Hello,

In the past, I have modded ME FW (mostly 7-series) for people wanting BCLK control for their CPU. I have been asked many times before if it is possible to change PCIe Lane configuration (ex. changing port 1-4 to x2 disabling 5-8, or changing port 1-2 to 2x8 disabling 3-8, etc), and I've always said idk or I doubt it. This seemed like the best place to ask so, my Q:

In FITC, under PCH Strap 9, there's two parameters labeled: PCIe Port Configuration 1/2; for 7-series (ME8) and 9-series (ME10) chipsets, would it be possible to change this without breaking anything? The goal for this experiment is to either gain GPU performance in an eGPU setup (where you are limited to x1 bandwidth), or to possible aid in the process of adding a PCIe/mPCIe port (if that is even possible on my mobo).

On a side note, I am also trying to add a PCIe port x4/x8/x16 on my laptop (model, dell inspiron 15r 5220), for better eGPU performance. I am currently using an eGPU, and I recently upgraded to an R9 280x (which isn't quite working right now, but that's besides the point) from GTX 680 (which was working). I've searched a bit on it, but can't find anything that helps or it's too difficult to understand (google translate). I have a lot of soldering experience, so that should not be an obstacle. I also don't mind if I have to disable/desolder components (audio, etc) in order for this to work.



Laptop Spec. :

Slots >>

I am sorry, but I don't see any solder points for an additional mini-PCIe port. I don't even see any pre soldered mini PCIe slot.
So, no, it is not possible with your laptop.
It should look like this, if you want to add an additional mPCIe slot: picture (found on Google via "mini pcie solder")

Zitat von mr_nuub im Beitrag #2

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I am sorry, but I don't see any solder points for an additional mini-PCIe port. I don't even see any pre soldered mini PCIe slot.
So, no, it is not possible with your laptop.
It should look like this, if you want to add an additional mPCIe slot: picture (found on Google via "mini pcie solder")

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Zitat von Fernando im Beitrag #3

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@ AGmR:
Welcome at Win-RAID Forum and thanks for your interesting question!
I am pretty sure, that you will get an answer from plutomaniac, which is our Intel Management Engine Firmware expert.
Regards
Dieter (alias Fernando)

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Zitat von plutomaniac im Beitrag #6

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Anyway, if you have an SPI programmer you would be able to restore the chip in case the FITC options turn out to do nothing useful in that case.

By the way, you will gain a lot faster as far as time is concerned and a lot more performance by using software overclock solutions. Those laptop chips don't use the PCIe avaiable bandwidth either way. One percent is not noticeable by anything, it's within the margin of error.

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@blowntaha
Dude I posted a link to a picture of how the mPICe solder pads should look in my previous post.
That is something else.
However, what do you expect from a Laptop with a 5200U cpu? Low budget at its finest.
Regarding the eGPU solution, you obviously want a gaming Laptop or some kind of a desktop replacement.
Why don't you buy an actual gaming notebook like the MSI GT80? Instead, you rist bricking your Laptop...

Zitat von mr_nuub im Beitrag #8

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@blowntaha
Dude I posted a link to a picture of how the mPICe solder pads should look in my previous post.
That is something else.
However, what do you expect from a Laptop with a 5200U cpu? Low budget at its finest.
Regarding the eGPU solution, you obviously want a gaming Laptop or some kind of a desktop replacement.
Why don't you buy an actual gaming notebook like the MSI GT80? Instead, you rist bricking your Laptop...

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DELETED

meh do what you want...

I'm not the one doing the soldering, it is the OP, and has experience soldering as well as access to various circuit making tools via university. You can also drop the subject, because he already found his answers hours ago,

Zitat von nando4

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You have a socketted Ivy Bridge CPU. *if* you can enable the Northbridge x16 port, then consider using the dGPU-model E6430 schematic (available at http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitu...html#post118135 ) to solder wires to your CPU's x16 port on one side and the x16 PCIe slot on the other. You really only need x4 2.0 to get going. There are two TX + two RX pairs per lane with GND shields between them to prevent interference.

Otherwise if you have mPCIe+mPCIe ports that are port1+2, 3+4, 5+6 or 6+7 you could do a x2 2.0 implementation like discussed at http://forum.techinferno.com/dell-latitu...html#post130202

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The reason for this thread has shifted exclusively towards ME10 FW.

Also, let me reiterate since I don't think it was clear enough for you in my previous post; what we are doing is purely for educational purposes, while gaining some benefit in the end, if successful.

EDIT by Fernando: Formatting of the first quoted part corrected