MystPhysX

Hey guys,

I've got an OWC Helios sitting here collecting dust that I want to get rid of. I'm considering offers above 200USD so PM me if interested. Shipping is free to India and China, if you want it delivered somewhere else please PM me and I'll give you a quote.

Details:

Package includes: 1x OWC Helios, 2x Custom PCIe extenders with my PCI Reset Delay switch, Setup 1.x , 1x Thunderbolt 2m cable (optional)

I purchased the Helios for 350USD from B&H back on 01/18/2013 so it is still under warranty. I've only used it for about 2 weeks and it has been sitting in a corner collecting dust ever since. This is basically a perfect setup for any SB/IVB Macbook owners who want to run bootcamp as I'm including everything you need for the setup, you just need to connect a few wires to an external PSU and you're set.

I didn't want to include any pictures in this post as they'll take up space but I'll be glad to provide pics via PM.

*Edit - Forgot to mention that I originally ran this with a 2012 rMBP 15" on Win7. I've used this with an HD7950, 2 different HD5850s and one 560ti.

Bump to stay relevant. I've recently taken to Steam in Home streaming using my server which is running 2xHD7950 over a gigabit line to my rMBP 15". I'm looking to update to a R9 295x2 in the near future but I will most probably be getting back into eGPUs in 2016 with TB3 (or possibly TB4).

hello.

Found the eVGA quite interesting for CUDA rendering.

I have to spend some 6-8K euros on some rendering farm (2X dualXEON WS's or 4x i7Xtreme DIY rigs) but those will consume space, to much power and time to setup/service + 2/4 slave render Licences + OS.

Can i build a CUDA rendering eGPU for Vray/etc that will be better then the setup proposed. Same money... maybe more? 2 GPU cards, maybe more.... let's say 2 Quadro's k5000. Or some gaming cards. i was aiming for at least 70 CPU threads. (4x six cores slaves+ and one 12core main rig = 36 cores = 72 threads)

Can i beat that?

I'd like to open a new thread but it is impossible.

So: CUDA/GPU rendering on eVGA?

+

Have you heard of bitcoin mining rigs used for GPU rendering? Would be possible?

If the mining rigs are GPUs then I don't see why not. If you are talking about ASICS then no, they're only built for a single purpose which is bruteforcing SHA256.

I just run the fans on full bore (6k rpm) which keeps the temps below 60C. I have a decent set of closed headphones so the only people affected by the fan are my neighbours.

Wich GPU did you use?

I have 2012 non retina MBP so your setup will work under bootcamp WIN 7?

I've used it with a 560ti, HD5850 and a HD7950. Yes it will work in your situation, Nando4 will be able to confirm this.

Hey guys,

I've got an OWC Helios sitting here collecting dust that I want to get rid of. I'm considering offers above 200USD so PM me if interested. PM me and I'll give you a quote.

Details:

Package includes: 1x OWC Helios, 2x Custom PCIe extenders with my PCI Reset Delay switch, Setup 1.x , 1x Thunderbolt 2m cable (optional)

I purchased the Helios for 350USD from B&H back on 01/18/2013 so it is still under warranty. I've only used it for about 2 weeks and it has been sitting in a corner collecting dust ever since. This is basically a perfect setup for any SB/IVB Macbook owners who want to run bootcamp as I'm including everything you need for the setup, you just need to connect a few wires to an external PSU and you're set.

I didn't want to include any pictures in this post as they'll take up space but I'll be glad to provide pics via PM.

*Edit - Forgot to mention that I originally ran this with a 2012 rMBP 15" on Win7.

Yes you do.

Nice job!

You've done pretty much what I did for my project all those months back. I was supposed to write a guide for Nando4 about this but I fell ill shortly after starting it. Since the Echo Express SE is the same thing as the Helios I would request that @Tech Inferno Fan makes this the official guide for both systems as you finished your guide way before me.

One thing I would like you to add to your post if this becomes the general guide.

To get an AMD card to run don't bother with the text files, just follow these steps the first time you enter Setup 1.30 (tested with HD 7950 and HD 5850):

1. Change the chainloading option to "mbr".

2. Perform 32-bit compaction on "All devices on pcie bus".

3. Select "Test Run".

4. Everything should work now, just choose "1. automated startup via startup.bat" when you want to run your eGPU next.

The steps here remain the same for the 15" (which I have) as well. The only thing that changes is the setup for an Nvidia eGPU (tested with 2 different GTX 560ti's) THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT

1. You need special drivers to run both the 650m and GTX 5/6/7xx together. Use the latest from here; you have to have the 650m enabled so don't bother doing anything else.

2. Follow the instructions for an AMD eGPU.

3. You're done, good luck!

Hey guys,

Quick update:

I've been down since last week with a horrible virus that's been going around my school; as such I have not been able to update the guide so its still half-baked/unfinished. I apologize for the delay but I'm not giving an update on the ETA till I finish catching up in school.

In the mean time please don't hesitate to shoot me a PM if you have any specific questions you would like to ask me regarding your/my setup. I'll definitely get back to you within 24 hours.

I'm in the process of writing up a general post for Nando4 so you'll see them by next weekend. I cut the 3.3 wires to make sure the GPU was completely power reliant on my PSU and it's power switch. I also had plans to power the Helios using the PSU.

No problem man. The only reason I built an eGPU was because I needed to do something for a school project. I would recommend a computer over an eGPU any day.

Sure let me find one.

Yo I'm back,

I've been running the Helios with my 15" rMBP for about 3 months now. My setup is as follows:

- 15" rMBP

- HD 7950

- OWC Helios

- PCIe riser cable

- TX650 PSU

- Pendrive with Setup 1.20 Beta 3 (thanks to @Tech Inferno Fan for this)

I'm running Win 7 x64.

My 3DMark11 results:

If you compare results with other HD 7950's you'll see that I'm getting about 73% of expected performance. Not bad right?

Anyway this is a rundown on how I've set everything up. See if my way works for you!

1. Install Win 7 x64 (I prefer it to Win 8) and install the drivers for the 650m. Shutdown.

2. Cut up and connect your riser card to the PSU in this config:

3. Connect the GPU to the riser card and the riser card to the Helios.

4. Connect the Helios to the rMBP and put it on but keep the PSU powered down.

5. Plug in your pendrive with Setup 1.20 and boot into Setup 1.20. Put the PSU on when Setup 1.20 tells you it hasn't detected any eGPU and press refresh.

6. Select a couple options (I forget which, but I'll tell you if you decide to go through with this).

7. Chainload to Win 7.

8. Install drivers for HD 7950.

9. Reboot.

10. Enjoy!

Pro's:

1. Works with both AMD and Nvidia; I've tested a 560ti, HD7950 and an HD 5850.

2. Sound and everything just works in Win 7.

3. I'll help you every step of the way.

Con's:

1. You'll have to boot using Setup 1.20 each time you want to use your eGPU (can be automated).

2. You need a riser cable.

I just wanted to post an update. The Mac Mini is not compatible with an eGPU because it doesn't run EFI 2.0, only 1.7. Until Apple updates the firmware or releases a new Mac Mini eGPU users are SOL. EFI 1.7 simply will not make the eGPU visible to the OS under any circumstances.

Where did you find out about that?

If its the Thunderbolt Echo Express with Win 7 then follow these instructions:

First you have to isolate the GPU from the power rails on the Echo Express. Buy a PCIe riser and cut these wires:

Connect the wires to your PSU as shown (sorry I just threw that together in paint), you'll have to setup your PSU so you can put it on without a computer. Now keep the Echo connected from when you boot and select win7. Press F8 before the boot splash screen to go to the boot options menu in Win7 and switch on the GPU by putting the PSU on. After about 3 seconds boot into Windows. Your GPU should now be detected.

Shoot. I guess I'll try reinstalling Win7 first. If that doesn't work I guess I'll switch to Win8...

I'd like to know which drivers are running stable for people who are running a Nvidia dGPU and eGPU at the same time. I'm having a little trouble with 314.22, Win7 x64 and my 650m + 560ti.

I bought an eGPU roughly 2 years ago that worked great with my Lenovo t410 till yesterday. The power supply blew up and I had to replace it. However afterwards, I've been getting a code 43 in the properties of the NVidia GeForce GTX 460. I've been using the latest drivers of the 460 so I never bothered downloading the setup 1.0x. Is there anything I should look for or should I just download the setup 1.0x and try using the save/load dump? The card is detected fine and it sounds like it's working during bootup, but when I reach the desktop, the fans start spinning rapidly.

Check the DIY eGPU Troubleshooting FAQYou probably need the initialize function to solve error 43.

Did you try a fresh install of the drivers or just an update? I'll be trying the updated drivers soon and will tell you if they work for me or not.

He has a MBA 2012 while both of us have the 15" rMBP. So I can understand why our audio and HD4000 aren't working under EFI but his problem is quite strange. Which is why I asked him which error is showing up against the HD4000 in Device Manager.

You're referring to post #28 here, but that doesn't really help you. The updated Bootcamp drivers should have fixed any problems you have with the audio. What error is Device Manager reporting against the HD4000?

Updated bootcamp drivers for EFI Win8 systems were released with 10.8.3. Try those and let us know if that solves your issues.

It broke my eGPU for some reason...I'm running a Helios with a HD7950 and Win7. Let me know what happens on your end so I can determine if it really was the update.

*edit- I wish! Its my card. Suddenly saw artifacts yesterday and it hardly gets detected today. When it does though I get an error 43.

Does anyone else have a problem with Just Cause 2 (Steam) opening on the dGPU instead of the eGPU? I only seem to have a problem with Just Cause 2 so this isn't a problem with my Setup. FYI I'm running both the internal and external display and using the extend windows option.

*edit - Found that using only the external monitor forces JC2 to run on the eGPU.

Sorry, should have mentioned that I'm using the 15" rMBP

I'll try 1.2, thanks, I didn't know it was out.

As for rendering internally, what makes you say you can't? In the nvidia preferences, you can tell it to either use the integrated graphics or discrete (egpu) graphics. I set it to discrete and I see a huge performance increase when rendering on the internal display.

The Control panel doesn't open for me. Something is wrong with my riser cable. I'm going to have to replace it. Anyway I'm using a rMBP so I don't have an iGPU active.

Setup 1.2 isn't actually out yet. I managed to get a pre-release version from Nando4 and it works quite well.

Hey does your riser card/cable degrade PCI-E performance to 1.1 x4 for you?

Nando4 informed that Setup 1.2 fixes quite a bit of the compaction issues. I'm going to try that for the AMD card. Regarding the display, the monitor I'm using only accepts VGA (I'm going to buy another soon). I've tried keeping it plugged in from boot and hot plugging it but to no avail. I can't render on the laptop's display as far as I can tell.

*edit: The unreleased version of Setup 1.x