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2014 15" MBP Iris + GTX970@16Gbps-TB2 (AKiTiO Thunder2) + Win8.1/OSX10.10 [Dschijn#2]


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Well. Get the point now!

I added the switch now! ^^

Got the inspiration from bsohn: http://forum.techinferno.com/provisional-guides/10099-2012-15-mbp-gt650m-gtx970%4010gbps-tb1-akitio-thunder2-win7-osx10-10-3%5Bbsohn%5D.html#post134736

I just cut one of the crossbars of the ventilation of the IO shield and was able to perfectly fit in the old ATX PSU switch. Even the securing mechanism to hold the switch in position could get a good grab.

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So if I just want to instal a simple epgu without modding anything. All I need to buy is:

1. AkitiO Thunder2

2. GTX 970 card

3. A computer PSU

Then plug the card to the box, then plug the power and turn it on, install the driver, enjoy. Is that right?

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So if I just want to instal a simple epgu without modding anything. All I need to buy is:

1. AkitiO Thunder2

2. GTX 970 card

3. A computer PSU

Then plug the card to the box, then plug the power and turn it on, install the driver, enjoy. Is that right?

For Windows? Yes almost.

You will also need a modded barrel plug to power the AKiTiO with the computer PSU (please get at least 500W).

Please read this: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/10061-basic-egpu-hardware-guide-macs.html

And this: http://forum.techinferno.com/enclosures-adapters/8317-%5Bguide%5D-making-molex-barrel-adapter.html

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For Windows? Yes almost.

You will also need a modded barrel plug to power the AKiTiO with the computer PSU (please get at least 500W).

Please read this: http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/10061-basic-egpu-hardware-guide-macs.html

And this: http://forum.techinferno.com/enclosures-adapters/8317-%5Bguide%5D-making-molex-barrel-adapter.html

Thank you, I understand now.

With a computer PSU, I just need to mod the barrel plug to power the Akitio and the graphic card will have the power from 2*6pin connecter in the psu.

I have a computer psu with an on/off switch so I dont need to mod any switch. And I think the gtx970 with 2*6pin maxium TDP is 225W, so 400W psu is ok.

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@lovenf:

If your PSU is a newer one, the main switch only the power voltage turns on, there is no other output as a control voltage.

You're have to do the paperclip trick to ensble 12V output.

@seefew , the paperclip trick is explained at http://forum.techinferno.com/enclosures-adapters/8441-%5Bguide%5D-switching-atx-psu-using-paperclip-trick-swex.html

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Thank all of you. That paperclip trick works like the power button on the PC case. I understand now.

So I think buying a Dell Da-2 adapter is more comfortable and simpler than using a computer psu.

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Thank all of you. That paperclip trick works like the power button on the PC case. I understand now.

So I think buying a Dell Da-2 adapter is more comfortable and simpler than using a computer psu.

Be aware that you still need a similar trick for the DA-2!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Currently experiencing a frozen system when playing GTA V for two times now. Not sure if it is related to the PSU or a GTA V problem.

Not so demanding games like Heroes of the Storm are working for hours.

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May you'll take a closer look to the temps.

My rooms are at the attic and during summer, temps rise often > 35° and more while it is winter temps below 15° in the rooms.

Times i've worked on huge 3D models eg full body scan or engines (> 1 million polygon) my iMac works quite fine in winter but freezes during summer.

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Since GTA V is putting a huge load on the i7, I increased the CPU coltage (from -75mV) to -50mV and could play for more than 2h straight.

The CPU is also often close to 99-100°C with that game. Going to try to lower to boost clockspeed of the CPU with lower voltage as well.

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Update 14th June:

OSX now working as well. Thanks to goalque for his awesome script: http://forum.techinferno.com/mac-os-x-discussion/10289-script-enabling-nvidia-egpu-screen-output-os-x-new-post.html

Updated the first post and added a lot of OSX GPU benchmarks.

Edit: @Tech Inferno Fan could you please add to the topic OSX 10.10.3. I can't add that, since the titel seems to be limited in max length/characters to me. Maybe your admin powers allow longer titles?

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Maybe a additional possibility for your frozen system from 6-13-2015.

Yesterday it was a very hot day.

I've figured out the following: during about 5 hours of 3D modeling only the TB PCB of the Akitio becomes very hot also, until the system freezes, while temps of GPU and CPU are in a regular range.

Greets

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi all, I have a Macbook Pro Retina 15'' 2014 with a discrete GT750M GPU card.

I'd like to know if I can follow the Dschijn's guide with the AKiTiO Thunder2 Case + GeForce GTX 970 Gamer OC without modding the case.

I'm going to set up all on Windows/Bootcamp and I'm wondering if disabling my current card's drivers does the trick or if there's still something I should be aware of.

And what about the display? Should I plug it inside the GPU or to the case's thunderbolt port?

Thank you so much for any help I could receive from you guys :)

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@Neogear: If you have an external display, you should connect it directly to the IO of the eGPU, not the AKiTiO TB port!

For the installation, please follow this guide: http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides-apple/8219-2014-15-macbook-pro-gt750m-gtx970%4016gbps-tb2-akitio-thunder2-win8-1-%5Btre87%5D.html

How do you want to cool the card without modding the case?

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@Neogear: If you have an external display, you should connect it directly to the IO of the eGPU, not the AKiTiO TB port!

For the installation, please follow this guide: http://forum.techinferno.com/implementation-guides-apple/8219-2014-15-macbook-pro-gt750m-gtx970%4016gbps-tb2-akitio-thunder2-win8-1-%5Btre87%5D.html

How do you want to cool the card without modding the case?

Honestly I thought modding the case was necessary due to the length of the GPU card, not for cooling reasons.

Btw do you agree with me that I don't need to disable the GT750M?

What if I want to use it on Mac too?

Do I have to set up anything?

Thanks

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@Neogear: The Galaxy / KFA2 GTX 970 Gamer OC is short enough to fit into the case without any mod! I did it to get best cooling options! :D

Without any adjustments to the case, you will not be able to run the card with a high and stable clock speed. So cooling is compulsory.

You don't have to disable the 750M, if you are going to use an external monitor connected to the eGPU (in Windows 8.1).

Will work in OSX on an external monitor as well, yes! You must run the script from goalque and can't use an Filevault encrypted OSX:

http://forum.techinferno.com/mac-os-x-discussion/10289-script-enabling-nvidia-egpu-screen-output-os-x-3.html#post136887

http://forum.techinferno.com/mac-os-x-discussion/10289-script-enabling-nvidia-egpu-screen-output-os-x.html

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Nope still could not find one lol, it's probably unavailable in the states :(

Any other 970 recommendations that will fit perfectly into the akitio case? Amazon hopefully cause i get free one day shipping :peaceful:

Please take a look at page 1 of the AKiTiO discussion: http://forum.techinferno.com/enclosures-adapters/7205-us%24189-akitio-thunder2-pcie-box-16gbps-tb2.html

There is a short Zotac card that can fit, if you remove the fan shroud!

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