write2dgray

Here's my proven effective (for me, YMMV) procedure to get the Lenovo T530 booting with expresscard connection and PE4L: 1. No changes to bios required. Have external GPU fully connected up, but without monitor (DVI/HDMI) cable connected. 2. Turn power on to eGPU (if computer is running, it will load with error 12). 3. Power on or restart computer. Device manager shows all three GPUs (eGPU = GTX 680, dGPU = NVS5400M, iGPU = HD 4000) working properly. 4. Connect monitor cable from eGPU to monitor and activate if required in Control Panel\Display\Screen Resolution. In the end, I run one gaming monitor off the eGPU, a second monitor for productivity off the dGPU, and the main laptop display runs off the iGPU for music playing/chat/whatnot. I've tested disabling the dGPU and/or iGPU for higher 3DMark scores or gaming performance, but found it makes no measurable difference, so simply leave them on as well. It makes for a simple, powerful, and effective set-up. Tech Inferno Fan - Please add me to the list of successful implementations .

Update 2: Up and running! The trick was to NOT have the cable from the GTX 680 to the monitor plugged in while booting up. I can boot with all three GPUs active. Disabling HD4000 (iGPU) does not seem to affect 3DMark 11 score: P7869 graphics 8176, physics 7553, combo 6459. Thanks to all for the experience of the forums .

Update: I am now error 12! Hooray!! It turns out I had not one, but two misbehaving Dell DA-2 supplies, or maybe just luck, but I tried a third this morning and was able to get the GTX 680 to appear in the device manager (!) with error 12 of course . I bought a six pack of the power supplies, supposedly tested/working, off eBay. I'll test the pack a little more later to see what the deal is there, but now.... I have tried disabling the iGPU or dGPU in the bios and/or the OS, but still get stuck at error 12. I'm running through the error 12 troubleshooting checklist. Any other suggestions or is the next step "Use eGPU Setup 1.x PCI Compaction."? Cheers!

Thanks Tech Inferno Fan. I wish I could get an error in device manager. Nothing showing here.I've verified the expresscard is enabled in BIOS and tried hotplugging to no avail. I'm using a Dell DA-2 and tried a couple now, as well as verifying the card is functional. I'm down to the adapter or cable, which I can't isolate to troubleshoot (that I know of), I guess it's back to to Bplus (via Amazon) as I'm out of options. Thanks so much for your help and I'll keep all posted. I'm pretty stubborn and will (hopefully, eventually) prevail. Cheers!

I could use a little guidance with my set-up, I’m having trouble getting the eGPU to be detected and appear in device manager. My set-up is: * Lenovo T530 with current bios 2.63.1.13, i7-3630QM, 8GB RAM * Integrated HD 4000 and Nvidia NVS 5400M * Windows 8.1 Pro x64 * GTX 680 * PE4C V2.1 with Express Card cable connection * Dell 220W 8-pin power supply * External monitor by HDMI from GTX 680 I’ve never been able to get the eGPU detected. I’ve tried powering on at various times (at start-up, in sleep mode, etc) and wiping all drivers. I’ve tinkered a little in the bios with gen 1 vs. automatic mode and disabling/enabling iGPU/dGPU. All I ever see is the fan momentarily spin up when first powered on or returnign from sleep mode, then nothing. What would you suggest trying next here? Thanks!

Thanks so much for the advice!I must admit I'm a bit lost on the PCIE config space issue...is it that the GTX 9xx cards won't work, or just won't work optimally, hence, GTX 770 or 680 will perform better?

I am looking at purchasing a PE4C2.1 adapter and a GTX 960 card to use with a Lenovo T530. Will this set-up work for medium level gaming and is there anything I should look out for along the way? I plan to use a 200W laptop style power supply to power and run through the ExpressCard slot. Thanks!