Jump to content

Setup 1.30 Discussion


eGPU Enthusiast

Recommended Posts

<html><div></div></html>

I couldn't help but experiment further after my first Thunderbolt 2 project. Is SLI possible with two Sonnet III-D's and two GTX 780 Ti's over two Thunderbolt 2 (40Gbps) connections? I had to find out. And what about all the parts? Before you think I'm crazy for spending a fortune on the experiment, the second III-D was kindly loaned by Maxx Digital of Costa Mesa, CA. The second GTX 780 Ti was a replacement from Amazon Prime that I had 30 days to return. I'm crazy, but not a complete lunatic. A SLI bridge was loaned by a co-worker at Sony PlayStation.

<html>

<div>

<img style="width: 800px; float: left; display: inline-block; margin: 10px 20px 10px 0;" src="http://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwe8SFneDiWWQk5IbzZEeVBRSjA">

</div>

<div>

<img style="width: 450px; float: left; display: inline-block; margin: 10px 20px 10px 0;" src="http://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwe8SFneDiWWRzhvcHZTOWhYTGM">

<img style="width: 450px; float: left; display: inline-block; margin: 10px 20px 10px 0;" src="http://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwe8SFneDiWWXzNjQ0Zla3YyVkE">

</div>

<div>

<img style="width: 450px; float: left; display: inline-block; margin: 10px 20px 10px 0;" src="http://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwe8SFneDiWWRTdiMmhzTFY1SkU">

<img style="width: 451px; float: left; display: inline-block; margin: 10px 20px 10px 0;" src="http://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwe8SFneDiWWVWc2djVqQXNGMFE">

</div>

<span style="display: inline-block; width: 1000px;"></span>

</html>

If you're only here to know if it worked, the short answer is, No.

While optimistic and determined to create the first working eGPU SLI configuration, there were some serious road blocks that thwarted every attempt to make it happen.

Problem 1: The MacBook Pro will not boot with 2 GPUs detected. Both III-D's can be connected, but only one GPU

Problem 2: Windows always reports a Code 12 on the second card (or both). This is likely due to problem 1

And that's about sums it up. To bypass Problem 1, both enclosures must be connected, then the second (powered) GPU is hot-plugged into the chassis (*see below). This can be done during the OS selection screen (usually causing Code 12's on both cards), or in the F8 screen (enabled in Win 8.1 via the bcdedit legacy command). Bottom line, the Code 12 couldn't be fixed, and that's as far as it goes. Every PCIe slot combination and configuration was attempted but to no avail. That leads me to believe that no matter the hardware or software configuration, there appears to be no way to get around the PCIe limitations of either the MacBook Pro, or the Sonnet III-D. My guess is that the MacBook Pro firmware only allows PCIe allocation for 'one' graphics-based card, or something along those lines. Code 12 is essentially that, an 'insufficient resources error' and an allocation limitation.

*Hot-plugging, for whatever bizarre reason, required that the SLI bridge be connected. Without it, card detection fails and powerless card / GPU max-speed fan spin would occur every time.

There is one method, however, that I did not attempt. That is an MBR partition table (instead of plug and play over GPT) + a custom PCI Reset Delay + eGPU Setup software for PCIe configuration. Is there a chance that would allow for proper device allocation? Perhaps so. Once both cards were detected, would SLI and Nvidia's drivers work correctly? Perhaps so. Let's just say I ran out of motivation, and, my theory is that this is a firmware or interface limitation and that no configuration would yield alternate results. I'm not saying it's impossible. Perhaps I'll never know.

I also attempted a SLI configuration with an x8 to x16 riser within the same chassis and that produced the same results, Code 12. So, do you need 2 enclosures to test SLI? No, only a board with 2 slots. However, you'll then be operating over one Thunderbolt 2 interface @20Gbps rather than 2X Thunderbolt 2 interfaces @40Gbps.

Update:

MacRumors user Quu has shed some light on why SLI eGPU may never be possible without specific hardware support:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1734747

Update 2:

Dual GPU detection! 2013 rMBP with 1x Sonnet SEL w/GTX 760 and 1x Sonnet III-D w/GTX 780 Ti. SLI still may not work, however, someone has recently released a new SLI driver patch that people are reporting works with Nvidia cards and latest Nvidia drivers on non-SLI boards. A glimmer of hope. Only problem is, both cards must be the same architecture. For example, 760 and 770. My 760 and 780 combo won't fly. Need to get my hands on another 760 to test.

<img style="width: 451px; float: left; display: inline-block; margin: 10px 20px 10px 0;" src="http://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwe8SFneDiWWMHhNWTd3RUFOVlE">

</div>

</html>

Other resources or ideas for SLI attempts:

rEFInd could be a potential tool to assist with PCI allocation and attempt to eradicate error 12. However, on the 2013 rMBP, rEFInd never worked on GPT or MBR. This could possibly be due to differences in the next-gen PCIe flash storage present in the 2013 models

Best reference: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/2367-macbook-pro-retina-15-gtx-560-ti-%40-th05-12.html#post37304

I did perform a successful Windows MBR installation with Bootcamp 4.0. However, I ran into the same issues as my 2012 rMBP with MBR where the computer will not boot into Windows at the OS selection screen with the III-D and GTX 780 Ti connected. The MacBook Pro, on selecting the Windows partition, simply hangs and reboots after some sort of PCIe failure. This is why a PCI Reset Delay circuit is the potential fix to overcome this issue

Best reference: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/3062-%5Bguide%5D-2012-13-mbp-gtx660ti-hd7870%40x2-2-th05.html#post42483

PCI Reset Delay guide: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/3326-mac-mini-gtx660-echo-express-w7-%3D-black-screen.html#post47227

  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, I have connected my GTX560 Ti, windows 7 64bits have installed driver and I have installed MSI driver of my gtx560Ti.

But it's not really efficient at all.

I use PerformanceTest :

With my GTX560 Ti on my office computer :

http://i.imgur.com/jLv5dAE.jpg

With EXPGDC on my laptop Toshiba :

http://i.imgur.com/HyBqdWo.jpg

Result : 3485 (officecomputer) vs 517 (EXPGDC) vs 200 (with the HD4500 of my laptop)

Is it normal ? What can I do to increase performance ?

My chipset is GM45

I could put here some pics smile.png

Thank you very much smile.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm trying to run the Radeon R7 250 in my Hp Probook 4730s using the PE4L-EC060A.

My computer will only install the wrong drivers and I can't for the life of me troubleshoot it!

It only installs drivers for the ATI Firepro V with a "code 31" and I can't seem to find a way around it *pictured below*

Selecting the drivers manually seems to be out of the question with an AMD card.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]11637[/ATTACH]

Thanks for your time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why my reply disappeared ???

Ok, I have connected my GTX560 Ti, windows 7 64bits have installed driver and I have installed MSI driver of my gtx560Ti.

But it's really not efficient, not at all.

I use PerformanceTest :

With my GTX560 Ti on my office computer :

http://i.imgur.com/jLv5dAE.jpg

With EXPGDC on my laptop Toshiba :

http://i.imgur.com/HyBqdWo.jpg

Result : 3485 (officecomputer) vs 517 (EXPGDC) vs 200 (with the HD4500 of my laptop)

And 3DMark 11 ; http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/8334168

Is it normal ? What can I do to increase performance ?

My chipset is GM45

I could put here some pics :)

Thank you very much :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am no pro at this, but certainly a great troubleshooter.

I believe without clear evidence that this is an incompatible set up. Possibly the video card choice.

I am getting "driver not intended with this platform" when it is trying to install the wrong drivers "Ati firepro V instead of R7 250"

I am going to try another video card later. This has totally been the BSOD nightmare though. Nothing that running in safe mode and uninstalling all video drivers wont cure.

*Note* I did get the R7 drivers installed once with a hard drive PSU but it would not use it. I have since cleared all the hidden drivers out of my device manager though.

I'll try to keep this up to date to save someone else the trouble I've been through and hopefully not give bad info.

*I am using a 450 W PSU: 400 W required for that card*

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice. But did you at least tried running setup 1.3 from nando to recompact pci space or is this not working on macbooks?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice. But did you at least tried running setup 1.3 from nando to recompact pci space or is this not working on macbooks?

That was the setup I didn't try. eGPU Setup 1.3 requires MBR which would require a PCI Reset Delay. As soon as wire cutting is required, that's where I stop.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.