m1sk

Hello,

Currently I am having problems with my eGPU and I cant run games on it.
I'm looking for some help to diagnose the problem.

So here's the story: 

About a year ago I successfully setup an eGPU(all thanks to this site) on my 17" 2011 Macbook Pro using Akitio Thunderbolt w/ GTX 960.

Also to run the games on my internal screen I made a VGA dummy, then I just set the fake screen as the main screen and move the games to the internal screen.

My Macbook is also upgraded: 16GB RAM, SSD.

So I have had this solution for a while, and now a week ago everything worked but suddenly this Thursday I was playing Fallout 4 and suddenly it crashed.

Now at first I thought this was a one time crash because the week before I played a lot of Fallout and I think it did crash a few times.

Anyway this time it was different, it kept crashing and crashing. I thought it might be a problem with the game but no when I tried running Witcher 3 it also crashed after a minute or so.

So this happens pretty much in all games.

What I tried to do:

Placed GPU in a desktop computer - no crashes

Reinstall display drivers - still have crashes

My suspicions:

This all started on when I was installing Visual Studio 2015 while playing Fallout 4,

later I also installed a few more things to enable my GPU for Deep Learning (https://datanoord.com/2016/02/01/setup-a-deep-learning-environment-on-windows-theano-keras-with-gpu-enabled/), that includes CUDA.

Now the problems started before I could get across to actually installing CUDA but it could be two separate errors.

When I was setting this deep learning stuff I still didn't understand that I had serious problem.

My thunderbolt cable always had to be connected in an odd way = I had to pull it out a bit for it to work properly.

This could be something wrong with the cable, so I order a new one now.

But it could be a sign of some other problem with my connection.

Things I want to try:

Run on clean installation of windows

Connect eGPU to another macbook. (if I do this I won't have to do the first one I guess)

So I am looking for any tips, ways to diagnose my problem.

All help would be appreciated.

Thank You,

I haven't visited this site in a while so I don't know if this is relevant anymore.

On 9/3/2015 at 0:17 PM, Dschijn said:

Can you run games in fullscreen with that trick?

No, but the games can be run in borderless windowed mode.

After some experience with this, I can set this up quite quickly.

Now that I look back at the post some of the things aren't actually necessary.

On 2/27/2016 at 11:49 PM, QuestionGuy said:

Hi m1sk, I'm looking at building almost the exact same system using an early 2011 15" MBP and an EVGA GTX 960.  You posted your Unigine valley scores which look like a great improvement.  Could you give me some idea of what frame rates and quality levels you are able to play games on? Possibly data on both internal and external monitors (if different?) Thanks!

 

Edit: I am just not sure how Unigine Valley correlates to fps in games

Since I have step my eGPU I have played a bunch of games: Witcher 3, Assassin's creed Unity, Assassin's creed Syndicate, Shadow of mordor, Far cry 4, Fallout 4.

I always played with an internal screen. and I could usually play with over 20fps on high settings. With an external screen this should improve.

Setting up the internal monitor is actually quite easy, all you need is the DVI dummy.

Then you just have to run the game in windowed borderless mode and move it to the internal monitor with the shortcut key: Win+Shift+Left-Arrow.

Good luck!

Hello,

Currently I am having problems with my eGPU and I cant run games on it.
I'm looking for some help to diagnose the problem.

So here's the story: 

About a year ago I successfully setup an eGPU(all thanks to this site) on my 17" 2011 Macbook Pro using Akitio Thunderbolt w/ GTX 960.

Also to run the games on my internal screen I made a VGA dummy, then I just set the fake screen as the main screen and move the games to the internal screen.

My Macbook is also upgraded: 16GB RAM, SSD.

So I have had this solution for a while, and now a week ago everything worked but suddenly this Thursday I was playing Fallout 4 and suddenly it crashed.

Now at first I thought this was a one time crash because the week before I played a lot of Fallout and I think it did crash a few times.

Anyway this time it was different, it kept crashing and crashing. I thought it might be a problem with the game but no when I tried running Witcher 3 it also crashed after a minute or so.

So this happens pretty much in all games.

What I tried to do:

Placed GPU in a desktop computer - no crashes

Reinstall display drivers - still have crashes

My suspicions:

This all started on when I was installing Visual Studio 2015 while playing Fallout 4,

later I also installed a few more things to enable my GPU for Deep Learning (https://datanoord.com/2016/02/01/setup-a-deep-learning-environment-on-windows-theano-keras-with-gpu-enabled/), that includes CUDA.

Now the problems started before I could get across to actually installing CUDA but it could be two separate errors.

When I was setting this deep learning stuff I still didn't understand that I had serious problem.

My thunderbolt cable always had to be connected in an odd way = I had to pull it out a bit for it to work properly.

This could be something wrong with the cable, so I order a new one now.

But it could be a sign of some other problem with my connection.

Things I want to try:

Run on clean installation of windows

Connect eGPU to another macbook. (if I do this I won't have to do the first one I guess)

So I am looking for any tips, ways to diagnose my problem.

All help would be appreciated.

Thank You,

• Easy Bootcamp installation
• Normal MBP without the eGPU with a functioning dGPU
• It is possible to use the internal monitor

• Macbook Pro
• AkiTiO Thunder2 + Thunderbolt cable
• GPU (EVGA Superclocked models are recommended seeing as they fit the AkiTiO)
• PSU (I used a corsair 450W but you could probably use a less powerful one)
• A paper-clip
• Molex to Barrel converter (You can buy an easy to screw barrel plug and a cable with molex)

• Dummy DVI Plug, you can easily make one with:
  • DVI to VGA adapter (One of these came with my GPU)
  • 3x 75 ohm resistors
  
  
  
• A multiple monitor management program (I am using Actual Multiple Monitor)

• Use the paper-clip trick to allow the PSU to turn on without a motherboard.
• Check that the Molex to Barrel converter works on the AkiTiO
• Disconnect it and then power the GPU and the AkiTiO from the PSU.

• Install Windows 8.1 using bootcamp assistant, I ran into some trouble installing using a USB drive so I recommend creating an installation CD, you can do this in MAC.
• Install latest drivers (AMD also has some updated drivers for the dGPU)
• Turn off MBP
• Power on the AkiTiO with the GPU inside and connect to the MBP.
• Turn on MBP and boot to Bootcamp. (sometimes I get a blackscreen the first time, so try again) (I did the next steps with an external monitor connected to my eGPU, but this should work without that)
• In Windows you should see that you now have two Display adapters (In Computer Management->Device Manager)
• Download NVIDIA drivers, install and reboot.
• And ta-da! You should now see the your GPU in the device manager.

• Boot Bootcamp with eGPU connected
• Install Actual Multiple Monitor, and configure taskbar to be mirrored (all tasks appear on all taskbars)
• Connect the DVI Dummy
• Switch the primary display to the secondary display(to the DVI Dummy).
• Open a File Explorer Window to Navigate to the game/program you want to use, and run it. (This should appear in the GPU display so switch it to the next display using the hotkey: Win + /), You can find your Desktop Shortcuts in 'C:UsersPublicDesktop' and 'C:Users{Your User}Desktop'
• Select the program in the taskbar and switch it to the laptop monitor with hotkey: Win + /.
• If you want this program to take up the whole screen but can't resize it yourself, you can use program like "Gamers Window Relocator" to resize it properly.

• Create custom script to automatically setup the whole internal monitor proccess
  • Ensure monitor manger is running
  • Switch primary display
  • Open desktop in Explorer and move them to the internal monitor
  
  
  
• Purchase or build a discrete cable to power the GPU while inside the Akitio.
• Or even better: Build an enclosure to contain the PSU, GPU, and the Akitio boards.

You can start apps on a LCD driven by the eGPU to get it to accelerate that app, then drag the window across to the dGPU attached LCD for display.

Can even be automated such that a phantom LCD is attached to the eGPU for just that purpose using the Ultramon/Chung-gun method.

Do note that you won't be able to apply this workaround for full screen apps.

This is linked inside your link:

Tech Inferno Fan' tips (- mirroring) + dragging the target window to the other monitor using taskbar right-click menu ( created by ultramon installation)

additional necessary step to Tech Inferno Fan' tips

1) setting smart taskbar.

refer to : http://gsool.tistory.com/entry/ultra...49444;정

2) make an additional batch file for the X-monitor configured primary, for the using X-graphics.( for example, naming this file "default.bat" with hot-key "ctrl+alt+D")

working process

1) in the native mode, execute My Desktop of Explorer & move to other monitor("invisible").

2) switch to default mode(X-graphics & X-monitor take a role of principal display adaptor), and choose the game in the window of My Desktop folder.

(if My Desktop folder is not visible in lappy, then use the taskbar icon with right-click menu "Move to other monitor")

3)Enjoy it !!!

I got this working if I have a real external monitor: I started a benchmark and used the right click to run on my internal monitor.

My problem right now,(after I go out and get some resistors to create the dummy DVI) would be to automate this.

The quoted text seems to try to explain how to do this but I'm not really understanding this.

1) setting smart taskbar.

refer to : http://gsool.tistory.com/entry/ultra...49444;정

The link doesn't work sometimes and I think the page might be missing, not sure because it's in some odd language

What is this smart taskbar?

2) make an additional batch file for the X-monitor configured primary, for the using X-graphics.( for example, naming this file "default.bat" with hot-key "ctrl+alt+D")

Ok, what do I put in this bat file?

I guess the hotkey is to easily run it, right?

working process

1) in the native mode, execute My Desktop of Explorer & move to other monitor("invisible").

2) switch to default mode(X-graphics & X-monitor take a role of principal display adaptor), and choose the game in the window of My Desktop folder.

(if My Desktop folder is not visible in lappy, then use the taskbar icon with right-click menu "Move to other monitor")

What is native mode? Laptop monitor as primary monitor?

Is "My Desktop of Explorer" just opening the folder using Explorer?

Then that means moving that window to the other monitor?

Ok so then I enable the fake monitor as primary.

And then I need to use the taskbar to switch the game to the internal montior.

Currently I don't have this option, I guess this is that smart taskbar thing?

This looks very promising!

Thank you very much!

EDIT:

I played around with concepts here and I got it all to work.

I'm gonna try a few different monitor mangers see which one is best for me.

After that I guess I might make a guide or something.

Thanks a million!!!

You can start apps on a LCD driven by the eGPU to get it to accelerate that app, then drag the window across to the dGPU attached LCD for display.

Can even be automated such that a phantom LCD is attached to the eGPU for just that purpose using the Ultramon/Chung-gun method.

Do note that you won't be able to apply this workaround for full screen apps.

This looks really neat, exactly the sort of thing I was looking for.

I'll give it a try

Yeah I'm pretty sure I got the right one: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1720?locale=en_US

I was wondering if there was a way to get something like optimus to work with my dedicated gpu instead of an intel gpu.

Sending image data stuff from eGPU to the dGPU, Seeing as the eGPU is working in my Bootcamp Windows with an external display.

If you don't install via Bootcamp you have to install the Bootcamp Support software by yourself after the Windows installation. This is most probably the reason for all of your not working hardware issues.

So I finally succeeded installing Windows 8.1 on my other HDD, installed latest Bootcamp Support Software and I still get many driver errors which sucks(no sound, no iGPU, no dGPU).

Currently I have a SSD with MacOS and Windows 8.1 Bootcamp and a HDD with Windows 8.1 EFI + Shared Storage Space.

This took a lot of work but I still can't get my intel GPU to work in Windows no matter what method!

I think I might give up soon...

Does anybody know anything that might help?

Unfortunately no. Your may have more success doing a UEFI Win8.1 installation and trying some of the idea presented in the following threads:

http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides-apple/8717-%5Bguide%5D-enabling-intel-iris-pro-hd5200-win8-1-15-macbook-pro-gt750m.html

http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides-apple/8558-%5Bguide%5D-macbook-enabling-optimus-internal-lcd-mode.html

http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides-apple/2367-2012-15-macbook-pro-retina-gtx560ti%408gbps-tb1-th05-win8-1-%5Bshelltoe%5D.html

My first time I tried installing with EFI but I ran into many issues with the macbook, but mainly no iGPU, dGPU, or audio.

Here no gpu means there are errors and not invisible.

If I don't have an iGPU than this still won't work.

I tried looking around before but could't find anything good.

Have you seen any solutions to these issues?

RE: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/2123-diy-egpu-setup-1-30-a-9.html

Could this help enable an iGPU in a 17" 2011 Macbook Pro with Windows 8.1, installed with normal bootcamp?

Yeah so this kind of sucks.

I have been trying to get the stuff mentioned in this thread.

I have grub4win installed and I get the bootloader but the custom commands cause the screen to blackout.

This is happening apparently because the Intel GPU isn't allocated resources or something.

Help here would be really appreciated....

I doesn't really say neither of them but I'm pretty sure I have MBR,

And I don't think I can install Windows with EFI without having a lot of things not working.

@m1sk yes im pretty sure you can. you can go through this thread http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides-apple/8717-%5Bguide%5D-enabling-intel-iris-pro-hd5200-win8-1-15-macbook-pro-gt750m-1.html and read through it. Or you can wait and ill have a guide for macbooks with dedicated amd gpus up in a while. id check out the thread if i were you

This only seems to work for that specific version of the 15" MBP.

I'm kind of stuck with enabling my intel GPU at the moment.

Thanks for the response man! I'm currently trying to find a way to deactivate the AMD GPU in 8.1 that I'm running currently. This eGPU is by far the most intricate project I've ever done. I've also noted that 2 other people have tried to do this on their 2015 MBPr but weren't able too, panicked I contacted Apple and they told me they had done nothing that would effect the use of an eGPU with the new line of Macs.

Edit: I've been trying to use the method mentioned here by user @ah- . The only problem Im having is the instructions that involve a couple of commands using terminal are way over my head. I was hoping someone could explain to me how to do what he mentions in terminal. Hopefully this lets me use my integrated graphics instead of dedicated.

Edit 2: User @juniordiscart was kind enough to walk me through everything command by command! HUGE shoutout to him for helping!

I have been looking for someway to activate my iGPU too.

Would this work for my Macbook Pro 17" 2011 with Windows 8.1 installed with bootcamp?

My setup:

2011 17" MBP

Windows 8.1 normal bootcamp installation

Akitio + EVGA 960

Does anyone how to get the internal LCD to work when using a non EFI installation of Windows 8.1?

At the moment I can use the my egpu to an external display but when I don't connect a display to the eGPU the Macbook still it has the card, but it doesn't use it.

After some research this apparently has something to do with nVidia optimus and the fact that my intel iGPU isn't active in bootcamp.

Is this at all possible?

But can ypu explain your setup procedure (step by step) because we both have the same graphics card. It would be useful.

You can send me a private messages. And by the way now I am getting a black screen xD. Gonna start all over again.

First of all this isn't working for me yet I believe I have a problem with the thunderbolt connected in my MBP. But it has successfully detected the GPU so this should work for others.

Secondly I got a new SSD and haven't installed Mac on it. But I still have my old HDD which I connected with a USB 2 SATA cable.

1. Boot Mac and launch Bootcamp Assistant, create partition, and download the support software. I had some problems getting it to work with USB so I created a boot disc with an ISO of Windows 8.1.

2. Install Windows 8.1 normally, so when I booted with disc I didn't run into any trouble here.

3. Install Bootcamp Software, I also installed updated drivers for my internal GPU.

4. Turn off MacBook.

5. Connect AKITIO and power the PSU. Yellowish green lights should be on.

6. Boot Windows. Blue lights should be on. Note: Sometimes I got a black screen after boot chime. But the usually after that I get it to boot. Maybe try connecting an external display?

7. Install driver for graphics card and reboot.

8. Hopefully play The Witcher 3.

Ok I got everything I wanted working by installing with bootcamp, and even the electric fizzes stopped.

I still have to pull the thunderbolt cable out I bit in order for it work.

EDIT:

Actually I'm not really sure if the eGPU is functioning properly.

First off it isn't spinning even when I tried running a benchmark.

And the benchmark result doesn't really change when I disconnect it.

But it is recognized by my computer!

I guess this has something to do with the fact that I have to pull it out a bit in order for it to work.

Does anybody have a clue what that could be?

Maybe the port is broken or dirty?

Hello Guys,

So, my MBP 2011 HDD broke down two weeks ago. So I replaced it with my previous HDD from Mac Mini (whom I replaced with SDD). This HDD has a Windows 8.1 bootcamp. I tried to implement the eGPU bootcamp on my Mini before with no success.

So I installed the HDD and run OSX, fine. Then, I tried to setup my Bootcamp again with eGPU. So here we go, rebooted my machine to Windows 8.1, GPU was automatically detected and I installed the latest driver. Restarted with external display, and it worked painlessly.

Another test I made was to run the eGPU/Bootcamp without the external monitor. It worked as soon as I boot to Windows no extra configurations made. So here you go sharing my benchmark scores.

System

2011 13" Macbook Pro : i5-2415M 2.3Ghz, 8GB RAM, HD3000 iGPU

Windows 8.1 64-bit UEFI install

GTX970 eGPU @ 10Gbps-TB1 via AKiTiO Thunder2

Could you explain how you installed the Windows 8.1?

Did you install it with bootcamp or uefi, is there a difference?

I'm currently facing a few problem with my eGPU attempt.

I have a 17" 2011 Macbook Pro so this should also work for me.

And neither my internal cards nor sound works, I think that could cause a problem with running on the internal monitor.

I have other issues with my external card

But this might fix it too! Who know how boot magic works...

Following this guide I am attempting to setup a eGPU.

I am following what sleepydragon added.

The main difference is that I installed everything on a brand new SSD and I have only installed

Windows 8.1 on it. No MacOS or EFI booting.

I am currently facing an issue where the Macbook doesnt detect the akitio at all.

Now there is a blue light for a second then only a green one.

The GPU fan and the akitio fan don't spin. The PSU fan does.

Anybody have any ideas??

Also this is less important but would be nice, Is it possible to set it up so that can use the i can use the internal cards when not hooked up?

EDIT:

When connecting the whole thing to my brothers Macbook running MacOS, the Akitio light up blue, but the graphics card doesnt spin.

I guess this means its a Windows problem, any suggestions?

EDIT:

Booted into Mac from my old hdd using a SATA to USB cable.

And I can get the same effect if i plugin in the thunderbolt cable partially.

But not if I connect it all the way in.

This also work with Windows, if I connect the cable and pull it out a bit it lights up.

But still undetected...

Lots of the metal on the Macbook gives small electric fizzes(!?) not jolt but slight odd sensation.

I figured something, apparently I was't connecting the GPU well.

But I can't get the GPU fan to spin normally and also I don't see any devices that could be the GPU.

That is what it should be. The dGPU and iGPU wont work with EFI (it will give the internal screen a black screen). That's why the dGPU must not be an nVidia otherwise you won't be able to install the drivers (as it will mess with the dGPU card). Once you install the nVidia driver and plug in the eGPU and the external screen it will show everything on the external screen (with drivers installed).

Also the sound card wont work. But if you use a TV then sound will work with HDMI output. Otherwise elgato thunderdock also has sound capability. Or you can pick up a cheap usb sound card. Many options really...

As of today everything's still working perfectly and I'm loving my better-than-desktop setup. I rarely ever get bluescreen and I'm playing games at an unimaginable fps compared to the best rmbp you can get

Are there any other options to look into?

Cause it would be quite annoying...

I'm setting things up to see and I'm having some issues.

The computer doesn't recognize my akitio and there is no blue light + akitio fan not spinning + gpu fan not spinning.

Do you have a clue what could cause this?

Thanks for the guide. I have success with similar setup:

Macbook Pro 17" early 2011 and

Akito Thunderbolt +

nVidia GT 970 (+PSU & whatnot)

What's so interesting is that the system works with the daisy-chained elgato thunderdock which gives me a lot more ports to use it with. I tried with the DIY 1.2 which I got for my other rMBP early 2013, but I could not get it to work with the thunderdock (without the thunderdock it's fine). With the thunderdock the compaction keep hanging, I assume that it's because of all the extra stuffs that snug in there.

Another thing noted with this system is that it may work without DIY 1.2 because nVidia card got recognized and worked without any error. However it's really on-and-off and having to replug the thunderbolt drives me crazy (BIOS really freaked out when it sees a graphic card attached to thunderbolt). With EFI boot, it works flawlessly 10 out of 10 times.

I also used this guide By Popular Demand: My "Better Than Bootcamp" Guide to Installing Windows 8 : mac to help with installing Windows 8.1 EFI without the need for a second machine. If you install it from a clean disk it will not give you trouble with the error before finishing up (which I assume has something to do with it unable to modify the EFI partition created by MacOS). Then you can restore Mac as outlined by that guide. Also you won't need to create the new partition called Windows Boot as suggested by the guide, because after installing Windows 8.1 it will create a new recognized boot option called "EFI Boot" and it will work as well (save you 128MB of disk and some troubles of partitioning really).

So im trying very similar setup and I havent even gotten around to installing mac (dont know if i need it).

Going through the "Better Than Bootcamp" tutorial I get error codes on the internal graphics cards and sound card. I was wondering if you might have any clue how resolve with?

@m1sk: 400W are in theory fine, but you need a PSU that has all the plugs that you will need, right?

So the 430W version only has 1x6-Pin PCIe power plug. Currently you would need 2x6-Pin PCIe power plugs (1x GPU & 1x that barrel cable mod you linked). The PSU is fine, if you are going to use a 2xMolex->6-Pin PCIe instead.

.

So One like this should do? 2pcs 6 Pin PCI E to 2 x 4 Pin Molex Power Y Adapter Cable for PCI E Cards MA | eBay

@Tech Inferno Fan : I looked up those low profile extenders and on ebay the have very high shipping costs.

Are there any other option?

Just keep in mind you'll need low profile PCIe power connectors as discussed at low profile PCIe connectors discussion if wanting to put the outer cover over the AKiTiO.

So I need to buy on of these??: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-6-Pin-to-6-Pin-PCI-E-90-Degree-right-extension-w-low-profile4-USA-MADE-/261225911899?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd247165b

The GTX 960 from EVGA with just one fan will fit, yes! The two fans versions not!

Did you read what I wrote before? Now you have exactly the problem I was talking about:

- You want a cheap PSU with only one 6-Pin PCIe plug

- the EVGA GTX 960 will need one 6-Pin PCIe plug

- which plug you want to use for the barrel plug?

This isn't enough for making one??

2pcs CCTV Video Balun 5 5x2 5mm DC Power Plug Terminals Connector Adapter Power | eBay

5 5in PCI Express 6 Pin Male to Female Vidoe Card Power Extension Cable | eBay

I think I'm confused - you said I should buy 400w+ so I could the above connecters.

@misk: The EVGA GTX 960 is very compact!!! Also uses less power and produces less heat.

So you want to use on 6-Pin PCIe to power the barrel plug? Seems solid

Just keep in mind that only PSU with 400W+ will have enough PCIe power plugs (you need some for the GPU and 1x6-Pin for the barrel with that cable).

Awesome!

So the EVGA GTX 960 will definitely fit the akitio?

I can get 430 corsair PSU which is cheaper, excellent.

And then if i get those two pieces for barrel plug adapter it should all work out!!

After checking my countries import tax laws - it looks like worse case i'll pay another 18% on my stuff

But it will still be cheaper than buying the stuff locally.

So I'm going to order the big stuff from amazon.

Just one last thing before I place the order,

Playing on my laptop's screen should work right?

The R9 285 isn't that fast... why not get a GTX 960/970?

The 960 doesn't seem to fit the akitio.

And the 970 is above budget.

Are there any other options?