@@ 0,0 1,49 @@
+---
+title: "eGPU Woes"
+date: 2020-05-12T08:56:59+02:00
+draft: false
+tags: [
+    "eGPU",
+    "EXP GDC Beast",
+    "Thinkpad",
+    "X220",
+    "Windows",
+    "Linux",
+]
+---
+
+I've been using my thinkpad x220 as my primary pc for the last four weeks
+or so. It can handle a little gaming but not very much with it's little
+intel 2nd gen gpu. So last week I decided to order some parts for an
+eGPU (External GPU) setup.
+
+I ordered the EXP GDC Beast 8.5c, an old Dell 2A 220W power brick,
+and an ASUS GTX 750 Ti GPU. Should be a nice boost in performance for
+my little thinkpad!
+
+The parts came one by one in the mail. First the video card, then the power
+brick, then finally yesterday I got the EXP GDC Beast. I started setting it
+all up around two in the afternoon. I plugged it all in, booted my system,
+and nothing worked!
+
+I heard that eGPU setups can be tricky, but from the videos and stories
+I had seen before with almost identical setups to mine I figured this would
+work great, no problem! But alas, here we are.
+
+Everything after GRUB lagged horribly, as soon as the kernal/systemd
+started to mount the card it was like my CPU was performing at less than
+half capacity. The heat sink fan was going hard. Characters were lagging
+as they rendered onto the terminal (we aren't even in X yet).
+
+After an hour or so of troubleshooting drivers, and BIOS settings I decided
+to give windows a shot! My uncle had an extra SSD so I popped it in and
+did a fresh install of windows 10 on my laptop. Shut it down, plugged in
+the card, and windows is having the exact same issue!
+
+So I have no idea what's going on. I took the video card to a friend's
+house and tested it in his system and it worked great. So it's got to be
+either my laptop, the power brick, or the EXP GDC Beast. I've kinda given
+up on fixing it today. I might try a different power supply later to see
+if that changes anything.
+
+I'll post again if I get this thing to work!