In the past, I have modded ME FW (mostly 7-series) for people wanting BCLK control for their CPU. I have been asked many times before if it is possible to change PCIe Lane configuration (ex. changing port 1-4 to x2 disabling 5-8, or changing port 1-2 to 2x8 disabling 3-8, etc), and I’ve always said idk or I doubt it. This seemed like the best place to ask so, my Q:
In FITC, under PCH Strap 9, there’s two parameters labeled: PCIe Port Configuration 1/2; for 7-series (ME8) and 9-series (ME10) chipsets, would it be possible to change this without breaking anything? The goal for this experiment is to either gain GPU performance in an eGPU setup (where you are limited to x1 bandwidth), or to possible aid in the process of adding a PCIe/mPCIe port (if that is even possible on my mobo).
On a side note, I am also trying to add a PCIe port x4/x8/x16 on my laptop (model, dell inspiron 15r 5220), for better eGPU performance. I am currently using an eGPU, and I recently upgraded to an R9 280x (which isn’t quite working right now, but that’s besides the point) from GTX 680 (which was working). I’ve searched a bit on it, but can’t find anything that helps or it’s too difficult to understand (google translate). I have a lot of soldering experience, so that should not be an obstacle. I also don’t mind if I have to disable/desolder components (audio, etc) in order for this to work.
Laptop Spec. :
Mobo “Dell 0XWH1P” :
Front Side :
Back Side :
Slots >>
Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any responses.
I am sorry, but I don’t see any solder points for an additional mini-PCIe port. I don’t even see any pre soldered mini PCIe slot. So, no, it is not possible with your laptop. It should look like this, if you want to add an additional mPCIe slot: picture (found on Google via “mini pcie solder”)
Welcome at Win-RAID Forum and thanks for your interesting question! I am pretty sure, that you will get an answer from plutomaniac, which is our Intel Management Engine Firmware expert.
There is actually one (that I can visibly see) mPCI slot, if you look at the ‘front side’ pic, bottom right you will see the rectangle box (the port), between the two orange circles. Also, just out of curiosity, do you know if it’d be possible to add a PCIe/mPCIe port by desoldering something such as the current dGPU (using the OP’s mobo as an example, IIRC it is x8)?
FYI, I was the one who wrote this thread for the OP because he has a little trouble with English (second language). The section relating to the ME FW is actually me speaking. The second question about soldering a new port was him asking. Sorry for the confusion. :S
Also, to add onto what was already asked about the PCIe lane config, would it be possible to change the PCIe lane configurations for Broadwell CPUs (which use ME10)? I figured out how to get a 1% OC for my CPU so far, but ME10 is far too different than ME8 for me to be able to try anything else. Not to mention the lack of PDFs unlike ME8 system tool set which had plenty of documentation.
I have no such experience and my gut tells me that it will probably not work because of BIOS incompatibilities and so on. But I could be wrong.
Anyway, if you have an SPI programmer you would be able to restore the chip in case the FITC options turn out to do nothing useful in that case.
By the way, you will gain a lot faster as far as time is concerned and a lot more performance by using software overclock solutions. Those laptop chips don’t use the PCIe avaiable bandwidth either way. One percent is not noticeable by anything, it’s within the margin of error.
As far as soldering is concerned, I have no such knowledge. This is where I’m thinking you might end up with BIOS incompatibilities not recognizing devices not meant to exist in that configuration, missing dependencies and so on.
Generally, maybe CodeRush can help you a little more.
Thank you for your input. I do have a programmer on the way; since I am only concerned with increasing my bandwidth for PCIe port 6 (via PE4C attached to my only mPCIe port), bricking anything wouldn’t be an issue since all I would have to do is remove my eGPU. It should be noted my motherboard running ME10 is different from the one posted in the OP (which runs ME8). When you say "software overclock solutions" you mean programs like MSI Afterburner, EVGA precision, nvidiaInspector, etc. ? I’ve OC’d my GTX 970 as far as I am able to push it, including modifying its vBIOS for higher TDP & voltage. I do not know how to OC my CPU, 5200U.
Speaking of which, would you happen to know what ICC registers in ME10 FW I would have to change in order to gain BCLK control via intel XTU? As I’ve stated in the OP, I have modded many ME8 FWs before but I have no clue on where to start for ME10. The lack of PDF documents in the ME10 system tools set and help text (not to mention the removal of the F9, wizard GUI) in FITC doesn’t help much. I mean, there must be at least something I’d be able to change because by default, I have quite a few menus in XTU unlocked. Such as: voltage & offset volage for CPU, CPU cache, iGPU, etc. In throttlestop (v8.00 beta 2), I’m able to change voltage/offset voltage for System Agent, Analog & Digital I/O (although, I have no idea what these are for).
Logically, if I already have this much control, you would think that I am supposed to be able to change something else like turbo multis or reference clock. What good does increasing CPU voltage serve me if I can’t increase its speed lol.
Anyway, thank you for the reply and I look forward to your potential response/help.
@blowntaha Dude I posted a link to a picture of how the mPICe solder pads should look in my previous post. That is something else. However, what do you expect from a Laptop with a 5200U cpu? Low budget at its finest. Regarding the eGPU solution, you obviously want a gaming Laptop or some kind of a desktop replacement. Why don’t you buy an actual gaming notebook like the MSI GT80? Instead, you rist bricking your Laptop…
The picture of the mobo from the OP and adding a m/PCIe port (dell inspiron 5500) is one situation; ME FW modding is a different (my) situation, on a different laptop. As far as why I don’t buy an overpriced, and extremely low performance per price gaming laptop? If it’s not obvious, saving money is half the reason, the other reason being to learn and expand my knowledge/experience so I can help myself and others who request it. I have an eGPU on two laptops, scoring in the 8600s on 3DMark11, achieved on a "low budget" CPU. Was able to get near 13k on 3DMark11 on my other laptop which was about 4 times cheaper, 2-3 years older, and scores only 19% less than GT80. I don’t mind bricking my laptop, I have a programmer. I don’t want to start a pissing contest so please stick to making meaningful replies specifically relating to what is being asked. I appreciate you posting earlier with the picture, but it was difficult, at least for me, to see it was put where an mPCI slot once was.
I’m not the one doing the soldering, it is the OP, and has experience soldering as well as access to various circuit making tools via university. You can also drop the subject, because he already found his answers hours ago,
The reason for this thread has shifted exclusively towards ME10 FW.
Also, let me reiterate since I don’t think it was clear enough for you in my previous post; what we are doing is purely for educational purposes, while gaining some benefit in the end, if successful.
EDIT by Fernando: Formatting of the first quoted part corrected
