Can't set up eGPU (NVIDIA card in Razer Core X) with Surface Pro 11th Edition

Question

I have a Surface Pro edition 11 and it recognizes an attached eGPU but identifies it as a Microsoft Basic Display Adapter and won't allow me to install the NVIDIA drivers. This eGPU has been attached to (and still works with) a Surface Pro 9 running Windows 11. The fact that the Thunderbolt port recognizes the eGPU (NVIDIA card in Razer Core X) tells me it's a driver problem but NVIDIA support tells me the problem lies in Microsoft's yard. Having attached this to an earlier version of the Surface Pro, I am aware of the common problems and fixes, none of which have helped on this new device. Any help resolving this (or pushing NVIDIA to resolve this) is appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi Flion,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

I'm Hahn and I'm here to help you with your concern.

The Surface Pro 11th Edition is powered by Windows 11 Arm®-based Snapdragon® X Elite and Plus processors, and the Razer Core X connects to the device via Intel’s Thunderbolt 3 port, according to the Razer Core X’s support page.

Drivers for hardware, games and apps will only work if they're designed for a Windows 11 Arm-based PC. If a driver doesn’t work, the app or hardware that relies on it won’t work either (at least not fully). Peripherals and devices only work if the drivers they depend on are built into Windows 11, or if the hardware developer has released Arm64 drivers for the device.

Razer Core X - Thunderbolt™ 3 eGPU | Razer United Kingdom

Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

I hope this helps. If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Your Sincerely

Hahn. W - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

I have a Surface Pro edition 11 and it recognizes an attached eGPU but identifies it as a Microsoft Basic Display Adapter and won't allow me to install the NVIDIA drivers. This eGPU has been attached to (and still works with) a Surface Pro 9 running Windows 11. The fact that the Thunderbolt port recognizes the eGPU (NVIDIA card in Razer Core X) tells me it's a driver problem but NVIDIA support tells me the problem lies in Microsoft's yard. Having attached this to an earlier version of the Surface Pro, I am aware of the common problems and fixes, none of which have helped on this new device. Any help resolving this (or pushing NVIDIA to resolve this) is appreciated.

nVidia's support doesn't know what they're talking about. You're absolutely right, it is a driver problem. Drivers can't be emulated; they have to be native to the cpu architecture, x86, x64, ARM64. As Hahn mention, the Surface Pro 11 has an ARM cpu in it, so the reason it can't find driver is because nVidia doesn't have a compatible driver at this point. Microsoft can't fix that for them; nVidia's driver team has to be the ones to release a compatible driver. I don't know if Microsoft can do anything to encourage them, but if I were you I'd definitely follow up on your support case and try to push it back into their court.

Answer 3

After going back and forth with NVIDIA, their stance seems to be that it's your fault that your device isn't compatible with their driver, not the other way around. I disagree but I don't have any way to make them see reason. Here is the last couple of exchanges (notice the turnaround from the next-to-last response and the last response):

Answer 4

Hi Flion,

Thank you for the information on contacting NVIDIA Support. It sounds frustrating dealing with conflicting responses from NVIDIA.

The current problem is that Nvidia has not yet released drivers for the ARM64 architecture, so your Surface Pro 11 cannot correctly identify and use the connected eGPU. Although the system can recognize the eGPU hardware through the Thunderbolt interface, it still displays as "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter" due to incompatible drivers. Unfortunately, you need to wait for Nvidia to release drivers for the ARM64 architecture before trying to solve this problem.

Your Sincerely

Hahn. W - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist