How to go about making a portable eGPU?

[reftyuy]

How would one go about making a portable eGPU for a laptop?

 

I have an old laptop that does not have a Thunderbolt or USB Type-C port that I can use for an external Graphics Card solution. I cannot afford a laptop with a GTX 1050 (poor college student here), but I would like to play games on the 8 hour bus ride to and from my house during breaks. College tuition takes all my money and thus will not have any for a laptop in the near or intermediate future.

 

I found two solutions which use the Mini PCIe port used by the WiFi adapter inside my laptop. The first I modified in an attempt to make it portable, but since I do not know anything about batteries, wattage, amps, etc., I am wary of this one. The second solution is non-portable, and while it seems easier, the power cord would not plug into the power outlets in the bus I take. Both solutions are below. I welcome any help and suggestions for either solution. The specs for my laptop will come after the solutions.

 

If I were to follow through with either solution, I would buy the cheapest GTX 1050 at the time of purchase.

 

Solution 1 from

• PCI-E X1/UB to Mini PCI-E Adapter card+30cm FPC cable [$15.99]: http://eshop.sintech.cn/pcie-x1ub-to-mini-pcie-adapter-card30cm-fpc-cable-p-1005.html
• PCI-e 1X to 16x Riser Card 30cms+molex power cable for bitcoin [$4.29]: http://eshop.sintech.cn/pcie-1x-to-16x-riser-card-30cmsmolex-power-cable-for-bitcoin-m-p-968.html
• Mini-Box picoPSU-160-XT High Power 24 Pin Mini-ITX Power Supply [$49.99]: https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Box-picoPSU-160-XT-Power-Mini-ITX-Supply/dp/B005TWE6B8
• TalentCell Rechargeable 12V 6000mAh/5V 12000mAh DC Output Lithium Ion Battery Pack For LED Strip And CCTV Camera, Portable Li-ion Battery Bank With Charger, Black (Multi-led indicator) [$33.99]: https://www.amazon.com/TalentCell-Rechargeable-12000mAh-Multi-led-indicator/dp/B00ME3ZH7C/ref=pd_sim_267_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00ME3ZH7C&pd_rd_r=HB7R728N352EKACCQ99Z&pd_rd_w=iSAQQ&pd_rd_wg=mZIrD&psc=1&refRID=HB7R728N352EKACCQ99Z 

Total: $104.26

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Solution 2 from

• [Mini PCI-E Version] V8.0 EXP GDC Laptop External Independent Video Card Dock [$48.99]: https://www.banggood.com/Mini-PCI-E-Version-V8_0-EXP-GDC-Beast-Laptop-External-Independent-Video-Card-Dock-p-1011222.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=cussku&utm_campaign=lowspecgamer&utm_content=lailixian 
• EXP GDC HDMI to Mini Pci-e Cable [$17.50]: https://www.banggood.com/EXP-GDC-HDMI-to-Mini-Pci-e-Cable-p-968884.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=cussku&utm_campaign=lowspecgamer&utm_content=lailixian
• Dell 180W DA-3/DA-2 AC Power Adapter Plus Cord for OptiPlex Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF) GX620, SX280, 745, 755, 760 Dell Part Numbers: M8811, RXVT7, Y2515, D3860, 86FYX, MK394 Models ADP-220AB B, D220P-01, F180PU-00 [$38.95]: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Adapter-OptiPlex-Factor-Numbers/dp/B0035H7MV0/ref=pd_cp_147_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0035H7MV0&pd_rd_r=58W8NSSDW2BNFTFJ336Z&pd_rd_w=Eliu4&pd_rd_wg=88Yea&psc=1&refRID=58W8NSSDW2BNFTFJ336Z 

Total: $105.44

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Laptop: ASUS X551MAV-EB01-B

CPU: Intel Celeron N2830

GPU: Intel Integrated Graphics

RAM: DDR3 4 GB @ 1600 MHz

HDD: None

SSD: SanDisk SSD Plus 240 GB

Screen: 15.6" 1366x768 Led Display

___________________________________________________________________________________________

EDIT:

 

First, I would like to thank everyone who has contriubuted to this post thus far. It has helped steer my search for an eGPU.

 

Second, I realize the difficulty of making an eGPU and how finicky it can be to get working. I read through many forum posts online about people having a hard time setting things up with "error 43" being the most prevalent problem. But I am still determined to research and maybe try the solution out on my own. What sort of PC enthusiaist would I be if I didn't do something because it was "too hard" or "too finicky"? 

 

With this said, here's my 3rd solution to those still willing to humor my stubborn request for advice on making an eGPU:

 

Solution 3

• V8.0 EXP GDC Beast Laptop External Independent Video Card Dock Mini PCI-E In USA [$42.88]: http://www.ebay.com/itm/232279153844?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
• YUNDA Universal 100W Laptop Charger Notebook Charger AC/DC Adapter 110-240v Power Supply With USB Port 8 DC Connector for Most Laptop [$19.88]: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Notebook-110-240v-Power-Connector/dp/B0198575M8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
• V8.0 EXP GDC Laptop External Independent Video Card Metal Protector Case [$51.49]: https://www.banggood.com/V8_0-EXP-GDC-Laptop-External-Independent-Video-Card-Metal-Protector-Case-p-1121411.html 

 

Total: $114.25

 

Same question: would this work? This site (https://www.banggood.com/Mini-PCI-E-Version-V8_0-EXP-GDC-Beast-Laptop-External-Independent-Video-Card-Dock-p-1011222.html) indicates that the dock would work through the 12v DC input,but I haven't been able to find examples of this online. I am thinking of going with Solution 3 because the bus I take home during breaks only has 2 prong power outlets, and the YUNDA laptop charger has 2 prongs.

Edited May 27, 2017 by reftyuy

[Droidbot]

how much budget do you have

 

$800 gets you a 1050Ti and an i5 laptop

 

a portable eGPU is just hard to do and really fiddly. 

[Mira Yurizaki]

The first solution isn't going to work for portability. The battery doesn't supply enough power, as the picture says 12V/3A maximum, which is 36W.

 

The thing I have with the second solution is if the pinouts on the power supply match up with the one in the PCIe converter thing. Unless you can find a schematic, it's not worth getting.

 

So basically, you're kind of SOL, and that's before the finicky bit about getting an external GPU setup to work.

[Pendragon]

11 minutes ago, reftyuy said:

poor college student here

make some money on the side...???...???

[Droidbot]

Just now, M.Yurizaki said:

The thing I have with the second solution is if the pinouts on the power supply match up with the one in the PCIe converter thing. Unless you can find a schematic, it's not worth getting.

They do, it's a common setup. It plugs into the GDC Beast dock and gives 75W for slot + 6pin

[Bananasplit_00]

get a small DC-DC PSU, and then a laptop charger that can supply ~75W or whatever the 1050 actiually draws and plug it in like that, wouldent take up much more space then the GPU and charger together basically

[reftyuy]

19 hours ago, Droidbot said:

how much budget do you have

 

$800 gets you a 1050Ti and an i5 laptop

 

a portable eGPU is just hard to do and really fiddly. 

I know that $800 could get me the best portable solution I'm looking for, but sadly I cannot go for it. I have no budget for a laptop. The only reason I am pursuing the eGPU solution is because I am poor and will not have money for a laptop until 2019 or 2020. My college expenses consume nearly all the money I make during the year (on-campus job and summer job), and the next couple of years will have more expenses like a car, increased tuition and housing costs, and graduate school costs if I decide to go.

[reftyuy]

19 hours ago, M.Yurizaki said:

The first solution isn't going to work for portability. The battery doesn't supply enough power, as the picture says 12V/3A maximum, which is 36W.

 

The thing I have with the second solution is if the pinouts on the power supply match up with the one in the PCIe converter thing. Unless you can find a schematic, it's not worth getting.

 

So basically, you're kind of SOL, and that's before the finicky bit about getting an external GPU setup to work.

Well said.

[reftyuy]

19 hours ago, Pendragon said:

make some money on the side...???...???

If only it were that easy. I attend a $60k+ private college almost entirely through scholarships and a $4,500 direct subsidized loan from the federal government. This usually leaves $3,500 left for me to cover through my summer and on-campus job. However, this year I must pay nearly $5,000 because my roommates and I couldn't get a regular three man room. Instead, we got a three person suite, and as a result, we must individually pay $1,500 more. I manage my own finances and figured I will not be done paying for the upcoming school year until February 2018, and even then I have to start saving for Senior year since the seniors are only allowed to live in the senior apartments (aka the most expensive housing on campus).

 

So yeah, getting a job wouldn't help me at the moment seeing as I already have one.

[Pendragon]

17 minutes ago, reftyuy said:

If only it were that easy. I attend a $60k+ private college almost entirely through scholarships and a $4,500 direct subsidized loan from the federal government. This usually leaves $3,500 left for me to cover through my summer and on-campus job. However, this year I must pay nearly $5,000 because my roommates and I couldn't get a regular three man room. Instead, we got a three person suite, and as a result, we must individually pay $1,500 more. I manage my own finances and figured I will not be done paying for the upcoming school year until February 2018, and even then I have to start saving for Senior year since the seniors are only allowed to live in the senior apartments (aka the most expensive housing on campus).

 

So yeah, getting a job wouldn't help me at the moment seeing as I already have one.

Getting a full summer internship at a good firm (eg. P&G) pays about 16k per summer. You can make money off the side helping people write resumes (about $100-$150 a pop), there are online sites that pay people who have the best proposals (about $1000 per win). Save, save ,save and put all of it into ETFs that grow. If you want to actively trade, use multiple trading platforms eg. Robinhood to trade, eTrade for the analytics. Cut out luxuries that you don't need.

 

If you're entirely on scholarship I assume you're a tier 1 student already, so this really isn't hard to comprehend, and getting companies to hire you shouldn't be difficult either. People will pay for a deans list student to write them shit. 

 

It's not about whether you have a job or jobs. It's how much do they pay per hour and how effectively you use those hours to get paid. There's a balance of academics, extracurricular and professional tasks you need to manage. If you're struggling to make 5k + whatever you want to spend, consider alternatives that pay more. Likewise if you're getting paid like 7k a month (consulting/ibanking internships), but leave 0 room for anything else, consider what you want out of life. 

[Snikerdoodlz]

What is this bus that your are taking?

[reftyuy]

3 hours ago, Snikerdoodlz said:

What is this bus that your are taking?

The Greyhound bus line

[reftyuy]

6 hours ago, Pendragon said:

Getting a full summer internship at a good firm (eg. P&G) pays about 16k per summer. You can make money off the side helping people write resumes (about $100-$150 a pop), there are online sites that pay people who have the best proposals (about $1000 per win). Save, save ,save and put all of it into ETFs that grow. If you want to actively trade, use multiple trading platforms eg. Robinhood to trade, eTrade for the analytics. Cut out luxuries that you don't need.

 

If you're entirely on scholarship I assume you're a tier 1 student already, so this really isn't hard to comprehend, and getting companies to hire you shouldn't be difficult either. People will pay for a deans list student to write them shit. 

 

It's not about whether you have a job or jobs. It's how much do they pay per hour and how effectively you use those hours to get paid. There's a balance of academics, extracurricular and professional tasks you need to manage. If you're struggling to make 5k + whatever you want to spend, consider alternatives that pay more. Likewise if you're getting paid like 7k a month (consulting/ibanking internships), but leave 0 room for anything else, consider what you want out of life. 

Ok, I'll look into some of your suggestions for making more money.

[Snikerdoodlz]

8 hours ago, reftyuy said:

The Greyhound bus line

I'm pretty sure that buses don't support using high-powered electronics like an eGPU. One time my brother and a friend both plugged their laptops into the power outlets of a bus and they blew the circuit because it's not intended to power those; it's only good for small electronics like phones and e-readers and such.

[reftyuy]

9 hours ago, Snikerdoodlz said:

I'm pretty sure that buses don't support using high-powered electronics like an eGPU. One time my brother and a friend both plugged their laptops into the power outlets of a bus and they blew the circuit because it's not intended to power those; it's only good for small electronics like phones and e-readers and such.

 

That's strange. My friend and I did the same thing and nothing happened. 

[Snikerdoodlz]

On 5/28/2017 at 4:53 PM, reftyuy said:

That's strange. My friend and I did the same thing and nothing happened. 

Huh. It must vary between buses.