Build Your Own Low-Cost OCuLink GPU Dock on a Budget! (Easy DIY Guide)

ETA PRIME
6 May 202412:21

TLDRIn this DIY guide, ETA Prime demonstrates how to construct a cost-effective and compact OCuLink GPU dock using components sourced from Amazon. The dock enables easy connection of an external GPU to a laptop, mini PC, or gaming device, and is particularly beneficial for devices with an OCuLink port. The guide covers selecting a low-profile RTX 4060 GPU from Gigabyte, which is energy efficient at under 150W, and the importance of the OCuLink board, which is the core component of the dock. The process involves using a Pico power supply, which is small and suitable for the chosen GPU's power requirements. The video also includes a step-by-step assembly, power setup, and the addition of rubber feet for stability. The performance of the DIY dock is tested with various games at 1440p resolution, showcasing significant improvements over the integrated GPU, and the benefits of features like DLSS and frame generation are highlighted. The guide concludes by noting that while the setup may not suit everyone, it offers a viable and affordable alternative to commercial eGPU docks, especially for those looking for a small form factor solution.

Takeaways

  • 🛠️ This guide demonstrates how to build a low-cost, small form factor OCuLink eGPU dock using parts from Amazon.
  • 🔌 The OCuLink port allows for an external GPU connection to laptops, mini PCs, and other devices, offering a faster and more stable connection than Thunderbolt 3/4 or USB 4.
  • 💻 Devices like the Morine GEM 10 and 12 have OCuLink ports, and Lenovo has released an OCuLink eGPU and laptop in Asia.
  • 🎮 For gaming, the guide suggests using a low-profile RTX 4060 from Gigabyte, which has 8GB of GDDR6 and is power-efficient under 150W.
  • 📦 The most crucial component for an OCuLink dock is the OCuLink board, which can be purchased for around $40 on Amazon and includes necessary cables and adapters.
  • ⚙️ A Pico power supply (150W) is recommended for a compact setup, but an ATX power supply can be used for more powerful GPUs.
  • 🔌 An 8-pin PCIe connector is needed for the GPU, which can be adapted from an 8-pin CPU power connector using an adapter.
  • 🔩 The build process is straightforward and does not require cutting or soldering, making it accessible for users with basic technical skills.
  • 🧲 Rubber feet are added to prevent the dock from sliding around on the desk, enhancing stability.
  • 📈 Benchmarks show significant performance improvements when using the DIY OCuLink RTX 460 over an integrated GPU.
  • 🕹️ The guide includes game testing results for titles like Horizon Forbidden West, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Mortal Kombat 11, Spider-Man Remastered, and Cyberpunk 2077, demonstrating good performance at 1440p settings.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of building a low-cost small form factor OCuLink eGPU dock?

    -The main purpose of building a low-cost small form factor OCuLink eGPU dock is to easily connect an external GPU to a laptop, mini PC, or handheld gaming device, enhancing their graphical capabilities.

  • What is the advantage of using an OCuLink port over Thunderbolt 3 or USB 4 for eGPU connections?

    -OCuLink can run at PCIe 4.0 speeds, providing up to 63 Gb/s, which is faster and more stable than Thunderbolt 3 or USB 4, which only run at PCIe 3.0 speeds up to 40 Gb/s.

  • Which mini PC is mentioned in the script as having an OCuLink port?

    -The Morine Gem 10 and its successor, the Morine Gem 12, are mentioned as mini PCs that come with an OCuLink port.

  • What type of GPU does ETA Prime choose for the low profile OCuLink eGPU dock?

    -ETA Prime chooses a low profile RTX 4060 from Gigabyte with 8 GB of GDDR6 for the eGPU dock.

  • Why does ETA Prime opt for a Pico power supply instead of a larger ATX power supply?

    -ETA Prime opts for a Pico power supply to keep the eGPU dock small in form factor and because the chosen RTX 4060 GPU has a power requirement that can be met by the 150W Pico power supply.

  • What is the maximum power draw of the RTX 4060 GPU used in the eGPU dock?

    -The RTX 4060 GPU used in the eGPU dock has a power draw of approximately 120 watts.

  • How does the Pico power supply connect to the OCuLink board?

    -The Pico power supply connects to the OCuLink board via a 24-pin ATX power connector, and an 8-pin PCIe connector is used for the GPU power requirement with the help of an adapter.

  • What is the PCIe speed of the OCuLink connection used in the eGPU dock?

    -The OCuLink connection used in the eGPU dock operates at PCIe 4.0 speed.

  • What are the two main power supply options discussed for the eGPU dock?

    -The two main power supply options discussed are a flex power supply or an ATX power supply for more powerful GPUs, and a 150W Pico power supply for a smaller form factor.

  • What is the maximum frame rate achieved in the built-in benchmark for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 at 1440p Ultra settings?

    -The maximum frame rate achieved in the benchmark is 104 FPS.

  • How does the performance of the DIY OCuLink RTX 460 compare to the integrated GPU in terms of 3D Mark Time Spy score?

    -The DIY OCuLink RTX 460 has a 3D Mark Time Spy score of 10,624, which is a significant improvement over the integrated GPU's score of 3,363.

  • What is the average frame rate achieved in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p Ultra settings with frame gen and DLSS set to Auto?

    -The average frame rate achieved is around 83 FPS.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Building a Small Form Factor oculink eGPU Dock

The video begins with ETA Prime introducing a project to build a low-cost, small form factor eGPU dock using components from Amazon. The dock is designed to connect an external GPU to a laptop or mini PC, and it can utilize an m.2 slot if necessary. The video highlights devices like the Morine GEM 10 and GEM 12, which have built-in oculink ports. The focus is on using oculink for a faster and more stable connection than traditional Thunderbolt or USB connections. The chosen GPU is a low-profile RTX 4060 from Gigabyte with 8GB of GDDR6, aiming to keep the setup small and under 150W power consumption. The core component is an oculink board available for around $40, which includes a cable and an adapter. The power supply options discussed include a flex or ATX power supply, but the video opts for a 150W Pico power supply for its compact size. The process involves connecting the power supply to the oculink board and GPU, using an 8-pin PCIe connector adapter if necessary, and concludes with a discussion on cable management and the potential for building an enclosure.

05:02

🔌 Wiring and Powering the DIY oculink eGPU Setup

The second paragraph details the wiring process for the DIY oculink eGPU dock. It covers the use of a SATA adapter and Molex connectors, along with an 8-pin CPU power output that is adapted to an 8-pin PCIe connector for the RTX 460 GPU. The video demonstrates how to connect the Pico power supply and emphasizes the option to clean up the wiring with zip ties or by removing unnecessary connectors. The setup is further refined by adding rubber feet for stability and showcasing the final product without an enclosure. The video also includes a brief look at the system's performance, noting that the RTX 460 is capable of high frame rates in various games when paired with a powerful CPU and the benefits of using frame generation technology to enhance performance on lower-powered systems.

10:02

🎮 Performance Testing of the DIY oculink eGPU with Games

The final paragraph of the script focuses on the gaming performance of the DIY oculink eGPU setup. The video presents benchmark results for the integrated GPU and the external RTX 460, showing significant performance improvements with the latter. The gaming tests include titles like Horizon Forbidden West, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Mortal Kombat 11, Spider-Man Remastered, and Cyberpunk 2077, all run at 1440p with various settings and technologies like DLSS and frame generation to achieve high frame rates. The narrator expresses satisfaction with the frame generation feature, which helps maximize performance on lower-powered systems. The video concludes with an offer to provide links to the components used in the build and an invitation for viewers to ask questions or share feedback.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡OCuLink

OCuLink is a high-speed interface designed to bring PCIe capabilities outside of a computer case, typically used for connecting external GPUs to devices like laptops or mini PCs. In the context of the video, OCuLink is used to enable high-performance gaming on devices that may not have a powerful integrated GPU. It supports PCIe 4.0, offering speeds up to 63 Gb/s, which is significantly faster and more stable than USB 4 or Thunderbolt 3 connections that top out at PCIe 3.0 speeds.

💡eGPU Dock

An eGPU (external Graphics Processing Unit) Dock is a device that allows users to connect an external GPU to their computer to enhance graphics performance. In the video, the host demonstrates how to build a low-cost, small form factor OCuLink eGPU dock, which is particularly useful for devices with an OCuLink port, enabling them to handle more graphically intensive tasks like gaming.

💡RTX 4060

The RTX 4060 is a model of graphics card from NVIDIA, featuring 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. It is mentioned in the video as the GPU chosen for the DIY eGPU dock due to its balance between performance and power consumption (under 150W). This makes it suitable for a small form factor setup without the need for a large, high wattage power supply.

💡Pico Power Supply

A Pico Power Supply is a compact power supply unit (PSU) designed for small form factor PCs or devices where space is at a premium. In the video, a 150W Pico PSU is used to power the RTX 4060 GPU in the DIY eGPU dock. It is chosen for its small size and sufficient power output for the GPU, which helps maintain the compact nature of the build.

💡M.2 Slot

An M.2 slot is a small form factor expansion card interface that is used to add various modules to a computer, such as solid-state drives (SSDs) or wireless network cards. In the context of the video, the host mentions that if a device doesn't natively support OCuLink, an M.2 to OCuLink adapter can be used to add this functionality.

💡ATX Power Supply

An ATX Power Supply is a standard type of PSU used in most desktop computers. It is larger and provides more power than a Pico PSU. The video mentions that while a Pico PSU is used for the compact build, a more powerful GPU would require an ATX PSU to supply sufficient power.

💡Flex Power Supply

A Flex Power Supply is a type of PSU that is flexible and customizable, allowing users to select the power cables they need for their specific build. It is mentioned as an alternative to a Pico PSU for powering the eGPU dock, which could be a cost-effective solution.

💡Gigabyte

Gigabyte is a well-known manufacturer of computer hardware, including motherboards, graphics cards, and other components. In the video, the host chooses a low-profile RTX 4060 from Gigabyte for the DIY eGPU dock, highlighting its performance and suitability for the project.

💡DLSS

DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling, is a technology developed by NVIDIA that uses AI to upscale lower resolution images to higher resolutions with minimal performance impact. It is mentioned in the video as a feature that helps improve gaming performance on the RTX 4060, particularly in more demanding games.

💡Frame Generation

Frame Generation is a technology that creates additional frames to increase the frame rate of a game, providing smoother gameplay. It is discussed in the video as a feature that helps enhance the performance of the RTX 4060 in games, especially in lower-powered systems.

💡Fire Strike

Fire Strike is a benchmarking tool used to measure the performance of graphics cards. It is mentioned in the video as part of the testing process to compare the performance of the integrated GPU (iGPU) with the external OCuLink RTX 460, demonstrating a significant performance improvement with the eGPU setup.

Highlights

ETA Prime demonstrates building a low-cost, small form factor OCuLink eGPU dock using parts from Amazon.

The dock enables easy connection of an external GPU to a laptop, mini PC, or handheld gaming device.

Lenovo has released an OCuLink eGPU and laptop with an external OCuLink Port in Asia.

The Morine GEM 10 and GEM 12 are mini PCs with an OCuLink port.

OCuLink provides a faster and more stable connection than Thunderbolt 3/4 or USB 4, supporting PCIe 4.0 up to 63 Gb/s.

A low profile RTX 4060 from Gigabyte with 8GB of GDDR6 is used for the eGPU.

The OCuLink board, available for about $40 on Amazon, is crucial for the dock and includes a cable and an adapter.

A 150W Pico power supply is used to keep the setup small and under the desired power limit.

An 8-pin PCIe connector is required for the RTX 4060, which can be adapted from a CPU power connector.

Unnecessary cabling can be removed or neatly organized with zip ties for a cleaner setup.

A 24-pin connector is used to connect the Pico power supply to the OCuLink board.

A 90° adapter can be used for a cleaner look when connecting the power supply.

The RTX 460 GPU is plugged into the x16 slot on the OCuLink board and powered.

Rubber feet can be added for stability on a desk, especially when no enclosure is used.

The setup allows for the use of an RTX 460 GPU with a Ryzen 7780HS Mini PC via an OCuLink cable.

The eGPU setup achieves significant performance improvements over the integrated GPU in benchmarks and games.

Games like Horizon Forbidden West, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, Mortal Kombat 11, Spider-Man Remastered, and Cyberpunk 2077 are tested and perform well on the setup.

Frame generation is utilized to enhance performance on lower-powered systems.

The DIY OCuLink eGPU dock is a cost-effective alternative to commercial options and can be customized based on GPU and power supply choice.

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