eGPU experiences [version 2.0]

[Renovatio]

Hi guys,

got a few questions regarding the "new" PE4H 2.4: First of all, has someone already confirmed its pci-e 2.0 capabilities? Secondly, is this really the same PE4H 2.4 you could order last year? If so, does that mean that somehow magically my PE4H could do pci-e 2.0?

Btw: I could not find an option to buy the "PM060A" (or possible PM100A/PM200A) seperatly. It seems you can only buy the EC060A without buying the complete PE4H package which is a bit odd.

PE4H 2.4 supports pci-e 2.0

Good news for PE4H 2.4 owners. According to a new update at PE4H (PCIe passive adapter ver2.4) where they've soldered the EC2C/PM3N end but left the other end detachable, PE4H 2.4 owners can now get pci-e 2.0 performance if attached to expresscard/mPCIe 2.0. PE4H 2.4 has a nice and study base so was my favorite as an open, free standing device.

Another topic I am wondering about is AMD vs Nvidia performance on my old IHCM9 chipset. As described here: DIY eGPU experiences - Page 46 and in Nando´s performance analysis (http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/2747-12-5-dell-e6230-gtx660%40x1-2opt-hd7870%40x1-2-pe4l-ec060a-2-1b.html#post37197) it seems that AMD cards perform better in @x2 or @x2E situations.

Right now I am running a Nvidia GTX560Ti @x2 (non-Optimus) using Port 1+2. Port 3 is my expresscard slot where I have a USB-3.0-Card and Port 4 seems to be empty but I can´t even tell where it is located.

If I understand the x2E-configuration correctly, then I could enable this with an AMD card.

Would I get more performance from an AMD-card comparable to my Nvidia GTX560Ti? I don´t really know AMD cards well, so which card is the equivalent to mine?

It´s not like I am going to buy a new card right away but I want to know for future investments.

[gregof45]

And for an GT780dxr, can I put this?

[hansmuster]

Hello everybody,

first thanks to everyone for the wonderful project and work that went into this. nando you are the man!

I have the following setup and problem:

Hardware:

Lenovo T420 with i7 2640M / HD3000 / 8 GB

AMD Radeon HD7870 XT (Tahiti LE chip from 79 series not 78 pitcarn - basically a 7930)

PE4L 2.1b via Expresscard PCIe 2.0 x1

Software:

Thinkpad latest bios with dynamic tolud

Windows 7 Ultimate 64

Latest Radeon 12.11 Beta 11

Latest Intel

Problem:

The card works without issues. If there is an external monitor connected 3dmark, OpenCL scores are as high as they got unless its a bandwith limiting benchmark. The exernal monitor also has to be primary display.

If i boot without an external monitor / internal HD3000 drive display as primary the no so funny stuff begins:

DWM.exe instantly crashes

Description

Faulting Application Path: C:\Windows\System32\dwm.exe

Problem signature

Problem Event Name: BEX64

Application Name: Dwm.exe

Application Version: 6.1.7600.16385

Application Timestamp: 4a5bc541

Fault Module Name: atiuxp64.dll

Fault Module Version: 8.14.1.6290

Fault Module Timestamp: 50997922

Exception Offset: 000000000000ffb5

Exception Code: c0000417

Exception Data: 0000000000000000

OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1

Locale ID: 1031

Additional Information 1: 4c98

Additional Information 2: 4c986f1afca156bb44beaea3a8be6c0d

Additional Information 3: 48d9

Additional Information 4: 48d9de7e50286b1747df3c693c2b246f

The same thing happens to any directx/opengl app but most of the time with simple stackfaults like:

Description

Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Kishonti Informatics\CLBenchmark 1.1.2 Desktop Community Edition\CLBenchmarkDesktopCommunity.exe

Problem signature

Problem Event Name: APPCRASH

Application Name: CLBenchmarkDesktopCommunity.exe

Application Version: 0.0.0.0

Application Timestamp: 507d3dbc

Fault Module Name: StackHash_0a9e

Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0

Fault Module Timestamp: 00000000

Exception Code: c0000005

Exception Offset: 00000000

OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1

Locale ID: 1031

Additional Information 1: 0a9e

Additional Information 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789

Additional Information 3: 0a9e

Additional Information 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789

Description

Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

Problem signature

Problem Event Name: BEX

Application Name: iexplore.exe

Application Version: 9.0.8112.16457

Application Timestamp: 50a2f9e3

Fault Module Name: atiuxpag.dll

Fault Module Version: 8.14.1.6290

Fault Module Timestamp: 50baff19

Exception Offset: 0000d73f

Exception Code: c0000417

Exception Data: 00000000

OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1

Locale ID: 1031

Additional Information 1: 4a2d

Additional Information 2: 4a2d6864df2f476e5b19e40b06c0bd1f

Additional Information 3: 9bf2

Additional Information 4: 9bf2352c6d4a5fbabd1481f3627f78c2

This seems connected to ATIs Powerxpress DLLs which provide switchable optimus like technology to AMD platforms. If there is no screen connected to the radeon / not set primary it seems to still try to use the card for offload calculation and then write either in that memory region or of that of the hd3000 for rendering and stackfaults.

If i uninstall (not delete the driver) the card in system settings and reboot it fixes part of the problem. The card gets detected on startup, driver installed. However since the directx/opengl etc powerxpress etc dlls will not be hooked into the system until a restart everything is fine. I just cannot use opengl/directx whatever over the card. I can however use OpenCL etc (which my primary reason for the egpu radeon but its still annoying).

If i then reboot without uninstalling the card before it i get the mentioned problems again. The amd drivers then hook into the system and everything that uses hardware accelerated graphics stackfaults either like clbenchmark or on the ati powerxpress dlls like dwm, inetexplorer etc.

I have tested numerous ati drivers, reinstalled windows, numerous intel drivers etc pp

It is possible to still use the opengl/directx acceleration of the card when on internal screen is lucid virtu. Since lucid directly interfaces the card it also works if the card was uninstalled before reboot. Only problem is the trial does not let you specify which apps the accelerate on your own. Only the preset game list will work and with the banner which of course could be cracked away.

Anybody (maybe nando the man himself with his 7870) experience(d) the same issue with AMD drivers? Can you try to boot without external screen and start up e.g. GPU Caps Viewer and run opengl/opencl tests on the AMD hardware / platform?

Any clue that i might try so that i dont need to uninstall the card before every reboot?

Also i have read about those 1xE 2xE pcie modes. Is this possible with my setup?

Thanks a lot guys & keep up the nice work

PS: Can only recommend the 7870 XTs. Got like 4x the double precision performance of the normal 7870s / GTX680s since it is a tahiti card. Absolut bang for the money especially for opencl calculation.

[pas209]

Hi Guys!

Just want to thank every member of this forum, a special thank to Nando. Finally i get my egpu project working.

This is my configuration:

Dell studio xps 1340

p9600 dual core 2.66

8 gb ram

500 gb hd (7200 Rpm)

i- gpu hybrid power technology nvidia 9400m working with g210m.

e- gpu sapphire hd 7770 connected via pe4h 2.4.

Everything works just plugging in the express card before start up.

My previous 3d mark 06 score with i-gpu was about p4839.

Here my current benchmarks

3d mark 06 p12235 AMD Radeon HD 7770 video card benchmark result - Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P9600,Dell Inc. 0Y525R score: 12235 3DMarks

3d mark vantage p8679 AMD Radeon HD 7770 video card benchmark result - Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P9600,Dell Inc. 0Y525R score: P8679 3DMarks

3d mark 11 p2811 AMD Radeon HD 7770 video card benchmark result - Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P9600,Dell Inc. 0Y525R score: P2811 3DMarks

Now i can play fluently Mass Effect 2 and the Witcher 2

Thank you again!!!!!!

Tech Inferno Fan>> pas205's RE5-var-dx9-1280x800 result of 76.5 is posted here.

[hansmuster]

Hi Guys! Just want to thank every member of this forum, a special thank to Nando. Finally i get my egpu project working. This is my configuration: Dell studio xps 1340 p9600 dual core 2.66 8 gb ram 500 gb hd (7200 Rpm) i- gpu hybrid power technology nvidia 9400m working with g210m. e- gpu sapphire hd 7770 connected via pe4h 2.4. Everything works just plugging in the express card before start up. My previous 3d mark 06 score with i-gpu was about p4839. Here my current benchmarks 3d mark 06 p12235 AMD Radeon HD 7770 video card benchmark result - Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P9600,Dell Inc. 0Y525R score: 12235 3DMarks 3d mark vantage p8679 AMD Radeon HD 7770 video card benchmark result - Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P9600,Dell Inc. 0Y525R score: P8679 3DMarks 3d mark 11 p2811 AMD Radeon HD 7770 video card benchmark result - Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P9600,Dell Inc. 0Y525R score: P2811 3DMarks Now i can play fluently Mass Effect 2 and the Witcher 2 Thank you again!!!!!!

Hi, did you install the latest radeon 12.11 beta drivers? Is everything still working even if you boot without an external monitor connected? (maybe read my prev post) Thanks & have a lot of fun with your setup!

[pas209]

Hi, did you install the latest radeon 12.11 beta drivers? Is everything still working even if you boot without an external monitor connected? (maybe read my prev post) Thanks & have a lot of fun with your setup!

I've installed the latest official amd drivers Catalist 12.10. Never tried to boot without external monitor, I think it doesn't work at all if you don't have an nvidia card and optimus technology implemented......

[hansmuster]

I've installed the latest official amd drivers Catalist 12.10. Never tried to boot without external monitor, I think it doesn't work at all if you don't have an nvidia card and optimus technology implemented......

Could you boot without a monitor connected (but the gpu connected of course) and see if windows behaves normal / lets you start directx/opengl apps or if they crash? thanks a lot

[Tech Inferno Fan]

given that a few notebooks (Samsung's and Acer's ones) have a sandy bridge pentium and support Optimus, I thought that the same would apply to my E520: am I wrong?

Yes.. your HD2000 iGPU does allow Optimus driver to engage.

Hi guys,

got a few questions regarding the "new" PE4H 2.4: First of all, has someone already confirmed its pci-e 2.0 capabilities? Secondly, is this really the same PE4H 2.4 you could order last year? If so, does that mean that somehow magically my PE4H could do pci-e 2.0?

Btw: I could not find an option to buy the "PM060A" (or possible PM100A/PM200A) seperatly. It seems you can only buy the EC060A without buying the complete PE4H package which is a bit odd.

Another topic I am wondering about is AMD vs Nvidia performance on my old IHCM9 chipset. As described here: DIY eGPU experiences - Page 46 and in Nando´s performance analysis (http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/2747-12-5-dell-e6230-gtx660%40x1-2opt-hd7870%40x1-2-pe4l-ec060a-2-1b.html#post37197) it seems that AMD cards perform better in @x2 or @x2E situations.

Right now I am running a Nvidia GTX560Ti @x2 (non-Optimus) using Port 1+2. Port 3 is my expresscard slot where I have a USB-3.0-Card and Port 4 seems to be empty but I can´t even tell where it is located.

If I understand the x2E-configuration correctly, then I could enable this with an AMD card.

Would I get more performance from an AMD-card comparable to my Nvidia GTX560Ti? I don´t really know AMD cards well, so which card is the equivalent to mine?

It´s not like I am going to buy a new card right away but I want to know for future investments.

I am enquiring with BPlus now about the Gen2 capability of PE4H 2.4a. I'm a bit surprised as I beta tested something similar to the EC060A item they list (soldered on EC2C end, mHDMI connection to PE4H 2.4a) back in Dec 2011 finding it would fail to reliably run a Gen2 link. I'll find out soon enough.

The [email protected] and [email protected] benchmarks at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/2747-12-5-dell-e6230-gtx660%40x1-2opt-hd7870%40x1-2-pe4l-ec060a-2-1b.html#post37197 give an idea of what performance you'd get on your system. We see the HD7870 beats the GTX660 across the board except in Dirt2. The [email protected] results being the same as running a HD7870@x2E on your machine.

If i boot without an external monitor / internal HD3000 drive display as primary the no so funny stuff begins:

DWM.exe instantly crashes

Description

Faulting Application Path: C:\Windows\System32\dwm.exe

Problem signature

Problem Event Name: BEX64

Application Name: Dwm.exe

Application Version: 6.1.7600.16385

Application Timestamp: 4a5bc541

Fault Module Name: atiuxp64.dll

Fault Module Version: 8.14.1.6290

Fault Module Timestamp: 50997922

Exception Offset: 000000000000ffb5

Exception Code: c0000417

Exception Data: 0000000000000000

OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1

Locale ID: 1031

Additional Information 1: 4c98

Additional Information 2: 4c986f1afca156bb44beaea3a8be6c0d

Additional Information 3: 48d9

Additional Information 4: 48d9de7e50286b1747df3c693c2b246f

...

Problem signature

Problem Event Name: BEX

Application Name: iexplore.exe

Application Version: 9.0.8112.16457

Application Timestamp: 50a2f9e3

Fault Module Name: atiuxpag.dll

Fault Module Version: 8.14.1.6290

Fault Module Timestamp: 50baff19

Exception Offset: 0000d73f

Exception Code: c0000417

Exception Data: 00000000

OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1

Locale ID: 1031

Additional Information 1: 4a2d

Additional Information 2: 4a2d6864df2f476e5b19e40b06c0bd1f

Additional Information 3: 9bf2

Additional Information 4: 9bf2352c6d4a5fbabd1481f3627f78c2

This seems connected to ATIs Powerxpress DLLs which provide switchable optimus like technology to AMD platforms. If there is no screen connected to the radeon / not set primary it seems to still try to use the card for offload calculation and then write either in that memory region or of that of the hd3000 for rendering and stackfaults.

..

Anybody (maybe nando the man himself with his 7870) experience(d) the same issue with AMD drivers? Can you try to boot without external screen and start up e.g. GPU Caps Viewer and run opengl/opencl tests on the AMD hardware / platform?

Any clue that i might try so that i dont need to uninstall the card before every reboot?

Also i have read about those 1xE 2xE pcie modes. Is this possible with my setup?

Thanks a lot guys & keep up the nice work

PS: Can only recommend the 7870 XTs. Got like 4x the double precision performance of the normal 7870s / GTX680s since it is a tahiti card. Absolut bang for the money especially for opencl calculation.

I can confirm I had the same issue with the BEX/atiuxpag.dll error, originally thinking something went amiss with my build. Glad you brought this up as means there is some generic issue with the Radeon drivers. Agree, cards based on the HD7870LE give a lot of bang-per-buck until HD8xxx are released.

And for an GT780dxr, can I put this?

GT780dxr has no expresscard slot nor is there an iGPU available for Optimus/Virtu internal LCD mode.

IF have an accessible mPCIe slot typically used for wifi, then yes you could attach an eGPU using a PE4L-PM100A 2.1b. I'd advise getting a AMD HD7xxx card as it has better overall performance than a NVidia card in a limited bandwidth configuration. REF: x1.2 results at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/2747-12-5-dell-e6230-gtx660%40x1-2opt-hd7870%40x1-2-pe4l-ec060a-2-1b.html

[hansmuster]

Damn then it probably won't be fixed anytime soon. Well doesnt matter so much for me since all im interested in is OpenCL which works flawlessly. Just the bandwith is a very limiting factor. nando: With your lucid virtu overlay patch is the trial mode disabled overall with it so that i can specify custom apps in the management panel that should be handled via virtu or is this still greyed out? Thanks

[pas209]

Could you boot without a monitor connected (but the gpu connected of course) and see if windows behaves normal / lets you start directx/opengl apps or if they crash? thanks a lot

Just tried rebooting without external screen, nothing happens.... just black screen.

For Nando :

Do you think my benchmarks are ok and i get full bandwidth?

Thanks in advance..

[Jason Choi]

Hi, can someone please help me out with my eGPU setup??

I have a T420, Intel 3000HD + Nvidia NVS 4200m setup. I'm running Windows 8, i7, and 8gb ram. I have the PE4L 2.1 and a GTX 560Ti, Corsair CX430 power supply. For some reason my PE4L didn't come shipped with an ATX power supply so I'm using the paper clip trick to turn on the PSU. I have my SW1 set at 2-3 and SW2 set at 2-3 (although I've read that SW1 should be set to 1, my computer can't detect the eGPU when it's set at 1; I do get both LED's on the PE4L though in either case). I've been desperately trying to setup a x1.2Opt setup, but I've been getting blue screens all over the place...

The most common error I've been getting is that when I plug in my eGPU, my USB ports and Wi-Fi card become disabled. These issues become fixed when I hard reboot the computer, so afterward I tried installing the latest Nvidia driver (the Verde version with nvram file modified), yet when I try to open the Nvidia Control Panel, I get an error message saying "Nvidia Display Settings Not Available: you are not currently using a display attached to an Nvidia GPU." Also on my Device Manager, my NVS 4200m is still listed, although it shouldn't be...What is the easiest way to setup the eGPU on a T420? Do you think I need to purchase the Setup 1.1x in order to correctly set the computer up, or do a DSDT override (how do you do this for windows 8??) Thank you so much!

[hansmuster]

Hi, can someone please help me out with my eGPU setup??

I have a T420, Intel 3000HD + Nvidia NVS 4200m setup. I'm running Windows 8, i7, and 8gb ram. I have the PE4L 2.1 and a GTX 560Ti, Corsair CX430 power supply. For some reason my PE4L didn't come shipped with an ATX power supply so I'm using the paper clip trick to turn on the PSU. I have my SW1 set at 2-3 and SW2 set at 2-3 (although I've read that SW1 should be set to 1, my computer can't detect the eGPU when it's set at 1; I do get both LED's on the PE4L though in either case). I've been desperately trying to setup a x1.2Opt setup, but I've been getting blue screens all over the place...

The most common error I've been getting is that when I plug in my eGPU, my USB ports and Wi-Fi card become disabled. These issues become fixed when I hard reboot the computer, so afterward I tried installing the latest Nvidia driver (the Verde version with nvram file modified), yet when I try to open the Nvidia Control Panel, I get an error message saying "Nvidia Display Settings Not Available: you are not currently using a display attached to an Nvidia GPU." Also on my Device Manager, my NVS 4200m is still listed, although it shouldn't be...What is the easiest way to setup the eGPU on a T420? Do you think I need to purchase the Setup 1.1x in order to correctly set the computer up, or do a DSDT override (how do you do this for windows 8??) Thank you so much!

Hi,

T420 here too but without nvidia.

Update to the latest bios. Don't do DSDT override on t420. It will bluescreen your windows! Latest bios got dynamic tolud. Maybe problem is along with your internal card it can't reserve enough.

Power on the egpu before pluging it in _and_ before you start the t420. Then power on t420 and let it boot. You might have to wait for a few seconds after windows has bootet. Sometimes windows disables both HD3000 and Radeon for me because of error 22 (probably both fighting for memory blocks) to enable them 20secs later just fine.

You might also need to / be able to disable your nvidia card in the bios.

[samiam]

I finally got my X230 setup working well enough, thanks to a comment by Zak9909. Previously the eGPU was only working when not using the mSATA SSD at the same time. I booted Setup 1.x from a flash drive, but found that it could not chainload to my SSD which was on a GPT partition table. I tried the uefi chainload mode but Tianocore's UEFI-DUET got stuck and there's little information on it. So I reinstalled Windows 8 on my SSD this time using an MBR partition table. Then in Setup 1.x I did PCI compaction with the 32-bitA method (iGPU and eGPU only), and chainloaded with mbr mode. This is with everything plugged in at the beginning, and it worked. The only issue I still have is sleeping sometimes results in a blue screen or black screen. Also, initially I didn't realize I needed the patch to Setup 1.x that adds Series-7 chipset support, it's on the stickied thread here but not on DIY eGPU Setup 1.x Help. Setup 1.x even seems to fix the error with my BIOS not detecting the SSD after a forced shutdown, I run it without the eGPU and compact everything including the SSD - it shows up as Ricoh because I guess Lenovo meant for it to be used for a media card reader.

Hi nando, I thought I got my setup working but I spoke too soon. Right now it only works on less than half of reboots. More than half the time, Windows 8 bluescreens when I chainload into it from Setup 1.x, after having done the PCI compaction. The error is VIDEO_TDR_ERROR or something similar, and it mentions atikmdag.sys. It looks like it's trying to send a signal to the external monitor, which comes out of standby mode but shortly after goes back into standby, then the internal LCD turns back on and bluescreens. But sometimes it works perfectly, and keeps working until I reboot or shutdown. I don't want to leave the eGPU running all the time (wastes power and the fan's very loud) and sleeping causes a bluescreen so I'm wondering how to make this work reliably. Also, if I start with the external monitor disconnected from the eGPU but do the compaction normally, it usually boots fine but then bluescreens when I connect the monitor.

Any suggestions? Could it be a bad PE4L or PCIe cable? What's strange is it keeps working as long as the bootup works. I am using the ATI legacy 12.6 drivers for Windows 8 since my graphics card is a 4830. I tried the 12.11 beta modded for legacy GPUs from the guru3d forums, but that just caused me to be stuck at a black screen at bootup whether I had the egpu connected or not, so I had to do a system restore. Is my setup more likely to work if I get a newer ATI card? Or an Nvidia card?

[Tech Inferno Fan]

Damn then it probably won't be fixed anytime soon. Well doesnt matter so much for me since all im interested in is OpenCL which works flawlessly. Just the bandwith is a very limiting factor. nando: With your lucid virtu overlay patch is the trial mode disabled overall with it so that i can specify custom apps in the management panel that should be handled via virtu or is this still greyed out? Thanks

Latest Virtu MVP (2.1.221) trial allows adding programs via the management panel. The version I hacked (2.1.220) to work has that greyed out but can edit the XML/ini file with an editor to add.

Just tried rebooting without external screen, nothing happens.... just black screen.

For Nando :

Do you think my benchmarks are ok and i get full bandwidth?

Thanks in advance..

Yes. You have a NVidia chipset so get the equivalent of x1E with Intel chipsets. Posting your RE5-var-dx9-1280x800 benchmark would let us see how if fares in the leaderboard.

Hi nando, I thought I got my setup working but I spoke too soon. Right now it only works on less than half of reboots. More than half the time, Windows 8 bluescreens when I chainload into it from Setup 1.x, after having done the PCI compaction. The error is VIDEO_TDR_ERROR or something similar, and it mentions atikmdag.sys. It looks like it's trying to send a signal to the external monitor, which comes out of standby mode but shortly after goes back into standby, then the internal LCD turns back on and bluescreens. But sometimes it works perfectly, and keeps working until I reboot or shutdown. I don't want to leave the eGPU running all the time (wastes power and the fan's very loud) and sleeping causes a bluescreen so I'm wondering how to make this work reliably. Also, if I start with the external monitor disconnected from the eGPU but do the compaction normally, it usually boots fine but then bluescreens when I connect the monitor.

Any suggestions? Could it be a bad PE4L or PCIe cable? What's strange is it keeps working as long as the bootup works. I am using the ATI legacy 12.6 drivers for Windows 8 since my graphics card is a 4830. I tried the 12.11 beta modded for legacy GPUs from the guru3d forums, but that just caused me to be stuck at a black screen at bootup whether I had the egpu connected or not, so I had to do a system restore. Is my setup more likely to work if I get a newer ATI card? Or an Nvidia card?

Something is wrong when the eGPU is placed under load. Check your PSU. Yes, could even be a bad PE4L or PCIe cable. Your setup will work with a newer AMD card so long as those devices (PSU, PE4L, cable, EC2C) are all working OK.

[Renovatio]

I am enquiring with BPlus now about the Gen2 capability of PE4H 2.4a. I'm a bit surprised as I beta tested something similar to the EC060A item they list (soldered on EC2C end, mHDMI connection to PE4H 2.4a) back in Dec 2011 finding it would fail to reliably run a Gen2 link. I'll find out soon enough.

The [email protected] and [email protected] benchmarks at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/2747-12-5-dell-e6230-gtx660%40x1-2opt-hd7870%40x1-2-pe4l-ec060a-2-1b.html#post37197 give an idea of what performance you'd get on your system. We see the HD7870 beats the GTX660 across the board except in Dirt2. The [email protected] results being the same as running a HD7870@x2E on your machine.

Thank you for enquiring Blus about the pci-e 2.0 capability! If the PE4H 2.4 (new and 2012 model) really has that capability would that mean that you could do a @x2 2.0 or even @x4 2.0 on Sandy/Ivy-Bridge notebooks?

Now that my new Lenovo E330 is not eGPU capable due to whitelisting issues, its seems that I have bought the "wrong" graphics card. I purchased an Nvidia-Fermi card in order to be able to use Optimus with my E330. Now I am stuck with my ASUS G71V as my eGPU-laptop which would perform better with an AMD card @x2E

[Tech Inferno Fan]

Thank you for enquiring Blus about the pci-e 2.0 capability! If the PE4H 2.4 (new and 2012 model) really has that capability would that mean that you could do a @x2 2.0 or even @x4 2.0 on Sandy/Ivy-Bridge notebooks?

Now that my new Lenovo E330 is not eGPU capable due to whitelisting issues, its seems that I have bought the "wrong" graphics card. I purchased an Nvidia-Fermi card in order to be able to use Optimus with my E330. Now I am stuck with my ASUS G71V as my eGPU-laptop which would perform better with an AMD card @x2E

Sandy/Ivy Bridge notebooks have the port link width setting in the flash descriptor and that is locked down by the manufacturer. A utility was leaked for Sandy Bridge systems ME Firmware 7.x available here that allows port settings. Same connectivity requirements apply, you need to have [port1+2], [port3+4], [port5+6] or [port7+8] accessible as mPCIe+mPCIe or EXP+mPCIe for x2 mode or [port1+2+3+4] or [port5+6+7+8] for x4 mode. I believe the Dell Latitude E6x20 series would be able to do x2 and x4. Problem is nobody has publically explained how to unlock the flash descriptor on a Dell system. Khenglish has investigated this for his E6520 finding no solution as yet in his thread http://forum.techinferno.com/general-notebook-discussions/2091-lets-enable-overclocking-all-6-7-series-laptops.html#post26529 .

The complexity to getting it work is such that we can say x2/x4 mode is no longer a viable option on Sandy/Ivy Bridge systems.

Otherwise, yes, a AMD HD7xxx@x2E card would do better on your G71V than the GTX560Ti and would even be better on your E330 if you decided to have a crack at overcoming the whitelisting by hotplugging after booting with wifi.

[hansmuster]

nando: How do dynamic tolud laptops like t420 with latest bios do with dual gpu cards like gtx 590 or radeon 5970? Do such cards work with tolud or are they still problematic / is tolud not able to generate those 2x256mb space?

[Quest Ng]

hi Tech Inferno Fan, is the dell XT3 basically just the tablet convertible version of E6330/E6230? are there any other significant difference? because im now shopping on their outlet store and if the only difference is the twisting screen, i can put it as one of my choice in the limited UK outlet store. or there are actually some other pro/cons that i need to take into account to. thank you.

also, the recent introduction of win8 should be an incentive for me to get the tablet convertibles like 230t, 2670 right?

just noticed that xt3 uses hd3000, which is probably a turn off in long run right?

[Renovatio]

Otherwise, yes, a AMD HD7xxx@x2E card would do better on your G71V than the GTX560Ti and would even be better on your E330 if you decided to have a crack at overcoming the whitelisting by hotplugging after booting with wifi.

Why would an AMD card be even better on an Ivy-bridge laptop. I thought Nvidia + Optimus was the best solution. Looking at your chart I can see that the AMD performed better but are those cards in a desktop-pc performance wise the same?

What kind of AMD card is the equivalent to my GTX560Ti? An AMD HD7850?

Maybe I will risk overcoming the whitelisting issue in future but for now I am too scared to demage/destroy a brand new laptop. My ASUS G71V is more than 4 years old so I am more confident "experimenting" with this one.

[Tech Inferno Fan]

nando: How do dynamic tolud laptops like t420 with latest bios do with dual gpu cards like gtx 590 or radeon 5970? Do such cards work with tolud or are they still problematic / is tolud not able to generate those 2x256mb space?

With the 36-bit DSDT override and for systems with low TOLUD, pci-e address space won't be an issue. However, we did have a user way back a bit try to get a GTX590 to work and failed. No error 12, but other error "device cannot start". May have something to do with the internal XFing of the device. In addition, a XF/SLI device on a expresscard link is going to be severly crippled by the bandwidth. It's not worth getting such a powerful card.

hi Tech Inferno Fan, is the dell XT3 basically just the tablet convertible version of E6330/E6230? are there any other significant difference? because im now shopping on their outlet store and if the only difference is the twisting screen, i can put it as one of my choice in the limited UK outlet store. or there are actually some other pro/cons that i need to take into account to. thank you.

also, the recent introduction of win8 should be an incentive for me to get the tablet convertibles like 230t, 2670 right?

just noticed that xt3 uses hd3000, which is probably a turn off in long run right?

XT3 and 2760P are both Sandy Bridge. You do realize you can buy 2x startisback licenses for US$3 and get an authentic Win7-type start button on Win8? There's also a multi-touch screen option for a Lenovo T430s, the i7 version with both an expresscard and Thunderbolt port. Most upgradable convertible tablet I've seen is a Sandy-Brudge Fujitsu T901. Has a socketted CPU so users are putting in 45W i7-quads into it. REF: http://forum.notebookreview.com/fujitsu/663890-upgrading-t901-results.html#post8529374

[maven1975]

Nando.

Were you able to get confirmation on this? I am about to attempt a eGPU setup on my Sony SVZ. Was going to order a PE4L-PM200A, but it looks like this would be the better route. Interestingly enough, they don't have the PM200A in stock, just the PM060A

Thanks again Nando!

[Tech Inferno Fan]

Nando.

Were you able to get confirmation on this? I am about to attempt a eGPU setup on my Sony SVZ. Was going to order a PL4E-200a, but it looks like this would be the better route. Interestingly enough, they don't have the 200a in stock, just the 60a.

Thanks again Nando!

This is what I got back from Masaharu @ BPlus RE: Gen2 compliance of PE4H. Still waiting for a reply about buying just the Gen2 cable ends for our users with existing PE4H 2.4a units.

> Did you manage to find from Gerry if the PE4H 2.4 is Gen2 compliant?

Yes, we confirmed PE4H 2.4+EC060A on Lenovo X220 and with MSI R7750

graphic card.

A Gen2-compatible PE4H 2.4a is definitely a better way to go. Well worth the extra $20 over a PE4L 2.1b for it's free-standing nature and interchangable ends. Consider too getting just a EC060A so you could plug it into a expresscard-slot equipped notebook too.

First stumbling block I see is you'll need to contact BPlus to order a PE4H 2.4a + PM100A/PM200A. They only list a PE4H 2.4 + EC060A as a buy-it-now component.

Going a mPCIe implementation on the Sony SVZ will be a less painful and far more cost effective approach than your previously planned MBPr + $950 netstor TBT enclosure. The netstor enclosure lacks the user settable PERST# delay (as was found on the not discontinued $140 TH05) needed to run a BIOS mode MBPr TBT eGPU installation.

[maven1975]

This is what I got back from Masaharu @ BPlus RE: Gen2 compliance of PE4H. Still waiting for a reply about buying just the Gen2 cable ends for our users with existing PE4H 2.4a units.

A Gen2-compatible PE4H 2.4a is definitely a better way to go. Well worth the extra $20 over a PE4L 2.1b for it's free-standing nature and interchangable ends. Consider too getting just a EC060A so you could plug it into a expresscard-slot equipped notebook too.

First stumbling block I see is you'll need to contact BPlus to order a PE4H 2.4a + PM100A/PM200A. They only list a PE4H 2.4 + EC060A as a buy-it-now component.

Going a mPCIe implementation on the Sony SVZ will be a less painful and far more cost effective approach than your previously planned MBPr + $950 netstor TBT enclosure. The netstor enclosure lacks the user settable PERST# delay (as was found on the not discontinued $140 TH05) needed to run a BIOS mode MBPr TBT eGPU installation.

Sounds good!

Is there any speed gain included in with this revision. Technically speaking, is the only gain having the detachable plug on the PE4H?

In my application, I would love to have a detachable plug on the PCI-e end. This way, I would not worry about removing the card and could be a little more careless with it.

BPlus sells an adapter that worked this way before with slower speeds. MikjoA says it was beta tested at 2.0, buy failed its compliance tests.

I have access to a 3D printer and would love to either replace a jack I don't use, or create one with a female end. This way I could have the hot plug ready at all times.

Do you know if Bplus would make a custom length P4LE? And if so, could I buy just an extension to bridge from laptop to video card? I don't know if this would interfere with the signal and cause issues.

Thanks!

[maven1975]

Hate to do this, it's tacky.

If anyone wants to get rid of their TH05, I will be waiting to pick it up from you.

Shoot me a PM

Thanks!

[daver160]

Other than the PE4H being a larger, sturdier base board with a detachable cable, is there any other benefit over the PE4L? I'm just asking out of curiosity more than anything else.

HIT has authorised a complete refund of my PE4H package and is shipping me a PE4L. I don't mind at all if the PE4L is smaller and not as sturdy, so long as end result is that I get better performance with the PE4L+PM060a. I have an old Shuttle PC case coming my way, and I'll likely jerry rig that to hold the GPU, PSU and PE4L package, and then stack my monitor on top of it.