T420 & eGPU

Hello everyone! First post ^^ I want to buy a T420 and install an eGPU on it. Been reading around everywhere today on the process and I think I'm starting to barely grasp it.

My problem is... i've been reading material on egpu from 6+ months ago. Ive got no idea which hwtool parts or graphics card to buy. I have LOTS of questions that i hope i can get answered but i don't know if im in the right section.

Should i be posting here? Could someone direct me to the correct place to ask my questions? Does anyone want to personally help :]?

 

The main thread you want to visit is in the NBR Gaming and Software forum: DiY eGPU Experiences. For a T420, I would imagine it works the same as setting up an X220/T. The guide I used to actually get it up and running was in the above thread, posted by Xav, [url="http://forum.notebookreview.com/7572285-post4022.html]here[/url].

If I were in your shoes I would purchase a PE4L 2.1b available at [url="http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PE4L-EC000A.html]hwtools[/url] to get Expresscard 2.0 bandwidth and an Nvidia GTX 560 or 560 Ti to use Optimus. There is the new generation of Nvidia cards, 6xx, but I think I read that the 560 is more cost efficient (try to get one for <=$150 if possible...I saw someone in the NBR Buy/Sell/Trade forum selling a 560 for $115!). Cost is actually why I settled for a GTX 460, along with optimus.

The implementations you want to learn about are x1.2Opt, which has twice the bandwidth as x1.1Opt like in my signature. Although benchmarks sometimes don't show that dramatic of an improvement all of the time, in actual gaming apparently x1.2Opt is definitely worth it.

 

Pe4l2.1 +560ti you can get most of the games running in ultra.
This is based on my current implementation ( five year old Dell plus old version of pe4l and gtx460 can deal with most games in high)
Please update the thread after you got them. I'm planning to get them too..thanks

 

I don't how the prices look like where you live but in Germany, a GTX560Ti costs DOUBLE the amount of a GTX550Ti. That's why I settled for the second option. I can run all Games on max. Graphics with hardly any lag (only occurs in big fights etc.). All i did was hook up my eGPU and install the Optimus Drivers.

 

Very Good Information! But I was just wondering should I get the Pe4H or the Pe4l? The pe4l looks like it only has a 4x slot....don't you need a 16x slot to plug in the gtx 560 ti? I have a T420 as well. Thanks!

 

Hey there! You seem to have the same setup as me....can I ask you what you ended up buying? I have the T420 already purchased...It has the Intel i5, 4 GBs of RAM and FIRMWARE 1.23......isnt their like a TOLUD error or something so I have to downgrade to 1.15? Sorry I have lots of questions haha

 

You don't need to downgrade to 1.15, the memory allocation resource issue has been fixed since version 1.35 so update to the latest BIOS which is currently version 1.39.

 

From what I can tell about pics of the GTX 560 Ti, the PE4L plugs into one of the ends of the x16 slot. Is that what x4 looks like? I'm kind of new to PCIe x1-x16 stuff. This is true for my GTX 460 and the PE4L that I fried (using incorrect jumper settings). The PE4L fits just right. PE4H is nice because of its strong base, but if you get a PE4L v2.1b then you will get the expresscard 2.0 bandwidth, which is probably the better choice.

I actually plan on upgrading to PE4L 2.1 after a while.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! So I guess I'm settling on the PE4L 2.1b but I can't seem to find where to purchase it from.....Sorry I'm so noob with all this stuff haha. I've built computers before but this egpu stuff is a completely new world to me...

EDIT: I found it but for some reason I couldnt find 2.1b.....only found 2.1a

http://www.hwtools.net/adapter/PE4L-EC000A.html

Is that the right URL?

 

That is the right URL, and according to this post if you order 2.1a you will get the 2.1b which is the new stock.

Just a few tips: watch those jumper settings carefully or you might fry your PE4L like I did. There are other physical switches on the PE4L besides the jumpers, SW1 and SW2. Make sure the settings are consistent with Xav's post. His post is the guide.

 

Jumper settings? Like on the PSU or on the PE4L? What would I have to do? The guide you linked me too just gave me instructions for the physical board on the PE4L. Do I have to do something additionally on the PSU? I really don't want to fry the card LOL. Thanks!

 

On the PE4L. The guide I linked was for SW1 and SW2 settings (and almost everything else). Correct jumper settings can be found in random places in the DiY thread and on harmonic inversion's site. Under the big picture is the necessary settings. The fragility of the PE4L is why I went with PE4H and have yet to get a PE4L 2.1; I wanted to wait for a PE4H that is Expresscard 2.0 compatible, but I'm thinking of just going for the new PE4L and selling off the PE4H.

 

Thanks so much for answering all my questions . I just have one final question...what power supply should I get if I were to lair the pe4l with a gtx 560 ti? I was hoping to get a budget power supply like the cx430 nut I'm afraid that might be too much power just to power a video card haha. But in the end I care most about the price and reliability of the product. Thanks again for helping me out so much

 

Well I wish I had seen this thread before ordering my gear =/

I have a T410s with NVIDIA Optimus

I basically followed these instructions
So I just hooked up a 2GB 5850 to my laptop... - [H]ard|Forum

so I bought a PE4H, a 380W Antec PSU, and a GTX 550 Ti for like $230 or so all-in

So I basically screwed myself by getting a PE4H instead of a PE4L?

I really just want to play Diablo III at a decent quality

 

At least with a PE4H you can be almost completely sure you won't fry the thing. :\
Diablo 3 should run fine with x1.1Opt; the x1.2Opt is of course better for laptops that have series 6 chipsets and Expresscard 2.0. (Note: for a PE4L, supposedly the default jumper settings (JP3, JP4 both closed) should work fine, but that was not the case for me.)

As for PSU: go with at least the minimum power rating which you can power your GPU of choice. I don't know too much about PSUs and GPUs since I came into technology stuff with laptops as opposed to desktops and gaming. The first page of the DiY eGPU Experiences thread has good recommendations; some people even power their eGPU with an Xbox power adapter for portability.

 

Sorry for being dense as I've never really messed with 3D cards before (most taxing computer game I've played before was Diablo 2 and Starcraft) but x1.1Opt means express card 1.0 and Optimus? Or something with the PCI card?

I don't consider myself a tech illiterate by any means but that DIY eGPU thread gets my head spinning

 

I believe x1.1Opt means Expresscard 1.0 @ 1.0x speed and optimus.
Then x1.2Opt would mean Expresscard 2.0 @ 1.0x speed with optimus.

 

There's nothing official about that notation anyways, and I don't think anyone would know what it meant if they hadn't read the DiY thread. The above post is correct. x1 speed, expresscard 1.0 or 2.0 bandwidth (2.5 Gb/s or 5.0 Gb/s, respectively), with Optimus drivers for Internal LCD support but mainly for increased performance due to data compression or some such process.

 

Thanks guys

Sent from my Windows Phone using Board Express

 

RAIDMAX RX-380K 380W ATX12V Power Supply | eBay

You guys think this PSU will cut it? Seems like it meets the power requirements. I'm trying to power a GTX 560 TI

 

The thing with power supplies is that they may be rated up to some amount of power but some don't deliver even a fraction of that power very well. Try to go with something more recent with higher efficiency (like 80+ bronze? :O I have an 80+ gold Dell SFF PSU), they tend to have more advanced designs that have better power quality, and higher quality components though you can't say for sure.

In the DIY eGPU thread there were a lot of people with power supplies that at a glance looked like they would be more than adequate, yet they had problems and they went away upon plugging in a better PSU

 

Hello, so I'm looking for some more help here.

I got all my eGPU kit. However how do I stick the expresscard adapter into my t410s?

It looks like this on the left side.
http://www.nix.ru/autocatalog/notebook_lenovo/94521_2251_draft.jpg

 

Well, I ripped apart my T410s and looks like I don't have a **** expresscard reader. I am so freaking angry right now

 

I actually have been looking around my T420 4177 too and kind of freaked out when I couldnt find an expresscard reader....Can someone please tell me if the PE4L will fit into this slot? I'm not sure if it is an expresscard reader or not.....pictures attached....
EDIT: anyone know how to make the image smaller for this messageboard? lol. And also yes thats quarter up top for reference.
http://i46.tinypic.com/xc9hde.jpg

 

your T400s, T410s, T420s expresscard is where your card reader sits. You need to remove a screw that holds the card reader in place, after which eject the card reader to expose the expresscard slot.

The expresscard 34 slot on the T410, is the slot where you removed the slot protector from.

 

Hey Guys! Just to let you know my PE4L came in a few days ago and so far....ITS BEEN A SUCCESS! I've been able to play Battlefield 3 on ULTRA at 1400x900 SEAMLESSLY. Equipped with a Corsair CX430 Power supply, the PE4L 2.1b, and NVIDIA GTX 560TI (Ref Model), I've been able to turn my Lenovo T420 with a crappy HD3000 into a more than decent gaming laptop. Will be posting benchmarks and pictures in a new thread soon. I'll definitely link it to this post when thats done. Thank you NBR and especially fatpoplomanjr for helping me out so much. Much REP++.

 

Hey no problem. I am glad it all worked out for you, and I'll be following suit soon with the PE4L. If you can, post your benchmarks in the DiY Experiences thread; otherwise I'll link your new thread or post from the Lenovo/IBM forums to that thread. They seem to want successful Expresscard 2.0 implementations, though thinkpads are somewhat common.

 

Hmmm never really done benchmarks for anyone before. What kind of format would you guys be expecting? I want them to be useful at least haha.

 

Is this something that would work on a T420 with nvidia?

 

You don't have to do anything serious. Just results or whatever you were planning on posting in your new thread.

 

Thats exactly what I have and it works beautifully. I'll be posting more once I have time to set up an organized benchmark and photo gallery haha. The parts I have right now are the PE4L 2.1b, nvidia GTX 560 TI and a CX 430 Power Supply. They all work seamlessly

 

I mean the nvidia optimus. Read somewhere that the egpu would only work with integrated gaphics and now I dont know.

 

Hi guys need some help please:

My PE4L 2.1B can not be detected on Win 7 64 bit.

My setting is T420s PE4L 2.1b MSI GTx560Ti + Corsair cx430 PSU + external monitor
Checked Bios. Power-express card (Auto or Generation 1 both tried)
I/o express card is enabled ( sure its working, as I have a express card slot SD card reader)
Display- Digital on Lenovo

The problem is the device can not be detacted at all no matter what combination of SW 1 & 2 positions are.

The facts are: video card spins all the time.
Sw1: 1-2 position - only power light one (green)
Sw1: 2-3 position - both power and detect lights on. Power green, detect yellow.
So I can't see the flag light on at all, but not sure if that is expected to be on.
I even tried with connecting power cable to video card and PE4L both and seperately.

Without the eGPU, power pe4l I have detect and power on. Again one yellow one green
Can you please tell me am I miss anything or the PE4L is faulty?

 

Is the fan of your GPU spinning when powered on but *not* connected to your T420 through the expresscard? If not then either your PE4L is messed up or there is an issue with your power supply powering your GPU. For instance, my fried PE4L won't cause the fan to spin whereas my PE4H will.

 

The fan is always spinning no matter if it is connected to PC as long as the power is on

 

What Leds am I expecting to see on PE4L?

 

Try to post in the DIY EGPU EXPERIENCE thread, lots of good people there

 

If Windows 7 isn't detecting it and installing the standard VGA driver by hotplugging after the eGPU is powered on, fan spinning, LED lights on, then I am not sure what the problem could be. The best resource is to post in the DiY thread or use the search thread function three.

 

Kdia8015, have you managed to get Windows to pick up the card?

I have the same problem. T420 + PE4H + GTX560. Card runs, fans spinning, yet Windows doesn't pick it up. Upgraded to latest BIOS v1.39, checked all the BIOS settings, ExpressCard on Gen1 and auto, etc. No luck.

Very frustrating!

UPDATE - FIXED
The problem was the power supply - it wasn't strong enough. I picked up a Corsair CX500 today and it worked like a charm. It's a pretty straight forward setup once Windows recognises the device. Loving it! 14k in 3dmark06!

 

LINK!

Sorry it took so long but I finally put aside 15 minutes and made a SUCCESS thread! I detailed my setup and recorded some quick benchmarks. Also got some nice pictures Take a look!

 

successfully i installed PE4L with the advise of fatpolomanjr . one thing it will be nice if AC 12v can run 400W HD7770...

i have a problem: i can not set eGPU ATI Radeon HD 7770 in Internal LCD . can any one please tell me what to do?

 

If I'm understanding correctly you're trying to make your eGPU run on your laptop's internal display. To my knowledge that is not possible, you must connect an external display to your eGPU.

 

Also, I apologize if this is the wrong place or if I shouldn't be doing this, but I am selling my Village Tronic ViDock eGPU system. Works perfectly, I'm just upgrading my laptop and no longer need it. Take a peek if you're interested, thanks! Village Instruments Village Tronic Vidock 4 Egpu Express Card Slot Adapter Dock | eBay

 

I surprised if this ViDock can handle the performance of Desktop graphics performance then why DIY eGPU???? i don't believe that 150w or 75w GPU performance is the same with 400w GPU performance.....about internal monitor support please read earlier posts.....100% performance with external Monitor as they said............

 

I have not seen Internal LCD mode work with an ATI graphics card. It does work with NVIDIA Optimus, though at a significant loss in performance.

 

yes i have seen a lot of problem now i ordered GTX 560 ...
could you please answer the previous post about Vidock???

 

I'm confused on your question. The ViDock supports full sized cards and is not limited by the power consumption.

 

I think you are confused. Most desktop GPUs are within the 100-200w range (for example, GTX660ti is 150W). When you see that most graphics cards have "400W power supply recommended" on the box, they are taking into account the rest of the system in addition to the GPU (i.e. CPU, Memory, HDD, etc). When considering a GPU for an eGPU setup, you need to look at the wattage the GPU draws on its own.

The 150W ViDock is perfectly capable of running a full desktop GPU, as long as the GPU's TDP is below the wattage that your ViDock can provide.

 

Thanks for your nice answer. So why we are want to use DIY eGPU PE4L, or PE4H???

 

The PE4L/PE4H vs. ViDock consideration comes down to cost/flexibility vs. simplicity/presentation. Purchasing a PE4L/PE4H allows the use of desktop power supplies, so if you found a GPU with a higher TDP than the ViDock supports the wattage would not be a limiting factor. Also, a combination of PE4L/PE4H and power supply is a good amount cheaper than a ViDock.

However, the ViDock comes in an attractive enclosure and provides customer support to their customers. Many who are not the DIY style of person may prefer the simplicity of having an enclosure and power supplies provided for them, as well as appreciate having a company to talk to when something breaks or does not work correctly.

As with many things, the choice comes down to what you value and what your goals/use cases/technology competency are.