DIY ViDock via ThinkPad Advanced Dock

Hi,

ThinkPad Advanced Dock (Model# 250310U according to thinkwiki) provides a PCIe extension, where for instance one can plug in an external graphics card, so this is sort of pointing to the DYI-ViDock-type of idea So far, so good, but first here the bad news:

(L1) The slot is not really big enough to put a full-sized graphics card with its own cooling into it;

(L2) The PCIe seems to be limited to x1.

Now, the good news is that all this means one could supply PCIe input to the dock connector of various ThinkPad models, using the internals of the Advanced Dock. So, under the assumption that one could take the Advanced Dock apart in a non-destructive way, this raises 3 questions:

(Q1) Would it be possible to make a DIY ViDock out of this - as far as I understand - having the advantage of delivering better output to the laptop screen instead of having to use an external one?

(Q2) Could the dock connector of the laptop supply full x16 speed to the laptop, resp. would the laptop be able to handle this input (i.e. without limiting the speed or burning down)?

(Q3) And if so, would it be possible to modify the internals of the advanced dock so as to remove the x1 limitation and even provide full x16?

Also, the dock connector can be used in a way supplementel to the ExpressCard, mini PCIe or WWAN slot, so 4x x1 becomes thinkable.

So, guys and gals, what do you think? As of yet, there are more questions than answers, and most of it is plain hypothetical, yet I think it could become a promising project

Thanks,

Marin

 

See Guide to getting a Radeon 5770 working with an Advanced Dock.

 

Thank your for the link! It is great to discover that someone has already done this and there is even a guide to it!