noric

Thank you. I know that IB improvements over SB are mostly negligible. However, if the upgrade to IB were possibile out of the box by just flashing this new bios, it would be a nice option for those who are about to upgrade. For example, I have a dual core cpu and plan to plug in a quad core. If this new bios supported IB, I would obviously go for an IB i7. The point is: I don't see what other microcodes they could have implemented, other than ivy bridge's. SB cpus all share the same microcode, that I'm aware of: both earlier cpus (e.g.: 2720qm) and newer cpus (e.g. 2760qm).

Hey @Tech Inferno Fan, could you please take a look at my thread here? It would be interesting for eGPU purposes too, because the E520 is one of the most convenient and affordable eGPU candidate notebooks. Thanks.

There is a new bios version from Lenovo site, bringing updated cpu microcodes. http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/8huj17us.exe From the changelog: Will this bring ivy bridge support? I don't see what other microcode they could have added...

I'd be interested because xp is still my main os (for working purposes), so even if I have a dual boot with win7 x64 (which I actually never use) I'd be very glad to play dx9 games on xp. My machine is a Lenovo E520, by the way.

@coyote: did you eventually succeed in your xp eGPU setup?

So with a series 6 chipset and an express card slot I would also be able to use Optimus to drive the internal screen, wouldn't I? Thanks.

I read this in Nando's testings: Why are SB/IVB expresscard systems only x1 2.0 capable? Shouldn't they be x1.2Opt capable? I have a Lenovo E520, which is a SB expresscard system so I'd like to be sure I can use the internal screen with Optimus. I supposed it can use internal screen but according to that post of Nando's it seems not.

It's the same memory allocation as I have. AFAIK, that means 3,0GB. Infact in task manager I have almost 3,0GB of total ram (without pae): a bit less because a little goes as shared memory for the integrated graphics.

I see, thanks. I'm now compiling the lut file for my Vaio FE21. SetFSB doesn't let me use the PCI-E slider, but only the main slider which overclocks everything. Does this mean with my PLL there is no way to overclock the fsb and the pci-e bus separately? When you say wi-fi card failure, do you mean that it'll definitely brake or just that it won't work until I downclock the bus? Anyway, as soon as I get the lut file working I'll upload it so you can add it to this great program!

Wow, I just discovered this program, which seems a great alternative to setFSB! Congrats! I'm trying to overclock a Vaio vgn-fe21 with a T7200 cpu. I was using setFSB and it was very easy to increase the fsb clock, but I was a little concerned because overclocking the fsb was also increasing the ram frequency, PCI and PCI-E bus frequencies. Does this also apply to OC by using setPLL instead of setFSB? I've googled for the subject but I haven't been able to find out what the consequences would be with an overclocked ram, PCI and PCI-E. In particular I'm concerned about PCI and PCI-E, because I have no idea if this could fry the connected peripherals (the gpu?) or maybe the motherboard too. How far should I go with this to avoid risking my hardware? Thanks.

Yes, it would if you plan on connecting just one m-pcie/expresscard. See here: with Nvidia graphics enabled you're on x1.1, while by disabling it you would be able to achieve x1.1Opt. And you could play on your notebook's lcd, although with a lower framerate. x1.2 and x1.2Opt aren't available on pre-sandy bridge notebooks, although by connecting two m-pcie/expresscard you'd get similar performance to x1.2.

Was the image displayed before the nVidia driver got installed? If yes the problem is driver-related. If no, there is some kind of issue with your setup. In device manager is the card correctly detected (no error codes)?

Yes, infact I already have a Lenovo E520 with a Pentium B960 and no dedicated graphics. I also have a PE4H 2.4a (I'm going to buy the new 2.0 cable, if I can get everything to work). I mentioned those Samsung and Acer notebooks because they have a Pentium cpu (like me) and they support Optimus. In other words, given that a few notebooks (Samsung's and Acer's ones) have a sandy bridge pentium and support Optimus, I thought that the same would apply to my E520: am I wrong?

Nando, could you please look at my previous post? I'd like to be sure about that before purchasing an nVidia gpu. Thanks. :-)

Thanks so much khenglish and nando! I have been looking at compatibility between Optimus and sandy bridge Pentiums, and I've found: - a Samsung notebook that features a Pentium B950 and a GT520MX: Samsung's site (and a few resellers) states that it supports Optimus. - an Acer Aspire featuring a B960 and a GT520M: I haven't found it on Acer's site but a reseller mentions Optimus support. Do you think this information (given it's correct...) would confirm Optimus compatibility even for eGPU purposes? I know that I'd be better off with a faster cpu but unfortunately for now I can't change it... Thanks again!

Are you sure? From the first page: "NVIDIA's Optimus can engate on your your eGPU setup if you have: Intel IGP: Intel GMA 4500MHD, HD, HD3000 or x3150 (Pine Trail) NVIDIA Fermi desktop card: GT4xx, GTS4xx, GTX4xx, GTX5xx, or GTS240. A GTS250 or older will not work." If I remember correctly what is important is that you have an ACTIVE intel gpu (which I have), but I thought it's not required a notebook with a dedicated nVidia gpu (there's no mention of it). To my knowledge, the point is if the SB Pentium HD graphics is among the chips that support Optimus. It should, since it's similar to the HD2000, but I hope someone will confirm...

Hey Nando, I was looking at your recent GTX660 benchmarks and comparing them to last year's GTX560Ti's benchmarks. I was focusing on dx9 (since I'm forced to winXP) and I've noticed that according to your tests it appears that the new GTX6xx series is more bandwidth-limited than the GTX5xx series. Infact, if tested on a desktop the new GTX660 is 20% faster in dx9 than the GTX560Ti, while with an eGPU internal lcd setup it's equal if not slower (in RE5 is noticeably slower). Does this mean that for eGPU purposes in dx9 mode, x1.2opt, and intenal lcd I'd be better with a GTX5xx gpu? Am I wrong in my assumptions? Thanks Edit: my notebook has a sandy bridge pentium cpu (b960) and no dedicated graphics. Will Optimus engage with the integrated HDgraphics (it's very similar to the HD2000, just with a few minor features deactivated)??