Internal & External GPU

External Graphics Card? What is this?
An external graphics card is a graphics card that operates outside of a computer (usually a laptop) to boost gaming performance (or other GPU related activities).

How is this possible?A company by the name of BPLUS (www.hwtools.net) produces many adapters to allow the use of desktop PCIe cards on a system not intended for it.
The PE4L v2.1b is currently the best solution for most people, providing a 1x desktop PCIe slot connected either by ExpressCard, or mini pcie which is usually used for WIFI and BlueTooth cards.

What are the reasons I would want to create an External GPU setup?
-Get better performance out of an existing laptop without getting a whole new laptop or desktop.
-Have better gaming performance per £ in a new setup. A second hand Lenovo X220, PE4L, and GeForce 650Ti will beat any laptop in that price range.
-Add output capabilities to a laptop which does not support them, for example a 2560x1440 display, or driving many (4+) displays in a multi-monitor or mirrored setup.
-A unified setup. Use a small (12.5) laptop on the road/at uni/etc, and when returning home, dock to your External GPU to provide desktop-level gaming performance whilst not having to install all of your programs and games twice, and not having to worry about keeping your documents in sync. A ultraportable in the lecture theatre can become a gaming machine in your room.

What are the disadvantages of an External GPU?
-The GPU requires a source of power. For GPU's less than 203W, an XBox 360 power supply can be used as a cheap solution. With any GPU with a TDP over 203W an appropriate ATX PSU would be needed.
-The GPU is only connected via a 1x PCIe express link, as opposed to a 16x link in a standard desktop. This reduces performance, however some games are more affected than others by this loss of bandwidth. This is somewhat mitigated if the system has a select range of Intel cards (HD Graphics), and the External GPU is NVidia Fermi or greater.
-Some laptops cannot fit an External GPU into the PCIe address space. This can often be sorted with the use of a software known as Setup 1.x, however this increases the faff of setting up the GPU. It is considered that any laptop which already features two graphics cards will be tricky to use an External Graphics Card without fidling.

What is the ideal setup hardware wise?
-A Laptop with an Intel Core I Series processor (any generation) and an Expresscard 2.0 slot.
-A NVidia Fermi or later GPU. The reason for this is upon detecting a 1x PCIe link, the NVidia driver firstly engages PCIe data compression, increasing performance from anything between 20-333%, and also lets the External Graphics Card drive the internal laptop display, as the functionality mirrors Optimus Switchable Graphics. Whilst there are ways to drive the internal LCD with an AMD/ATI card, PCIe compression is not present, thus causing a larger potential bottleneck.

-If starting fresh, a Lenovo X220 makes the ideal External Graphics Card companion, as Lenovo specifically changed the BIOS to make external GPUs work as close to plug-and-play as possible.

Do any Facepunchers use an External GPU?Currently, I am the only user I know of who uses an External GPU. 
This is my current setup (Lenovo X220T, PE4L v2.1b, XBox 360 203W PSU, 650Ti, and generic Maplins project box).
 


If you own a External Graphics Card, are considering making one, or are just curious, feel free to discuss here, and I will try and help answer any questions.

Types of RAM

What Is the Difference Between DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 & DDR5 RAM?

By Daniosn vazhappilly

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While the type of memory won't matter much for a typical business computer, if your business in engaged in computationally intensive tasks, the performance of your RAM can make a big difference in how fast your computers run. Financial modeling, engineering, and graphics rendering are all business applications that require more RAM than the average, off-the-shelf computer provides. While higher-numbered double-data rate memory is usually faster than lower-numbered versions, there can be some complexities that make this less predictable than you might expect.

SDRAM

To understand the basics of different types of DDR RAM, a basic understanding of how the Synchronous Direct RAM technology on which it is based is helpful. SDRAM is designed to read and write data in conjunction with a clock, which synchronizes the transfer of the data, hence the name. For example, SDRAM operating at a 400MHz clock would be able to interface with the computer and share a chunk of data 400 million times per second.

DDR

The first double data rate RAM modules worked just like SDRAM but with one key difference: Instead of transferring one block of data per clock cycle, they could transfer two. A DDR module running at 400 MHz could theoretically transfer twice as much data as a regular SDRAM module. The downside to this technology was that if a computer missed a clock cycle and didn't transfer memory, it would miss out on twice as much data as with a regular SDRAM module.

Related Reading: Difference Between Corporate & Marketing Communications

DDR Numbers

After the initial generation of DDR, memory manufacturers continued to advance the technology. The numbers associated with DDR, such as DDR2 or DDR4, refer to the generation of the DDR technology used in the memory modules. Newer generations of DDR memory are typically faster than older generations. If you can find two modules with the same speed rating, though, they will usually be able to transfer data at the same rate. For instance, DDR2-800 and DDR3-800 memories both run at 400 MHz and can theoretically transfer 6,400 MB/sec of data. The "800" in their names refers to their 400MHz speed multiplied by two for their double data rate.

Requirements

There are a couple of requirements that will allow you to use a particular type of memory in your computer. First, your CPU and your motherboard's chipset will need to support both the speed and the manner in which a given type of DDR memory works. Secondly, you must have slots on your mother board that are compatible with your chosen type of memory. Each type of DDR RAM is physically incompatible with the other types. This prevents you from plugging the wrong type of module into your motherboard and damaging it or your computer.

The State of the Art

As of the publication date in May of 2013, DDR3 memory is widely available in both desktop and notebook computers. DDR4 memory was displayed in prototype form at the beginning of 2013, and DDR5 is coming, but is not yet available for system memory. DDR5 technology is, however, available in a special type of memory used for graphics cards. Referred to as GDDR5 memory, it has much higher bandwidth than DDR3 and can transfer more data for better graphical rendering.

Upgrading Your Computer

Choosing memory to upgrade your computer is actually a simpler process than it seems. Since any given computer will only be compatible with a single type of DDR memory, buy the type that works in your computer. If you aren't sure of the exact speed your computer uses, buy the fastest memory available. That way, you can be sure that it'll be fast enough to keep up.

DDR1 Specifications 
DDR-DIM (Dual Data Price DIMM or DDR DIMM), or most popularly just plain DDR. Twice Data Rate interfaces supply two information transfers for every differential clock. The data becomes authorized when the CK goes high [the + side], and also /CK goes minimal [the - side]. DDR1 utilizes the JEDEC regular for Double Date Price [DDR I] SDRAM. Like all DDR Random access memory it is offered as signed up or un-buffered. Listed DIMMs are generally called FB-DIMMs and have his or her address as well as control traces buffered in order to reduce signal packing. FB-DIMMs are considerably more expensive than un-buffered DIMMs and are generally available to server use. There are not many enthusiast/prosumer/gamers utilizing FB-DIMMs in their CPU's. Un-buffered DIMMs don't characteristic address traces and control line loading, so they charge quite a bit much less. However, they could be system-loading limited and are thus usually restricted inside the number that can be fitted upon one method. You'll find that nearly all un-buffered DIMMs these days are only able to be set up on one motherboard to a maximum of 4 x 1GB. Buffered or registered DIMMs don't have these kinds of limitations along with server snowboards can support 8 a 1GB, 16 x 1GB or more. A unique and generally unknown aspect of un-buffered DDR DIMMs is that they can operate one clock cycle faster and then FB-DIMMs.

DDR2 Specifications 
DDR2 storage is the second generation within DDR memory. DDR2 starts with a velocity level of 400MHz because the lowest accessible while the 400MHz speed is actually the very best speed for DDR1. Therefore, DDR2 covers where DDR1 results in off. It is a bit strange nevertheless due to various latencies a 400MHz DDR1 will outperform a 400MHz DDR2, but the advantage returns in order to DDR2 as soon as the speed reaches the next step 532MHz, which DDR1 can not reach.

DDR3 Features 
DDR3 is the next generation inside DDR memory. DDR3 starts off with a most affordable capacity amount of 800Mbps and climbs up to 1600Mbps using bus rate as high as 2000MHz. Greater performance using lower electrical power consumption is the major gain, since functioning voltage is merely 1.5V with regard to DDR3 compared to One particular.8V for DDR2. Reduced heat can be generated, meaning that systems will certainly run colder. Ultimately the newest technology will result in higher capacity modules: As much as 8GB quests (Using 4Gb Chips) to help reduce server/workstation system fees.

Transfer Rates 
Another distress is that Random access memory is mostly known in PC-number, out of your tender are the Exchange Rates for the various DDRs:

DDR1 Exchange Rate 
DDR SDRAM: Increase Data Price SDRAM (DDR200, DDR266, DDR333 are standard) PC1600 (DDR-200 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 100MHz, Data Fee: 200MHz, Throughput 1600MB/s PC2100 (DDR-266 SDRAM); Clock Velocity: 133MHz, Data Fee: 266MHz, Throughput 2100MB/s PC2400 (DDR-300 SDRAM); Clock Velocity: 150MHz, Data Charge: 300MHz, Throughput 2400MB/s PC2700 (DDR-333 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 166MHz, Data Fee: 333MHz, Throughput 2600MB/s PC3000 (DDR-366 SDRAM); Clock Velocity: 183MHz, Data Price: 366MHz, Throughput 2900MB/s PC3200 (DDR-400 SDRAM); Clock Velocity: 200MHz, Data Price: 400MHz, Throughput 3200MB/s

DDR2 Transfer Charge 
DDR2 SDRAM: Double Data Rate SDRAM The second (Quad Edge Clock Rate, One.8v signaling), Second Technology PC2-3200 (DDR2-400 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 100MHz, Data Rate: 400MHz, Throughput 3200MB/s PC2-4300 (DDR2-533 SDRAM); Clock Rate: 133MHz, Data Fee: 532MHz, Throughput 4300MB/s PC2-5300 (DDR2-667 SDRAM); Clock Pace: 167MHz, Data Charge: 667MHz, Throughput 5300MB/s PC2-5400 (DDR2-675 SDRAM); Clock Pace: 167MHz, Data Price: 667MHz, Throughput 5400MB/s PC2-6400 (DDR2-800 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 200MHz, Data Rate: 800MHz, Throughput 6400MB/s

DDR3 Transfer Rate 
DDR3 SDRAM: Double Data Rate SDRAM III (Quad Edge Wall clock Rate, A single.5v signaling), Third Technology PC3-6400 (DDR3-800 SDRAM); Clock Pace: 100MHz, Data Price: 800MHz, Throughput 6.40GB/s PC3-8500 (DDR3-1066 SDRAM); Wall clock Speed: 133MHz, Info Rate: 1066MHz, Throughput Eight.53GB/s PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333 SDRAM); Clock Velocity: 166MHz, Data Fee: 1333MHz, Throughput 10.67GB/s PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600 SDRAM); Time clock Speed: 200MHz, Info Rate: 1600MHz, Throughput Twelve.80GB/s 
Now it will likely be really hard to list out down which in turn RAM best fits which mother board. Before buying the particular RAM you must research your CPU manufacturer's Ram memory recommendations and fit that exact form of DDR in it. You would be just as irrational in using the PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 with an AMD Sempron 2800+ while you would be to weight down your current Intel QX6800 using a PC1600 DDR-200. Every CPU/chipset combination has its proper DDR fit, and you need to find out just what they are as well as stick to these people. If you 1 a slower than encouraged DDR to your system will eliminate critical Ram memory functions and may slow your whole body.
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