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EGPU via USB 3.0, HDMI?

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Boraat Posted messages 31 Status Member -  
Judge_DT Posted messages 27651 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   -
Hello, I saw regarding "homemade" external graphics cards that the system needs to connect via PCIe, and therefore have a PCIe slot on the computer, or else open the case and remove the Wi-Fi card to connect everything.
But can you connect an eGPU via USB 3.0 (I've heard that USB 2.0 has a too low bandwidth), via HDMI or via VGA?

Thank you in advance for your help.

2 answers

  1.
    marcmarais Posted messages 24260 Status Moderator 4 568
     
    Hello,

    the major issue with external graphics cards on laptops (eGPU) is the bandwidth of the connection between the GPU and the laptop, which limits performance.
    There may also be issues with the laptop's BIOS...

    USB2, with a practical limit around 300 Mbits/s, is indeed too slow to deliver good results, but this depends on the configurations and the games.
    I don't know of any solutions using USB 3, but it might exist.
    Check if your laptop has a USB 3.1 port, which allows for theoretical speeds of 10 Gbits/s.

    The solution generally used for eGPU is indeed to use the PCI-E port of the laptop's WiFi card, specifically PCI-E x1, which provides a bandwidth of 8 Gbits/s.

    You can read this tutorial, for example, featuring a PCI-E connector well integrated into the laptop:
    https://vonguru.fr/2016/10/12/egpu-jouer-aux-derniers-jeux-vieux-portable/

    The solution manufacturers are currently leaning towards is Thunderbolt 3 in the form of a USB Type-C connector, which provides a bandwidth of 32 Gbits/s (4 PCI-E 3.0 lanes).
    This is the solution that AMD is developing with AMD Xconnect:
    https://www.tomshardware.fr/amd-xconnect-les-gpu-externes-en-thunderbolt-3-font-leur-arrivee/
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    1. Boraat Posted messages 31 Status Member 1
       
      Hello, first sorry for my late reply
      I looked on my computer, there is only one cache that gives access only to RAM and hard drive so for PCI-E it's dead no matter what adapter is used.
      I checked if my USB port was a 3.1 but unfortunately, it is indeed a 3.0 with a speed of 5 Gbit/s only, which is half of 3.1, but will this significantly reduce the performance of the GPU since I would like a GTX 760
      Thanks for the useful links you provided
      Just in case, I'm giving you the config of my PC:
      https://www.cnet.com/products/asus-x75vd-ty087v-17-3-core-i3-2310m-4-gb-ram-750-gb-hdd/
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      1. marcmarais Posted messages 24260 Status Moderator 4 568 > Boraat Posted messages 31 Status Member
         
        I told you everything I knew about the subject
        if your WiFi PCI-E port is not accessible, I don't have any solutions via USB3, I don't know of any but it might exist.
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      2. Boraat Posted messages 31 Status Member 1 > marcmarais Posted messages 24260 Status Moderator
         
        Thank you anyway for your help, but I said something silly, the PCI-E slot on my PC is located in the same place as the HDD and the RAM, so it is accessible, but I find it a shame to have to buy a receiver via USB...
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      3. Judge_DT Posted messages 27651 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   10 013 > Boraat Posted messages 31 Status Member
         
        Hi.

        Performance will still be limited and sometimes no better than that of the integrated card. eGPUs are mainly effective when the manufacturer has integrated its own system designed for such uses (like Asus with its ROG series, some models of which can natively accommodate an eGPU with proprietary connectivity), but beyond that... it remains very limited in terms of performance and often requires an external system to power the card because... the PC does not provide enough energy or any at all.
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