davide445

The reported needed PSU it's to power the GPU and a whole PC. To power only the card you need to look at TDP, that's just 140w in your case Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 2GB Review | bit-tech.net Dell DA-2 need to be more than enough. - - - Updated - - - I'm trying to benchmark my card but for some unknown reason 3DMark Vantage is returning the same results I got for my iGPU (I think in fact it's still testing it, not going to eGPU) and 3dMark11 returned an error, copy next How do you setup your tests? ------------------ Workload Single init returned error message: File: device_resources.cpp Line: 213 Function: class eva::com_ptr<struct id3d11vertexshader=""> __cdecl eva::d3d11::device_resources::create_vertex_shader(const void *,unsigned __int64,struct ID3D11ClassLinkage *) const Expression: m_device.native()->CreateVertexShader( shader_bytecode, bytes, linkage, result.receive()): DX11 call failed. An invalid parameter was passed to the returning function E_INVALIDARG: ID3D11Device::CreateVertexShader: ----------------------</struct>

Just sharing my research since I didn't have first hand experience. GTX660 it's often used as eGPU so you will go on explored territory. For other choices you need first know what application you will use with your GPU: different one are optimized for different GPU technologies, as example games go well on both Nvidia and AMD, on the contrary business app such as CAD or video editing are optimized for CUDA (only Nvidia) or OpenCL (AMD and Nvidia but AMD much better performance) or both. Also different app need different feature to optimize performance, games mostly num of shaders and clock, business app request big VRAM and bus size also. For real word performance you need to find specific app benchmark, I did anyway find useful as reference tool this ranking PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmarks - High End Video Cards to have a first idea about relative speed. About different manufacturer normally they customize models on clock, VRAM, cooling, so you need first to choose the model (i.e. GTX660, 760 or mine HD7950) and next the manufacturer specific model tests about speed, temperature, noise. Hope it's useful.

3dMark Vantage tests are going really bad, GPU-Z show I'm using PCIe x1 1.1 connection. My x220 it's supposed to have EC2 with support to PCIe x2 5Gbps connection, BIOS it's in Auto mode, need I to do something to push for full 5Gbps speed?

Appear to be resolved: booting laptop and only after login connect the eGPU make the machine recognize the new hw and load new drivers. Next installed latest Catalyst 14.9 following amd driverdownloader suggestions. All ok but for some reason display driver was not istalled, so the external display it's not recognized. Catalyst Control Center didn't open since there is no profile to manage. Uninstalled all Catalyst version and performed a clean install: now the external display it's recognized! Just a note: after all is installed the next boot you need to have the card already connected at boot time to have it recognized, it's not plug and play. Time to do some tests

Just arrived PE4C V2.0, I attach the whole things. Setup is Lenovo X220 i5 2520M iGPU HD3000 8GB RAM BIOS 1.39 eGPU Sapphire 7950 Boost Win7 Pro 64bit PE4C is connected HDMI-->EC eGPU is connected DVI-I -->VGA to monitor Installed latest 14.4 Catalyst driver eGPU is up and running but nothing happen. External monitor didn't recognize any signal nor Laptop recognize any external device connected. Tried to reboot and change EC to Gen1 in BIOS, nothing changed. GPU-Z state only HD3000 it's present. BIOS didn't mention a new GPU (if need to). All led on PE4C are green. Attach DxDiag and a couple of picture, any idea what I need to do? DxDiag.txt

Hi want try to contribute with my understanding of the eGPU, since I have been researching for that and will build my first next week. Most important bottleneck it's the available bandwidth between your laptop and the external GPU, dependent from the kind of interface you can use: ExpressCard, miniPCIe or Thunderbolt?

For other users will be useful to know the Y power cable splitter is coming as 8pin-->2x(6+2)pin, see attached image

I ordered yesterday PE4C V2.0, they confirmed me the ac power adapter is compatible with European 220v/50hz standard so I will need just an USA->EU adapter for few bucks.

Just to let you know I received this answer from BP support about this bug I was asking for: PE4C v2.0 is bug free, And PE4c V2.1 has more function added.

My adventure in eGPU is just starting since I ordered yesterday the last part. Sharing my knowledge (other here are much more expert) having a Thunderbolt port you don't need a ExpressCard (EC) version. EC does have a lower bandwidth respect Thunderbolt so you will loose performances passing trough EC. Here in the forum there is a thread dedicated at Thunderbolt eGPU I did suggest to read trough.

Yes my Sapphire 7950 Boost require 2x8pin SAPPHIRE HD 7950 3GB GDDR5 WITH BOOST Anyway just for you to know I ordered just now a PE4C V2.0, is the easiest solution since come with all is needed apart an enclosure. Being the card hold firmly probably I don't need it and in that way the GPU can remain colder. Thanks for your help, anyway and I will remain in the community for the next steps!

Discovered y-splitter sold with $99 complete package is a 6pin-->2x6pin not what I need. Metal enclosure will be nice but V6 it's not available and my GPU will arrive in days.

Thanks jacobsson, need to say I've changed my mind and will PROBABLY go for BPlus PE4C....if I receive some confirmations. Main problem with EXP GDC is Y power splitter, I need a 6pin-->2x8pin and it's difficult to find one. Also the availability of the only plastic enclosure didn't push me forward. Also afraid on quality: already scared to work on technicalities I didn't want to find the adapter itself is faulty after hours of working. Most important for me is plug&play and speed: for my setup there are any reason in term of compatibility to prefer EXP GDC vs PE4C (or 4L or 4H I didn't really understand the differences)?

Lenovo X220, 8GB ram, BIOS 1.39, 64GB mSATA SSD (will become 256GB), 320GB HDD Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 Boost, will be connected to external monitor trough DVI-I --> VGA adapter I just ordered PE4C V2.0 package, can't wait to receive it! Asked to BPlus confirmation it's the hw bug free version (needed to be V2.1).

Ok received some info from Bplus: - can manage to supply 225w - compatible with European 220v 50hz specs - provided with USA power plug, needed an adapter for EU Last question: the Power Y line ends with 2x(6+2)pin male or just 8pin?

I've just ordered a Sapphire 7950 Boost to be used as eGPU. I want now to order the EC connection kit, choosing among PE4C and EXP GDC. I was to choose for EXP GDC due to the availability of the whole package, with also an enclosure. I have anyway difficulties finding the PCIe splitter. PE4C is coming with 8pin-->2x8pin Y splitter that's exactly what I need. If the base is't stable I can make without enclosure, my last concern is: the 7950 Boost does have a TDP of 225w, the AC adapter sold with PE4C can make it? Appear that Dell DC-2 sold with EXP GDC can work with this GPU http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/6643-exp-gdc-v6-discussion-30.html#post102981, want to be sure the same is for PE4C. Also I'm in continental Europe, can I change the power plug provided with the AC adapter?

@jacobsson does Cloud give you any idea when the metal enclosure V6 will be available. My 7950 will be available in a couple of days so want to order the material from China as soon as possible to test it (it's a used one)

Just bought a Sapphire 7950 boost Dual-X - unfortunatelly here I find it for $199 not less ! Now will look to order the other parts, I've just asked some questions on the dedicated thread: Youbuy or Aliexpress? Why V6 and not V7?

I want to buy this EXP GDC to eGPU a Gigabyte 7950 Boost I just bought, connected using EC on my x220. Some pre-buy questions: - apart from building quality there are any other reason to prefer PE4C v2? I did prefer EXP GDC since cost less with enclosure (even if without the metal for V6 it's much less attractive). - To power my HD 7950 boost I will need 2x8pin PCIe power connectors splitter, where can find it one in EU? Or can me write the specifications so that I can find it one in my country?

Some more questions next I will be ready to buy my set I think - What vendor card do you have your 7950 boost: Sapphire, MSI, XFX, Club3D, HIS, Asus, VTX3D, Powercolor, AMD ..... - Any special reason you bought EXP GDC V6 and not PE4C? - Where did you buy and what parts? - Did you bought also the enclosure?

You didn't have power adapter overheating or lower performances? You need to be at limit with power since standard 7950 draw 190w. Will be interesting to have your 3Dmark6 test for comparison.

500 bucks aren't enough for a video editing PC, but with a GTX980 the total eGPU solution cost became not so price/performance convenient respect a say $1300 PC with a less powerful GPU but much more balanced in term of CPU, ram, HDD etc Returning to ram thanks that's was exactly the kind of info I was searching for: I need all the possible ram for Resolve, so I need all my 8gb. Some more questions please: - what PSU did you use to power your 7950 boost? - did you perform some benchmark to understand what's your performance vs a "standard" installation? - do you need some special trick to make work the GPU or nothing special?

Thanks for the response. In your setup you noticed a decrease of free RAM after the eGPU activation, vs the only iGPU?

Since Resolve 11 appear to be one of the few video editors using more GPU than CPU can be the right choice to use with my Lenovo x220 laptop with a eGPU. Some doubts: - I did have 8GB ram that's the minimum for Resolve and max to be used with eGPU. External GPU installation will use some of my RAM? - Resolve is using 32bit color system, this will heavy hit the limited bandwidth of my expresscard connection with GPU, lowering too much total performance? - max I can afford is HD 7950 boost, and Resolve need as much as GPU power one can have. Will work with my x220?

Just tired to wait budget for a new PC think eGPU the best solution. But need a really cheap solution, my setup will be Lenovo X220 + Radeon HD 7950 Will need to have 2x6pin PCIe connector and 150w to power the GPU Buy a cheap 50$ 350w ATI PSU appear to me a waste of money, since I cannot reuse it on a PC when I will be able to buy one. So there is any way to use something like a laptop power adapter to power my GPU?