eGPU Dell E6520 + GTX660Ti - working!

Hi! Firstly, I need to say thanks for all the people here. Due to yours effort I can play new games on high details!

My Dell E6520:
i5-2520M
8GB RAM
Win7 x64

and:

PE4L-EC060A
Thermaltake Smart SE Modular 630W
MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti

PSU i much to powerful for this GPU, but I have this one before so decided to use this.

How to make this work?
Enable eGPU kit (PSU+switch from adapter) --> power on laptop --> press F8 to interrupt windows start --> insert ExpressCard from adapter --> select "Start Windows normally".

I installed latest nVidia desktop drivers, reboot. Then I modified latest nVidia laptop (Verde) drivers to work with 660 Ti and istalled them. Reboot. At every boot I need to use the sequence with pressing F8 (above).

After that eGPU works fine and GPU-Z shows "PCI Express x1 v.1.1" no matter if I use render test.

In windows I use safe remove (eject) on VGA controller, unplug ExpressCard, plug again and now i have "Pci Express x1 v.2.0" (as in screenshot bellow).



Everything is working fast and stable for past few days, I play Planetside 2, Starcraft 2, SWTOR, Skyrim and enjoy beautiful graphics

I use internal LCD for the most time. If you would like I can post my 3dMark scores.

Once again, thank you!

 

Yes, please post 3dMark scores. I wonder how 660Ti works with i5 2520.

 

3dMark (2013) on internal LCD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5-2520M Processor,Dell Inc. 0NVF5K

and on external screen:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5-2520M Processor,Dell Inc. 0NVF5K

I will post 3dMark 06 later

Also, I dicovered easier way to attach eGPU. Now I just start Windows normally, turn on PSU and eGPU, insert ExpressCard from adapter (usually need to do it twice: plug, unplug, plug) and it works as 1.2Opt

 

Might be able to set the expresscard to 2.0 in your BIOS. That's what I did with my hp 4530s and now it is always 1.2opt.

 

Im affraid I dont have such option in my BIOS. To be honest that Dell bios is VERY simple and only have very basic options.

One way or another, Im very satisfied with gaming now Many games this time are very CPU dependent, so I feel now like my i5-2520M is a bottleneck now.

 

Yeah I just switched from my i5 macbook pro to a 2670qm hp 4530s The difference is huge. It's especially apparent in multiplayer games. But comparing the Intel Graphics to an egpu? It is still a CRAZY boost.

 

3DMark06 on internal LCD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5-2520M Processor,Dell Inc. 0NVF5K

 

That's awesome. I'm looking at getting an ultrabook and will definitely try to put one of these together for home use.

 

My laptop is HP Probook 4530s, I use PE4C 2.1 + GTX 660
I've installed DIY 1.30, driver NVIDIA desktop and NVIDIA notebook (modified file nvami.inf http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/diy-egpu-experiences.418851/page-122#post-6542661)
But I don't have a external LCD



Can you help me to use internal LCD ?
Thank you.