Internal nVidia Laptop GPU + Thunderbolt 3 eGPU?

hoax32 · Nov 9, 2017

Hello Forums!
I have a tricky question here.
I have a Lenovo P51 with an Intel Xeon 1535v6 and an Intel + nVidia Quadro M2200M switchable graphics.
I am trying to figure out, how in world an nVidia eGPU connected through Thunderbolt3 would work out since I would already be running nVidia drivers for the internal Quadro graphics.
Do I have to keep the internal GPU drivers uninstalled?
Do I install both drivers?
How would 3D apps know, which GPU to use?
Any insight would be helpful!

purecain · Nov 9, 2017

I would imagine the NVidia software would take care of it for you, uninstalling your old driver if necessary. personally I don't think it will effect the gpu switch.
when you attach your egpu i'd expect it to prompt you to allow it to take control. mere speculation though. ive read very little about it. I stopped to have a look at one and couldn't get much info on how it was set up.
I'm interested in one for my gt70 so will keep an eye on the thread. :toast:

Yukikaze · Nov 9, 2017

A lot of eGPU stuff showing up here lately

I'll go about providing some answers. I ran a ZBook G2 (K2100M) with a GTX960 eGPU back in the day (now on a ZBook G4 and a R9 Fury), and here how it went:
Do I have to keep the internal GPU drivers uninstalled?
No. However, if you wish to use the eGPU on the internal monitor you may need to disable the dGPU.
Do I install both drivers?
No. Installing the desktop driver should be sufficient.
How would 3D apps know, which GPU to use?
a. You can specify which GPU to use in the NVidia options once you have everything installed and running.
b. If you have an external monitor connected to the eGPU, then setting it as the main monitor will launch everything on it, and use the eGPU.
c. For professional applications such as rendering: You need to check the program options to choose the render device.

Also, for more eGPU related questions, you can post on the egpu.io forums, here.

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Internal nVidia Laptop GPU + Thunderbolt 3 eGPU?

hoax32

purecain

Yukikaze