eGPU and SLI capabilities

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jbgarcia

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I just ordered a laptop with a GTX 1070 inside, that also has a USB 3.1 (Type-C) port. I don't know much about eGPUs, but from what I've read they are Thunderbolt or Type-C connected. Does that mean that in the future, if I think my 1070 could use some extra help, I could purchase another 1070 and connect it externally to my laptop and run both 1070s in SLI? Also, would that even make sense since my CPU is an i7-6700HQ? If I am incorrect, would be someone be so kind as to explain how eGPUs work, and how they differ from dedicated internal GPUs other than being external and connected via USB?
 
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GPUs talk to the CPU over PCIe lanes. Some PCIe lanes go directly to the CPU, and others go through the motherboard chipset to the CPU. The latter would be the case for an eGPU, which would likely be a PCIe 3.0 x4 connection in terms of bandwidth. SLI only works with direct PCIe lanes, and I believe requires a minimum of PCIe x8 for each GPU.

As an aside, AMDs crossfire does work with chipset PCIe lanes, and only requires at least x4 connection IIRC, but I really doubt it would work with an eGPU anyway.
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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if I think my 1070 could use some extra help, I could purchase another 1070 and connect it externally to my laptop and run both 1070s in SLI?
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No, not even a little bit.
eGPU is a hack situation to turn a crappy laptop into a slightly less crappy desktop.

SLI requires a motherboard that knows how to talk SLI, and 2 compatible GPU's.


If you think your 1070 could use extra help, that is when you ditch the laptop, and build a proper desktop.
 
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TJ Hooker

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GPUs talk to the CPU over PCIe lanes. Some PCIe lanes go directly to the CPU, and others go through the motherboard chipset to the CPU. The latter would be the case for an eGPU, which would likely be a PCIe 3.0 x4 connection in terms of bandwidth. SLI only works with direct PCIe lanes, and I believe requires a minimum of PCIe x8 for each GPU.

As an aside, AMDs crossfire does work with chipset PCIe lanes, and only requires at least x4 connection IIRC, but I really doubt it would work with an eGPU anyway.
 
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