Alienware Alpha EGPU Problem GTX 1080ti

[Benjamin247]

Hi, I have an Alienware Alpha R2 with an i7 4785t and Nvidia on board graphics.

I recently bought a 600w PSU, EXP GDC graphics card Dock and a 1080ti ROG Strix to go with it. 

 

I plug in everything apart from the power to the 8 pin slot on the side of the GPU, the GPU fans start spinning and it lights up, but as soon as I plug in the external power to the GPU it shuts off, as soon as I unplug it again it comes back on, I'm not sure what is happening? Any help? If I am not explaining anything clearly then please just ask and I will elaborate. 

 

Thanks for viewing. 

 

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

On 18/08/2021 at 13:04, Benjamin247 said:

I plug in everything apart from the power to the 8 pin slot on the side of the GPU

Why aren't you? you need to power it, or it won't work right..

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Man...what a janky looking gizmo. 

 

You did plug the  following in ... right?

24-pin PSU cable -->  20-pin adapter

4/6-pin PSU CPU power ---> 4 pin adapter

2 8-pin PSU PCIe cables to GPU

 

Also...when you say " as I plug in the external power to the GPU it shuts off" ... does the PSU also shutoff ... or does the fans on the GPU stop spinning (which is probably by design).  Not sure why the fans would spin without the 2 8-pin PCIe power connected...might be its way of complaining?

 

Might be helpful to know the exact model number of the adapter since it appears they make several different versions.

[Benjamin247]

Hi, thanks for your responses guys. 

I appreciate it. 

 

Update on the issue, turns out it won't run with both 6 pin leads attached from psu to the gpu to power it, for some reason it will only run with one 8 pin and the other female port empty. 

 

I'm guessing that's because it's already being powered through the PCIE, I have absolutely no idea. 

Anyhow, good progress, the fan spins, and LEDs light up, there's a white Led under the 6pin plug on one and a red led illuminating underneath the 8 pin port that is vacant. 

 

Now my issue is that no matter what I do The Pc will not recognise the GPU, I tried everything from BIOS (which is very restricted) and device manager exploits, to no avail. 

 

 

To answer your question, when I input both 6 pin plugs to the GPU from the PSU it turns Both of them off, the PSU and GPU, so I'm assuming it's over charging the circuit? 

 

The adapter is a EXP GDC 8.0 M.C. 2 PCIEx1. 

 

If there's anything else you might want to know please feel free to say, highly grateful for your input guys! 

[Steven P. Administrators]

Modern GPUs are not designed to have the fans spinning all the time, they will only spin when the GPU is under some load (not for typical Windows desktop use).

 

That is some weird setup you have there. I can only tell you that my Nvidia RTX 2070 SUPER requires the 8-pin and 6-pin connectors attached to the card. The 6-pin is actually also an optional 8-pin, so in my case I have a 2 pin connector that isn't connected to anything coming off the 2 8-pin connectors.

 

I am not sure how you're connecting that PCIe to the mini computer though, doesn't that port come with instructions on how to attach it to a computer? 

 

Also if the LED on the card are lighting up, that should tell you it is getting the correct power, not the fans.

[Benjamin247]

Yeah, thanks. I've attached a diagram produced by the manufacturer that indicates the GDC EXP ports and functions, it's pretty straight forward when you look at it, but jheez doesn't it look messy.. 

 

I also heard that about the fans from someone else, but then again there are people online that I have reviewed tutorials from that have their working gpus begin the fan cycle as soon as they power the PC on and they remain on (GTX 1070 and 1080). 

 

In regards to my PC not detecting the GPU, it could have something to do with the fact I don't have the other 8 pin connected , but then if I do it immediately shuts the PSU and GPU off if I do, as if it was power surging. I'm really not too sure about this one, the Internet is just showing many loose ends to this.. Peope give up, sell their setup and just get a legit one, I tried cutting corners with a build and this is where it has got me haha. 

 

Thanks again. 

[Steven P. Administrators]

On 19/08/2021 at 13:49, Benjamin247 said:

Yeah, thanks. I've attached a diagram produced by the manufacturer that indicates the GDC EXP ports and functions, it's pretty straight forward when you look at it, but jheez doesn't it look messy.. 

 

Shouldn't something be connected to the side port?

 

I never owned a 1080Ti so I am not sure what connectors it requires, seems to change with every generation.

[Benjamin247]

Yeah, thanks for pointing that out. I actually quirried a "tech" about that on another forum and he says it's not necessary to use that port, but then I questioned myself as to why it was put there in the first place and might purchase a cable to fit it, I've also seen videos of people running the 1080ti from the eGPU Dock without any cables coming out from there and they got theirs working fine so I can't be sure. 

 

Thanks for your responses. 

[Steven P. Administrators]

It does say "Large power graphics card supply" and the 1080Ti definitely qualifies as large. Seems like you will have to try that since it is not working in the current configuration, Good luck man.

[Jim K Global Moderator]

From what I've gathered ... that 6-pin on the end of the gizmo is if you're using a Dell 220watt 8-pin power brick vs a dedicated PSU.  You would plug the power brick into the 8-pin and then run a 6-pin cable from the gizmo to the GPU.

 

Regarding your ongoing issue...I really have no other ideas.  Such an odd device.  No idea why the GPU/PSU would be cutting off with both PCIe power cables plugged in.  🤨 Is the GPU known to be good (does it work in a "real" computer). 

[Benjamin247]

RIP my PC, just bent some of the pins on my CPU socket when trying to install a new CPU I bought.. Bent them straight but still gives a yellow light "of death".. 

 

Was fun whilst it lasted😊😂 thanks for the Info guys

[Steven P. Administrators]

On 20/08/2021 at 01:28, Benjamin247 said:

RIP my PC, just bent some of the pins on my CPU socket when trying to install a new CPU I bought.. Bent them straight but still gives a yellow light "of death".. 

 

Was fun whilst it lasted😊😂 thanks for the Info guys

Whoops! Buy a case and new motherboard and move everything over. Seems like you were trying to make the mini PC into a gaming rig anyway, so may as well do it properly  

 

You might be able to get a refund on the PCIe external gizmo if you are able to send it back?

[Benjamin247]

As of now I'm doing it properly 🙂