US$7 mPCIe eGPU adapter [PCE164P-N03] (inc NGFF/M.2)  

I ordered one with a 6 pin power connector & implemented an eGPU with it. Details at:
2012 15" Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E531 GT740M + [email protected] (PCE164P-N03) + Win10

My plan is to set up rx 560 with it. But before I run out and get it I'll test it out with en9600gt on Lenovo E531, if of course I am successful in spoofing pci id. Hopefully your software will help..

I highly recommend this generic mPCIE compared to EXP GDC when it comes to GEN2 signaling base on my experience. Its CHEAP and very RELIABLE! I am currently using this to replace my GDC EXP..Tnx Nando for the video and info on how to set-up on this. The major issues here are: A.how to fit the thick mini-usb port under the panel of the laptop and B.how to power -up the PSU as shown on the video, otherwise everything is perfectly fine. 

spopovich, thank you for the feedback. I too was under the impression the core functionality of this eGPU adapter (glitch-free Gen2 functionality) is superior to the EXP GDC that costs nearly 7 times more. A sore spot was lack of Dell DA-2 PSU input which is now linked to in the opening post. Thank you also for the heads up. I’ve add using the paperclip trick to jumper an ATX PSU.

As we have as yet no implementation guide on using this eGPU adapter, would you like to submit one start the ball rolling with this eGPU adapter?

Sorry to ask this if this is a obvious question, I just do not know. 

Would the 6 pin connector be valid for RX570 and/or RX580?

Thanks

@Bjorg, the 6-pin version of this eGPU adapter takes a PCIe plug as input from your power supply to provide the 75W slot power required. Your video card may then have it’s own 6 or 8-pin PCIe plugs which would also need to be connected to your power supply to fully power the video card once it’s inserted into this Generic x1-to-x16 extender eGPU adapter’s PCIe slot.

@nando4

Any idea if ExpressCard USB 3.0 adapters like this carry a PCI-E signal as well as USB? If they do then this $7 adapter may just work with ExpressCard 2.0 laptops as well. 

Here's what Wikipedia says about the EC-USB 3.0 connection:

The ExpressCard 2.0 standard was introduced on March 4, 2009, at CeBIT in Hannover. It provides a single PCIe 1.0 2.5 Gbit/s lane (optionally PCIe 2.0 with 5 Gbit/s) and a USB 3.0 "SuperSpeed" link with a raw transfer speed of 5 Gbit/s (effective transfer speed up to 400 MB/s).^[25][26] It is forward and backward compatible with earlier ExpressCard modules and slots. ExpressCard 2.0 products were expected to be in the market by late 2010.^[27]

USB 3.0 SuperSpeed compatibility is achieved by sharing the pins with the PCIe link. An inserted card signals which mode should be used.

There is not as yet an expresscard version of this eGPU adapter

@ ybodhanya, that ebay-linked expresscard adapter converts PCIe to USB.

To use this eGPU adapter with an expresscard requires just a passive rewiring of expresscard to the USB 3.0 mini USB pinout they are using to tranfer PCIe signals. I have not seen the expresscard that mates with this adapter. It would be good if they made one as it seems this adapter has better electromagnetic noise suppression than the significantly pricier EXP GDC that requires ferrite beads as a fix.

Can I use https://www.amazon.in/Rrimin-Express-Extender-Adapter-107793/dp/B072HJ3379/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503916959&sr=8-1&keywords=mining+adapter

This adapter insted of the one you mentioned for Mining because the one which you said is not sold in India.

@Mayur, the adapter you’ve linked has a x1 PCIe riser/extender with a x1 PCIe end.  This is for use on a desktop system’s PCIe slot and not suitable for your Lenovo G500s notebook. Instead, you require a mPCIe ended adapter to use in place of it’s wifi card.

This topic’s US$7 mPCIe eGPU adapter can be purchased on ebay, aliexpress and Amazon.  Please check to see which of those ships to India.

Hi all new here. I'm looking to purchase the mini version with the DC jack. Would like to know if those universal laptop AC adaptors will work with it?

Looking to power the new Nvidia Geforce GT 1030 so that wont draw a lot of power.

DC jack version requires 5.5*2.5 mm DC adapter like this 120W AC Adapter Charger (£23) or eFreesia 12V 10A 120W (US$17). A 60W or 90W AC adapter might cost less.  Consider that the DC jack only supplies slot power so you’re limited to 75W there.  That’s plenty for your GT1030.

Will the AmazonBasics USB 3.0 Extension Cable work ? , It does say its shielded just like the one mentioned  here in this post

@favas0, longer cables such as the 6.5ft one you’ve linked attenuate the signals more. It can certainly work at Gen1 speed. Gen2 speed may be problematic because of the signal attenuation. You won’t know until you try.

I'll pick one of these up early next week and report on my findings.

The shop i went to (15 miles away) pick up my power supply from has them in stock for bit mining, i wasn't aware that these could be used for an egpu until just now or i would of bought one when i was there 2 days ago..

Do i need nando's software to use gen 2?

Posted by: Bassit

I'll pick one of these up early next week, the shop i went to (15 miles away) pick up my power supply from has them in stock for bit mining, i wasn't aware that these could be used for an egpu until just now or i would of bought one when i was there 2 days ago..

Most mining adapters are PCIe x1 to PCIe x16. They are not mPCIe or m.2 to PCIe x16. Be careful with that you buy.

Thank you...

You just saved me a trip and £12, you are correct it does have a PCIe slot.

It is the same, card just the wrong lead, i'll give em a ring and see if they can get the other cables.

I ordered the 4 pin molex version from the link in the OP, it has taken around 4 weeks to turn up in the UK.

Unfortunatly i cant get it to work, or more accurately i cant get it to fit in the mPcie slot...First off the mPcie card was too long to sit in the slot properly, it sat at a 45deg angle, i trimmed it down to just above the first screw holes and it now fits in the slot and can be screwed down...But the micro usb lead will not fit into the slot on the card because the usb lead is too stiff and hits the plastic on the laptop casing...I guess this is why the EXP GDC uses the thin hdmi cabling.

I measured the EXP GDC cable from the end of the socket (gold pins) to the start of where the cable bends to avoid hitting the case...This was around 27mm.

The length of the PCE164P micro usb card (gold pins) to the end of the reinforced plastic part of the micro usb socket was around 57mm and even after that the cable is very stiff and isnt easy to get any bend.

So check carefully how much space you have to install your mPcie card and cabling before ordering.

I used the mPCIe version of this adapter to successfully bootstrap quick & cheap eGPU implementation on Dell Latitude E6440:  https://egpu.io/forums/builds/2014-dell-latitude-e6440-gtx660pce164p-n03-mpcie-x1gen2-windows-8-1/

Would this be ok to use? I have been looking for a tidier soloution and it would also allow the use of PCIe versions of the PCE164P which is widely available.

If this isnt of any use does anyone know of anywhere to buy a mPCIe to mPCIe extender?

Posted by: Bassit

Would this be ok to use? I have been looking for a tidier soloution and it would also allow the use of PCIe versions of the PCE164P which is widely available.

If this isnt of any use does anyone know of anywhere to buy a mPCIe to mPCIe extender?

If you can confirm that the extension is shielded I don't see why not. 

Thanks for the reply favas.

I'll send em an email and ask if it is sheilded but you would expect it to be.

Move longer/flatter cable options to the opening post:

https://egpu.io/forums/expresscard-mpcie-m-2-adapters/us7-50-generic-mpcie-egpu-adapter/

Thanks for the cable suggestions.

I emailed the company in my post above and asked if the cable is sheilded and got this reply

"only 30cms cable will be shield ,10,20cms will be no problem during usement.",

30cm is probably the correct length for me anyway, there is a slight problem though the extender is only offered with a 10cm & 20cm cable on the site.

Hi there guys, I'm new to this place and got lots of n00b questions. I got here by this reddit thread because I'm thinking of building an egpu through mpci-e and this adapter sounds really interesting. However, all the setups I've seen so far with it are using an external monitor. Can I use this adapter and utilize the internal display of my laptop? Will I lose performance by not using a regular external monitor? Thanks in advance!

Works perfect on Lenovo G500s, with removed whitelist

I am using Radeon 7770

@finofresh , Yes you can but you get a pretty bad perfomance drop. Apart from that, sometimes it doesnt work properly, so I'd recommend something, at least a tv

Okok I see. Thank you  🙂 

I will buy a gt 1030, and I will buy a cheap power supply, something like this Seasonic 300w
This power suplly have 

1 Conector 20/24 PINOS
1 Conector 4 Pinos auxiliar (12V / Processador)
3 Conectores IDE
1 Conector FDD

2 Conector SATA

Do I have to buy any adapter to work with these power supply? thanks
ps: Sorry for my english, not my first language

Maybe a stupid question. But will it also be possible to use it via USB 3.0 instead of the M.2 adapter?

Hi!

I am a new user. I have been reading much posts and I think that I am gong to try the EGPU project (the "model cheaper").

My port is a mini PCIe WLAN, and I have seen the mPCIe eGPU adapter [PCE164P-N03], but I have a doubt. This adapter has a “input power version to supply the 12V/75W slot power”, this is like that with every the three slot type (4-pin, 6-pin or DC jack) or only with the DC jack?
Therefore if the external GPU has a upper power consumption, is necessary to connect the GPU to the PSU with an aux power entry.

The other model adapter [PCE164P-N06] has three slots power in the board (SATA, 6-pin, 4-pin). If necessary more power (example 135W), is possible connect several slots power at the same time, o this adapter model only can use one of the three slot option (only option every time). Do you know the input power limit to this adapter?

Thanks!

PD. I have found this "1. 4pin, 6pin and 15Pin SATA Molex power interface Integrated on the PCB, only one power input is needed. Please DO NOT try to plug 2 or 3 power interface simultaneously!" in ( https://medicis.io/eshop/produit/carte-riser-4pin-6pin-sata-3in1-pci-e-pci-express-1x-to-16x/ )

Anyone know another site that sells NGFF M.2 Key A/E to USB 3.0? This site does not ship to the US it seems 😥

@TheFallen, this is the only site with a A/E cable for this US$7 eGPU adapter.  The workaround then is to buy a EXP GDC or ADT-Link A/E adapter as linked .

Ah... I see. That's unfortunate.
They seem to not be responding to their email either  😥

Would anyone be able to get their hands on this? I'll pay $10 including shipping for it!

Hey all. I have an Intel NUC5i5RYH sitting around and planned to make a gaming setup out of it. I was planning on using an EXP GDC Beast v9.0b etc. but saw this option which is much much cheaper and easier to get. So if I understand this right I need an X16 riser card with USB 3.0 and an M.2 NGFF to USB 3.0 cable. Is that right?

I plan on running an affordable GPU that does not require external power. If I were to use a 750ti (just to throw a card out there) would I just need a DC power supply to power the riser?

hey Guys,
very fast question. Is it possible that the adapter needs some sort of grounding? that's because everytime I connect the the motherboard to the egpu trhought the usb cable my monitor flashes and then I get an error in my Dyi setup 1.35 or a stuck device manager if I'm on windows 10.
I'm using the 6pin adapter with the dell 220w psu using the staple technique bridge