Video in via USB?

[houndkr]

Hi.
Recently I sold my desktop. I thought I could go on for a while without one, because the i7 on my X201T has been successfully keeping up with my workload.
It indeed performs well with renderings, but now I have some games I really want to play. I can't afford a desktop for the time being, so I decided to get a PE4H and make an eGPU.

I don't think the eGPU thing will give me problem. It is an already proven wotk, and I am just following other people's traces. What I expect to be a challenge, however, is routing the video back into my laptop screen... Yeah I know it's really not neccessary, but, you know, once you know you have a graphic card you can plug in to the laptop, eventually you want to carry it on the go. That's basically what I am up to...

Now this is the problem. It's obvious that my X201T doesn't have any video in port. express card slot will be occupied and pulling off the keyboard and palmrest for mPCIE slot is out of my options, so USB is going to be the only way. Are there any hardwares that supports video in via USB? Perhaps something like TV card will do, but I want to keep the things as compact as possible. Most TV cards are a bit bulky because they need to have the TV tuner functionality, which I don't really need. Do you know of any devices that only supports video in function via USB? Interface could be anything: HDMI, DP, even VGA is good, because the resolution will be relatively small anyway(1280*800). What keyword should I google?

[emeraldgirl08]

http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/

Try looking there. Warning it is a long thread but don't let that stop you

I have heard that using a Keplar or Fermi NVIDIA eGPU with laptops that have >Intel X4500MHD will work well. I have also heard that the internal LCD can be used as a receiver for the output signal however....there will be a hit on the performance. Keep in mind that only the Sandybridge chipset on up will actually have the 2.0 connection while the X200/T400/R400/etc will do a 1.0 connection. Not sure how much a hit on performance using the internal LCD will be but if you do get it up and running please let us know. Not everyone on this forum games but this will add to the ThinkPad Forum repository and many members will benefit. Thanks!

[houndkr]

Hi. Thanks for the reply.
After some searches, I figured out using nVidia Graphics card with Optimus driver will be the most cost-effective way to do this. I did find a VGA capture device, which costs like, some 700 bucks, more than 3 times the total cost without the device. And that means that the capture device is practically a no-go.

After I get PE4L, I will go grab a GeForce 650, the highest graphic card available without 6-pin power(You can still use cards with 6pin power, but that will need a standard ATX PSU, which will bulk up the setup, and that's not I want). Normally, I am a Radeon fanboy and most of the times Geforce is out of my option, but this time I will make an exception because so far Optimus driver seems to be the only way to use internal LCD without extensive hardware MOD.

My final goal is: Pluggable eGPU(and somewhat portable) with external case sharing ThinkPad's design language(You know, black box thing... ).

I will either update this tread or open a new thread dedicated to this challenge once I get this project gurther going on.

[emeraldgirl08]

Sounds like you did your homework

Yes please keep us updated. I have family members who game (I do once in a blue moon as well) so your progress will be appreciated. Have a good weekend

[DaKKS]

Ohh, I was planning to do this as well with my x201. Only thing holding me back was if i could route it back to the internal lcd. I this can be pulled off, i wont need anything else but my x201.

EDIT: If you want to use a more powerful GPU a picoPSU might be a good bet. They're just 150/160 watt psu's, although I've heard of 180 watt models as well, but that should be enough for just a GPU.

[emeraldgirl08]

Please read through the thread I have linked if you have any questions. From what I have read and seen- many if not all questions should be answered on that thread.