Connecting an EGPU to old Alienware laptops?

Question

We have an Alienware 18 and are unable to buy a new laptop at this time. We have, therefore, been looking at getting an inexpensive GPU Enclosure (with possibly a 2070 Super), until the silicon shortage for desktop GPUs calms down.

The problem we are running into is figuring out how to connect such a device. Our system doesn't natively include Thunderbolt 3, but currently has a 5.25in BDRW drive module installed, which we hope can be swapped for a TB3 add-in module... we were wondering if Dell sold such an interface?

If this is not possible, we are instead looking at the WD19TBS dock, but are unclear as to how to bridge this between the eGPU and the laptop, as we've never had an eGPU before. In this case, we shall be grateful for a step-by-step guide on how to make the connection work.

Hyncharas · Accepted Answer

Problem solved - I have a spare NUC with two NVME slots. There may not be any GPUs available right now, but with an NVME to PCIe adapter, I can expand it later when things calm down.

jphughan · Answer

@Hyncharas The short answer is that you're stuck. An eGPU requires a PCI Express interface between the host system and the eGPU enclosure. Thunderbolt 3 provides that, as does Alienware's proprietary Alienware Graphics Amplifier (AGA) connector that is found on their more recent systems. A 5.25" drive module would only have a SATA interface available, so a TB3 interface add-in that used that area would not be possible. The only other option is a bit of a hack that involves installing a bridge board into an available M.2 or mPCIe slot within the system itself and running that to an eGPU enclosure. But even if you have an M.2 or mPCIe slot available, you'd have to keep the bottom of your system open in order to run that cable to your eGPU, unless maybe you found a ribbon cable solution thin enough to allow the underside to be sealed up properly without damaging the cable -- but even then you'll have a ribbon cable dangling out of your system.

Thunderbolt docks like the WD19TBS won't do you any good here because you don't have a Thunderbolt interface to connect it to the system. But if you did, you'd be able to connect a Thunderbolt eGPU enclosure to the "downstream Thunderbolt" port at the edge of the WD19TBS if you wanted to have an eGPU and all other docking station functionality all running over a single cable connection to your system.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Hyncharas   Sep 30, 2017 discussion  Alienware 18 various mods + eGPU - Notebook Review.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Hyncharas is your spare NUC the Intel NUC 9 Extreme?

A51-06 · Answer

What about upgrading the Actual GPU in it? maybe a 980M with 8gb of VRAM? its pretty decent but even better with two of them.

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Connecting an EGPU to old Alienware laptops?

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