[Solved] I just want to ask before I purchase questions  

Hi guys,

Like some of you here, I am using an older laptop that I want to get hooked with an eGPU. I am currently engaged in Adobe programs for design and animation so adding an external would offer better performance in terms graphics quality. 

I've been doing research on DIY eGPU set up using express card but none of them were specific to my unit. So, your insights and suggestions are welcome. 

I'll list my unit information and below are components I am planning to purchase. Feel free to add/delete components and offer suggestions. 

Thank you! 

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NEC Laptop

System Information Report

General
O.S = Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Central Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2370M CPU @ 2.40GHz

Graphics
> Video Adapter Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000
> Video Memory 2.1 GB
> Screen Resolution 1366 x 768
Storage
> Total Memory 7.9 GB
> Total Hard disk 521.1 GB
> Free Hard disk 240.4 GB SSD A400 KINGSTON

Motherboard
> Model PBLH0
> Manufacturer NEC
> SMBIOS Version NOTE BIOS Version /712A0300
> BIOS Date 04/08/2011
BIOS Features
> PC Card (PCMCIA) is supported Yes
> Plug and Play is supported Yes
> BIOS is Upgradable (Flash) Yes
> BIOS shadowing is allowed Yes
> ESCD support is available Yes
> Boot from CD is supported Yes

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DYI Components:

1 Express card
1 docking station (BEAST)
1 2 x 6 pin cable (power) (optional)
1 GPU ( Palit GTX 1050 Ti 4GB)
1 AC Adapter (75W)
1 eGPU Enclosure
1 Monitor

I have such a thing in my laptop: "Centurion Wireless N 135" (see screen).

Spoiler

screenshot

I want to connect the following instead:
https://aliexpress.ru/item/32824725772.html

There, from the interfaces, only these (see colors):
Mini PCI-E, NGFF M.2 A Key, Expresscard.

As I understand it, I need the first one, right (Mini PCI-E)?

But I googled "Centurion Wireless N 135", here is the link:
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/ru/ru/ark/products/66887/intel-centrino-wireless-n-135-single-band.html

The PCIe port is listed there. And the docking station from aliexpress only has Mini PCI-E. Can I connect a docking station instead of the Centurion Wireless N 135?

If not, please give me a link to the docking station that I can connect.

Hi. Not sure if this forum has died, but might as well ask, I have a HP OMEN 15 laptop with GTX 1050 2GB mobile graphics. It is okay for gaming at 720p on low, but that's not where I wanna be. I was thinking of getting an EXP GDC so I can use a GTX 1660 SUPER which is much more powerful and has 3x the memory. I have checked for possible bottleneck issues, and there shouldn't be any since I have an 8th gen core i5-8300H. I want to upgrade in preparation for the release of MSFS 2020. My system meets the reccomended requirements except for the graphics card. So my question is, is the upgrade with an external dock worth the performance improvement?(if there is any, i've heard that the bandwidth limitations of the mini-PCIe port prevent this from being worh it, and I have also never actually seen anyone do this with a gaming laptop) I would prefer not to sell it and buy a pc instead though. many people have said this would be the best idea, but I just want to see if this would be viable at all, or even remotely a good idea. 

Thanks in advance if someone comes from the undead and replies!

Hello all,

I was wondering if the EXP GDC V8.x will work with Lenovo ThinkPad T470. It has an NGFF M.2 Slot. It has a thunderbolt 3 slot as well but Thunderbolt solutions are very expensive. Trying to get something cheap for my son

Additionally, is AMD RX 580 a good card to use with this setup (assuming it works) or would it be an overkill. Deeply appreciate your advise. 

I bought an Egpu M.2 ssd for my dell inspiron 3583 notebook. Did someone make an egpu similar to this model? do I need mod bios? or will you have problems with whitelist? because his bios is for the Inspiron 3480/3580/3583/3780 and Dell Vostro 3480/3580/3583 models waiting for a suggestion thanks!

i have searched everywhere and cant find any answers ...... i have seen a few posts with ppl doing the Dell Xps L702x

any help would be much appreciated

Hi everyone,

I have a 2 in 1 laptop with slightly decent cpu. Now I am thinking of adding an eGPU on this through the free m.2 nvme slot, due to lack of TB3. I would need to keep the laptop portable for school purposes. Now Please see if my plan is feasible or are there any glaring issues.

I currently have this laptop
Brand: Asus
Mode: Q525UAR 
CPU: i7-8550U 8 cores upto 2ghz
RAM: 16 gb
SSD: 1tb
M.2 Slot: Currently have a free M.2 Slot

This is the inside of the laptop:

This is the bottom of the case:

Hardware:

ADT R43SG

NVME Extender

Plan:

Now I am thinking of finding a way to cut the bottom panel to have an easy access maintenance hatch like this one.

I would use an nvme extender to ensure that there would be no mechanical wear and tear on the laptop itself, due to plugging and unplugging. I would place the extender near the access hatch or even taped on the removable panel itself. Then connect it to the adt for the eGPU. I guess theoretically this could work?

So in summary:

1. are nvme extender cables viable for eGPU?
2. is there a way to make an easy access hatch at the bottom of the laptop.

Thoughts anyone?

@yawncart, You can let the cable pass through the side. But if you want it to go through the back, you need the TU version because of the placement of your NVME slot. Maybe you don't need to bore a big hole, you just need to sand the plastic edge so the cable can fit?

@norman_p_aquino, The thing is I need the laptop to be portable, no hanging cables and stuff... I'm thinking of just plugging the eGPU when I want to game. By using an nvme extender I can theoretically have a permanent cable slotted in the laptop m.2 slot. Then plug the actual eGPU adaptor to the extender.

Leaving a hole or letting the the cable hang is really not an option when using adt, because it is soldered and a bit bulky? Maybe using exp gdc may be an option since i believe there is only a HDMI cable at the other end? but forum posts mostly prefer adt than excpgdc so im a little bit torn 

@yawncart, An extender will probably work if your R43SG is the 25cm type. The manufacturer limited the length of the extension cable to 50cm for good reason.

 This one should work with the 25cm version of R43SG.