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2014 15" MBP Iris + GTX980@16Gbps-TB2 (Sonnet III-D) + Win8.1 [MrHaPPyPiLLs]


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Having been happily running a late 2011 MacBook Pro with GTX 660Ti for the last 18 months, and waiting patiently for the Maxwell architecture NVidia cards to be released, I've splashed some cash (and managed to sweet talk Sonnet into providing an engineering sample of their new Echo Express IIID Thunderbolt II enclosure) to do a pretty sizable upgrade.

For those who are more concerned with the hugely useful nature of eGPU's rather than working to a budget, what briefly follows is an illustration of just how simple and powerful this concept has now got (read: No faffing about with EFI bootloaders and injecting code to manually manage PCIe allocation during the startup)!

Components:

15” rMBP – Base Model MGXA2B/A (16GB DDR3 1600MHz Ram, 256GB SSD – thanks to eBay: upgraded to 1TB version, Intel Core i7-4770HQ CPU, no discreet GPU).

Sonnet Echo Express IIID – Thunderbolt 2 enclosure, 1 PCIe 2.0 x16 physical (x8 Electrical Ports) + 1 x8 port + 1 x4 port. 300W power supply.

Zotac GTX 980 GPU – Maxwell architecture, reported max TDP 165W!

So installation-wise – I just installed Windows 8.1 pro as I would on any normal PC. This is the first MBP that I’ve worked with where it all just worked (although I suspect that is partly due to improvements in Win8.1). No blue screens, no reboots, just plug and play.

I then used DiskPart to shrink the windows partition, created a new one and installed OSX. Only slight hiccup was that OSX Disk Utility couldn’t format the partition to HFS – quick install of Paragon Partition manager solved that one.

No picure but I swapped out the 80mm fans that Sonnet supplied with the enclosure (anyone who has ever used a Sonnet enclosure will I’m sure agree that they use the cheapest fans known to man!) for a pair of Noctua NF-R8 redux-1200. Simple swap of the connectors to 2pin and mounted them on the outside of the enclosure to avoid them touching the GPU.

Quick picture of the enclosure – no external PSU required, all power is provided by the internal PSU using a y-splitter to provide 2 x 6pin connectors.

post-14325-14494998421538_thumb.png

Benchmarked using the Firestrike test in Futuremark – seems to be a slight issue with the CPU reporting, assuming because of the newish rMBP build not being fully supported by the software?

post-14325-14494998421903_thumb.png

EDIT: Added full benchmark links to each of the 3d Mark tests:

3d Mark 06: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm06/17663590

3d Mark 11: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/8783566

3d Mark 13: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/4230159

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@MrHaPPyPiLLs, thanks for posting this. The III-D enclosure is the closest to a plug'n'play solution. Now it does have a 300W PSU but AFAIK it only had a single 75W 6P PCie connector available for PCIe card use. Hence why I I suggested tapping off the slots to gain access to the additiona 150W at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/6689-%5Bguide%5D-2013-15-macbook-pro-gtx780ti%4016gbps-tb2-sonnet-echo-express-iii-d-win8-4.html#post107170 .

However, your pick looks like you've used some form of splitter. Can you elaborate with perhaps a parts list on exactly how you've accessed the additional power of the III-D's 300W PSU *without* needing any warranty-voiding soldering?

Thanks

It would also be helpful if you could include 3dmark06 and 3dmark11 scores so could include you in http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/6578-implementations-hub-tb-ec-mpcie.html#post89707 . Note, you can get more CPU performance by undervolting your CPU as described 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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However, your pick looks like you've used some form of splitter. Can you elaborate with perhaps a parts list on exactly how you've accessed the additional power of the III-D's 300W PSU *without* needing any warranty-voiding soldering?

6-Pin in general is offering 75W, I guess that is later limited by the consuming card. Theoretically there could be more provided.

Because the Sonnet III-D is providing one 6Pin cable it is possible to even connect a Y-cable which splits this 6pin to 2x(2+6)pin. Nothing else as DIY connecting extra cable to the PSU by opening it.

A 8pin cable is proving 12V by 3 yellow wires (same as 6pin), by the fact that 2x6pin is offering as much power as a single 8pin, there shouldn't be any risk.

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6-Pin in general is offering 75W, I guess that is later limited by the consuming card. Theoretically there could be more provided.

Because the Sonnet III-D is providing one 6Pin cable it is possible to even connect a Y-cable which splits this 6pin to 2x(2+6)pin. Nothing else as DIY connecting extra cable to the PSU by opening it.

A 8pin cable is proving 12V by 3 yellow wires (same as 6pin), by the fact that 2x6pin is offering as much power as a single 8pin, there shouldn't be any risk.

Sure, you might be able to extend the III-D stock 75W 6P connector to supply 150W to a 8P connector via a 6P-to-8P splitter. That still leaves a untapped 75W.

The III-D's 300W PSU would allow power to be split as 75W (slot) + 6P (75W) + 8P (150W).

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@MrHaPPyPiLLs, thanks for posting this. The III-D enclosure is the closest to a plug'n'play solution. Now it does have a 300W PSU but AFAIK it only had a single 75W 6P PCie connector available for PCIe card use. Hence why I I suggested tapping off the slots to gain access to the additiona 150W at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/6689-%5Bguide%5D-2013-15-macbook-pro-gtx780ti%4016gbps-tb2-sonnet-echo-express-iii-d-win8-4.html#post107170 .

However, your pick looks like you've used some form of splitter. Can you elaborate with perhaps a parts list on exactly how you've accessed the additional power of the III-D's 300W PSU *without* needing any warranty-voiding soldering?

Thanks

Hi Nando,

Firstly I guess it's important to note that a 6pin PCIe connection is not, per say, limited to providing 75W power: the cabling is likely able to realistically provide 8-10A down each of the 3 12V channels so straight away, you can see a theoretical 360W. At that point, you are limited by the current control system in the PSU.

In all honesty the ideas you've suggested are very nifty workarounds and, because I've not actually had to do any additional modding of this enclosure to get it working (unlike my previous build using the first incarnation of the Echo Express Pro which needed a load of work to get it working stably), I've not had to get anywhere near it with the ammeter to actually confirm the exact reason this works.

Looking at the circuit boards, there is very little difference from the first gen. Echo Express to this one. Importantly, there does not appear to be anything that would separate the 12V supply separately across each of the 3 PCI segments and the single PCIe power connector. Theoretically, this should mean that all 300W are available to a single slot and that power connector. I am definitely not suggesting this will happen (I'm not convinced from my knowledge of Sonnet's design - which tends to the lazy side - that it wouldn't burn out bus riser board), but only that it's potentially possible.

The part I used, as you surmised, was a simple 6 pin Molex y-splitter in this case made by Startech who use better quality cabling and proper molex connectors rather than cheap knock-offs. You can get them off Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Startech-com-Express-Power-Splitter-Cable/dp/B004NNTVT6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411999753&sr=8-1&keywords=startech+6+pin+splitter) so very easy to find.

It would also be helpful if you could include 3dmark06 and 3dmark11 scores so could include you in http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/6578-implementations-thunderbolt-expresscard-mpcie-egpus.html#post89707 . Note, you can get more CPU performance by undervolting your CPU as described at http://forum.techinferno.com/throttlestop-realtemp-discussion/6958-haswell-step-backwards-ivy-bridge-i-have-some-shocking-tdp-results.html#post95181 .

I'll do my best to squeeze out some more benchmarks for you if it would be helpful - its the least I can do after all the help I got from here last year.

One other fun thing I did while waiting for the IIID to arrive was to fit the GTX980 into my 1st Generation Echo Express Pro. Very interestingly, it loaded into windows and was actually capable of running if I underclocked it so that the max power draw didn't exceed 158W. If I have some time, Ill post a benchmark to compare as, looking at a lower budget build, you'd save several hundred $ using the older tech.

Awesome 3dMark score!

Got an engineering sample to test graphics? Uhhhhhhh ^^

Not so interesting story behind that - having spent an inordinate amount of time working with their 1st Gen Echo Express Pro and getting a bit of conversation going with one of their designers (who still refuses to acknowledge the compatibility of their products as external GPU systems, read into that what you will...), they were pretty happy for me to have one to continue working with their systems.

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Hi Nando,

Firstly I guess it's important to note that a 6pin PCIe connection is not, per say, limited to providing 75W power: the cabling is likely able to realistically provide 8-10A down each of the 3 12V channels so straight away, you can see a theoretical 360W. At that point, you are limited by the current control system in the PSU.

In all honesty the ideas you've suggested are very nifty workarounds and, because I've not actually had to do any additional modding of this enclosure to get it working (unlike my previous build using the first incarnation of the Echo Express Pro which needed a load of work to get it working stably), I've not had to get anywhere near it with the ammeter to actually confirm the exact reason this works.

Looking at the circuit boards, there is very little difference from the first gen. Echo Express to this one. Importantly, there does not appear to be anything that would separate the 12V supply separately across each of the 3 PCI segments and the single PCIe power connector. Theoretically, this should mean that all 300W are available to a single slot and that power connector. I am definitely not suggesting this will happen (I'm not convinced from my knowledge of Sonnet's design - which tends to the lazy side - that it wouldn't burn out bus riser board), but only that it's potentially possible.

The part I used, as you surmised, was a simple 6 pin Molex y-splitter in this case made by Startech who use better quality cabling and proper molex connectors rather than cheap knock-offs. You can get them off Amazon (Startech.com 6 inch PCI Express Power Splitter Cable: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories) so very easy to find.

I'll do my best to squeeze out some more benchmarks for you if it would be helpful - its the least I can do after all the help I got from here last year.

One other fun thing I did while waiting for the IIID to arrive was to fit the GTX980 into my 1st Generation Echo Express Pro. Very interestingly, it loaded into windows and was actually capable of running if I underclocked it so that the max power draw didn't exceed 158W. If I have some time, Ill post a benchmark to compare as, looking at a lower budget build, you'd save several hundred $ using the older tech.

Not so interesting story behind that - having spent an inordinate amount of time working with their 1st Gen Echo Express Pro and getting a bit of conversation going with one of their designers (who still refuses to acknowledge the compatibility of their products as external GPU systems, read into that what you will...), they were pretty happy for me to have one to continue working with their systems.

Sonnet may be changing their mind soon about official eGPU support given Magma has partnered with Lenovo to do just that: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/7795-lenovo-magma-partnership-delivers-official-thunderbolt-egpu-support.html#post106203

Of all the TB solutions at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/6578-implementations-thunderbolt-expresscard-mpcie-egpus.html#Thunderbolt , there is only one expertly *modded* Sonnet III-D by kryzaach that gives a full 300W to the video card without the use of PCIe risers or external PSUs: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/7685-%5Bguide%5D-2013-11-macbook-air-titan%4010gbps-tb1-sonnet-iii-d-osx-10-9-4-a.html#post105280 .

Any EE would give that the thumbs up but of course other readers on here are not EEs or solder specialists. In which case, looking for a workaround that can tap more than the 150W Sonnet provide in the factory configuration of the III-D (75W slot + 75W 6P).

Is there any gauge writing on the III-D yellow/black 6P PCIe cable wiring? That willl tell us how many amps it can carry.

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Nice setup mate! I was eventually planning to have this setup with my Late 2013 rMBP. I have 45 days to wait for NVIDIA to release the GM200 GPUs (otherwise I'll just get the 980 thanks to EVGA's step-up program :P)

What I want to ask though is that how stable is this setup (e.g. heavy gaming, Unigine Valley for 1+ hour without crashing)? I want to make sure that the only stable Thunderbolt eGPU solution at the moment is with the Sonnet III-D. Shame it's a lot of £££, buying one has left my wallet £650 lighter!

EDIT: It seems like that the best high-performance eGPU Thunderbolt solution at the moment is the Sonnet III-D + GTX 980 (with stock clocking). No external PSUs are required and the 980's TDP of under 200W is far less than the 300W the Sonnet chassis can provide! However, in the UK it costs around £1,100 (£650 for the Sonnet chassis, £440 for the 980 and around £10 for the splitter)

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@MrHaPPyPiLLs , I've re-orged the Leaderboard at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/6578-implementations-hub-tb-ec-mpcie.html#dx11 to be more reflective on true eGPU performance placing DX11 results at the top. Based on your 3dmark13 firestrike score, and given you have the fastest single-GPU card, you're pretty much at the top of the list. Well, squink's GTX780TI-SLI implementation is still there but that's SLI.

To get a full comprehensive listing of your system on the leaderboard, would you mind posting the following additional info in your opening post? Then I can add in more details for your system

- 3dmark (13) run result link

- 3dmark11 Performance preset run result link

- 3dmark06 run result link

Thanks!

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Ok, finally managed to put aside a couple of hours to get some more benchmarking done and reply to peeps...

Sonnet may be changing their mind soon about official eGPU support given Magma has partnered with Lenovo to do just that: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/7795-lenovo-magma-partnership-delivers-official-thunderbolt-egpu-support.html#post106203

Of all the TB solutions at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/6578-implementations-thunderbolt-expresscard-mpcie-egpus.html#Thunderbolt , there is only one expertly *modded* Sonnet III-D by kryzaach that gives a full 300W to the video card without the use of PCIe risers or external PSUs: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/7685-%5Bguide%5D-2013-11-macbook-air-titan%4010gbps-tb1-sonnet-iii-d-osx-10-9-4-a.html#post105280 .

Any EE would give that the thumbs up but of course other readers on here are not EEs or solder specialists. In which case, looking for a workaround that can tap more than the 150W Sonnet provide in the factory configuration of the III-D (75W slot + 75W 6P).

Is there any gauge writing on the III-D yellow/black 6P PCIe cable wiring? That willl tell us how many amps it can carry.

Good news story that, assuming its not been mis-quoted somehow, that might be one of the first (if not the first) times that an existing enclosure product has been mentioned in combination with a GPU!

Regards the 6pin power cable inside the IIID (and the same in the Echo Express Pro 1st gen box). Each cable is rated up to 300V with a thermal threshold of 90C for the insulation, conservatively working on 1mm braided cross section, it should be good for 10A as I suggested previously. Assuming each of the 3 pairs carries 75W @ 12V, that's ~6.25A per cable so within sensible tolerance.

Excellent mod work by @kryzaach you've linked earlier. The one bit that I couldn't find was the reason behind the mod? From working through the design, all 300W from the PSU is already delivered up to the riser board so I'm not sure why it was necessary to bypass it?

Thanks for this @MrHaPPyPiLLs ! I know gtx 980 draws less power, but is this setup safe for the 780ti using a 8/6 pin y-splitter too?

Unfortunately the only 780Ti that I have access to is a Titan Black and thats hooked up to a watercooled system so I cant test this specifically. From the basic theory above, it should work as the max TDP of that card is 250W. Since there is a quick cable mod already in existence that allows it to work regardless, I would say what've you got to lose?

Nice setup mate! I was eventually planning to have this setup with my Late 2013 rMBP. I have 45 days to wait for NVIDIA to release the GM200 GPUs (otherwise I'll just get the 980 thanks to EVGA's step-up program )

What I want to ask though is that how stable is this setup (e.g. heavy gaming, Unigine Valley for 1+ hour without crashing)? I want to make sure that the only stable Thunderbolt eGPU solution at the moment is with the Sonnet III-D. Shame it's a lot of £££, buying one has left my wallet £650 lighter!

EDIT: It seems like that the best high-performance eGPU Thunderbolt solution at the moment is the Sonnet III-D + GTX 980 (with stock clocking). No external PSUs are required and the 980's TDP of under 200W is far less than the 300W the Sonnet chassis can provide! However, in the UK it costs around £1,100 (£650 for the Sonnet chassis, £440 for the 980 and around £10 for the splitter)

Bang on with costs: as I mentioned right at the top of my original post, this really is a money no object type of setup (although arguably, since I hadn't seen the SLI 780Ti build before, its actually makes this a complete bargain!). I have now run back-to-back benchmarks for about 2 and a half hours (3 x 3d Mark 06, 3 x 3d Mark 11 and 3 x 3d Mark 13). Not a single issue at all - I'm kind of suprised by this but note that I have replaced the crappy fans with Noctua ones so that will likely have help with the airflow.

@MrHaPPyPiLLs , I've re-orged the Leaderboard at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/6578-implementations-hub-tb-ec-mpcie.html#dx11 to be more reflective on true eGPU performance placing DX11 results at the top. Based on your 3dmark13 firestrike score, and given you have the fastest single-GPU card, you're pretty much at the top of the list. Well, squink's GTX780TI-SLI implementation is still there but that's SLI.

To get a full comprehensive listing of your system on the leaderboard, would you mind posting the following additional info in your opening post? Then I can add in more details for your system

- 3dmark (13) run result link

- 3dmark11 Performance preset run result link

- 3dmark06 run result link

Thanks!

Damnit, now I have to fight the urge to get a second enclosure to do an SLI build! Seriously though, that is a pretty damn fine build so I'm very happy to run second fiddle to that monster...

I've posted links to the lowest score each of three benchmarks (not much variation between each run as youd expect but it was worth a long burn on the hardware to test the stability which was rock solid).

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Ok, finally managed to put aside a couple of hours to get some more benchmarking done and reply to peeps...

Good news story that, assuming its not been mis-quoted somehow, that might be one of the first (if not the first) times that an existing enclosure product has been mentioned in combination with a GPU!

Regards the 6pin power cable inside the IIID (and the same in the Echo Express Pro 1st gen box). Each cable is rated up to 300V with a thermal threshold of 90C for the insulation, conservatively working on 1mm braided cross section, it should be good for 10A as I suggested previously. Assuming each of the 3 pairs carries 75W @ 12V, that's ~6.25A per cable so within sensible tolerance.

Excellent mod work by @kryzaach you've linked earlier. The one bit that I couldn't find was the reason behind the mod? From working through the design, all 300W from the PSU is already delivered up to the riser board so I'm not sure why it was necessary to bypass it?

Unfortunately the only 780Ti that I have access to is a Titan Black and thats hooked up to a watercooled system so I cant test this specifically. From the basic theory above, it should work as the max TDP of that card is 250W. Since there is a quick cable mod already in existence that allows it to work regardless, I would say what've you got to lose?

Bang on with costs: as I mentioned right at the top of my original post, this really is a money no object type of setup (although arguably, since I hadn't seen the SLI 780Ti build before, its actually makes this a complete bargain!). I have now run back-to-back benchmarks for about 2 and a half hours (3 x 3d Mark 06, 3 x 3d Mark 11 and 3 x 3d Mark 13). Not a single issue at all - I'm kind of suprised by this but note that I have replaced the crappy fans with Noctua ones so that will likely have help with the airflow.

Damnit, now I have to fight the urge to get a second enclosure to do an SLI build! Seriously though, that is a pretty damn fine build so I'm very happy to run second fiddle to that monster...

I've posted links to the lowest score each of three benchmarks (not much variation between each run as youd expect but it was worth a long burn on the hardware to test the stability which was rock solid).

unfortunately the 6pin y-splitter didn't work for me. It worked but not until I ran the heaven benchmark then it rebooted my system. During reboot I heard a loud fan spin of the gpu card.

BTW I purchased a cooler master fan since it is only .6 thin just matches the original size of the stock fan. Add a 3pin to 2pin adapter for it,

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unfortunately the 6pin y-splitter didn't work for me. It worked but not until I ran the heaven benchmark then it rebooted my system. During reboot I heard a loud fan spin of the gpu card.

BTW I purchased a cooler master fan since it is only .6 thin just matches the original size of the stock fan. Add a 3pin to 2pin adapter for it,

Interesting. Sounds suspiciously like an overheating issue? Not to say that it's not power related but the high fan speed on reboot would support this theory. Is your card a rear exhausting model? I specifically selected a card that draws air from the rear of the cooler and pushes it out of the back of the enclosure to avoid heat building up.

The fans that I've used are 25mm thick so I've mounted them on the outside of the enclosure, the airflow from these Noctuas is ~2x that of the stock fans but they are significantly quieter.

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Interesting. Sounds suspiciously like an overheating issue? Not to say that it's not power related but the high fan speed on reboot would support this theory. Is your card a rear exhausting model? I specifically selected a card that draws air from the rear of the cooler and pushes it out of the back of the enclosure to avoid heat building up.

The fans that I've used are 25mm thick so I've mounted them on the outside of the enclosure, the airflow from these Noctuas is ~2x that of the stock fans but they are significantly quieter.

Correct my card is the reference version air is pushed out of the back of the enclosure. I'm not sure it it's on the card or with the power being supplied by the 6pin. Actually the restart happens on the 3rd scene so it hasn't really gone anywhere. I checked the backplate of the card and it is not warm yet. Thoughts?

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Hmmm. Seems unlikely to be overheating in that case although most card manufacturers supply monitoring software that you could run alongside the benchmarking to double check?

Personally, if I were troubleshooting, I would try some different methods to get the power to the card. @Tech Inferno Fan has posted somewhere (sorry cant find it right now) a link to a board that takes the 75W from a spare PCIe connector and outputs to a 6-pin molex. One of those and a cable to convert a single 6-pin to 8-pin would probably be the simplest way to supply the power that your card needs.

The second (and I would suggest is the neatest solution somewhere between DIY modding while making sure that you aren't invalidating the warranty on the enclosure) would be to assemble a cable that splits off the 16 pin power from the PSU to the riser board and provides 1 x 6pin and 1 x 8pin connector for your card. It's slightly tough to explain what I mean but have a look at the cable mod by @kryzaach here to see the 16pin cable that comes from the PSU and powers the whole system through the riser board.

The third option would be to follow exactly the steps in that build and assemble your own cables that connect directly to the PSU - the only issue there is the possibility of running into trouble if you wanted to repair under warranty.

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I've tried using the splitter on my 780 Ti too, and my computer wouldn't boot up at all, with the fans spinning very loudly during boot. It's safe to say that the 780 Ti draws too much power for a standalone solution (this particular card has been problematic for some of us eGPU users anyway). I've also modified it so that it gets the power straight from the Sonnet's PSU. It worked, until around 2 minutes after I started Unigine Valley.

Guess I'll just have to wait a few weeks for EVGA to step-up my 780 Ti to a 980, then I'll have some extra power left to mod my III-D a bit (I'm thinking of some LEDs inside :P)

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

I just bought the Macbook Pro 15" (Newest model, w/o nVidia Graphics), and I was wondering, does it work (nVidia GTX 980 eGPU) with the internal monitor? And if I want to plug an external monitor where should I put it? In the other thunderbolt or in the nVidia GTX 980? I'm asking because I also have an ASUS PB287Q (4K Monitor), and I usually use through HDMI at 30Hz because I haven't found a Thunderbolt -> DisplayPort cable here in Prince George, BC (Canada), and I was too lazy to buy it online. x)

I am excited to get the Sonnet III-d and nVidia GeForce GTX 980 soon, but seems that it will only be possible in January =(

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Yes, it does work with the internal monitor (steps to get it working on the forum). To use an external monitor, use the preferred connection on the external video card. External monitor will give you a performance boost over internal monitor.

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  • 3 months later...

Just to know, after installing the hardware part, what do I need to do in software side (drivers) ?

Because my windows just shows the Windows logo quickly and vanishes, no video after that and my Mac OS recognizes the Thunderbolt port with the Sonnet III-D but no GeForce attached to it =x

Screenshots:

Installing and looking for a place to put:

post-30486-14494999360782_thumb.jpg

post-30486-14494999361118_thumb.jpg

After trying and trying, I mounted everything in the thunderbolt case and removed/plugged-back in the VGA.

This is now, still not working:

post-30486-14494999362109_thumb.jpg

post-30486-14494999361458_thumb.jpg

post-30486-14494999361775_thumb.jpg

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nice leg :D

Have you installed the latest Bootcamp driver? Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5640

Have you installed the latest Intel Graphics driver? https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=23764

Please try booting without eGPU into Windows, after that turn on and connect the eGPU, install Nvidia driver!

Additionally follow Evo*s guide: http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides/8558-%5Bguide%5D-macbook-enabling-optimus-internal-lcd-mode.html#post110757

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I have installed the latest bootcamp driver, also the Optimus in the EFI partition (now the icon displayed when I hold ALT is the nVidia icon).

I haven't updated windows, because last time some games were bugging so I had formated it and only updated the drivers... Is there any specific windows update required?

But even in Mac OS X the VGA is not being recognized =( It only displays Iris Pro (using Mac OS X 10.10.2 -- the latest one).

I will try to boot windows and then plug-in the thunderbolt.

---- edit ----

updating windows...

tried to install latest intel driver, succeeded but nothing new...

tried to plug-in while windows was on, nothing new...

mac os x still doesn't recognize the VGA, only shows Intel Iris Pro 1536Mb.

=(

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tried to plug-in while windows was on, nothing new...

mac os x still doesn't recognize the VGA, only shows Intel Iris Pro 1536Mb.

I think it is important that you differentiate between OSX and Windows!

Did you plugged in the eGPU after Windows booted and installed the Nvidia driver (in Windows)?

Please test in the beginning with an external display attached to the eGPU (DVI or DP, not HDMI).

Can you explain your setup? Maybe post it in our signature?!

For OSX please follow this guide: http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides/8059-%5Bguide%5D-2013-15-macbook-pro-gt750m-gtx780ti%4016gbps-tb2-sonnet-ee-iii-d-osx10-10-a.html

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Well, I couldn't install the nVidia driver because it says that the system is not compatible (because I only can try to do while is not plugged in at boot, and I am not sure if it still recognized after putting when Windows has already booted).

I have already: updated drivers, tried to install nvidia driver (not installed), installed the EFI patch to internal LCD works with nvidia (Optimus).

My config: Macbook Pro 15" Mid-2014 (latest one) - 256 gb ssd, 16gb ram, i7 4770hq

My VGA: PNY GeForce GTX 980 (Reference)

Now I'm updating windows (I will shutdown and power on, updates completed now).

-- edit--

Still not working, it shows the Windows logo and the balls kind of spinning (loading) and then lcd goes to black and no external monitor shows what is supposed.

Now I will try the Mac OS X Part. I didn't know that we needed to put drivers/etc.

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  • Tech Inferno Fan changed the title to 2014 15" MBP Iris + GTX980@16Gbps-TB2 (Sonnet III-D) + Win8.1 [MrHaPPyPiLLs]

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