- last edited on by
ROGBot
Add an eGPU - external graphics processing unit- to your laptop.:cool:
I love my Asus G74SX-TH71 laptop. It's a great laptop for gaming and 3D rendering. But, I quickly found out that the dedicated (discrete) graphics processing unit (dGPU) is soldered onto the motherboard and thus I am not able to upgrade. Then I found this solution here by 'nando4'.
Basically, I removed the mPCIe Atheros WIFI card and replaced it with an adapter which is powered by an ATX PSU and accepts a full-size x16 PCIexpress video card of your choosing (ASUS of course).
[Another solution would be to use the ThunderBolt (TB) port or ExpressCard (EC) on selective ASUS laptops. And an even better solution would be to use a combination of mPCIe, EC, and TB ports to achieve the most potential of your new external graphics card (eGPU). In some cases it is possible to get an internal graphics processing unit (iGPU), a dGPU and the eGPU all running together thanks to the Optimus drivers built-into nVidia's drivers.]
***Before trying this make sure you know what you are doing; read this carefully (must login to post messages/questions for help. I never noticed the colorful boxes below the large black square were actually very helpful links; I just overlooked them)***
***This worked for me. I can not guarantee it will work for you***
***You have to keep in mind that this setup will not use the full potential of the new eGPU due to bottlenecks inherent to this method.***
My Platform Description
1- Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (stock).
2- SYSTEM: ASUS G74SX-TH71, Intel 2670m, nVidia GTX560m, dual SSD's (not stock/not RAID).
3- RAM: 12GB system; 3GB GTX560m (stock).
What I used in my eGPU setup
4- eGPU: ASUS STRIX GTX960 2GB RAM (Others should work).
5- nVidia Drivers: 347.52 Desktop & 347.52 Notebook (Most current)/(Need both).
6- ATX PSU: Corsair CX750M (Enough to power your eGPU).
7- Adapter: PE4C-PM3E v1.2 via mPCIe. (Jumpers set to NO DELAY and AUTO for me).
*NOTE: (the mPCIe is in an awkward location on the G74SX; other adapters could work and might require modification to the laptop case).
8- DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 ($25.00 donation required).
9-External Monitor ASUS VN-247 24” LCD, 1920x1080p, 80,000,000:1, 1ms delay.
Steps to perform prior to installation of the eGPU.
A- Read this and this and this. Also, watch some videos like this, this, and this.
B- Buy the appropriate hardware and software.
C- Download and install a graphics driver Uninstaller program to remove old drivers.
D- Download the latest drivers for BOTH the laptop and new eGPU.
E- Download and perform a DSDT override if required.
F- Install DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 from 'nando4' if required.
***Do your homework to assure compatibility***
Optional Software
-nVidia Inspector.
-GeForce Experience loaded as separate program (Don't use the full driver package).
-A bench-marking program. (Run this before any modifications are made for comparisons).
BOOTICE to launch Windows seamlessly with DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 (or current version) after a successful configuration.
Optional Hardware
Get the right adapter for your specific laptop. Other adapter models (some with cases) are available from Bplus, Bangkook, Sonnet, and VillageTronic among others. Every laptop is different and the available ports will determine the equipment used to attach the eGPU to your laptop.
The Results
NOTES
The cable of the PE4C v1.2 seems very delicate and is very thin (like the SSD hard drive cable) and works for my application because I do not want to cut my computer to make another adapter fit (not that I know I would have to, just going off pictures of other adapters). The adapter comes with 100mm, 200mm, & 300mm cables; I started with the longest.
PROBLEM: I could not get the eGPU to work unless I forced it into GEN1 mode (not the outcome I wanted). The process of removing and reinstalling the cable (cable now has some creases but not bad), the cable length is too long and degrades signal quality , or a bad connection by me to start with could be the cause of not achieving stable GEN2.
FIX: I switched out the 300mm cable (damaged maybe) with the shorter 200mm (non-manhandled) one and made sure the connections are correct. I booted into DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 and 'Reset' the startup.bat (to remove the 'force GEN1' applied earlier), set mbr, ran 36bit compaction, and DID NOT specify a GEN configuration. It is now running at PCIe Interface 3.0@2.0x1 and automatically switching to 3.0@1.1x1 as system idles.
RESULT: Battlefield is now running on HIGH settings in 1920x1080p 60Hz 100% resolution and averaging 60's fps (dips to 50 and spikes to 70). I was previously getting 50's fps (pretty stable) with dGPU on LOW and 80% resolution, so a nice improvement over stock.
NOTE: It will BlackSOD when I plug in a USB and sometimes recovers? Can boot with USB already plugged in no problem.
I love my Asus G74SX-TH71 laptop. It's a great laptop for gaming and 3D rendering. But, I quickly found out that the dedicated (discrete) graphics processing unit (dGPU) is soldered onto the motherboard and thus I am not able to upgrade. Then I found this solution here by 'nando4'.
Basically, I removed the mPCIe Atheros WIFI card and replaced it with an adapter which is powered by an ATX PSU and accepts a full-size x16 PCIexpress video card of your choosing (ASUS of course).
[Another solution would be to use the ThunderBolt (TB) port or ExpressCard (EC) on selective ASUS laptops. And an even better solution would be to use a combination of mPCIe, EC, and TB ports to achieve the most potential of your new external graphics card (eGPU). In some cases it is possible to get an internal graphics processing unit (iGPU), a dGPU and the eGPU all running together thanks to the Optimus drivers built-into nVidia's drivers.]
***Before trying this make sure you know what you are doing; read this carefully (must login to post messages/questions for help. I never noticed the colorful boxes below the large black square were actually very helpful links; I just overlooked them)***
***This worked for me. I can not guarantee it will work for you***
***You have to keep in mind that this setup will not use the full potential of the new eGPU due to bottlenecks inherent to this method.***
My Platform Description
1- Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (stock).
2- SYSTEM: ASUS G74SX-TH71, Intel 2670m, nVidia GTX560m, dual SSD's (not stock/not RAID).
3- RAM: 12GB system; 3GB GTX560m (stock).
What I used in my eGPU setup
4- eGPU: ASUS STRIX GTX960 2GB RAM (Others should work).
5- nVidia Drivers: 347.52 Desktop & 347.52 Notebook (Most current)/(Need both).
6- ATX PSU: Corsair CX750M (Enough to power your eGPU).
7- Adapter: PE4C-PM3E v1.2 via mPCIe. (Jumpers set to NO DELAY and AUTO for me).
*NOTE: (the mPCIe is in an awkward location on the G74SX; other adapters could work and might require modification to the laptop case).
8- DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 ($25.00 donation required).
9-External Monitor ASUS VN-247 24” LCD, 1920x1080p, 80,000,000:1, 1ms delay.
Steps to perform prior to installation of the eGPU.
A- Read this and this and this. Also, watch some videos like this, this, and this.
B- Buy the appropriate hardware and software.
C- Download and install a graphics driver Uninstaller program to remove old drivers.
D- Download the latest drivers for BOTH the laptop and new eGPU.
E- Download and perform a DSDT override if required.
F- Install DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 from 'nando4' if required.
***Do your homework to assure compatibility***
Optional Software
-nVidia Inspector.
-GeForce Experience loaded as separate program (Don't use the full driver package).
-A bench-marking program. (Run this before any modifications are made for comparisons).
BOOTICE to launch Windows seamlessly with DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 (or current version) after a successful configuration.
Optional Hardware
Get the right adapter for your specific laptop. Other adapter models (some with cases) are available from Bplus, Bangkook, Sonnet, and VillageTronic among others. Every laptop is different and the available ports will determine the equipment used to attach the eGPU to your laptop.
The Results
NOTES
The cable of the PE4C v1.2 seems very delicate and is very thin (like the SSD hard drive cable) and works for my application because I do not want to cut my computer to make another adapter fit (not that I know I would have to, just going off pictures of other adapters). The adapter comes with 100mm, 200mm, & 300mm cables; I started with the longest.
PROBLEM: I could not get the eGPU to work unless I forced it into GEN1 mode (not the outcome I wanted). The process of removing and reinstalling the cable (cable now has some creases but not bad), the cable length is too long and degrades signal quality , or a bad connection by me to start with could be the cause of not achieving stable GEN2.
FIX: I switched out the 300mm cable (damaged maybe) with the shorter 200mm (non-manhandled) one and made sure the connections are correct. I booted into DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 and 'Reset' the startup.bat (to remove the 'force GEN1' applied earlier), set mbr, ran 36bit compaction, and DID NOT specify a GEN configuration. It is now running at PCIe Interface 3.0@2.0x1 and automatically switching to 3.0@1.1x1 as system idles.
RESULT: Battlefield is now running on HIGH settings in 1920x1080p 60Hz 100% resolution and averaging 60's fps (dips to 50 and spikes to 70). I was previously getting 50's fps (pretty stable) with dGPU on LOW and 80% resolution, so a nice improvement over stock.
NOTE: It will BlackSOD when I plug in a USB and sometimes recovers? Can boot with USB already plugged in no problem.
Add an ASUS desktop graphics card to your ASUS laptop. (REPOST).
The Asus G74SX-TH71 laptop is a great laptop for gaming and 3D rendering. But, I quickly found out that the dedicated (discrete) graphics processing unit (dGPU) is soldered onto the motherboard and thus I am not able to upgrade. Then I found this solution here by 'nando4'.
Basically, I removed the mPCIe Atheros WIFI card and replaced it with an adapter which is powered by an ATX PSU and accepts a full-size x16 PCIexpress video card of your choosing (ASUS of course).
[Another solution would be to use the ThunderBolt (TB) port or ExpressCard (EC) on selective ASUS laptops. And an even better solution would be to use a combination of mPCIe, EC, and TB ports to achieve the most potential of your new external graphics card (eGPU). In some cases it is possible to get an internal graphics processing unit (iGPU), a dGPU and the eGPU all running together thanks to the Optimus drivers built-into nVidia's drivers.]
***Before trying this make sure you know what you are doing; read this carefully (must login to post messages/questions for help. I never noticed the colorful boxes below the large black square were actually very helpful links; I just overlooked them)***
***This worked for me. I can not guarantee it will work for you***
***You have to keep in mind that this setup will not use the full potential of the new eGPU due to bottlenecks inherent to this method.***
My Platform Description
1- Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (stock).
2- SYSTEM: ASUS G74SX-TH71, Intel 2670m, nVidia GTX560m, dual SSD's (not stock/not RAID).
3- RAM: 12GB system; 3GB GTX560m (stock).
What I used in my eGPU setup
4- eGPU: ASUS STRIX GTX960 2GB RAM (Others should work).
5- nVidia Drivers: 347.52 Desktop & 347.52 Notebook (Most current)/(Need both).
6- ATX PSU: Corsair CX750M (Enough to power your eGPU).
7- Adapter: PE4C-PM3E v1.2 via mPCIe. (Jumpers set to NO DELAY and AUTO for me).
*NOTE:(the mPCIe is in an awkward location on the G74SX; other adapters could work and might require modification to the laptop case).
8- DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 ($25.00 donation required).
9-External Monitor ASUS VN-247 24” LCD, 1920x1080p, 80,000,000:1, 1ms delay.
Steps to perform prior to installation of the eGPU.
A- Read this and this and this. Also, watch some videos like this, this, and this.
B- Buy the appropriate hardware and software.
C- Download and install a graphics driver Uninstaller program to remove old drivers.
D- Download the latest drivers for BOTH the laptop and new eGPU.
E- Download and perform a DSDT override if required.
F- Install DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 from 'nando4' if required.
***Do your homework to assure compatibility***
Optional Software
-nVidia Inspector.
-GeForce Experience loaded as separate program (Don't use the full driver package).
-A bench-marking program. (Run this before any modifications are made for comparisons).
BOOTICE to launch Windows seamlessly with DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 (or current version) after a successful configuration.
Optional Hardware
Get the right adapter for your specific laptop. Other adapter models (some with cases) are available from Bplus, Bangkook, Sonnet, and VillageTronic among others. Every laptop is different and the available ports will determine the equipment used to attach the eGPU to your laptop.
The Results
The Asus G74SX-TH71 laptop is a great laptop for gaming and 3D rendering. But, I quickly found out that the dedicated (discrete) graphics processing unit (dGPU) is soldered onto the motherboard and thus I am not able to upgrade. Then I found this solution here by 'nando4'.
Basically, I removed the mPCIe Atheros WIFI card and replaced it with an adapter which is powered by an ATX PSU and accepts a full-size x16 PCIexpress video card of your choosing (ASUS of course).
[Another solution would be to use the ThunderBolt (TB) port or ExpressCard (EC) on selective ASUS laptops. And an even better solution would be to use a combination of mPCIe, EC, and TB ports to achieve the most potential of your new external graphics card (eGPU). In some cases it is possible to get an internal graphics processing unit (iGPU), a dGPU and the eGPU all running together thanks to the Optimus drivers built-into nVidia's drivers.]
***Before trying this make sure you know what you are doing; read this carefully (must login to post messages/questions for help. I never noticed the colorful boxes below the large black square were actually very helpful links; I just overlooked them)***
***This worked for me. I can not guarantee it will work for you***
***You have to keep in mind that this setup will not use the full potential of the new eGPU due to bottlenecks inherent to this method.***
My Platform Description
1- Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (stock).
2- SYSTEM: ASUS G74SX-TH71, Intel 2670m, nVidia GTX560m, dual SSD's (not stock/not RAID).
3- RAM: 12GB system; 3GB GTX560m (stock).
What I used in my eGPU setup
4- eGPU: ASUS STRIX GTX960 2GB RAM (Others should work).
5- nVidia Drivers: 347.52 Desktop & 347.52 Notebook (Most current)/(Need both).
6- ATX PSU: Corsair CX750M (Enough to power your eGPU).
7- Adapter: PE4C-PM3E v1.2 via mPCIe. (Jumpers set to NO DELAY and AUTO for me).
*NOTE:(the mPCIe is in an awkward location on the G74SX; other adapters could work and might require modification to the laptop case).
8- DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 ($25.00 donation required).
9-External Monitor ASUS VN-247 24” LCD, 1920x1080p, 80,000,000:1, 1ms delay.
Steps to perform prior to installation of the eGPU.
A- Read this and this and this. Also, watch some videos like this, this, and this.
B- Buy the appropriate hardware and software.
C- Download and install a graphics driver Uninstaller program to remove old drivers.
D- Download the latest drivers for BOTH the laptop and new eGPU.
E- Download and perform a DSDT override if required.
F- Install DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 from 'nando4' if required.
***Do your homework to assure compatibility***
Optional Software
-nVidia Inspector.
-GeForce Experience loaded as separate program (Don't use the full driver package).
-A bench-marking program. (Run this before any modifications are made for comparisons).
BOOTICE to launch Windows seamlessly with DIY eGPU Setup 1.30 (or current version) after a successful configuration.
Optional Hardware
Get the right adapter for your specific laptop. Other adapter models (some with cases) are available from Bplus, Bangkook, Sonnet, and VillageTronic among others. Every laptop is different and the available ports will determine the equipment used to attach the eGPU to your laptop.
The Results
MarshallR@ASUS wrote:
Wow well done!
Doesn't surprise me that your PCIe is having trouble at higher speeds due to error generation (as it's not designed as an external connection without significant modification). Try keeping the cable as short as possible and perhaps shielding it with alu foil around it.
Thanks for your input MarshallR@ASUS.
I placed the adapter with the graphics card on the anti-static bag the STRIX came in and have NOT had any problem since.
Teramungus wrote:
5571 - i72670qm - (dGPU) GTX560m - (eGPU) STRIX GTX960 - ASUS G74SX Laptop w/ external GPU - PhysX set to Auto
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/6022076
5473 - i72670qm - (dGPU) GTX560m - (eGPU) STRIX GTX960 - ASUS G74SX Laptop w/ external GPU - PhysX set to GTX560m dedicated
http://www.3dmark.com/fs/4150881
