This is probably going to sound ridiculous but is it possible for me to remove the m.2 drive from my Samsung X5 external thunderbolt 3 drive, and hook it up to the m.2/ngff adapter for egpu solution? Or will Samsung have locked the m.2 slot to only storage?
And if you're wondering why this. I have a powerful work laptop faster than my home setup that I'd rather not open up (even if I wanted to, it only has one m.2 slot). Also I already scored a Samsung X5 500gb drive for 66 USD so combining that with a m.2 adapter would be cheapest and also viable option for me.
2017 15" HP ZBook 15 G4 (Q M1200) [7th,4C,H] + GTX 1050 Ti @ 32Gbps-TB3 (Samsung X5 * ADT-Link R43SL) + Win10 [build link]
It's probably possible but I haven't tried it. The manual does not show how to replace the NVMe drive and there doesn't seem to be a zero GB option for people that want to install their own NVMe drive. From the product page, it looks like you have to take the cover off of the USB-C end (snaps off?), which exposes two screws.
I have one of these https://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-Enclosure-Thunderbolt3-NVME-Drive/dp/B07N67P39W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
but I haven't tried connecting a PCIe card to it.
Here's the component breakout. It's worth a shot getting an M.2 adapter setup going with the Samsung X5 Thunderbolt board.
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2017 21" iMac 4K (RP555) [7th,4C] + RX 6800 @ 32Gbps-TB3 (Netstor HL23T-Plus) + macOS 13 & Win11 22H2 [build link]
Not entirely sure how to proceed, I have the R43SL connected to the Samsung X5 board, do only powered GPUs work? I tried a spare 1050 ti card on it but it won't boot. When I booted my laptop, it doesn't seem to turn on the GPU fan.
2017 15" HP ZBook 15 G4 (Q M1200) [7th,4C,H] + GTX 1050 Ti @ 32Gbps-TB3 (Samsung X5 * ADT-Link R43SL) + Win10 [build link]
You need to connect power to the four pin floppy power connector (NVMe by itself does not have the 12V that the PCIe slot requires). It appears that 3.3V for the PCIe slot comes from the NVMe slot since there is no voltage regulator.
I connected the 4 pin power connector with a supplied connector that connects to a sata power from the PSU. It doesn't seem to do anything.
2017 15" HP ZBook 15 G4 (Q M1200) [7th,4C,H] + GTX 1050 Ti @ 32Gbps-TB3 (Samsung X5 * ADT-Link R43SL) + Win10 [build link]
@paul_chen - Is the PSU wired to be on? An ATX power supply needs to have two specific pins bridged on the 24-pin motherboard connector to power up.
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Give your Node Pro a second Thunderbolt3 controller for reliable peripherals by re-using a TB3 dock (~50$).
"Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it."- Robert A. Heinlein, "Time Enough for Love."
2012 Mac Mini [3rd,4C,Q] + RX 480 @ 10Gbps-TB1 (Atto Thunderlink) + macOS 10.15.7 [build link]
To power ON a PSU, one need to jumpwire the GREEN wire into a BLACK ground wire on the 24pin connector.
The PSU will power ON and deliver voltage/current to all the connectors as it is when connected to a motherboard/eGPU enclosure.
Interesting stuff, thanks for testing.
2012 13-inch Dell Latitude E6320 + R9 270X@4Gbps-mPCIe (EXP GDC 8.4) + Win10
E=Mc²
2012 15" Lenovo ThinkPad T530 [2nd,4C,Q] + R9 270X @ 4Gbps-mPCIe2 (EXP GDC 8.4) + Win10 [build link]
I use a switch connected to the power supply's 24 pin connector:
https://www.moddiy.com/products/Jump-Start-EPS%7B47%7DATX-24-Pin-Power-Supply-Jumper-On%7B47%7DOff-Switch-%28White%7B47%7DGrey%7B47%7DBlack%29.html
Some switches have LEDs but the ones I bought failed. I always have a fan connected to know when the power is on.
I'll be, it works. Albeit I'm testing it on my own laptop (rather than work laptop) first. I can get the card to appear and installed driver for it. When I attach an external monitor to the gfx card it can output to the monitor. I'm just not sure what it's using when I have the external monitor disconnected. In Geforce Experience, I see both my laptop's discrete 960M and 1050ti, but there's a gfx card icon beside the 960M
I'm still a newb to eGPUs, how do I select the gfx?
Also, thanks for the pointers on jump starting PSU, I never knew that was possible, this actually opens up a lot of mobo troubleshooting options for me.
Gear:
- Asus Zenbook Pro UX501VW
- Samsung X5 500gb
- XFX 650W PSU
- MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti AERO
2017 15" HP ZBook 15 G4 (Q M1200) [7th,4C,H] + GTX 1050 Ti @ 32Gbps-TB3 (Samsung X5 * ADT-Link R43SL) + Win10 [build link]