscard to pcie for a x1 1.0 connection, all credit for this goes to sonnymv and others who have built their own adapter from whom alot of this is based on. I hope this helps.



Chris

EDIT:
Here's the link to sonnymv's sucessfull expresscard->pcie x1 1.0 implimentation (you mentioned you had no sucess with the russian page). http://forum.notebookreview.com/e-g...851-diy-egpu-experiences-876.html#post8356280