ViDock 4 - Hardware Setup - Vid 2 of 7

[Wasakmt]

thanks for the info sir...

[YeroJeroHwaiting]

lol ati radeon 507070

[JesseBAndersen]

@YeroJeroHwaiting A mistake that haunts me for all eternity.

[user109876543210]

can it work if my pc is ddr3

[JesseBAndersen]

@user109876543210 I don't think the RAM type matters.

[mylaptopdiednooo]

im not sure weather i should build my next rig or upgrade my laptop with this

[JesseBAndersen]

@mylaptopdiednooo If the CPU of your laptop isn't that great then the right choice would be to build a new rig.

[mylaptopdiednooo]

@JesseBAndersen well i know about desktops but laptops im aalright i have a intel i3 2330 m sandybridge core that is clocked at 2.4ghz and it is a dual core cpu

[JesseBAndersen]

@mylaptopdiednooo I think it may depend on the games and programs you plan on running. Check the "recommended system requirements" and if the i3 can do what you want then it may be worth it.

[SFseis]

I rather have a desktop computer: More powerful, not too expensive and it leaves my laptop clean. But if you have a spare GPU it might be a good idea.

[JaeLdaZwilD]

I'm thinking of going for this external solution with ThunderBolt. Can you clarify if I can replace an aftermarket cooler -Arctic Accelero TWIN TURBO II, 50mm height- ? would there be enough room in terms of height for that modification ? what's the measurement for the adapter

[JesseBAndersen]

@JaeLdaZwilD Village Instruments has these metrics on their website. It should provide the details you want to know.

[Dayfoxx7000]

do i need a second monitor is it possible to do on the laptop screen?

[JesseBAndersen]

@Dayfoxx7000 Maybe yes, or no. It's not an easy answer because each system and graphic card will be different. I have heard that some Nvidia graphic cards allow the use of the laptop screen, the card that I had was an AMD/ATI and this required an external monitor.

[zehooker]

anybody else notice the cards fan is flat on the table?

[JoeFMullin]

Would a 550ti fit in this?

[JesseBAndersen]

@JoeFMullin I would look at power needs first. Village Instrument's website has the specifics on what size cards it can take.

[JoeFMullin]

@JesseBAndersen Thanks for the quick response but my laptop doesnt have a PCI Express slot anyway! I'm new to graphic card updates and so on, is it possible to just replace the graphics card inside a laptop?

[JesseBAndersen]

@JoeFMullin If you are a computer master expert you probably could replace the graphics cards found inside laptops. For most simpletons (including me) the task of replacing a laptop's graphics card is close to impossible because of the amount of work it would require, and most of us would probably ruin the laptop in the process.

[JoeFMullin]

@JesseBAndersen Hmmm, okay I'd better invest in a PC! Thanks for the replies.

[JesseBAndersen]

@JoeFMullin Like a desktop pc? If you build your own pc you can make some truly amazing systems, and for fairly cheap too!

[JoeFMullin]

@JesseBAndersen Yes I stupidly spent £500 on a laptop.. its not a bad laptop but its not made for gaming.

[JesseBAndersen]

@JoeFMullin The advantage is portability. I remember taking my tower and monitor to LAN parties which was such a hassle. The modern gaming systems are amazing.

[JoeFMullin]

@JesseBAndersen Yeah, I was looking at a pc running battlefield 3 and I was in total awe over it!

[JesseBAndersen]

@JoeFMullin Did you see that "Ultimate Battlefield 3 Simulator"? That stuff was crazy.

[JoeFMullin]

@JesseBAndersen Yeah! I'd love to have a go at that! Cant imagine how much it cost to make.

[JesseBAndersen]

@JoeFMullin A few hundred thousand... it's within budget of a few billionares. ;)

[JoeFMullin]

@JesseBAndersen Haha, I'd be a bit scared of being pelted with paint-ball guns whenever I got shot though!

[JesseBAndersen]

@JoeFMullin Getting shot next to the belly button would be the worst.... or the neck.

[Wasakmt]

hey men, my laptop doesn't have any PCI EXPRESS Slot, I only have a VGA SD MultimediaCard and 3 USB Ports, how can i use a ViDock without a PCI Express Slot?

Please men, help me, i almost destroy my laptop, i thought that my Acer Aspire 5250-BZ479 is good for gaming but its not... please men, help me...

[JesseBAndersen]

@Wasakmt No ExpressCard = No ViDock. USB adapters/converters will not work because the ViDock requires the PCI-E interface, USB is a completely different thing and it's also slower.

If your laptop had a mini "PCI-E/USB 2.0" interface you could (in theory) solder the pins and have a ViDock working with your laptop. However, this would require you to be very technical and precise. It would make a portable laptop not portable. I would not recommend it to most people.

[96Jonni]

@JesseBAndersen im just wondering what did u plug in and where did it go at 4:25 ? please help

[JesseBAndersen]

@96Jonni I connected the ViDock's ExpressCard connector to the laptop's ExpressCard slot. ExpressCard is different than USB, SD Cards and so on. No an adapter would not work.

[smartass275]

My Vidock 4 has just arrived and i have a Raddeon 5770 to put in it. I have a Toshiba Satellite A505-S6005 so i do have the correct express card slot. my laptop recognized it, i downloaded the latest driver for the graphics card and i disabled the Integrated card but when i hook up the Vidock to my Toshiba 17" LCD using an hdmi cable, i get a "no signal" message. What is causing this? I have tried even using a DVI cable to no avail.

[JesseBAndersen]

@smartass275 Disable Intel HD, shut down laptop, connect monitor to ViDock, connect ViDock to laptop, boot up. The full details are at the blog.

[smartass275]

@JesseBAndersen So, before disableing the intel i should have the hdmi cable unplugged from the vidock, and the vidock unplugged from the laptop correct? restarting off and on is a slow process for this computer so i wanna get it right :)

[JesseBAndersen]

@smartass275 The right methodology matters with the ViDock. I created the videos with the step by step how to. If the videos don't answer it then check the blog for the written form, there are also very useful notes in the comments. I'm sorry for not giving you a quick answer, but this can be a bit complicated, and after answering over 11,000 emails I'm fairly exhausted. FYI keep the monitor connected to the ViDock at all times, and it's probably better to use DVI instead of HDMI during setup.

[smartass275]

@JesseBAndersen Yeah i understand fully. I watched your videos, several times over and read the blog alot. At the moment i get 1 of 2 results. Either it boots up with no picture whatsoever, or it boots up with picture but still in low res cause intel integrated is disabled but never is there picture on the tv screen and i tried using dvi but same thing. i get the "no signal" error and i know its not the cable or tv cause the ps3 works fine and the laptop too if i have the integrated chip enabled

[JesseBAndersen]

@smartass275 I only know what I experienced, and the how to has been shared. My experience wasn't smooth, as seen on vid 6, but eventually I figured the proper methods that worked with the Lenovo X201 Tablet. Your system may be a bit different and therefore require different steps.

Contact Village Instruments and ask them why the ViDock isn't working with your system. I'm sure they have heard plenty of people asking the same thing and probably can give you a solution.

[JesseBAndersen]

@smartass275 There's an initial software setup, and then there's "switching graphics". There are two parts to it. Maybe you haven't installed the drivers for the graphics card properly.

[smartass275]

@JesseBAndersen So i just did that, and it booted up with a blank screen. I just hard-shutdown the laptop with the vidock un plugged from the laptop.

[minimontager94]

I have an Acer aspire with an a6 3400m and intagrated 5620 g u think I should try this out?

[JesseBAndersen]

@minimontager94 Begin with knowing if there's an ExpressCard slot in your system. If you don't have one then you can't use the ViDock. Don't confuse the ExpressCard slot with the SD card slot, they are different.

If you got spare money and want to try it out then go for it. Personally i don't think the ViDock is for most people.

[wolfmp5]

i have a intel hd graphics card on my laptop would the vi dock work if i used nvidia or ati i need a quick response plz

[JesseBAndersen]

@wolfmp5 More importantly is to know if your laptop has an ExpressCard slot.

[wolfmp5]

@JesseBAndersen im think i do its called SD MCC (hp dm4)

[reece550]

ok but is it really worth splashing out like 150 quid on it plus a graphics card when it might not work because my original plan was to get a hp touchpad.

[JesseBAndersen]

@reece550 For most average people probably not.

[reece550]

if you go to google and type in toshiba p200-178 it should the first one and the specs should help a bit?

[reece550]

IT states it does have a express port and i went to a local pc shop and he said it should work but whats opion on this as i want to get a vidock aswell?

[JesseBAndersen]

@reece550 It may or it may not. The reasoning is behind the software which can prevent the ViDock to work properly. The only way of knowing is to try and test it.

[Flashbaggs]

can i apdapt the vidock with an expresscard to usb apdaptar or will it slow down or anything please reply fast i possible

[JesseBAndersen]

@Flashbaggs It will not work. The ViDock requires the PCI-E interface which is completely different than USB. USB is extremely slow compared to PCI-E. Search on wikipedia to view the specifics.

[bridor5285]

...did he just say SNUGGIE??? 1:03

[JesseBAndersen]

@bridor5285 Such an embarrassing word. hahaha.  Those commercials subliminally got into my head. ;)

[Adrammalech7570]

If the ViDock was cheaper, I see it being fairly popular among college students. At the moment, it's very high price, not including the GPU, really holds back a potential market.

[JesseBAndersen]

@Adrammalech7570 Yes. I agree with you quite a bit. There are "do it yourself" ViDocks which is basically the PCI-E to ExpressCard connector, with a self bought PC power supply, and no enclosure box.

[herb2096]

Heeeey I saw on another vid that instead of realying on the laptop to display ,they hooked the vid card up to the monitor...do you think it wouldve worked alot smoother if you did it that way ....or not.....WOW i had to add to this im sooooooooooooo stupid hahahahaha this acts ass a docking station for the laptop also . sooooooooooooooooooo everthing (mouse,keyboard,monitor....ect­) is suppose to connect to the vidock and not the laptop.

[herb2096]

Heeeey I saw on another vid that instead of realying on the laptop to display ,they hooked the vid card up to the monitor...do you think it wouldve worked alot smoother if you did it that way ....or not.

[ReeferVK]

what size is the pci express card? do they come for 34's?

[JesseBAndersen]

@ReeferVK The ViDock's ExpressCard connector is a 34mm which works on laptops with 34mm or 54mm.

[TheDannyoffthewall]

@JesseBAndersen Do you think this would work well with a PCI usb connection? My laptop doesn't seem to have a PCI slot.

[JesseBAndersen]

@TheDannyoffthewall No. It's not the same interface. USB is slow.

[TheDannyoffthewall]

@JesseBAndersen Ok then. Does processor speed matter when using this?

[JesseBAndersen]

@TheDannyoffthewall CPU matters to the games/applications. A dual core at about 2Ghz should be enough for most games.

[TheDannyoffthewall]

@JesseBAndersen Ok thanks I have a dual core 2.1GHz. I'll have to use my back up laptop as that has a PCI slot

[JesseBAndersen]

@TheDannyoffthewall Laptops may have: Half mini pci-e, mini pci-e, ExpressCard slots. Hopefully the "PCI" slot that you mentioned is the ExpressCard slot.

[TheDannyoffthewall]

@JesseBAndersen I don't think it is now that I've looked at the laptop you have there. Oh well off to save some money for a proper PC

[JesseBAndersen]

@TheDannyoffthewall Yep. I ended up getting an HP laptop that handles gaming well. The ViDock is a solution for a very few select group of people.

[MrCohibaboy]

how do you disable your graphics in the laptop so the vidock will work ?

[JesseBAndersen]

@MrCohibaboy Through Device Manager. Hit Windows key, type "Device Manager" and open it, open the Display adapters, and here you will see your graphics cards. I have the step by step on the blog.

[Snufy1984]

How it that thing connet with laptop ? USB , CardReader or what, Do i need an external LCD ?

[JesseBAndersen]

@Snufy1984 ExpressCard slot.

[Snufy1984]

@JesseBAndersen I do not have any :)) I have an Asus 52j , 2011 model. What the heck ??

[Jaso4444]

@JesseBAndersen Hi i have a really important question.

I want to get HD 5770 and its a newer version than yours.Ive looked it up and it says the GPU needs at least:

450 Watt or greater power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended

I want to get Vidock 4 but will it work with the bigger amount of power that it needs cause i know on the site it says Vidock has 150W power.

h ttp://ow .ly/75VXh

[JesseBAndersen]

@Jaso4444 A recommended Power Supply Unit is different from what the Graphics Card actually uses. . The recommend a 450W power supply with that much power because it needs to provide power to a desktop computer and the graphics card.

What you need to look for is the "maximum board power" which in the HD 5770 is 108W. The ViDock 4 (150W) provides enough for the 5770 (108W), and the ViDock 3 (75W) and below do not.

[Jaso4444]

@JesseBAndersen Thanks mate subbed.

[JesseBAndersen]

@Jaso4444 Sweet.

[Jaso4444]

@JesseBAndersen I am not too sure but would this work with HD6850 Sapphire 127watts? Would it fit?

[JesseBAndersen]

@Jaso4444 No.  ViDock 4 Plus would. Sometimes graphics cards are picky bastards.

[jeff9951]

i have this graphics card :D

[JesseBAndersen]

@jeff9951 Does it work fine?

[jeff9951]

@JesseBAndersen i use it in my desktop and yah it works really good on all games

[JesseBAndersen]

@jeff9951 Sweet!

[first2run]

So I have a Nvidia 460m GTX on my laptop, if I get a ViDock 4 + and put another Nvidia card in it, can I run both my card in the ViDock and my in-laptop card in SLI mode on my laptop screen? How about on my TV?

[JesseBAndersen]

@first2run I have no idea. I thought SLI required you to connect the cards together through a cable. So maybe it's not possible. I have also heard some Nvidia cards work with Optimus Technology and allow the laptop screen to be used (something that I haven't confirmed myself).

[first2run]

@JesseBAndersen That is a good point. I will have to look in to that. Also, the motherboard needs to be SLI certified.

[DanGilmrtin]

you don't need an external monitor for this do you?

[JesseBAndersen]

@DanGilmrtin For the graphics card that I tested with yes. However, I heard that some Nvidia cards paired with Optimus Technology can work with the screen of the laptop.

[DanGilmrtin]

@JesseBAndersen ah that's not true with the nvidia cards idk if it's even worth it.

[DanGilmrtin]

@JesseBAndersen sorry, i meant *if that's not true

[Kurdrenko]

would a Radeon HD 6850 work with the vidock 4 or will i have to go with the more expensive vidock 4 plus?

[JesseBAndersen]

@Kurdrenko Check the power requirements. Don't look at the recommended power supply. There is usually lower number of what the card actually consumes. Once you find this info you can find the correct ViDock.

[webDes33]

@JesseBAndersen please post battlefield 3 beta gameplay on this!!

[JesseBAndersen]

@webDes33 No. I don't have the systems anymore. The videos are 10 months old.

[kkguate00]

@jesseBAndersen can i use a geforce gtx 550 tri fpb on the vidock 4?

[JesseBAndersen]

@kkguate00 That depends on power requirements. I read on an Amazon review that it uses around 116W which would make it compatible with the ViDock4. (they recommend a 400W power supply, but the card uses only uses 116W).

[NannerBurgular]

Does ViDock 4 support the ATI Mobility Radeon HD series?

[JesseBAndersen]

@NannerBurgular The card physically is completely different from what the ViDock takes.

[PH371PP3]

great,have video card external for noteboobk thx,i need vidock

[nwlloyd13]

can you plug a HDMI cable straight from the vidock to the monitor instead of going from the laptop to the monitor?

Vidock -> laptop -> monitor

or

laptop -> Vidock -> monitor.

can you do both ways?

[JesseBAndersen]

@nwlloyd13 Depends if the graphics card inside the ViDock supports HDMI. It will go from laptop > vidock > monitor.

[bellyzbad]

dose this only work on notebooks

[JesseBAndersen]

@bellyzbad It works with the ExpressCard slot that is usually found in notebooks/laptops.

[bellyzbad]

@JesseBAndersen can i get an adaptor and use it that way

[JesseBAndersen]

@bellyzbad Watch Vid 7 of 7. And no.

[Rensdomino5000]

And it's the 5770, not the 57070

[Rensdomino5000]

Lol, you have the same monitor as me :D

[LudiciousKing]

Is ViDock mandatory if I wanna use the Radeon as an external GPU on my Laptop?

[JesseBAndersen]

@LudiciousKing I don't see any other way.

[eragonn14]

@LudiciousKing seach for AMD XGP

[DIPGLOBAL1]

Can this Vidock 4 be shipped to India?

[JesseBAndersen]

@DIPGLOBAL1 You should really contact someone who sells this. I'm sure that with enough money they can ship the device anywhere on the planet.

[theporkchopchannel]

@JesseBAndersen i just got one i ben trying find vid of it being use for stuff that not a video card know ware i might look on what ben try in this kit

[gato90909]

Will the ViDock 4 work on a laptop with Intel HD graphics? and can you give me a link to video 7?

[JesseBAndersen]

@gato90909 The Lenovo X201T that I used it with had an Intel HD graphics. I had to disable it to run the ViDock. I have hear Optimus enabled graphics cards from Nvidia will work better. But I have no experience with that.

[JesseBAndersen]

@gato90909 /watch?v=g1YOWUAtpWc

[BlueFire240]

what port in the laptop did u plug that into

[JesseBAndersen]

@BlueFire240 Check Vid 7 of 7.

[BlueFire240]

@JesseBAndersen there is no vid 7 of 7

[JesseBAndersen]

@BlueFire240 /watch?v=g1YOWUAtpWc

[nabsterkid]

is there no such thing as a kind of monitor cable into the box from the laptop, to graphics card, to monitor out?

Please help because my laptop doesnt have a express card slot thingy

[JesseBAndersen]

@nabsterkid There are shitty USB based multi-monitor "extenders".  But they are not graphics cards. GPUs process a lot of information and these USB extenders won't do the trick for 3D intensive applications. If you don't have an ExpressCard slot you are in bad luck.

[nabsterkid]

@JesseBAndersen damn, thanks soo much, guess im saving up for a desktop then

[JesseBAndersen]

@nabsterkid What brand do you plan on getting? or will you make your own desktop pc?

[AtheismOwnsGod]

is there anything like this that connects to a laptop via usb?

[JesseBAndersen]

@AtheismOwnsGod The ViDock requires an ExpressCard slot. USB multi monitor extenders exist, but they cannot be used as a "real" graphics cards. USB 1 and 2 are slow and cannot deal with the amount of processing that is needed for intensive 3D programs. It's just not in the same category.

[MadGamer021]

@JesseBAndersen

But what about USB 3.0 that can handle 6Gbps!?

[JesseBAndersen]

@MadGamer021 Mmm maybe. Have you seen a ExpressCard connection to USB 3.0 adapter? As of right now ExpressCard is the only way.

[theporkchopchannel]

@JesseBAndersen what abt black magic card and USB multi monitor extenders you think it work with capture cards

[JesseBAndersen]

@theporkchopchannel I haven't tried it so I wouldn't know. I bet it can be done.

[JesseBAndersen]

@HomeLessGuyToDieFOr I would go for the T series. There are many benefits if you compare the specs.

[JesseBAndersen]

@HomeLessGuyToDieFOr Not with the ViDock.  I sold it.

[JesseBAndersen]

@HomeLessGuyToDieFOr I don't have it anymore. I wanted to perform tests with the X201T to see what the impact would be with the addition of a graphics card. The ViDock is a bit too much work.

[JesseBAndersen]

@HomeLessGuyToDieFOr I have been reminded of that one about 30 times already. Such a terrible mistake.... ;-)

[Happyboy857]

what graphics card would you recommend for a ViDock2

[JesseBAndersen]

@Happyboy857 I have a few of them listed that you can get for the ViDock2.

[FelipMorcego]

I wonder if and need a monitor to play games with Notebook

or just vidock and the notebook has the right .????

[JesseBAndersen]

@FelipMorcego You need a monitor.

[AlexNormonBazzz]

Do you have to have a separate GFX card to attach to all external GFX's?

[JesseBAndersen]

@AlexNormonBazzz What I had during that video: ATI Radeon HD 5770, ViDock 4, Lenovo X201 Tablet (core i7), HP 2509m monitor, mouse and keyboard. That's it.

[PhiladelArt]

Will it work wit internal LCD display only? do desire an additional display

[JesseBAndersen]

@PhiladelArt The ViDock requires an external display. It will NOT use the laptop's screen.

[dafitzboy]

How will this fit into my expresscard slot? That head looks thicker than my slot!

[JesseBAndersen]

@dafitzboy Most laptops come with a card reader slot, usually known as an SD card slot. This is not the same as the ExpressCard slot.

[demiro123]

Can that radeon fit in the vidock 3?

[JesseBAndersen]

@demiro123 It can probably "fit" but the ViDock 3 might not provide enough power to the graphics card.

[demiro123]

@JesseBAndersen Awwwww im not sure if i can afford the vidock 4

[JesseBAndersen]

@demiro123 It's an expensive product and I'm sure it's not meant for most people. It's made for a very targeted audience.

[JesseBAndersen]

@jimklay Only if you have money to spare or absolutely need it (like you design 3D models for a living, or are a hardcore gaming enthusiast). I wouldn't recommend it for most people.

[JesseBAndersen]

@jimklay Search on wikipedia for it and you will find tons of info. Usually the Express Card slot is on the left or right side of the system and yes it's different than the SD Card slot.

[igouroum]

Hello, I have a centrino duo toshiba with the intel gma 950 igp alongside my macbook pro 13" with the geforce 320m graphics. If I add something like a 5770 or a gts 450 in a vidock 4, will my centrino duo laptop get directx 11, tesselations and all other features of this card? also, will it be faster than my macbook pro for gaming, or will there be a bandwidth limitation? thanks.

[JesseBAndersen]

@igouroum If you have Windows 7 and the ViDock 4 + Graphics Card that supports tessellation then you will get those features. There are bandwidth limitations which I have sent you a comment about. (Vid 6 comments).

[bobbymay2509]

ok question, do you need the extra monitor? i have a gatewa FX W6501 and i have a monitor port in the back of my computer. is it possible to hook the Vidock back into my laptop?

[JesseBAndersen]

@bobbymay2509 The ViDock does not send the images back to the laptop, and that's why you must have an external monitor.

[MrRandle8]

hey dude i was wondering if this plug will fit into a sd card slot... or are the expresscard slot and the sd slot the same thing... i have a hp g72

[JesseBAndersen]

@MrRandle8 They are not the same. There's a big difference between SD card slots and Express Card slots. I recommend checking wikipedia to find more detailed info. The ViDock needs an Express Card slot.

[MrRandle8]

@JesseBAndersen ive looked at a converter that goes from expresscard to usb do you think that would work?

[JesseBAndersen]

@MrRandle8 No. It will not work because the ViDock needs a way to deliver a lot of data to a monitor. USB is not fast enough.

[MrRandle8]

@JesseBAndersen so is there no way to do this if i dont have an express card slot?

[JesseBAndersen]

@MrRandle8 You need the express card slot to use the Vidock. There is no other way.

[cooldaddy1234567]

can i still use this if i got an express card 34 to usb adaptor

[JesseBAndersen]

@cooldaddy1234567 No. It needs the Express Card bus. Converting to USB will not work because USB cannot handle as much data as Express Card does. Heavy graphics = heavy data transfers.

[Happyboy857]

is the ati radeon necessary or does the ati radeon come with the vidock 4

[JesseBAndersen]

@Happyboy857 The graphics card does not come with the ViDock. You can use other graphics cards. I have a list of compatible graphic cards at my blog>

[CatXFlash]

Thanks huge help! I have one and this really did help me.

[MrWonnabee]

hey, nice to finally see a unboxing video on this pruduct!

Do this ViDock work with windows XP proffesional?

[JesseBAndersen]

@MrWonnabee Xp, Vista, Win 7, Mac OS X

[MrWonnabee]

@JesseBAndersen Thank you Jesse!