Okay, so my two W600 cards arrived yesterday, and today I managed to get them up and running.
I put both FirePros into the Sonnet Echo Express Pro. Windows picked both of them up, however one of them ended up with a Code 12. The solution is to make sure the AMD Audio Devices are disabled (I don't need them) to free resources, and then enable the W600 cards one by one: Disable the card that did not suffer from a Code 12, then disable the one that has Code 12, and then enable the Code 12 card first, followed by the one that did not have the issue. Both cards should be functional at this point. Unfortunately, this needs to be repeated on every boot, and docking-and-undocking, which makes using both cards at once very inconvenient. Here goes my dream of being able to run a 12-screen video-wall off a TB1 enclosure. Drat. Not that I actually need a video wall like this, but I could do it once by borrowing monitors to just show it is possible. My system already has the Large Memory space to allocate devices into, and all PCIe devices are there by default, so the Code 12 is likely not trivial to solve, but it might be doable.
I guess six monitors off a single TB1 enclosure is good enough 
The really nice part here is that unlike my Quadro K2000, which doesn't quite support eGPU use (the NVidia driver complains about "External K2000 Unsupported" when the eGPU is detected, and the detection can take a little bit to actually happen after docking), the latest AMD Professional drivers support an external W600 perfectly, with a full feature set. As a result, docking/undocking is almost as fast as hooking up a USB mouse to my laptop, which is all sorts of awesome when I need to get to and from my desk in a hurry. It also seems like large screen movement across the external monitors is smoother with the AMD card, but this might just be a misconception by me.
I really recommend these FirePro W600 cards for someone who wants a cheap card to drive multiple monitors (you can run six 4K panels off one of these, or three 5K monitors fed by two DisplayPort 1.2 connections each). There's still a stock of them here with the same seller I bought mine from. They aren't gaming cards, but they might run games in lower resolutions or older games (they are about equivalent to a GTX650). If you have an older laptop and just want to get a little faster than integrated graphics, it is hard to go wrong with a whole eGPU setup for about 50$ that can even drive 4K monitors for daily desktop use (Dell DA-2, the card and a 7$ mPCIe to PCIe adapter and a little bit of DIY).
Some screenshots of this stuff in action:
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
@Yukikaze, thank you for another great value and unique eGPU build.
With regards to your requirement to disable then enable devices to fix error 12, consider adapting @jzfgs‘s package to fix error 12 here to automate this via a batch file. Can then just click it or even extend it to fire when detects the Firepro eGPUs appearing with error 12 as a startup infinite loop process.
@nando4 - There were some other issues that arose from the two cards (occasionally, none of the cards would be picked up by the AMD driver at all). I think XConnect doesn't play with what amounts to two cards connecting at the same time in the same enclosure or something. I just ended up using a single one of the cards, and this works flawlessly, docking, undocking and all.
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
@Yukikaze, any chance you could run HP BIOS Config Utility , with ‘biosconfigutility /get:zbookg4.txt’, sanitize it (remove serial, model, etc) from zbookg4.txt and then post it?
From playing briefly with a G5, there was a settable option in there that improved M.2 eGPU performance. Just need to ID it. Your G4 output should have the same option. Maybe it helps Thunderbolt performance as well?
@nando4 - Here goes. BIOSConfig 1.0 ; ; Originally created by BIOS Configuration Utility ; Version: 4.0.26.1 ; Date="2019/09/03" Time="10:09:42" UTC="-7" ; ; Found 210 settings ; Product Name HP ZBook 15 G4 Processor 1 Type Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7820HQ CPU @ 2.90GHz Processor 1 Speed 2800 MHz Processor 1 Cache Size (L1/L2/L3) 256 KB / 1 MB / 8 MB Processor 1 MicroCode Revision B4 Processor 1 Stepping 9 Processor 1 Top-Slot 1(left) 8 GB Micron Processor 1 Top-Slot 2(right) 8 GB Hynix/Hyundai Processor 1 Bottom-Slot 1(left) 8 GB Hynix/Hyundai Processor 1 Bottom-Slot 2(right) 8 GB Hynix/Hyundai Serial Number ***** SKU Number ***** Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) ***** Memory Size 32768 MB System Board CT Number ***** Primary Battery Serial Number ***** Product Family 103C_5336AN MS Digital Marker ***** System BIOS Version P70 Ver. 01.28 04/30/2019 BIOS Build Version 0001 ME Firmware Version 11.8.50.3425 Video BIOS Version nVidia GM107 Board - 27570512(82.07.AF.00.4F) Reference Code Revision 2.6.0 Embedded Controller Firmware Version 46.77 Born On Date ***** System Board ID 8275 Integrated MAC Address 1 ***** Custom Logo *Not Present Present Asset Tracking Number ***** Ownership Tag ***** Feature Byte ***** Build ID ***** Lock BIOS Version *Disable Enable BIOS Rollback Policy *Unrestricted Rollback to older BIOS Restricted Rollback to older BIOS Minimum BIOS Version 00.00 Manufacturing Programming Mode Unlock *Lock Password Minimum Length 8 At least one symbol is required in Administrator and User passwords *No Yes At least one number is required in Administrator and User passwords *No Yes At least one upper case character is required in Administrator and User passwords *No Yes At least one lower case character is required in Administrator and User passwords *No Yes Are spaces allowed in Administrator and User passwords? *No Yes Prompt for Admin password on F9 (Boot Menu) *Disable Enable Prompt for Admin password on F11 (System Recovery) *Disable Enable Prompt for Admin password on F12 (Network Boot) *Disable Enable BIOS Administrator visible at Power-on Authentication Disable *Enable Wake on LAN Power-on Password Policy Bypass Password *Require Password Prompt for Admin password on Capsule Update *Disable Enable TPM Specification Version 2.0 TPM Device Hidden *Available TPM State Disable *Enable Clear TPM *No On next boot TPM Activation Policy F1 to Boot Allow user to reject *No prompts Verify Boot Block on every boot *Disable Enable BIOS Data Recovery Policy *Automatic Manual Prompt on Network Controller Configuration Change *Disable Enable Dynamic Runtime Scanning of Boot Block Disable *Enable Sure Start BIOS Settings Protection *Disable Enable Enhanced HP Firmware Runtime Intrusion Prevention and Detection Disable *Enable Sure Start Security Event Policy Log Event Only *Log Event and notify user Log Event and power off system Physical Presence Interface Disable *Enable Save/Restore GPT of System Hard Drive *Disabled Enabled Save/Restore MBR of System Hard Drive *Disable Enable Secure Erase Hard Disk Serial Number Secure Erase Hard Disk Model Number Secure Erase Completion Date Secure Erase Completion Status Allow OPAL Hard Drive SID Authentication *Disable Enable Permanent Disable Absolute Persistence Module Set Once *No Yes Absolute Persistence Module Current State *Inactive Active System Management Command Disable *Enable SureStart Production Mode Disable *Enable Host Based MAC Address *Disable System Custom HBMA Factory MAC Address ***** HBMA System MAC Address ***** HBMA Custom MAC Address ***** Pre-boot HBMA Support Disable *Enable Windows HBMA Support Disable *Enable Single NIC Operation (Disable All Other NICs when HBMA is active on one NIC) *Disable Enable Reuse Embedded LAN Address *Disable Enable HBMA Priority List ***** Select Language *English Deutsch Espanol Italiano Francais Japanese Portugues Dansk Svenska Nederlands Norsk Suomi Simplified Chinese Traditional Chinese Russian Select Keyboard Layout *English Deutsch Espanol Italiano Francais Japanese Portugues Dansk Svenska Nederlands Norsk Suomi Simplified Chinese Traditional Chinese Russian Sunday *Disable Enable Monday *Disable Enable Tuesday *Disable Enable Wednesday *Disable Enable Thursday *Disable Enable Friday *Disable Enable Saturday *Disable Enable BIOS Power-On Hour 0 BIOS Power-On Minute 0 Power On When AC Detected *Disable Enable Power On When Lid is Opened *Disable Enable Startup Delay (sec.) *0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 Fast Boot Disable *Enable Audio Alerts During Boot Disable *Enable NumLock on at boot *Disable Enable Prompt on Memory Size Change Disable *Enable USB Storage Boot Disable *Enable Network (PXE) Boot *Disable Enable Prompt on Fixed Storage Change *Disable Enable Prompt on Battery Errors Disable *Enable Legacy Boot Options Disable *Enable Legacy Boot Order <no legacy boot options available>(Disabled) UEFI Boot Options Disable *Enable UEFI Boot Order ***** HP_Disk0MapForUefiBootOrder ***** HP_Disk0MapForLegacyBootOrder ***** Smart Card Reader Power Setting (if present) *Always powered on Powered on if card is present Launch Hotkeys without Fn Keypress *Disable Enable Power Control *Disable Enable Swap Fn and Ctrl (Keys) *Disable Enable Fast Charge Disable *Enable Enable High Resolution mode when connected to a USB-C DP alt mode dock *Disable Enable Special Keys mapped to Fn + keypress Disable *Enable Fan Always on while on AC Power Disable *Enable Wake on LAN on DC mode *Disable Enable Wake on WLAN *Disable Enable Boost Converter Disable *Enable Backlit keyboard timeout 5 secs. *15 secs. 30 secs. 1 min.. 5 mins. Never. Bluetooth Disable *Enable Wireless Network Device (WLAN) Disable *Enable LAN / WLAN Auto Switching *Disable Enable Configure Legacy Support and Secure Boot Legacy Support Enable and Secure Boot Disable *Legacy Support Disable and Secure Boot Enable Legacy Support Disable and Secure Boot Disable Import Custom Secure Boot keys *Do Nothing On next boot Clear Secure Boot keys *Disable Enable Reset Secure Boot keys to factory defaults *Disable Enable Enable MS UEFI CA key No *Yes Ready to disable MS UEFI CA Key Not Ready *Ready Custom Keys Image Verification State *No Custom Keys Fail Success Ready BIOS for Device Guard Use *Do Nothing Configure on Next Boot Clear Configuration on Next Boot Configure Storage Controller for RAID *Disable Enable USB Type-C Controller(s) Firmware Version: TIPD Primary 1-Port Controller : 1.11.11 TIPD Secondary 1-Port Controller : 1.11.11 HP Application Driver *Disable Enable Audio Device Disable *Enable Embedded LAN controller Disable *Enable Wake On LAN Disabled Boot to Network *Boot to Hard Drive Boot to Normal Boot Order Integrated Microphone Disable *Enable Internal Speakers Disable *Enable Runtime Power Management Disable *Enable Extended Idle Power States Disable *Enable Headphone Output Disable *Enable Wake when Lid is Opened *Disable Enable Battery Health Manager Maximize my battery health Let HP manage my battery charging *Maximize my battery duration Disable Battery On Next Boot *Do not disable Next shut down Wake on USB Disable *Enable Wake When AC is Detected *Disable Enable PCI Express Power Management Disable *Enable Integrated Camera Disable *Enable Battery Safety Mode *Disable Enable Fingerprint Device *Disable Enable Graphics Hybrid Graphics *Discrete Graphics Auto Force to Run Discrete Only Mode *Disable Enable Media Card Reader Disable *Enable Restrict USB Devices *Allow all USB Devices Allow only keyboard and mouse Allow all but storage devices and hubs USB Legacy Port Charging Disable *Enable Disable Charging Port in sleep/off if battery below (%): 10 Left USB Ports Disable *Enable Right USB Ports Disable *Enable Right USB Port 1 Disable *Enable Right USB Port 2 Disable *Enable Smart Card *Disabled Enabled M.2 SSD 1 Disable *Enable M.2 SSD 2 *Disable Enable SATA1 *Disable Enable Thunderbolt Type C Ports Disable *Enable Thunderbolt Security Level PCIe and DisplayPort - No Security *PCIe and DisplayPort - User Authorization PCIe and DisplayPort - Secure Connect DisplayPort and USB Require BIOS PW to change TBT SL *Disable Enable Configure Option ROM Launch Policy All Legacy *All UEFI All UEFI Except Video Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) Disable Enable *Software control Turbo-boost Disable *Enable Hyperthreading Disable *Enable Multi-processor Disable *Enable POST Prompt for RAID Configuration Disable *Enable Virtualization Technology (VTx) Disable *Enable Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VTd) Disable *Enable Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) *Disable Enable Active Management (AMT) Disable *Enable USB Key Provisioning Support *Disable Enable Unconfigure AMT on next boot *Do Not Apply Apply SOL Terminal Emulation Mode *ANSI VT100 Verbose Boot Messages *Disable Enable Watchdog Timer *Disable Enable OS Watchdog Timer (min.) *5 10 15 20 25 BIOS Watchdog Timer (min.) *5 10 15 20 25 USB Redirection Support Disable *Enable Show Unconfigure ME Confirmation Prompt Disable *Enable Wireless Manageability Disable *Enable CIRA Timeout (min.) *1 min 2 mins 3 mins 4 mins Never Deep Sleep Off *On Update Source *HP Custom Automatically Check for Updates Daily Weekly *Monthly Automatic BIOS Update Setting *Disable Let user decide whether to install updates Install all updates automatically Install only important updates automatically Update Address Force Check on Reboot *Disable Enable Update BIOS via Network Disable *Enable Use Proxy *Disable Enable Proxy Address DNS Configuration *Automatic Manual DNS Addresses Data transfer timeout 100 IPv4 Address IPv4 Configuration *Automatic Manual IPv4 Gateway IPv4 Subnet Mask Force HTTP no-cache *Disable Enable Save Custom Defaults *Do not Save Save Apply Custom Defaults and Exit *No Yes Apply Factory Defaults and Exit *No Yes
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
Thank you. Consider disabling PCI Express Power Management to see if it improves performance. On a M.2 eGPU (NVME) not frame limited by the CPU, this gives 15% more Forza 4 FPS as well as noticable improvement in 3dmark GPU scores.
PCI Express Power Management Disable *Enable
Interesting, this setting was not available in the BIOS itself, but it is configurable via the BIOS Configuration Utility. I can't really do any benchmarks right now, but I've disabled it and will see if I can do some testing.
Want to output [email protected] out of an old system on the cheap? Read here.
Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
Interesting, this setting was not available in the BIOS itself, but it is configurable via the BIOS Configuration Utility. I can’t really do any benchmarks right now, but I’ve disabled it and will see if I can do some testing.
HP ZBooks/Elitebooks have locked down BIOS and UEFI settings. HP’s BIOS Configuration Utility being the only way to access some additional BIOS settings. In comparison, Dell equivalent (Precision/Latitude/XPS) can have many hidden BIOS settings altered as UEFI variables when have a IFR reference file generated from the system’s BIOS.
Yes, pls test ‘PCI Express Power Management = disabled’. Am expecting a > 15% Forza 4 gain with a fast eGPU on a TB3 interface on a ‘H’ CPU system like your ZBook G4.