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Desktop GPU connected to a laptop via Firewire?

post #1 of 15
11/4/12 at 4:36pm
Thread Starter 
I came across a product while back and I can't seem to find it simply because I can't remember the name.
It was a product similar to the ViDock. However the difference was that it was connected via a firewire port rather than a PCI slot.
I still want to do research into it and see if it is better than connecting a gpu via a usb 2.0/3.0 (as the transfer rate on both is apparently not enough)
Sadly my laptop does not have a PCI slot for the ViDock so an alternative is the only way for me.
If anyone knows the name please reply asap.
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post #2 of 15
11/4/12 at 8:39pm
Sorry, I have not heard of this product so I can't help you there. I think I can answer your question about whether FireWire is better than USB 2.0 or 3.0.

USB 3.0 is a lot faster than FireWire, however I think it's a rather moot point, since none of the external interconnects you'll find on any consumer laptops are capable of enough bandwidth to take advantage of a high end desktop GPU. None. So if you wanted to use one it would have to be a pretty low end one anyway.

FireWire 800: 0.8Gbps
Gigabit Ethernet: 1Gbps
USB 3.0: 5Gbps
ExpressCard 2.0: 5Gbps
eSATA 6Gbps: 6Gbps
Thunderbolt: 10Gbps
DisplayPort 1.2: 17.28Gbps

On the other hand...

PCI Express 2.0 @ 8X: 32Gbps
PCI Express 2.0 @ 16X: 64Gbps

PCI Express 3.0 @ 8X: 64Gbps
PCI Express 3.0 @ 16X: 128Gbps

As you can see, even if you had some kind of rig that used dual thunderbolt (no laptops have more than 2 thunderbolt ports as of yet) you'd still only have enough bandwidth through them for PCI Express 2.0 @ 4X.
Edited by Glenwing - 11/4/12 at 11:19pm
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post #3 of 15
11/4/12 at 10:30pm
I honestly cannot say whether or not it's a good idea until I know the specs of the laptop you're using. It should, by all means, have the express slot. o.o If it's within the past year, I don't see why it wouldn't. >.>
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post #4 of 15
11/5/12 at 1:00am
Thread Starter 
It doesn't have a pci slot, trust me. its almost as bad as the windows 8 laptops they are bringing out now.
However, due to my stupidity, I have realised that I don't have a firewire port, I do actually have a thunderbolt.
But even with the thunderbolt port, connection, surely I can attain at least 60% of a desktop graphics card performance.

Laptop:
HP Envy 14 2002-ea
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post #5 of 15
11/5/12 at 1:07am
Thread Starter 
Thanks to the quick reminder, about thunderbolt, I've realised where I went wrong in terms of I search. The product I was looking for was Lucid Thunderbolt.

Have a look here and do a little search around about it.
http://www.slashgear.com/lucid-thunderbolt-external-gpu-demoed-for-undeniable-ultrabook-gaming-boost-11246826/

I'd like to hear some personal opinions on what you think about it.
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post #6 of 15
11/5/12 at 1:10am
  • Ozzo
  • New to Overclock.net
never heard of graphic card solutions via firewire....

maybe you mean this?
Sonnet Thunderbolt Chassis - you can hook up discrete graphics to your laptop via thunderbolt
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post #7 of 15
11/5/12 at 2:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozzo View Post

never heard of graphic card solutions via firewire....
maybe you mean this?
Sonnet Thunderbolt Chassis - you can hook up discrete graphics to your laptop via thunderbolt

Explain this further to me, and you meant by a discrete gpu
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post #8 of 15
11/5/12 at 2:36am
I believe you are looking for a Village Instruments product.
http://www.villageinstruments.com/tiki-index.php?page=Products

EDIT: Forgot to mention depending on how powerful the graphics card you're going to throw in there you are going to need the ViDock 4 Plus for high end cards.
Edited by bigkahuna360 - 11/5/12 at 2:38am
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post #9 of 15
11/5/12 at 11:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KhaosNation View Post

It doesn't have a pci slot, trust me. its almost as bad as the windows 8 laptops they are bringing out now.
However, due to my stupidity, I have realised that I don't have a firewire port, I do actually have a thunderbolt.
But even with the thunderbolt port, connection, surely I can attain at least 60% of a desktop graphics card performance.
Laptop:
HP Envy 14 2002-ea

With 10Gbps Thunderbolt you can get the bandwidth of PCI Express 1.1 @ 4X... however for a single GPU this is fine I suppose. 70% of performance from a GTX 680.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/Ivy_Bridge_PCI-Express_Scaling/23.html
Quote:
Originally Posted by KhaosNation View Post

Explain this further to me, and you meant by a discrete gpu

By discrete GPU he means graphics card. Discrete graphics means any GPU besides the CPU-integrated ones such as Intel HD Graphics.
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post #10 of 15
11/12/12 at 5:59pm
You also need a strong enough power brick to supply power for the Desktop GPU
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