Jump to content

14" Dell Latitude E6430 - Performance Upgrades and System Mods


Recommended Posts

Disclaimer: Any mod presented in this thread may or may not violate your warranty contract with your manufacturer. Proceed with caution!

Bplus seems to have discontinued PE4C v2.1. That means that there is currently no pnp hardware available to achieve the x2.2 link. here

 

LR2cX81.png

 

Dell_Latitude_E6430_keyboard.jpg

 

Quote
A E6430 can be had for ~US$200-300 on ebay-US . Its performance-price ratio and its durable MIL-spec build is great for a portable 14" package. Consider these features:

 

  • socketted CPU allows a easy user upgrade i7-quad, with multi unlock capability for i7-37x0QM, i7-38x0QM and i7-39x0XM CPU OC.
  • can use up to 2133MHz PnP memory modules and/or enable XMP Profiles for up to ~158% better RAM performance compared to the stock single channel 1x4GB option when paired with a i5/i7 CPU.
  • 14" with dual-LVDs 900p option.
  • switchable Graphics NVS5200M dGPU option with Optimus, similar performance to a GT720M/GT620M and faster than the HD4000 iGPU.
  • expressCard Slot (4Gbps) allows to connect expansion cards or even eGPU for gaming, video editing CUDA/OpenCL processing or driving more external LCDs.
  • ODD can be swapped with a second 2.5" 9.5mm SATA-III 6Gbps SSD or HDD in a caddy & in a JBOD, RAID-0 (performance) or RAID-1 (redundancy) configuration.
  • upgradeable WLAN : non-whitelisted bios allows upgrading to any half mini pci-e card (3 antennas waiting)
  • internal WWAN/3G capable : non-whitelisted install a WWAN/3G, a mobile SIM and surf the internet anywhere.
  • extra half mini pci-e port under the WWAN port
  • backlit keyboard option: great for night time use
  • battery options include a 65Wh 6-cell, 97Wh 9-cell battery, 3-cell 30Wh E-module Battery (replaces the ODD) and 97Whr 9-cell clip-on slice via the docking connector with a total according to Dell 32.7h! It can recover 80 percent of its charge in an hour of charging.
  • eGPU @ x2 2.0 (8Gbps) capable compining two of the mPCIe ports.
  • dynamic TOLUD to easy accomodate eGPU and/or ability to manually set TOLUD (from 1GB to 3.25GB) using UEFI variables freeing up PCI space to host more than one eGPU units.

 

 

 

Check the newbie guide for all the tweaks on the E6430 by badbadbad...

 

NEWBIE GUIDE TO TWEAKING THE DELL E6430

 

...or below for individual guides:

 

Dell References

Dell E6430 Setup and features, Manual, Drivers

Schematics Discrete Graphics & UMA

 

Performance Boost Guides

* Use UEFI variables to change many hidden BIOS options - How to make a permanent boot option to EFI Shell guide here (thanks @kondilac)

  • Set specific multiplier values (for +400MHz i7-37x0/38x0 or up to the cooler ability Extreme CPU i7-39x0 OC).
    i7-3720QM example over 4GHz.
    Guide here by Tech Inferno Fan-Khenglish.

On some occasions this will only work with an unapproved power brick. Otherwise you will be TDP limited.

Spoiler
On 6/1/2016 at 1:34 AM, Khenglish said:

When using an approved power brick, CPU TDP on an xm cpu would be limited to the long power limit of 55W at all times. When using an unapproved power brick, The short term power limit would then work, allowing up to 68W, and full x4 turbo multiplier.

 

Raising the power limits using IFR only worked when using an unapproved power brick. Using an approved brick would always clamp power draw to 55W.

 

  • Enable XMP (eXtreme Memory Profiles) to OC RAM speed and timings here. Performance results here. Everything regarding RAM tweaking variables in this post with explanation (thanks @kondilac)
  • Lower TOLUD value to allow dGPU and eGPU or multiple eGPU solutions without need for compaction.
  • Set iGPU to enabled after booting with eGPU connected here. (thanks @sangemaru for testing)
  • Set your EC port to gen1 to use with older hardware that would work with x1.1 signals only here.
  • Overclock iGPU Intel HD4000 for up to 21% performance gain here
  • RAID0 / striping enabling to achieve up to 1GB/s R/W times here (thanks @R.O.G.)

I found this manual that gives explanation, what most of the UEFI variables do.

* Battery Life tweaks - idle at 7.2W for dGPU model and (maybe) 5.4W for iGPU model

* ME Firmware mod to allow BCLK overclocking (~5%) here

* Use PnP memories with JEDEC timings @ 2133MHz to OC RAM. here. Performance results here.

* Cooling mods in order to avoid thermally introduced throttling when OCing (Dewos & and timohour).

* Overclock dGPU core and memory for up to 35% better performance than stock here.

 

eGPU Guides

* Unlocking flash descriptor and setting a x2 2.0 [8Gbps] for eGPU here.

 

Trivia Guides - Tips

* Connect 3 external screens on a Dell Latitude E6430 using docking station here

* Change the BIOS options within windows using the Dell Command | Configure tool and reboot to apply. (thanks @kondilac)

* Reveal hidden BIOS settings! (thanks @xsmile) Settings in this menu display all possible options in a human readable form and you don't have to deal with hexadecimal numbers.

 

E6430 Systems

user CPU RAM Storage iGPU/dGPU eGPU other
kondilac [email protected] 16GB@2133Mhz CL10 L 250GB SSD iGPU x1.2 GTX 560Ti CPU multiplier unlock, custom RAM timings, Docking Station
captnastro [email protected] 16GB@1866MHz CL9 L       CPU multiplier unlock, custom RAM timings
badbadbad i7-3840QM (QCF1) 16GB@1600MHz L 500GB SSD & 2TB odd caddy dGPU x2.2 GTX 970 900P,odd caddy, BCLK OC, newbie guide
sefki21 i7-3840QM         900P, BCLK OC, OSX
Tempest i7-3740QM@4,1GHz 16GB@1600MHz CL10 1TB SSD & 750GB odd caddy iGPU GTX 750 2GB 900P, CPU multiplier unlock, odd caddy, custom RAM timings
sangemaru i7-3740QM@4,1GHz 16GB@2133Mhz CL12 L   iGPU@1450MHz R9-270x CPU multiplier unlock, custom RAM timings, iGPU OC
viilutaja i7-3740QM@4,1GHz 16GB@1600MHz   dGPU GTX 670 CPU multiplier unlock
Dewos i7-3740QM@4,1GHz 16GB   dGPU GTX 660 CPU multiplier unlock
hairentin i7-3740QM 16GB@2133Mhz CL11 L   dGPU    
miros220 i5-3340M 16GB   iGPU GTX 960  
damiancho i7-3740QM 8GB   dGPU GTX 960  
ast i7-3630QM 8GB 240GB SSD & 1TB dGPU GTX 1050Ti 4GB  
PJ²³ i7-3610QM 8GB@1600MHz 240GB SSD & 1TB odd caddy iGPU GTX 670 οdd caddy
carrretero i5-3320M 8GB   iGPU@1450MHz    
timohour i7-3720QM@4,08GHz 8GB@2133MHz CL12 128GB ssd dGPU@882MHz/2092MHz R9-280x 900P, CPU multiplier unlock, BCLK, iGPU/dGPU OC
R.O.G.   8GB@1600MHz L 2 x PM830 RAID 0     raid 0/stripping guide
theClassicaCat         HD7950 x4 2.0 custom project
skillz       iGPU    

 

To be continued...

Edited by timohour
  • Thumbs Up 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tech Inferno Fan said:

If want to experiment with a x2 2.0 eGPU implementation then suggest look at a one-gen older Dell E6430. It's has two mPCIe ports (port 1 + 2) as per the E6430 schematic.

 

According to E6430 schematic PCI-E port 4 is wired to the E3 Module Bay.

On schematic page 29 E3 Module is supposed to wire to JSATA2 which happens to be the ODD connector.

There is a close up of E6430 motherboard near the ODD connector where we can see that JSATA2 connector is a standard connector.

 

 

Spoiler

 

From what I get, E-module Bay II is supposed to carry USB 3.0 ports based on an PCI-E chip.

Is it possible that this will be used for both SATA signal and/or PCI-E signal?

EDIT: JSATA2 is a double sided connector with SATA and power on the one side and pcie signal on the other. It seems that a mini pcie PM3N connector physically fits. It should be investigated further if it works.

UPDATE: To avoid any misunderstanding x4 2.0 is still a work under progress. There is no proof, yet, that it works!

If this is not only on papers, this mean that Dell E6430 is capable of a "clean" solution @ x2 2.0 (8Gbps) using the Expresscard (port 3) and a custom DIY connector from ODD caddy (or sata) to HDMI to connect to PE4C, all this without opening your laptop.

And maybe an x4 2.0 (16Gbps) connection using WWAN (port 1) WLAN (port2) EC (port3) and E3 Module (port4) with a custom made connector.

Offcourse all this could happen if there is a way to enable flashing the machines Descriptor Region with fitc/fpt.

On my 6470b it was fairly easy (thanks to your contribution) using ⊞ Win ++on boot, but I got like all Probooks/Elitebooks (I realised that after I got my 6470b) unfavorable position for the ports 1 & 3. The 6470b PCIe port layout is shown in the spoiler:

Spoiler

 

according to

schematic and test with Setup 1.30

-port1 = not connected

-port2 = EC slot

-port3 = SD card reader & 1394 port

-port4 = half-height WLAN slot

-port6 = LAN

ports 5,6,7,8 won't show in Setup 1.30 and if you try to enable them it hangs. WWAN is USB/mSATA.

 

 

 

The results of Descriptor Region manipulation with fitc and successful flash with fpt is port 1 @ x2 2.0 and port 3 @ x2 2.0 both useless.

 

Spoiler

16288217052_ef4d23245a_o.png15666644684_3f930db713_o.jpg

 

 

Maybe it could be helpful a thread in the eGPU section with the port layout of eGPU users' laptop? I could handle the table.

 

Tech Inferno Fan said:

1080P or higher resolution : not possible since the E6440 uses a LVDS rather than eDP internal LCD interface. The max resolution available in 14" LVDS is usually 1600x900, representing 37% more viewing area than 1366x768. <strike>Though ebay has 14" 1680x945 LVDS LCDs, giving an additional 10% more viewing area over 1600x900 or 51% over 1366x768.</strike> --> 1680x945 LCD does not fit correctly as attempted here.

 

Just a note. 1ch LVDs support a display resolution of up to 1400 × 1050 @ 60 Hz refresh while a 2ch link can boost the maximum display resolution up to 2048 × 1536 (QXGA) @ 60 Hz. (wiki) That's how we could install a 1080p screen on a HP Probook 4530s with 2ch LVDS cable.

On the other hand, 14" 1080p LVDs screen are rare. I quote what laptopscreen.com responded:

Unfortunately we do not have any 14" 1080p 40-pin LCDs.

We know that there were some in existence - but we have never had our hands on it.

(We have several 30-pin eDP 14" LCDs @ 1080p - those are the newest stock).

The real problem is that most of the 14" LVDS 768p/900p screens that exist aren't good (no IPS options either).

 

The only notable screen (that I am aware of) in the 14" TN panel category is the Thinkpad X1 Carbon (gen 1) screen and its price is too high.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I could only find one single panel that matches your description:

LVDS, 1920x1080, 14.00" (it's 2CH though):

LP140WH8-TLA1

UPDATE: Seems like there was a mistake in the panellook.com site. This screen seems to be an 768p. I even confirmed with a seller who had the exact same part Number.

 

You are right. But it is not available apart from a few chinese sellers.

Most trustworthy sellers sell a combatible 768p screen. link . .

Edited by timohour
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[

You are right. But it is not available apart from a few chinese sellers.

Most trustworthy sellers sell a combatible 768p screen. link . .

Yes, there is a language boundary that complicates things regarding fine details when shopping from China. I must say though that my experience from Chinese sellers are very good and they are often willing to help you, like providing images of the item before shipping etc. This would eliminate sending the wrong model or item, a screen in this case. So far I have never been scammed so I'd rather take my chances buying a 1080p panel from China over being stuck with a 720p screen from eBay =)

I did find your model from eBay though:

New 14" 14 0" Laptop LED LCD Screen Panels Display LP140WH8 TLA1 TL A1 | eBay

Of course one would like to see some more details of the item from the seller before purchase.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did find your model from eBay though:

New 14" 14 0" Laptop LED LCD Screen Panels Display LP140WH8 TLA1 TL A1 | eBay

Of course one would like to see some more details of the item from the seller before purchase.

I don't think he will actually sell a 1080p screen.

Yes, there is a language boundary that complicates things regarding fine details when shopping from China. I must say though that my experience from Chinese sellers are very good and they are often willing to help you, like providing images of the item before shipping etc. This would eliminate sending the wrong model or item, a screen in this case. So far I have never been scammed so I'd rather take my chances buying a 1080p panel from China over being stuck with a 720p screen from eBay =)

And when I said china sellers I meant aliexpress etc...

Any way I think that 900p for 14" is more that enough and I am being a bit greedy...:nevreness:.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@timohour

I doesn't hurt to ask him, sometimes you're lucky =)

I was actually referring to yoybuy and aliexpress (eBay if possible), I been done a lot of shopping there of the more rare kind.

If you're looking for 900p 14" LVDS screens there are a lot to choose from:

LCD Panel Advanced Search - Panelook.com

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

RE: http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge-4.html#post111145

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:

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}

Do you know which values i should modify to disable the dGPU?

I tried today to disable dGPU on my recently purchased Dell E6430 (NVS5200M UEFI win 8.1 64) using this experimental method cause when I tried to disable dGPU with Setup 1.x (legacy W7 64 installation) my computer would inexplicably freeze upon boot. The result was to completely lose my internal screen functionality upon next cold boot (I didn't have my eGPU connected atm).

After disabling the PEG (using command setup_var 0x187 0x2) my internal screen wouldn't light. I tried to use amy flash light to see if it was only the backlight that was off but I realised that it was completely off. Windows 8.1 booted normally ( I could here the sound of Skype loading) but I couldn't use neither the internal screen or any other external output (VGA, HDMI). I finally managed to revert the setting blindly (F12 and testing each boot device until I booted my UEFI USB flash drive and type setup_var 0x187 0x0).

I wouldn't recommend this method to disable the dGPU at least on a Dell E6430 as it could probably brick the machine.

Note: If anyone else wants to try this, have in mind that the default BIOS setting on a E6430 for boot is legacy mode and if you try to remove your CMOS battery to revert BIOS default it could completely brick your device.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I tried today to disable dGPU on my recently purchased Dell E6430 (NVS5200M UEFI win 8.1 64) using this experimental method cause when I tried to disable dGPU with Setup 1.x (legacy W7 64 installation) my computer would inexplicably freeze upon boot. The result was to completely lose my internal screen functionality upon next cold boot (I didn't have my eGPU connected atm).

After disabling the PEG (using command setup_var 0x187 0x2) my internal screen wouldn't light. I tried to use amy flash light to see if it was only the backlight that was off but I realised that it was completely off. Windows 8.1 booted normally ( I could here the sound of Skype loading) but I couldn't use neither the internal screen or any other external output (VGA, HDMI). I finally managed to revert the setting blindly (F12 and testing each boot device until I booted my UEFI USB flash drive and type setup_var 0x187 0x0).

I wouldn't recommend this method to disable the dGPU at least on a Dell E6430 as it could probably brick the machine.

Note: If anyone else wants to try this, have in mind that the default BIOS setting on a E6430 for boot is legacy mode and if you try to remove your CMOS battery to revert BIOS default it could completely brick your device.

Thank you the heads up. I've placed a warning against this action in the original post at http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge-4.html#post111145 linking to your experience.

As an aside, the Dell E6430 should be x2 2.0 capable. I was eyeing those systems to do such an eGPU implementation given the noteworthy performance improvements, eg: http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides/3062-2012-13-macbook-pro-gtx660ti-hd7870%408gbps-tb1-th05-win7-%5BTech Inferno Fan%5D.html#post42483 but never got around to it. You'd need a PE4C V2.1 x2 capable eGPU adapter to do it with. Involved would taking a dump of the BIOS, eg procedure to do that is here, modifying he ME FW with the Intel FITC utility to change the PCIe port straps for port1 to be x2 rather than x1, then flashing it back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you the heads up. I've placed a warning against this action in the original post at http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge-4.html#post111145 linking to your experience.

You are fast!!!

EDIT: I also found out that the reason that I lost my internal screen was because when I set my Always Enable PEG at Disabled, then soft booted, Optimus selection under the Video Section of my BIOS dissappeared and also disabled (realised that after setting AEP to Auto and cold reboot). That's why it booted but it couldn't show anything to any screens connected on my HD4000 since Optimus was disabled. <del>I should find the value that sets Optimus Enable and try to set that to enable after I disable my Quadro.</del>

As an aside, the Dell E6430 should be x2 2.0 capable. I was eyeing those systems to do such an eGPU implementation given the noteworthy performance improvements, eg: http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides/3062-2012-13-macbook-pro-gtx660ti-hd7870%408gbps-tb1-th05-win7-%5BTech Inferno Fan%5D.html#post42483 but never got around to it. You'd need a PE4C V2.1 x2 capable eGPU adapter to do it with. Involved would taking a dump of the BIOS, eg procedure to do that is here, modifying he ME FW with the Intel FITC utility to change the PCIe port straps for port1 to be x2 rather than x1, then flashing it back.

That's why I grabbed that. :chuncky: According to my speculations it could even achieve an x4 2.0 link if I manage to take advantage of port 4 Emodule II (ODD)

It was a bargain @ 200$ since it came with 900p, WWAN 4G, Intel 6205. I just have mixed feelings cause it is the dGPU model... I was hoping I could completely disable it using this trick but... impossible.

Question: Is there any easier way to unlock the flash descriptor as in my HP with the key combination? I just hope I don't have to completely take this apart to find my ALC chip. (I have the schematics so it is gonna be easier)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You are fast!!!

That's why I grabbed that. :chuncky: According to my speculations it could even achieve an x4 2.0 link if I manage to take advantage of port 4 Emodule II (ODD)

It was a bargain @ 200$ since it came with 900p, WWAN 4G, Intel 6205. I just have mixed feelings cause it is the dGPU model... I was hoping I could completely disable it using this trick but... impossible.

Question: Is there any easier way to unlock the flash descriptor as in my HP with the key combination? I just hope I don't have to completely take this apart to find my ALC chip. (I have the schematics so it is gonna be easier)

Great buy there. I quite like the HD+ 14" E6430 as well as 14" HP 8470P/8460P. The E6430 being the better eGPU candidate because of it's x2 2.0 potential.

Unfortunately the only way I found to unlock the flash descriptor with my E6440 was to jumper the ALC chip as demonstrated at http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge.html#post99289 .

Good news is that if you do it once, you can disable the ME read only mode in the bios itself so only need to jumper it once, mod the bios, flash it and have the ME unlocked thereafter to be able to mod the MW for BCLK overclocking as well as x2/x4 PCIe port straps.

I'm glad the E6430 found it's way into your hands. We may have an exclusive from you - the FIRST ever publicly documented x2 2.0 eGPU implementation using multiple mPCIe ports on a SB or newer system :) May see upward movement of E6430 s/h values as a result.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great buy there. I quite like the HD+ 14" E6430 as well as 14" HP 8470P/8460P. The E6430 being the better eGPU candidate because of it's x2 2.0 potential.

Yes I know. Although the E6430 is heavier it is a better choise since it is x2 2.0 capable (maybe x4 2.0) and its WWAN port is not whitelisted...

It was very easy to set port 1 & 3 of my hp 6470b @ x2 2.0 but it was useless. I also tried to enable a reverse x4 2.0 but the card reader in port 3 would get it the way.

15666644684_3f930db713_o.jpg

Unfortunately the only way I found to unlock the flash descriptor with my E6440 was to jumper the ALC chip as demonstrated at http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge.html#post99289 .

Good news is that if you do it once, you can disable the ME read only mode in the bios itself so only need to jumper it once, mod the bios, flash it and have the ME unlocked thereafter to be able to mod the MW for BCLK overclocking as well as x2/x4 PCIe port straps.

I'm glad the E6430 found it's way into your hands. We may have an exclusive from you - the FIRST ever publicly documented x2 2.0 eGPU implementation using multiple mPCIe ports on a SB or newer system :) May see upward movement of E6430 s/h values as a result.

Let's hope it would be an easy job. I am afraid it would require to take this apart...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes I know. Although the E6430 is heavier it is a better choise since it is x2 2.0 capable (maybe x4 2.0) and its WWAN port is not whitelisted...

It was very easy to set port 1 & 3 of my hp 6470b @ x2 2.0 but it was useless. I also tried to enable a reverse x4 2.0 but the card reader in port 3 would get it the way.

15666644684_3f930db713_o.jpg

Let's hope it would be an easy job. I am afraid it would require to take this apart...

Did you mod and then flash the ME to get x2 2.0 on the 6470B?

E6440 was quite easy to get access to the audio chip. Just remove the keyboard and palmrest.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14" E6430 and HP 8470P/6470B offer a 1600x900 LCD option and the larger chassis dissipates heat better if looking at a quad-core upgrade.

Dell E6430 pips the HP 8470P/6470B due to x2 2.0 eGPU possibility (no done yet, but @timohour looks to be onto it) as well as UEFI variable modification to probably allow unlocked turbo multipliers to function (i7-3720QM or better).

REF: http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/8176-%5Bguide%5D-dell-e6530-cpu-tdp-multi-unlocking.html

http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge-11.html#post129564

The truth is that I finally found the time today to open my E6430 to unlock the Flash Descriptor. (I would dedicate a guide on how its done maybe on the 6440 thread or in a new thread)

the descriptor is unlocked and port 1 runs @ x2 2.0. (port 1 WWAN & port 2 WLAN)

<spoiler></spoiler>

17155167616_9f182c9d48_o.jpg

With the proper gear it will be up and running soon. I just have some hard time unlocking my ME firmware but I am probably going to ask for help from @Khenglish over at Lets enable overclocking on all 6 and 7 series laptops or it may be my 3120M (will be replace it when I have the time).

I wouldn't recommend the dGPU model though. It gives me a hard time trying to connect my eGPU.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello everyone! I've recently acquired an E6430 (HD+, NVS5200) and found it to be a suitable upgrade for my 2570p. Currently waiting on the caddy, but I'm glad to know that x2.2 looks to be up and running.

@timohour, I'd very much like to see your step-by-step guide on how to unlock the Flash Descriptor. Looking forward to working with you guys soon.

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

badbadbad said:

@timohour, I'd very much like to see your step-by-step guide on how to unlock the Flash Descriptor. Looking forward to working with you guys soon.

 How to unlock your Flash Descriptor on a Dell Latitude E6430 (dGPU/iGPU)

 

Spoiler

As stated on the first post by Tech Inferno Fan Dell Latitude E6430 is one of the Ivy Bridge laptop which ports are on the right order to be able to create an x2 2.0 link. He also said that on SandyBridge and IvyBridge laptops we can not enable x2 2.0 link with Setup 1.x software but only with mod in the BIOS and particularly the Flash Descriptor. Thanks to Khenglish, Tech Inferno Fan and others on the Lets enable overclocking on all 6 and 7 series laptops thread I realized that we can use FITC to program our Flash Descriptor to create an x2 2.0 link out of two continuous ports (port 1 + port 2, port 3 +port4 etc.). HPs and Clevos currently have a fairly easy way to unlock your Flash Descriptor (as it is discussed on Lets enable overclocking on all 6 and 7 series laptops) but I found out that most of the HP Probooks and Elitebooks (tested 4530s/ 4340s / 6470b /8470p) don’t use port 1 and they use port 3 for SD card reader. That’s why I switched to Dell E6430.

 

I carefully read post #6 by Tech Inferno Fan and Inspiron 15 schematic and realized that in order to temporarily unlock my Flash Descriptor I had to apply a High Signal (3.3V) on the SD OUT. As you can see in the schematics E6430 uses 92HD90B2X5 chip where the SD OUT pin is on pin 5.

 

Spoiler

17216871525_a0aa52437a_o.jpg

 

 

In the spoiler you can see exactly where the 92HD90B2X5 chip is located on a dGPU model. In order to reach this point you have to remove HDD (2 screws), ODD, bottom cover (3 screws), keyboard bezel, keyboard (4 screws top, 2 screws bottom), WWAN (if available 1 screw) and palm rest (2 screws top and 10 bottom).

Thanks to @sskillz we know that on the iGPU model IDT chip is on the bottom side of the motherboard.

Once you locate the chip the procedure is the same both on iGPU and dGPU On chip 92HD90B2X5 you can find a High Signal on pin 9 or even better the resistor that leads there (not pin 1 as on E6440). All you have to do is paperclip pin 5 and pin 9 just on boot.

 

Spoiler

16594438734_c65066af2a_o.jpg

 

Then you can use fpt.exe and a FreeDos Disk to extract your original bios bin. If fpt.exe gives you error 26 then you probably didn’t succeed in applying the pinmod and you have to shutdown and try again. If you can successfully obtain your Full Bios Image you have temporarily unlocked your Flash Descriptor till you shutdown your laptop. To make the unlock permanent all you have to do mod your Flash Descriptor bios part using FITC or

 

Quote
get a hex editor, and look for this HEX string

00 00 0B 0A 00 00 0D 0C 18 01 08

and change it to

00 00 FF FF 00 00 FF FF 18 01 08

then save the file. this will unlock the descriptor.

 

Flash it back and you are a free man. Now you can use FITC and set your port 1 (WWAN) to x2 2.0 mode.

17155167616_9f182c9d48_o.jpg

For x2 2.0 to work you have to use 2 mini pci-e ports: port 1 (WWAN) and port 2 (WLAN). You can use mini pci-e port 5 (under the WWAN) to connect your wifi card (tested it and working) because after turning port 1 to x2 2.0 port 2 will be disabled.

I have come this far but haven’t connected a GPU @ x2 2.0 yet. Hope I have the necessary parts soon and try it.

Thanks to everyone who contributed so far. Feel free to correct or contribute.

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@timohour, thank you for the guide. Your instructions are very helpful and understandable.

Struggled a bit with the picture but soon realized that that bump looked like the resistor you were referring to.

When booting after bridging, will you have access to the laptop keyboard? Or do you need an external keyboard?

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@timohour, great stuff with the new thread. I've moved across much of the E6430 stuff from the E6440 thread as well and used one of your older posts in the Series-6 overclocking thread as a place marker for the opening post, ensuring it's quoted and remains in context in the orignal thread. That way don't need to start shuffling content around to make room for the opening post.

I'll add that I refer to x1 2.0 as 4Gbps, x2 2.0 as 8Gbps. That's what the transfer rate is after 8b/10b encoding is applied. 10Gbps-Thunderbolt is attached using a x4 2.0 electrical link with the downstream 10Gbps being the limiting factor. I recorded 10Gbps-TB1 have at least 12.5% more throughput than x2 2.0.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@timohour, great stuff with the new thread. I've moved across much of the E6430 stuff from the E6440 thread as well and used one of your older posts in the Series-6 overclocking thread as a place marker for the opening post, ensuring it's quoted and remains in context in the orignal thread. That way don't need to start shuffling content around to make room for the opening post.

Thanks for the mods! (maybe posts 4-7 are useless and out of place?) I was thinking preserving some posts on the 1st page to include all mods there but I will create links in the first post.

I'll add that I refer to x1 2.0 as 4Gbps, x2 2.0 as 8Gbps. That's what the transfer rate is after 8b/10b encoding is applied. 10Gbps-Thunderbolt is attached using a x4 2.0 electrical link with the downstream 10Gbps being the limiting factor. I recorded 10Gbps-TB1 have at least 12.5% more throughput than x2 2.0.

Corrected it on my 1st post, feel free to correct such mistakes.

Now, lets get to the good staff!

Till now we just speculated that x2 2.0 would work with an eGPU. How about some actual proof?

I was pretty impatient if this was going to work or not and that's why I pulled together some of the stuff that I had lying around and soldered some wires from a mini pci-e to sata adapter to an x16 riser.

for those of you that you are unaware, msata drives (this particular adapter is wired as of ASUS flashcon proprietary pinout) use the same pairs 23-25 and 31-33 for the SATA signal as the mini pcie pinout uses for PerT PerR signals needed for x2 mode. check below

oQxmT.png

Connected all these with my old GTX460 768MB and voila...

16620905394_52585a3371_o.jpg

I was pretty amazed to discover that it works!!!

Don't get too excited though, it seems like my solder job was poor, so although I can boot to Windows, connect an external screen on my card and capture a GPU-Z screenshot with my GTX460 @ x2 2.0,

17055811950_91c536b5bc_o.gif

This is as far as I go. When I try to benchmark, it fails. 10-15 sec after I start the 3Dmark06 test my Nvidia Driver crashes and restarts [problem either insufficient power or most probably bad pci-e signal (maybe my poor soldering)]

I am happy that it worked that way (even for a little). It seems like my quest wasn't just a ghost huntιng.

This way a cheap x2 2.0 capable notebook (Sandy/Ivy/Haswell) along with a 103$ shipped PE4C v2.1 adapter and some patience could be a cheaper solution than a Macbook + 200$ thunderbolt adapter...

You may noticed that my TOLUD is 2GB. I used UEFI variables to set it that low. I will describe that also.

post-11062-14494999831061_thumb.gif

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the mods! (maybe posts 4-7 are useless and out of place?) I was thinking preserving some posts on the 1st page to include all mods there but I will create links in the first post.

Corrected it on my 1st post, feel free to correct such mistakes.

Now, lets get to the good staff!

Till now we just speculated that x2 2.0 would work with an eGPU. How about some actual proof?

I was pretty impatient if this was going to work or not and that's why I pulled together some of the stuff that I had lying around and soldered some wires from a mini pci-e to sata adapter to an x16 riser. Connected all these with my old GTX460 768MB and voila...

16620905394_52585a3371_o.jpg

I was pretty amazed to discover that it works!!!

Don't get too excited though, it seems like my solder job was poor, so although I can boot to Windows, connect an external screen on my card and capture a GPU-Z screenshot with my GTX460 @ x2 2.0,

17055811950_91c536b5bc_o.gif

This is as far as I go. When I try to benchmark, it fails. 10-15 sec after I start the 3Dmark06 test my Nvidia Driver crashes and restarts [problem either insufficient power or most probably bad pci-e signal (maybe my poor soldering)]

I am happy that it worked that way (even for a little). It seems like my quest wasn't just a ghost huntιng.

This way a cheap x2 2.0 capable notebook (Sandy/Ivy/Haswell) along with a 103$ shipped PE4C v2.1 adapter and some patience could be a cheaper solution than a Macbook + 200$ thunderbolt adapter...

You may noticed that my TOLUD is 2GB. I used UEFI variables to set it that low. I would describe that also.

Are using the same MAX TOLUD UEFI variable to lower TOLUD on your E6430 as I listed for the E6440 http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge-4.html#post111145 ?

You can try setting your port1 to Gen1 speed using the PCIe Ports->Gen1 menu in Setup 1.30. The lower speed might make you cobbed together eGPU adapter work reliably at x2 1.0. Enough to do a benchmark run and be enough to document how to do it all as a proof of concept until you get a Gen2-capable PE4C V2.1.

I'll mention some vague info I had about PE4C V1.2 sent to me. PE4C V1.2 (PCIe x16 Adapter) . A user suggested it had two x1 connectors on it on it's underside. Never had proof of that, nor do any BPlus photos show it's connectors, nor are the schematics accessible. Was he correct? PE4C V1.2 is rather inexpensive and uses flat FFC cable which may be more convenient in your dual mPCIe cabling configuration.

I'll also say that a PE4H 2.4a with the PCIEMM-060B (thin flexible cable) was almost Gen2 compliant with the NVidia cards I tested. Strange thing was that AMD cards had no problems running Gen2 with them. It's almost like the AMD driver has far more fault tolerance at the physical link level. If you had a PE4H 2.4a handy, it could be useful to do some testing with at the very least. Though the AMD card did benchmark lower with the PE4H 2.4a than with say a Gen2-compliant PE4L 2.1b

Agreed, a x2 2.0 eGPU 8Gbps) teams up very nicely with a Dell E6430/E6530 making it a very cost effective, high performance solution. Certainly better than a 4Gbps expresscard one. The notebook itself is outstanding with it's build, i7-quad upgradability and HD+ screen. 16Gbps-TB2 is of course better but someone is marketting TB2 for the upper end of the market. TB2 being only in Macbook Pros and business workstation machines, both of are premium cost machines.

So indeed, you are the first to publicly demonstrate a x2 link on a Series-6 or newer notebook where Intel have locked down link width settings to the ME FW. Thank you :78:

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are using the same MAX TOLUD UEFI variable to lower TOLUD on your E6430 as I listed for the E6440 http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/6980-14-dell-latitude-e6440-owners-lounge-4.html#post111145 ?

Yep!!! I used the E6430-A07_IFR

You can try setting your port1 to Gen1 speed using the PCIe Ports->Gen1 menu in Setup 1.30. The lower speed might make you cobbed together eGPU adapter work reliably at x2 1.0. Enough to do a benchmark run and be enough to document how to do it all as a proof of concept until you get a Gen2-capable PE4C V2.1.

I decided to use UEFI Win 8.1 installation (getting ready for Win 10) and that's why I cannot use setup 1.30 on this drive. I booted from an eSATA drive where I have Setup 1.30 installed and that's how I got my screenshot. I maybe try to find the UEFI variable to change it from Gen 2 to gen 1.

I'll also say that a PE4H 2.4a with the PCIEMM-060B (thin flexible cable) was almost Gen2 compliant with the NVidia cards I tested. Strange thing was that AMD cards had no problems running Gen2 with them. It's almost like the AMD driver has far more fault tolerance at the physical link level. If you had a PE4H 2.4a handy, it could be useful to do some testing with at the very least. Though the AMD card did benchmark lower with the PE4H 2.4a than with say a Gen2-compliant PE4L 2.1b

That's great info. I can connect my 280x and see if it works better. I was afraid to use it at the begining but it should work now. Or maybe try an older pcie card.

Agreed, a x2 2.0 eGPU 8Gbps) teams up very nicely with a Dell E6430/E6530 making it a very cost effective, high performance solution. Certainly better than a 4Gbps expresscard one.

I know that but as you pointed out it is not the one cable TB solution. You know that my quest was to try use the E-module II port 4 and create an x4 2.0 link (just for testing) and conclude with an x2 2.0 external link using EC port3 and E-module II port 4. Having to take apart my laptop every time I want to connect the eGPU is not an acceptable solution for me. If I don't find a way around it I am maybe going to settle for an unupgradeable Macbook Pro too. But where is the fun in that? :chuncky:

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know that but as you pointed out it is not the one cable TB solution. You know that my quest was to try use the E-module II port 4 and create an x4 2.0 link (just for testing) and conclude with an x2 2.0 external link using EC port3 and E-module II port 4. Having to take apart my laptop every time I want to connect the eGPU is not an acceptable solution for me. If I don't find a way around it I am maybe going to settle for an unupgradeable Macbook Pro too. But where is the fun in that? :chuncky:

Invariably looks like eGPU users wanting performance will migrate over to Macbooks. The latest Macbook Air with a TB2 port. No TB2 chip in a PC notebook unless you spend big on a workstation. You'd think one ultrabook manufacturer would put a TB2 chip in it?

The port3+4 solution would be the way I would have done it too. There you could keep it one cable (EC) for rudimentary eGPU stuff and plug in the other cable when wanting high performance gaming. Am curious to see how you'll cable it all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Invariably looks like eGPU users wanting performance will migrate over to Macbooks. The latest Macbook Air with a TB2 port. No TB2 chip in a PC notebook unless you spent up big on a workstation. You'd think one manufacturer would put a TB2 chip in an ultrabook?

I love macs. I just hate their pricetags...

The port3+4 solution would be the way I would have done it too. There you could keep it one cable (EC) for rudimentary eGPU stuff and plug in the other cable when wanting high performance gaming. Am curious to see how you'll cable it all.

That makes two of us... I had some plans but my latest failure sets me back.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Connecting 3 external screens on a Dell Latitude E6430 along with a PR02X docking station

 

Since this is the main computer I use at work I bought a Dell PR02X Docking station along with 130W adapter to connect my peripherals. I chose a USB 2.0 PR02X because it comes with a variety of ports including a serial port and 2 displayports and it is fairly cheap.

 

Spoiler

 

51t3H0iH2yL._SL1200_.jpg

612n8Hp9A3L._SL1200_.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Since we had two old 19" LGs laying around I ordered 2 Displayport to VGA adapters in order to connect those two...

 

Spoiler

 

17300782905_eb8671b5f5_b.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

I found out though that those two Displayport connectors (and I suspect the two DVI outputs above them) are directly wired to the NVS5200M. Having in mind that the VGA port is connected on the HD4000 I realised that I could connect a 3rd screen there. I borrowed a screen from the nearby office just to confirm and...

 

Spoiler

 

 

17300487105_1457b190d7_b.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

I can confirm that E6430 dGPU model along with a 40$ USB 2.0 PR02X can handle a total of 3 VGA external screens or even 2 DVI/DP and 1 VGA screens, one on the VGA port of the HD4000 and two with the Displayport to VGA connector. If the HDMI connector is directly wired to the NVS5200M it is possible that it can even drive a 4th screen through the on laptop HDMI port, but I don't have a dvi/hdmi screen around to test...

 

EDIT: Confirmed HDMI is connected on NVS5200M and the E6430 can probably handle 4 external screens. Using 2DP and 1 VGA on docking station plus 1 HDMI connector on laptop. NVS5200M can only handle up to 2 screens.

I don't know if this will work with the iGPU model. It is highly possible that you can connect two DP external screens, since HD4000 can drive 3 screens simultaneously as long as two of them are connected with DP. Schematics sho that the wiring of the docking connector for the iGPU model wires both displayports slots to iGPU Displayport C and D. It will most probably work with 2 DP screens or 2 active DP to VGA adapters.

If you are interested for more screens you can use a low cost eGPU running through the EC slot.

Edited by timohour
  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

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