Thunderbolt cable: Cable Matters 2m active 40Gbps TB4 cable with 100W charging
Hardware pictures
During initial setup and testing:
Installing the eGPU
Connected and testing (topmost picture)
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Installation steps
The Core X Chroma is currently connected directly to my laptop, with all my USB devices plugged in to the enclosure (no extra dock/hub).
I've also tried:
Connecting the enclosure via my Dell WD19TB Thunderbolt 3 dock (USB devices plugged in to the dock)
Connecting the enclosure to laptop TB3 port 1 and the dock to port 2 (USB devices plugged in to the dock)
External monitor connected via DP.
Laptop and Win10 is warning about slow charging since the enclosure can only provide 100W (vs 130W with Dell charger/dock) - haven't noticed any issues with this since the dGPU is not used, laptop battery is always 100% charged.
Initial graphics stuttering fixed by manually disabling the laptop dGPU - hopefully only a temporary solution.
Unable to update RTX 3070 BIOS - solved by enabling the laptop dGPU and disconnecting the external monitor.
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Benchmarks
Some quick tests before tweaking:
3DMark Time Spy score @ 1440p - 10 306 (excellent)
@cthugha, Hi, I have pretty same build, but I have a problem with turning on a laptop, I just want it to wake up from hibernation with external keyboard but there is no option in devices. May be you meet the same issue?
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
I haven't attempted that (yet). But someone suggested another solution in my thread here, using the eGPU enclosure power switch.
Have you managed to solve the issues that I mention in that post?
(GPU BIOS update, having to manually disable dGPU to avoid stuttering, BitLocker recovery, external monitor not active until after Windows logon)
@cthugha,
1) BitLocker - I have disabled bitlocker because I dont actually need this, so recovery is gone
2) external monitor not active until after Windows logon - I have enabled settings in bios, this is thunderbolt settings, now i have my login screen on external monitor
3) having to manually disable dGPU to avoid stuttering - I didn't meet this issue, my laptop uses only eGPU, no activity of dGPU
but no, some apps use dGPU but if some great load like game it uses only eGPU for it
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
@cthugha, actually event razer core x chroma does not provide enough power (90W) to work with laptop, there are several errors notifying it (it works but not full power as it says).
The native dell AC adapter provides 130W
So I use native AC adapter in addition to razer core thunderbolt
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
@cthugha,
1) BitLocker - I have disabled bitlocker because I dont actually need this, so recovery is gone
2) external monitor not active until after Windows logon - I have enabled settings in bios, this is thunderbolt settings, now i have my login screen on external monitor
3) having to manually disable dGPU to avoid stuttering - I didn't meet this issue, my laptop uses only eGPU, no activity of dGPU
but no, some apps use dGPU but if some great load like game it uses only eGPU for it
1) Yeah, I had to disable it too. Found no other way to solve it.
2) Which setting is that? I've tried the ones shown in your screenshot and they did not help, so I disabled them again today.
3) That's weird... As soon as I enable it I get graphics stuttering in both Windows desktop and games. What is your setup? Same laptop, dGPU and eGPU enclosure?
@cthugha, actually event razer core x chroma does not provide enough power (90W) to work with laptop, there are several errors notifying it (it works but not full power as it says).
The native dell AC adapter provides 130W
So I use native AC adapter in addition to razer core thunderbolt
Those warnings can be safely ignored if you want to have a single cable solution. The laptop will never use >90W without using the dGPU (and internal screen). Confirmed with Dell support, that it's ok and will not throttle.
I still didn't get anything on my external monitor until after login, even with those TB settings (boot support and pre-boot modules). I had them both enabled for a few days but still had to use my laptop to login.
Are you sure that is what solved it for you? No other settings you've also changed?
@cthugha, there is also another setting you can try called thunderbolt security level (NO SECURITY option). this setting is used with settings described earlier.
But notice that eGPU is not turned on correctly after bios restart, I have this issue by the way, may be you not.
So if eGPU is not recognized after bios boot, I do :
1) turn off pc
2) disable eGPU thunderbolt
3) turn on pc
4) connect eGPU (it is recognized ok)
5) reboot pc - and voila eGPU is working
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
I've again tried all combinations of these BIOS settings. Nothing solves the external monitor before logon issue. And with the Thunderbolt Boot Support option enabled I don't even get external mouse & keyboard.
All my USB devices are Razer products. My monitor is a 34" ultrawide AOC.
