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Hi Tech Inferno Fan

Here's my test results running TS Bench 1024M to 20%...

Multiplier 28 30 32 33 34 35 36

Max Temp 78 86 90 88 88 88 88

VID 0.8317 0.8894 0.9470 0.9578 0.9470 0.9470 0.9470

Watt 27.3 32.0 37.5 40.5 37.8 37.7 37.8

Core Voltage was default and the Offset Voltage was -80.0781mV

I've set the Multiplier to 32 now and things seem stable - idle temp is 42-47 degrees.

What do you think I should do next, reduce the voltage to -70mV and repeat?

Cheers

James

- - - Updated - - -

PS I was able to get over 40W with a Multiplier of 33 (VID was 0.9578) at 40.5W (max 90 degrees).

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Hi Tech Inferno Fan

Here's my test results running TS Bench 1024M to 20%...

Multiplier 28 30 32 33 34 35 36

Max Temp 78 86 90 88 88 88 88

VID 0.8317 0.8894 0.9470 0.9578 0.9470 0.9470 0.9470

Watt 27.3 32.0 37.5 40.5 37.8 37.7 37.8

Core Voltage was default and the Offset Voltage was -80.0781mV

I've set the Multiplier to 32 now and things seem stable - idle temp is 42-47 degrees.

What do you think I should do next, reduce the voltage to -70mV and repeat?

Cheers

James

- - - Updated - - -

PS I was able to get over 40W with a Multiplier of 33 (VID was 0.9578) at 40.5W (max 90 degrees).

While you are setting a > 33 multipler if you look on the left hand pane in Throttlestop it will report the actually multiplier the CPU is using. Based on your above result you are seeing either Thermal or TDP throttling at the x32 -> x33 increment. Notice that the temps and voltages after that remain the same as what it was for x32.

This is why I make a point of being selective about which i7-quad to upgrade to. You'll find that your i7-4810MQ costs considerably more than the i7-4700MQ I'm using now. Yet if we did 4-core performance comparison mine may very well perform better given it's reporting a 37.4W TDP @x33, rather than the x32 you are seeing. Yours may well be able to do the same with a higher negative offset. You'll need to test as each CPU has unique properties.

Thank you for the 40.5W comment.I too have seen values just on the edge of 40W with my latest testing. However, nothing anywhere near the 46.5W I saw during my tests several months ago. That ~7W difference would be good for another 200-300Mhz top end performance if the cooling system could dissipate the heat fast enough.

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While you are setting a > 33 multipler if you look on the left hand pane in Throttlestop it will report the actually multiplier the CPU is using. Based on your above result you are seeing either Thermal or TDP throttling at the x32 -> x33 increment. Notice that the temps and voltages after that remain the same as what it was for x32.

This is why I make a point of being selective about which i7-quad to upgrade to. You'll find that your i7-4810MQ costs considerably more than the i7-4700MQ I'm using now. Yet if we did 4-core performance comparison mine may very well perform better given it's reporting a 37.4W TDP @x33, rather than the x32 you are seeing. Yours may well be able to do the same with a higher negative offset. You'll need to test as each CPU has unique properties.

Thank you for the 40.5W comment.I too have seen values just on the edge of 40W with my latest testing. However, nothing anywhere near the 46.5W I saw during my tests several months ago. That ~7W difference would be good for another 200-300Mhz top end performance if the cooling system could dissipate the heat fast enough.

So, should I try -85mV next and run the same tests again (and go up in small increments) and see if I get a better score?

Really bizarre that the 7W difference has just gone!

Thanks

James

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  • 1 month later...

Hi,

so I followed your advice, Nando, and got myself a 6440. It is indeed a very nice, well built laptop. Still, I did encounter a problem even before attempting the eGPU mod. I was trying to set up a RAID 0 with 2x250Gb SSDs however Intel's RST only gives me the option to create a recovery array. No raid 0, no raid 1, nothing.

I tried it on the A.02 and on the A.07 version, updated to the latest drivers and still can't get it to work.

Do you guys have any idea what it could be? I'd be very grateful for any advice. If you need further information just ask.

Benjamin

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Atonus said:
Hi,

so I followed your advice, ******, and got myself a 6440. It is indeed a very nice, well built laptop. Still, I did encounter a problem even before attempting the eGPU mod. I was trying to set up a RAID 0 with 2x250Gb SSDs however Intel's RST only gives me the option to create a recovery array. No raid 0, no raid 1, nothing.

I tried it on the A.02 and on the A.07 version, updated to the latest drivers and still can't get it to work.

Do you guys have any idea what it could be? I'd be very grateful for any advice. If you need further information just ask.

Benjamin

Oh oh.. Seems Dell have locked out RAID-0 capability in their bios as confirmed by your results.

Quote
I purchased the E6530 with the intent of doing the same thing. I installed a Corsair Neutron GTX 480 internally and another in a drive bay caddy from NewMods (great fit and exact case contour and color) to replace the DVD. The Mobile Intel QM77 Express Chipset does support Raid 0 and the drive bay is SATA3(6Gb) but your correct, Intel has only enabled the option for Raid 1. I met with Intel at the CES in Las Vegas to do some research for a project involving the 2011 socket but couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask for a contact that could help with unlocking the BIOS to allow RAID 0. Long story short the contact explained Intel and Dell don’t want users, even enthusiasts, setting up a Raid 0 volume with a member disk that is “a removable drive” on a laptop. He explained/hinted if I gave it some thought it shouldn’t be too difficult to “figure out.” I’ve tried everything short of modifying the BIOS. I just don’t know how to do it. I didn’t get the impression his hint involved that deep of a mod.

Wonder if this means that a mSATA + primary drive RAID-0 volume can be created, but not with a drive in the optical bay? If not, then Dell need a support call raised to enable RAID-0.

If Dell aren't receptive, then how to get around this problem? We know how to dump and rewrite the BIOS: http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge.html#post99289 as well as decompress Dell BIOS files: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/44785-I-present-you-a-tool-to-decompress-Dell-UEFI-BIOS

Other possibilities?

http://www.win-raid.com/t438f16-Dell-e.html

https://communities.intel.com/thread/55942

Full Intel AHCI ROMS including Series-8 chipset ones: http://www.win-raid.com/t7f13-AHCI-amp-RAID-ROM-Modules.html

Quickest solution may be to cross-flash a Dell M2800 BIOS. A M2800 is very similar to a E6540, which is similar to a E6440. Dell tends to enable RAID-0 support on their workstation class machines.

I've also asked @Khenglish to see if he can enable RAID-0 on his Dell E6530. He has an eeprom burner to be able to experiment with different modified bios.

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Hello: Nando

Ware Can I Buy This Cable?

7MGPK - ASSY CBL LVDS HD+ E6440

Because I Search The Web And Noting.

Thank You Nando

Google does gets hits from third-party sellers: 7MGPK - Google Search

Eg: PCHUB has it for US$36 shipped: Dell Latitude E6440 LCD Cable (14") DP/N: 7MGPK 07MGPK

Otherwise the most obvious source for that part would to contact your local Dell and speak to their spare parts division.

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Soooo, hello again, got some big news.

I managed to enable the RAID 0 option in the BIOS again.

So this is my setup until I get the eGPU working:

i7 4810MQ

16 Gb 1866Mhz

2x250 Gb Samsung EVO RAID 0

And the eGPU will be a EVGA GTX770 SC

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Atonus said:
Soooo, hello again, got some big news.

I managed to enable the RAID 0 option in the BIOS again.

So this is my setup until I get the eGPU working:

i7 4810MQ

16 Gb 1333Mhz

2x250 Gb Samsung EVO RAID 0

And the eGPU will be a EVGA GTX770 SC

Would you mind sharing the details of both?

Raid 0 would certainly be of interest to other E6440 and other Latitude owners.

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Tech Inferno Fan said:
Would you mind sharing the details of both?

Raid 0 would certainly be of interest to other E6440 and other Latitude owners.

It turns out that Dell did indeed turn of any RAID settings and hid it from the common user. Or rather didn't make it visible. What you have to do to enable RAID on the Dell Latitude E6440 is:

- Download https://www.sendspace.com/<wbr>file/bouk3i

 

It's a flash toolkit by Intel with additional batch scripts mostly for Asus boards. You can use fptw to dump your current or flash a new BIOS.

- Extract it to C:\. The new path should be "C:\FTK8_0.11\Windows"

 

You can extract it, where you want. However, it will be easier to handle the next steps, if it is C:\.

- Start > type "cmd" > right click > Open as Administrator.

 

You need full rights to run fptw.exe

- Type "cd C:\FTK8_0.11\Windows" to change your current directory to the toolkit folder

- Type "fptw.exe -D backup.rom -BIOS"

 

This command will create a dump (-D) of the BIOS section (-BIOS) to the file backup.rom. The Management Engine section for example is read/write protected, so it won't be possible to do a full dump.

Then you can open the dump with "UEFITool" (just search for it on Google), then search for and extract the module SetupPrep, when you find it, run it trough the "Universal IFR extractor" which will generate a text document of the input. I attached my text document down below so that you can compare. SetupPrep IFR.txt

The interesting part is in my case in line 2030. It tells us the name of the setting ("RAID0"), the hexadecimal address in the NVRAM (0x19D) and its possible values (0 - Disabled/ 1 - Enabled).

In my 6440 the NVRAM 0x19D was 0, so disabled. To change the NVRAM download the following programm: http://brains.by/posts/<wbr>bootx64.7z

An easy way to run the app, would be to place it on a FAT32 formatted thumb drive in a folder named EFI, so the path looks like this:

"EFI\Boot\bootx64.efi". On each boot your notebook looks for this file and if it is found, it is started. If not, go to the boot menu (F12 if I remember correctly) and select your thumb drive at the UEFI boot section. You should then see a GRUB boot loader and possibly you will need to confirm that you want to continue.

The command prompt, which you will reach, will be the place, where you can flip the RAID0 setting - amongst others.

To make sure this tool finds the correct values, read out some settings first. To read out a value you need to write "setup_var <address>", to store values "setup_var <address><value>".

- "setup_var 0x19D" should show you 0x0, which would mean the RAID0 option at address 0x19D is disabled.

For most addresses you will see 0x0, so let's check for a more unique value ..

- "setup_var 0x1AF" should display a value ranging from 0x69 to 0x7F, which is the value for the "Critical Trip Point" at line 1659

If not, you should abort and not use it.

Otherwise you can enter "setup_var 0x19D 0x1" to store 0x1 at address 0x19D and activate RAID0. Then you can reboot and see what happens.

If something went wrong, or you simple want to change the setting back to its default state, boot again from your thumb drive and enter: "setup_var 0x19D 0x0".

I actually did this procedure on a A.07 BIOS by accident, however it turns out that I was able to downgrade to A.02 afterwards and my RAID config was still working. I don't know about any other BIOS versions though.

So I set up the Laptop, final specs: i-7 4810MQ 2,8 Ghz (no overcl), 16Gb 1866Mhz, AMD 8690M, 2x250Gb Samsung EVO RAID 0, Win 8.1 Pro 64bit, BIOS A.02

Mods: EC Retrofit, ODD SSD,

eGPU: EVGA GTX770 SC, Corsair ATX, PE4L-EC060A, DIY BOX V1.1, dual monitor 1080p

******, I read your eGPU post for the 6440 and you said its simply a matter of plug and boot in order for the TOLUD to lower, which I did. And the Laptop recognized the 770, but when I rebootet the laptop screen just went black (but still bg</value>-illuminated) I was able to see the mouse cursor, but nothing else. Even if I unplug the eGPU there's only a black screen. Please help me if you can. I'm not sure what I've done wrong.</address><address><value>

Regards!</value></address></address>

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It turns out that Dell did indeed turn of any RAID settings and hid it from the common user. Or rather didn't make it visible. What you have to do to enable RAID on the Dell Latitude E6440 is:

...

Lastly a more personal question. So I set up the Laptop, final specs: i7-4810MQ 2,8 Ghz (no overcl), 16Gb 1866Mhz, AMD 8690M, 2x250Gb Samsung EVO RAID 0, Win 8.1 Pro 64bit, BIOS A.02

Mods: EC Retrofit, ODD SSD,

eGPU: EVGA GTX770 SC, Corsair ATX, PE4L-EC060A, DIY BOX V1.1, dual monitor 1080p

Nando, I read your eGPU post for the 6440 and you said its simply a matter of plug and boot in order for the TOLUD to lower, which I did. And the Laptop recognized the 770, but when I rebootet the laptop screen just went black (but still bg-illuminated) I was able to see the mouse cursor, but nothing else. Even if I unplug the eGPU there's only a black screen. Please help me if you can. I'm not sure what I've done wrong.

Very impressive work figuring out these Dell E6440 UEFI variables. Something I know quite a few other Latitude owners on this forum are going to be extremely grateful for. I've filtered through your supplied [ATTACH]12981[/ATTACH] and applied some other UEFI variable changes on my system successfully, which you may find of interest:

Remove CPU TDP power limits - I changed the spoiler settings from BOLD to RED below which appears to have removed CPU TDP limits. I was able to increase them in XTU or Throttlestop and have them register higher performance. Eg: My new i7-4700MQ running x34 4-core now reaches over 42W TDP now, up from ~39W I reported at http://forum.techinferno.com/throttlestop-realtemp-discussion/7548-help-dell-e6440-previously-tdp-throttled-i7-4700mq-~47w-now-40w-why.html#post103638 . That new reached TDP now appears limited due to temperature throttling since I'm hitting 97 degrees. Anticipate that installing the chunkier dGPU-model E6440 heatsink would lower temps and allow higher CPU operating TDP, along with higher multipliers if you have them.

0x69C67 Setting: Package power limit lock, Variable: 0xC9A {05 A6 09 01 0A 01 39 00 02 00 9A 0C 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x69C8D Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E F2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x69C9B Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E F1 00 30 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x69CA9 End of Options {29 02}

0x69D74 Setting: Platform power limit lock, Variable: 0x54 {05 A6 11 01 12 01 3D 00 02 00 54 00 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x69D9A Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E F2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x69DA8 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E F1 00 30 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x69DB6 End of Options {29 02}

0x6A51D Setting: Configurable TDP Level, Variable: 0x39 {05 A6 7A 01 7B 01 57 00 02 00 39 00 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A543 Option: TDP NOMINAL, Value: 0x0 {09 0E 7C 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A551 Option: TDP DOWN, Value: 0x1 {09 0E 7E 01 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A55F Option: TDP UP, Value: 0x2 {09 0E 7D 01 30 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A56D Option: Disabled, Value: 0xFF {09 0E F2 00 00 00 FF 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A57B End of Options {29 02}

0x6A313 Setting: CFG lock, Variable: 0xC90 {05 A6 35 01 36 01 52 00 02 00 90 0C 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A339 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E F2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A347 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E F1 00 30 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A710 Setting: VR Current value lock, Variable: 0xC99 {05 A6 29 01 2A 01 5E 00 02 00 99 0C 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A736 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E F2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A744 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E F1 00 30 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6A752 End of Options {29 02}

RAID Options - Atonus confirms the RAID0 option works. There are others there too:

0x70921 Setting: RAID0, Variable: 0x19D {05 A6 D7 01 D8 01 BE 01 02 00 9D 01 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70947 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E C0 03 30 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70955 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E BF 03 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70963 End of Options {29 02}

0x70965 Setting: RAID1, Variable: 0x19E {05 A6 D9 01 DA 01 BF 01 02 00 9E 01 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x7098B Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E C0 03 30 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70999 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E BF 03 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x709A7 End of Options {29 02}

0x709A9 Setting: RAID10, Variable: 0x19F {05 A6 DB 01 DC 01 C0 01 02 00 9F 01 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x709CF Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E C0 03 30 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x709DD Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E BF 03 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x709EB End of Options {29 02}

0x709ED Setting: RAID5, Variable: 0x1A0 {05 A6 DD 01 DE 01 C1 01 02 00 A0 01 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70A13 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E C0 03 30 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70A21 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E BF 03 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70A2F End of Options {29 02}

0x70A31 Setting: Intel Rapid Recovery Technology, Variable: 0x1A1 {05 A6 DF 01 E0 01 C2 01 02 00 A1 01 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70A57 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E C0 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70A65 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E BF 03 30 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x70A73 End of Options {29 02}

Expresscard slot - eGPU options After various flash tinkerings, my EC slot is now running in Gen2 link speed mode for either A.02 or A.07 BIOS. I previously suggested only A.02 would enable it at Gen2 speed. Can a E6440 owner with an eGPU check this with their A.07 system to confirm if theirs is being limited to Gen1 speed rather than AUTO or Gen2?

0x6E635 Setting: PCI Express Root Port 7, Variable: 0x85 {05 A6 B8 02 BA 02 40 01 02 00 85 00 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6E65B Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 0E C0 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6E669 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E BF 03 30 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6E677 End of Options {29 02}

0x6E9EF Setting: PCIe Speed, Variable: 0xF5 {05 A6 D7 02 D8 02 4D 01 02 00 F5 00 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6EA15 Option: Auto, Value: 0x0 {09 0E BD 03 30 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6EA23 Option: Gen1, Value: 0x1 {09 0E D9 02 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6EA31 Option: Gen2, Value: 0x2 {09 0E DA 02 00 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x6EA3F End of Options {29 02}

eGPU option - max TOLUD This setting will determine if the eGPU can be allocated in 32-bit PCI config space without needing to resort to any more complicated mods like a DSDT override. During my iGPU-only equipped E6440 eGPU implementation, the Dynamic setting would decrease TOLUD to 3.25GB. dGPU-equipped E6440 systems would need that to be 3.0GB or less to host the eGPU. Does the BIOS do that? If not, may need to manually set it lower to say 2.5GB. A low value like that is fine. Only issue is with 32-bit OS which would see 1.5GB of system RAM wasted by such a low setting.

0x7481A Setting: Max TOLUD, Variable: 0x275 {05 A6 1E 05 1F 05 8B 02 02 00 75 02 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x74840 Option: Dynamic, Value: 0x0 {09 0E 20 05 30 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x7484E Option: 1 GB, Value: 0x3 {09 0E 2A 05 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x7485C Option: 1.25 GB, Value: 0x4 {09 0E 29 05 00 00 04 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x7486A Option: 1.5 GB, Value: 0x5 {09 0E 28 05 00 00 05 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x74878 Option: 1.75 GB, Value: 0x6 {09 0E 27 05 00 00 06 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x74886 Option: 2 GB, Value: 0x7 {09 0E 26 05 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x74894 Option: 2.25 GB, Value: 0x8 {09 0E 25 05 00 00 08 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x748A2 Option: 2.5 GB, Value: 0x9 {09 0E 24 05 00 00 09 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x748B0 Option: 2.75 GB, Value: 0xA {09 0E 23 05 00 00 0A 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x748BE Option: 3 GB, Value: 0xB {09 0E 22 05 00 00 0B 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x748CC Option: 3.25 GB, Value: 0xC {09 0E 21 05 00 00 0C 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x748DA End of Options {29 02}

Disable dGPU for eGPU use? NVidia Optimus will only activate if there is no other AMD or NVidia dGPU detected. Usually we use the Setup 1.30 software to disable dGPUs, but it looks like it's possible to do as a UEFI variable write.

NOTE: timohour had almost bricked his Dell E6430 when trying this here. Proceed with caution!!

0x72F20 Setting: Always Enable PEG, Variable: 0x209 {05 A6 F6 05 F7 05 33 02 02 00 09 02 10 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x72F46 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x2 {09 0E C0 03 00 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x72F54 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 0E BF 03 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x72F62 Option: Auto, Value: 0x0 {09 0E BD 03 30 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}

0x72F70 End of Options {29 02}

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Nice, looks like we really made some progress today!

However I'm still stuck with a 6440 that will boot up and load Win only to turn the screen black. I still couldn't figure it out.

My theory would be that the Laptop on first boot with the eGPU attached somehow changed its default video output to the eGPU or something, and now it's neither responsive to the Intel HD 4600 or the AMD 8690M. But how can I resolve this..? Advice needed

When I figure the afore mentioned problem out, I will then test whether the eGPU also works in Gen2 on A.07 and A.08. And I'll probably try to disable the dGPU.

Until then, I need help for my "blackscreen"

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Nice, looks like we really made some progress today!

However I'm still stuck with a 6440 that will boot up and load Win only to turn the screen black. I still couldn't figure it out.

My theory would be that the Laptop on first boot with the eGPU attached somehow changed its default video output to the eGPU or something, and now it's neither responsive to the Intel HD 4600 or the AMD 8690M. But how can I resolve this..? Advice needed

When I figure the afore mentioned problem out, I will then test whether the eGPU also works in Gen2 on A.07 and A.08. And I'll probably try to disable the dGPU.

Until then, I need help for my "blackscreen"

Whoah. Are you now permanently black screening even with no eGPU attached? In which case sounds like the BIOS NVRAM is storing an invalid LCD/video card configuration. Please detach the eGPU for remainder of the testing to see if can get the internal LCD working OK. Then force a NVRAM update by removing a RAM module and restart the machine. Does that help? If not, try connecting a HDMI cable to the HDMI port to see if that helps.

The blackscreen symptom is exactly what happens on HP Elitebooks if they see the eGPU on boot. Now my iGPU-only equipped E6440 does not have that problem. Your dGPU-equipped unit having additional BIOS routines that may be getting stuck upon seeing the eGPU. The fix for when this occurs is to either use a PCI Reset Delay mechanisms on the eGPU adapter OR to hotplug the eGPU adapter after BIOS post. For the latter you'd hit F8 or F12 to halt Win7/8, power on the eGPU and hotplug it into the EC slot, then continue Win7/8 load.

You have a i7-4810MQ that can run up to 3.6Ghz (4-cores), and has +600Mhz extra unlockable turbo bins. If the TDP can be upped and the cooling system handle it, the system could max out at 4.2Ghz across 4-cores!! You have the better dGPU-model heatsink, a more efficient CPU. I've outlined in my last post on what I believe to be tje UEFI variable settings that unlock the CPU TDP settings. I'm now most curious how far you can go push your CPU. You'd be doing similar tests to the ones I have at but after doing the UEFI TPD unlock, could also up the TDP values in Throttlestop or XTU. Test like shown at http://forum.techinferno.com/throttlestop-realtemp-discussion/6958-haswell-step-backwards-ivy-bridge-i-have-some-shocking-tdp-results.html#post95181

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I got the screen running again.

I'm not quite fond of having to hotplug the eGPU everytime I want to use it. Would you please go into further detail about how to set up the pci reset delay.

Alright, after I disable the dGPU for better cooling, just for you Nando, I will OC the CPU for the sake of research, however I probably won't leave it that way, unless of course it's stable and cool enough to run daily.

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I got the screen running again.

I'm not quite fond of having to hotplug the eGPU everytime I want to use it. Would you please go into further detail about how to set up the pci reset delay.

Alright, after I disable the dGPU for better cooling, just for you Nando, I will OC the CPU for the sake of research, however I probably won't leave it that way, unless of course it's stable and cool enough to run daily.

Good to hear your back up and running.

PE4L-EC060A has the PCI Reset Delay (PERST#) slider SW1. Setting it to position 3 gives a 6.9s delay. You can see this in the silkscreen print below on the top right corner:

PE4L-EC060A%20V2.1b.jpg

Idea then is to switch on the eGPU slightly before the notebook. There will be 6.9s before the eGPU will appear on the PCI BUS during which (hopefully), your BIOS has initialized the rest of the system. If 6.9s isn't enough then consider a EXP GDC BEAST or PE4C V2.0, both with 14s PCI Reset delay switch options. Or otherwise hotplug after BIOS boot.

Thank you for doing the CPU performance research. I'm curious how far you can push your CPU without encountering thermal throttling. You have the better dGPU heatsink. I've outlined the CPU TDP limiting UEFI variables at http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge-4.html#post111145 . temps/TDP can be lowered by using XTU or Throttlestop and extra turbo bins unlocked as described at http://forum.techinferno.com/throttlestop-realtemp-discussion/6958-haswell-step-backwards-ivy-bridge-i-have-some-shocking-tdp-results.html#post95181

Also, if you have the A.08 bios then please share. There's only a google cache remnant left of it. Seems Dell pulled it from their website.

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I connected the eGPU with the 6.9 sec delay and it worked, partly, the eGPU was detected, but there was no output to the external monitor I had connected to the eGPU. And when the GTX 770 drivers finished installing and the laptop rebootet Win was loading and for a split second it even showed the login screen, then it went black again.

It isn't the rebooting process because I tested that one before and there were no problems, so it must have something to do with the dGPU drivers...

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hello,

First off, thank you so much for the information collected here in this thread.

I bought a E6440 parts unit and this has helped me big time going forward and deciding to fix it not for a profit but keeping it.

A few questions and hints:

  • Display is smashed, so might go as well for the higher resolution one. Would a cable from a E6540 also work?
    The only source for the cable (7MGPK) that does not charge a huge amount is this:
    Dell Latitude E6440 LCD Cable (14") DP/N: 7MGPK 07MGPK
  • I located the bigger cooler here for what seems to be an ok price. (Alternatives?)
    Dell Latitude E6440 Heatsink and Fan Assembly GXC1X
  • Backlit keyboard: Some Ebay auctions claim compatibility with the E6430s keyboard.
    Can anyone confirm this? Price difference is $20 vs $40-50 - and I do not care if the special functions are in orange instead of blue.
    Looking at parts availability for the express card slot mod and parts prices in general, the laptop is still a bit too new for my taste.

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Hello: Nando

I Have A Q?

How Do I Now If My Dell E6440 A06 Bios Have A Gen 2 PCIE Enable?

Thank You For The Help.

I've revised the first page info about this. Turns out with A.07, my iGPU-only E6440 boots with eGPU attached and is already set to Gen2. It's only if I do not have the eGPU attached on boot and say hotplug it afterwards that it's set to Gen1 speed.

Hello,

First off, thank you so much for the information collected here in this thread.

I bought a E6440 parts unit and this has helped me big time going forward and deciding to fix it not for a profit but keeping it.

A few questions and hints:

  • Display is smashed, so might go as well for the higher resolution one. Would a cable from a E6540 also work?
    The only source for the cable (7MGPK) that does not charge a huge amount is this:
    Dell Latitude E6440 LCD Cable (14") DP/N: 7MGPK 07MGPK
  • I located the bigger cooler here for what seems to be an ok price. (Alternatives?)
    Dell Latitude E6440 Heatsink and Fan Assembly GXC1X
  • Backlit keyboard: Some Ebay auctions claim compatibility with the E6430s keyboard.
    Can anyone confirm this? Price difference is $20 vs $40-50 - and I do not care if the special functions are in orange instead of blue.
    Looking at parts availability for the express card slot mod and parts prices in general, the laptop is still a bit too new for my taste.

Can't say if a E6530 cable will work or not. You'd be the first to try and can report here.

Have seen mention that a E6430s keyboard is compatible. Again not sure. Though I'm not fond of the orange accents.

Good find with the heatsink.

If going for a higher resolution screen, then why not go for a 1680x945 one? You get an extra 10.25% worth of pixels over a 1600x900 one AND can prove it's a legitimate upgrade.

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Hello: Nando

How to Check: This- boot and say hotplug it afterwards that it's set to Gen1 speed- in My Dell E6440?

Thank You Nando

- - - Updated - - -

Hello: Nando

Can I Upgrade My CPU With This One: i7-4700MQ Mobile And Use The Stock HeatSink?

Thank You

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Hello: Nando

How to Check: This- boot and say hotplug it afterwards that it's set to Gen1 speed- in My Dell E6440?

Thank You Nando

iGPU-model E6440 doesn't need to hotplug the eGPU after boot. Only the dGPU model one does as otherwise the system will not boot.

If boot without eGPU plugged in, you can see the A.07 bios sets port7 (expresscard slot) to Gen1 speed. That's the "[email protected]" string.

PFePSU0.png

If boot with eGPU plugged in, you can see the A.07 bios sets port7 (expresscard slot) to Gen2 speed. That's the "[email protected]" string.

tEv1Xvi.png

Can I Upgrade My CPU With This One: i7-4700MQ Mobile And Use The Stock HeatSink?

Yes, you can upgrade to a i7-4700MQ with the stock heatsink. That's what I'm using.

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