External graphics for Surface Pro 3

[ryukote]

Hello,

I know there is a way to use external graphics on Devices that supports TB3, but what about devices that don't have TB3? Is it still possible to use external graphics with TB3 to mini display cable? Would that work? If that is possible, would that work on Surface Pro 3?

Thanks.

 

[richiestang_78]

No.

 

[ryukote]

Ok if the answer is for absolute no. But I have read somewhere it is possible but with really low percentage of max performance GPU can provide. If that is true it might save my nerves anyway. All I need it for is to run Smite stable without FPS drop after 2 games. But that can be some other problem, like overheating CPU on SP3 which I am trying to stop with pad cooler for laptop. Any advice would be nice (don't say to buy a new PC cause I wouldn't be here if I can buy a new PC).

 

[cryoburner]

Technically, there are GPU docks that can be internally wired into many laptops that lack Thunderbolt, but nothing like that will work with a Surface Pro 3. It's an ultra-thin and light device that uses integrated graphics, so no such internal connectors are likely present, and even if they were, the device itself is not designed to be opened, so attempting to open its case would have a high probability of destroying it. : P

As such, I really don't think it's possible to add an external GPU to a Surface Pro 3. It sounds like your performance is initially acceptable before going downhill after playing a short while though? That does sound like it could be a heat-related issue. The device has a very slim blower fan inside, that apparently vents out the little holes along the edges, so you might try to make sure they're not being blocked. Also, I just found this related video, which might potentially be useful, in which a little USB fan is used to help reduce thermal throttling on the device...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC8rCeDMqFw

There are probably even better ways to cool it, so it might be worth looking around to see what other people have tried, since it does sound like it may be a common issue.

 

[ryukote]

During those 2-3 games everything is working fine without any FPS drop and lags. After that for example from 50 FPS it drops to around 30 FPS where it starts to have effects of lags. I have started to use pad cooler and sometimes I can play 5-6 games without FPS drop thanks to that. Should I change something in power plans?

 

[ryukote]

And what about that wired solution? How does that works? I also have laptop (HP Probook 4730s)...can I make that soultion there?

 

[cryoburner]

It does sound like you're describing something similar to what that guy in the video with the USB fan was experiencing. The Surface Pro devices are neat for what they are, and they pack a good amount of computing power into a very small package, but gaming can apparently produce a bit too much heat for them to dissipate on their own, resulting in thermal throttling once the heat builds up to a certain level.

It might be possible to hook an external GPU up to that HP ProBook, although its CPU might be a bit weak for some games. I have not personally tried to wire up a desktop GPU to a laptop myself. Typically, I believe they connect to either an ExpressCard slot, or the laptop's mini PCIe slot that would normally be used for its internal wireless card.

Looking up some specs, I believe that laptop should have an ExpressCard slot available. It also sounds like it may use a "PCI Express Half Mini" connection for its Wifi card, though I don't know whether "half mini" would be compatible for this purpose. I did come across a site with a lot of information related to the topic though...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/diy-egpu-experiences.418851/

In general, depending on the connection that the adapter uses and what your laptop supports, you need to either plug it into an ExpressCard slot, or open up the laptop and plug it into the Mini PCIe slot where the Wifi adapter currently is. Then you plug a graphics card into the dock, and a desktop power supply into the graphics card, and then you can connect the GPU to an external monitor or television. Here's a video someone did about it, though it's a bit disorganized and he encounters some compatibility issues between some of the hardware he tested...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFWnOJSbHiU

You might have some better luck getting answers in that long thread at NotebookReview, since it looks like a lot of people tried that option there.