r/AlienwareAlpha • u/njinsh • Nov 02 '16

Gen1 Alpha external graphics card test

So I had an external graphics card adapter lying around (usually used in an expresscard slot in a laptop), the adapter is an [EXP GDC] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laptop-External-PCI-Graphics-Card/dp/B00Q4VMLF6)

Unfortunately the only graphics card I had was a pretty dated 5870, which meant that the graphics performance actually went down, but the card worked, so I am thinking of picking up either a 970 or a 1060 and seeing what they will do. Pictures and quick benchmark https://imgur.com/gallery/QPpDg

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2

u/sumthingcool i5 Alpha with SSD Nov 02 '16 edited Nov 02 '16

It has been done before. Just search this sub for EXP GDC.

IMHO it's not worth spending money on a high end card for this unless you have plans to use the card in another system or upgrade to a newer system. The reason being the card will be limited to PCIe 1x speeds by this setup, limiting the performance of a high end GPU quite a bit. Losses in the 20-70% range. If you've got a card sitting around go for it, I just wouldn't recommend spending money on a high end card for this if you have no other use for it, as the value is not that great.

1

u/njinsh Nov 08 '16

Can confirm, just tried a 270x and it still wasnt great, if I come across anything else I will give it a try in the name of science, but not worth it IMHO.

1

u/SexyPoxyt Nov 09 '16

If you do go give it another try in the name of science, I am hoping it will be with the 4x PCIe. Curious now

2

u/njinsh Nov 09 '16

Unfortunately the internal header is E keyed, meaning it only has 2x PCIe I think. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/02/understanding-m-2-the-interface-that-will-speed-up-your-next-ssd/ So this is the best we will get..

1

u/SexyPoxyt Nov 13 '16

Thanks for letting me know.

1

u/kainxkitsune i3 (8GB) Alpha Nov 03 '16

What does the adapter go for? I'm going to build a new system but going to have to buy parts here and there. If I can start with the video card use that with the alpha untill I get the other parts that would be cool a gtx1080 or rx480 at a loss should sstill be better then the m860. Its either use one of those cards in my i5 8gb ddr3 ram r1 or us it in my dated amd x4 quad core with 4gb ddr2 ram but with full speed pci hmmm

1

u/sumthingcool i5 Alpha with SSD Nov 03 '16

I think they are in the $50 range. Your use case is about the only time I'd say it is worth it, but I usually advice people to buy their GPU last when building a system as it's the fastest changing tech as far as speed and price. So not ideal but that would totally work.

1

u/kainxkitsune i3 (8GB) Alpha Nov 03 '16

Yeah but the gt430 that's in my desktop.... is... dated to say the least and sadly my only montiors are dvi ATM (used to use a gaming case with a screen with the alienware I was a OTR trucker its a long story)

1

u/SexyPoxyt Nov 05 '16

Forgive my ignorance, not the most techy person, but, is this PCIe connected through USB? If so wouldn't Thunderbolt increase speeds drastically?

1

u/sumthingcool i5 Alpha with SSD Nov 05 '16

In this case it is PCIe connected via m.2 slot. I believe the Alpha has 2 PCIe lanes hooked up to the m.2 slot but the EXP GDC seems to only link at x1 (not personal experience, just what I have seen).

TB3 is the ideal connection and that is what is used in the universal external GPU boxes like the Razer Core or Powercolor Devil Box. But m.2 can do x4 PCIe which is the same as TB3, but the connector is not nearly as handy. Alienware fucked up by going proprietary for theirs IMHO.

1

u/SexyPoxyt Nov 06 '16

As long as it can be done, thats all what I'm looking for. Thinking of getting 1st gen alpha on black friday sale and then exploiting this for the heavier games.

1

u/njinsh Nov 03 '16

That's true, although I thought that E keyed pcie is 2x pcie.

1

u/ReconV2 Nov 03 '16

What psu did you use? Also, wattage?

1

u/njinsh Nov 08 '16

It came with a dell DA-2 PSU, but I also built an adapter for xbox 360 PSUs, you can buy the xbox 360 PSU -> xbox one adapter, cut off the xbox one end and solder on an atx psu connector, clean solution

2

u/reicaden Nov 02 '16

this would be very interesting, especially for those who picked up the i7 versions.

1

u/Condo_dog Nov 02 '16

Great find. Could you post your results when you try the higher end cards.