System specs
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme - Intel Core i7 8750H , 16GB of RAM , 512GB SSD + 128GB SSD + Intel UHD 630 & NVIDIA GeForce 10850 Ti Max-Q + Windows 10
eGPU hardware
AORUS RTX 2070 Gaming Box
Hardware pictures
 |
 |
 |
Installation steps
1. Be sure to update all the frimware via Lenovo Vantage- this includes the BIOS & TB3 Frimware
2. Go to BIOS and disable Thunderbolt security - else it gets all cranky
3. Uninstall drivers using DDU. It's important that you do not let the computer to use the stock Lenovo drivers , otherwise you'll have a lot of issues when unplugging or swapping the graphics.
4. Download Latest NVIDIA Driver (Pick the Mobile version) and have it installed
5. Reboot!
Common Problems & How To Fix Them
1. Gaming Box is not being detected by Windows - This happens if you decided to shutdown the laptop and the gaming box together. The next time you boot up , it will fail to detect the Gaming Box. Unplugging and replugging wouldn't work. You need to power cycle the gaming box by disconnecting the power cord and plugging it back after 5 minutes. It will work . RECOMMENDED way : Use the NVIDIA Control Panel thingy to disconnect the GPU/Disable it first. It would work most of the time -
UPDATE : The newer TB3 driver seems to have addressed this issue....well somewhat...
2. Boot Loop - Simply disconnect the GPU and plug it back in once you have booted to Windows
Fix : Load the BIOS - press enter. Under settings , look for Thunderbolt 3. Disable pre-boot time and then go to graphics and set external display for 3 second wait (yes it increases the time for it to load - but you don't have to worry about unplugging it at all)
3. Frame Rate drop in Windows (i.e gaming and casual task) - Simply go to Device Manager , disable the Intel GPU and enable it back. It will work. Some say you would need to disable the onboard NVIDIA Card. The trick is something needs to be disabled in order for it work properly 
- Thankfully the latest Intel Drivers (26.20.100.7529) have fixed this
Hardware Mods
Added Thermal Pad to the system. Based on @itsage's recommendation . I'll post the new benchmarks on the performance
Benchmarks
I did a test with Tomb Raider (I have the images ready - will get it uploaded later on along with Cuda-Z bandwidth pic)
All of these were tested with 1080p with High Preset
GeForce GTX 1050Ti - 29fps
GeForce GTX 2070 (Internal Display) - 63fps
GeForce GTX 2070 (External Display) - 72fps
Comments
Well it works , but you wouldn't be expecting a 100fps on a lot of games even tho the GTX 2070 is capable of pumping + 8750H is capable of doing it. However TB3 bandwidth truly limits the potential , but the good news is you can easily get 60fps in most games anyway (by tuning some of the settings down)
The laptop can be powered on charged (a bit slowly) with the 100W delivery over TB3 , however when the CPU starts to go up , it would BSOD (i suspect that there isn't enough juice or something else). I had to plug the Lenovo Issued 135W charger.
Thinkpad X1 Extreme (Gen 1) - 8750H | 16 GB RAM | 1050 Ti (Onboard) | GAMING BOX RTX2070 eGPU
2018 15" Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme (GTX1050Ti) [8th,6C,H] + RTX 2070 @ 32Gbps-TB3 (AORUS Gaming Box) + Win10 [build link]
Nice build! We found a performance culprit with many Intel 8th gen H CPU laptops. The Thunderbolt 3 connection is routed through the PCH chip which doesn't have any cooling at all. Here are some examples of similar configurations [ASUS ZenBook Pro, Dell XPS 9570]. Your Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme's Thunderbolt 3 is routed the same way unfortunately.
• external graphics card builds
• best laptops for external GPU
• eGPU enclosure buyer's guide
2020 15" HP Spectre X360 [11th,4C,G] + RTX 2080 Ti @ 32Gbps-TB4 (AORUS Gaming Box) + Win10 2004 [build link]
Nice build! We found a performance culprit with many Intel 8th gen H CPU laptops. The Thunderbolt 3 connection is routed through the PCH chip which doesn't have any cooling at all. Here are some examples of similar configurations [ASUS ZenBook Pro, Dell XPS 9570]. Your Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme's Thunderbolt 3 is routed the same way unfortunately.
Yep - that's what I plan to do. I would need to cool the PCH , probably to cool it later on. Will let you know the results later . I will also attach my benchmark performance so that you can get a comparison on how well the graphics card performs compared to iGPU , 1050Ti
Thinkpad X1 Extreme (Gen 1) - 8750H | 16 GB RAM | 1050 Ti (Onboard) | GAMING BOX RTX2070 eGPU
2018 15" Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme (GTX1050Ti) [8th,6C,H] + RTX 2070 @ 32Gbps-TB3 (AORUS Gaming Box) + Win10 [build link]
Very interesting! I'm looking at having a similar build, but I really want to have it plug & play. When you uninstall then reinstall the dGPU drivers, does this then mean that if you're out & about you can no longer use the 1050ti?
Laptop: Lenovo X1 Extreme Gen1 w/ i7-8750H GTX 1050 Max-Q dGPU
eGPU Enclosure: Razer Core X Chroma
eGPU: RX 5700XT
Cable: Caldigit 2m TB3 Active Cable
2018 15" Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme (GTX1050Ti) [8th,6C,H] + GTX 960 @ 32Gbps-TB3 (Razer Core X Chroma) + Win10 [build link]
Very interesting! I'm looking at having a similar build, but I really want to have it plug & play. When you uninstall then reinstall the dGPU drivers, does this then mean that if you're out & about you can no longer use the 1050ti?
I can still use the 1050Ti. In fact in NVIDIA Control Panel , it gets assigned as a dedicated GPU. In games such as WoW , I can even use the GTX 1050Ti to render and use the RTX2070 to output it instead
Thinkpad X1 Extreme (Gen 1) - 8750H | 16 GB RAM | 1050 Ti (Onboard) | GAMING BOX RTX2070 eGPU
2018 15" Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme (GTX1050Ti) [8th,6C,H] + RTX 2070 @ 32Gbps-TB3 (AORUS Gaming Box) + Win10 [build link]
@prasys Can you run HWiNFO64 and take a screen capture of your PCI Express Root Ports? Best to have to the eGPU connected and expanded.
• external graphics card builds
• best laptops for external GPU
• eGPU enclosure buyer's guide
2020 15" HP Spectre X360 [11th,4C,G] + RTX 2080 Ti @ 32Gbps-TB4 (AORUS Gaming Box) + Win10 2004 [build link]
@prasys Can you run HWiNFO64 and take a screen capture of your PCI Express Root Ports? Best to have to the eGPU connected and expanded.
Done. I've even uploaded CUDA-Z screenshot (since I can finally upload attachments)
Thinkpad X1 Extreme (Gen 1) - 8750H | 16 GB RAM | 1050 Ti (Onboard) | GAMING BOX RTX2070 eGPU
2018 15" Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme (GTX1050Ti) [8th,6C,H] + RTX 2070 @ 32Gbps-TB3 (AORUS Gaming Box) + Win10 [build link]
Thank you! I did not know the X1 Extreme has Titan Ridge Thunderbolt 3 controller. 🙂
• external graphics card builds
• best laptops for external GPU
• eGPU enclosure buyer's guide
2020 15" HP Spectre X360 [11th,4C,G] + RTX 2080 Ti @ 32Gbps-TB4 (AORUS Gaming Box) + Win10 2004 [build link]
Great job!
Can I also connect my TB3 Docking station to the second port?
My setup is Aorus 2070 rtx Gaming box TB3 Thinkpad Dockingstation and X1 Extreme with 1050 ti.
Also is there a way to select which port will charge my computer. For example I have 135w charger, also 135w charger on my docking station but going through TB3 and not dedicated charging port and 100w on Aorus? I would like that he always charges from the power connector.
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
.
Can you tell me what hot swap capabilities you are getting?
Can you plug the gpu in after boot and it will change from 1050ti to egpu? What happens if you unplug it?
Or do you have to boot with egpu plugged in?
Thanks
To do: Create my signature with system and expected eGPU configuration information to give context to my posts. I have no builds.
.