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Thanks for the post MystPhysX.

I would definitely go for the same setup as you if I where to build an eGPU.

Thing is, the setup is not as cheap as I hoped it would be and the performance isn't all that good either (30% loss on HD7950).

I think I'm better off building a separate machine. Better bang for buck and future-proof.

@MrHaPPyPiLLs got a 15" rMBP going in EFI mode. I've suggested he post details of what he did but have no confirmation if he will or won't. His last post being: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/4163-help-manual-pci-bat-egpu-setup-1-2-15-mbp-sonnet-echo-express-ati-7850-a.html#post57989

He used a native Thunderbolt device: Sonnet Echo Express. You may consider doing the same as it gives double the bandwidth of those Expresscard solutions you've shortlisted. Would cost the same or less than the first one you've listed, ie: OWC Helios Or Sonnet Express SE is available for ~US$300.

Just budget the TB cable and if wanting to get MBR mode working (bootcamp) then a PCI extender mod described here. EFI mode not needing that extender. You'd be running the product with the main board removed from the enclosure to be able to host a full length and/or double-width video card.

If you haven't as yet purchased the rMBP then the cheaper option is an expresscard-equipped system to combine with a PE4L-EC060A 2.1. See eGPU candidate system list [thin-and-light] . 13" Sony SVZ (mPCIe eGPU) or 12.5" HP 2570P both offering i7-quad CPUs. The former with a 1080P LCD.

I already have the rMBP (I have been waiting for a Thunderbolt eGPU for a year now. Tired of waiting on Lucid, MSI and I guess SilverStone will wait for the next-gen of Thunderbolts).

So you recommend getting the OWC Helios (405 USD incl shipping) + Cable + PSU + Setup Tool.

Using bootcamp would be awesome and the PCI extender mod you linked looks easy enough.

However there must be something extra, right? I cant just expect this to run out of the box, can I?

Would that support a GTX760 if I removed the case?

Thanks for helping!

EDIT:

I assume the Echo Express Pro gives the same performance as the SE/Helios except size/PSU.

This benchmark is interesting:

You can clearly see that the higher-end AMD card is faster than the GeForce in a native setting. Limiting each card's interface bandwidth puts them on even footing, though. The good news? There's no reason to spend extra money on a more expensive board.

Echo Express Pro: Desktop Graphics In A Thunderbolt Chassis - Powerful Add-In Cards...Over Thunderbolt?

Is buying a GTX760 a bad idea due to thunderbolt's max bandwith?

I want to build a eGPU for my rMBP 2012 15". In this thread I want to plan my purchases, hoping for your input.

I've many threads on Thunderbolts and I came to the conclusion that the [Sonnet Echo Pro TB Adapter + ViDock]-combination the easiest way is. (As shown @ Get an external graphics card on your ultrabook through Thunderbolt).

I would buy this setup if I had 100% confirmation that this would work out of the box, but I don't.

Expensive [easy?] Sonnet Echo Pro TB Adapter + Apple Cable + ViDock

ViDock 4 Plus Overdrive    $279 + $30        http://www.villageinstruments.com/tiki-index.php?page=ViDock
Sonnet Echo Pro            £146.34 + £5.13   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sonnet-Echo-ExpressCard-Thunderbolt-Adapter/dp/B0080MQJJ6/ref=sr_ob_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1373971018&sr=1-3
Apple Thunderbolt Cable    £38.95            http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-Thunderbolt-cable-mini-DisplayPort-mini-Dis/dp/B0058KHRPS/ref=pd_bxgy_computers_text_y
Total                      600 USD  
Total                      450 EUR 
Total                      390 GBP

I could also add an extra ~50 GBP and just build a complete new system capable of running a GTX 760 like this one: Intel Core i5-4430 - System Build - PCPartPicker United Kingdom (433 GBP). In my opinion the Sonnet+ViDock combo is not worth it.

Using a P4EL (60 USD) + PSU (45 USD) would save me 174 USD.

Using a cheaper TB cable could also save 40 USD, but I'm not sure if they have the same capabilities.

Cheap [hard?] Sonnet Echo Pro TB Adapter + Cheap cable + P4EL

P4EL                       $60 + $21        http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=171077040229&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en
Sonnet Echo Pro            £146.34 + £5.13  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sonnet-Echo-ExpressCard-Thunderbolt-Adapter/dp/B0080MQJJ6/ref=sr_ob_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1373971018&sr=1-3
Cheap Thunderbolt Cable    £11.36 + £5.03   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Startech-Male-Mini-DisplayPort-Cable/dp/B006LL56J2/ref=sr_1_73?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1374870440&sr=1-73
Total                      339 USD  
Total                      255 EUR 
Total                      220 GBP

I'm really interested in the Cheap list above. My only concern is that even with Tech Inferno Fan's Setup tool I'll be unable to get it running due to my low knowledge on windows boot stuff. (Tutorial?)

I also have no clue what the speeds (x.xOpt = ???) and bottlenecks are, and what GPU's are supported. (The most powerful GPU I see used is the 660 but at this moment the 760 and 770 are more interesting.)

Thanks!

I'm sorry if this post makes me look like an idiot not reading up on the subject first, If I missed something please let me know.