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Other => CPU/GPU Bitcoin mining hardware => Topic started by: PandaMiner on June 22, 2011, 10:26:13 AM



Title: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 22, 2011, 10:26:13 AM
The best video cards need TWO (2) 6-pin power connections, and it is NOT recommended to use Y-splitters in any configuration.

I don't know of any power supply units (PSU) that have more than six of those 6-pin power connections.  

How do you mine with four physical cards in a self contained rig (not a rack style multi-rig)?

Thanks for your time.

Dave


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: Whiplash450 on June 22, 2011, 01:30:31 PM
I'm running a system with 4 x 6970 (which require 1 8pin & 1 6pin each) and I'm using a Silverstone Strider 1500W. The PSU has 4 pcie cables with a 6+2pin and a 6pin.
My motherboard is an MSI 890FXA-GD70 for AM3 socket, that has 5 pcie slots(but 4 that can be used with a 1 slot gap for dual-slot GPU cards) and my case has 8pci expansion slots on the back.
So its fairly easy to run a 4 card setup even if those cards are dual slot.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: CydeWeys on June 22, 2011, 02:46:08 PM
I'm running a 4x5830 Radeon setup (each of which takes 2x6 pin PCIe power connectors) off a Corsair 850 Watt PSU.  The PSU only provides four 6-pin PCIe power connectors; however, it does have a lot more 4-pin Molex power connectors, which I've plugged four of the Molex-to-PCIe adapters that came with the videocards into.  No issues there.  Note that these aren't splitters, they're just adapters, and they come with the cards, so presumably they're safe to use (otherwise Sapphire wouldn't ship 'em?).


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: hugolp on June 22, 2011, 03:00:00 PM
Im using this http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6662 . It has 8 pci-e connectors, 1000W and is powering 4 OC 5870 with ease (a total of 805W). It has an efficiency of 90-92% (which is an important factor if you are going to run it 24/7). Its very quiet too, but this is not important in this case with the 4 cards making a lot of noise.

Worth the money.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 22, 2011, 10:48:42 PM
Note that these aren't splitters, they're just adapters, and they come with the cards, so presumably they're safe to use (otherwise Sapphire wouldn't ship 'em?).

Noted.  I never thought of adapters!!   +1

Im using this http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6662 . It has 8 pci-e connectors, 1000W and is powering 4 OC 5870 with ease (a total of 805W).

Pretty cool.  I'll have to google the price. +1


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: CubedRoot on June 23, 2011, 01:05:31 AM
Amazon has the Coolermaster Silent Pro Gold 1000w PSU for around $199 in stock.  Heres a link:
http://amzn.to/kY3zIO

I am running 3 5850's and a 5870 in my rig right now, and I am powering it with a 850w Corsair.  Heres the link to it:
http://amzn.to/jDOAsv

Its a damn good PSU.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 23, 2011, 03:58:31 AM
I hear the Corsairs' cables are too stiff and not long enough for a bottom-mount case.

I want to both mount on the bottom, AND route through the back of the motherboard.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: CanaryInTheMine on June 23, 2011, 04:04:58 AM
I have 2 ST1500 for 4 6990s... I'm in the process of adding a 5th one.
This ain't cheap...


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: max in montreal on June 23, 2011, 04:13:37 AM
I'm running a system with 4 x 6970 (which require 1 8pin & 1 6pin each) and I'm using a Silverstone Strider 1500W. The PSU has 4 pcie cables with a 6+2pin and a 6pin.
My motherboard is an MSI 890FXA-GD70 for AM3 socket, that has 5 pcie slots(but 4 that can be used with a 1 slot gap for dual-slot GPU cards) and my case has 8pci expansion slots on the back.
So its fairly easy to run a 4 card setup even if those cards are dual slot.

What case are you using?


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: CanaryInTheMine on June 23, 2011, 04:20:45 AM
I'm running a system with 4 x 6970 (which require 1 8pin & 1 6pin each) and I'm using a Silverstone Strider 1500W. The PSU has 4 pcie cables with a 6+2pin and a 6pin.
My motherboard is an MSI 890FXA-GD70 for AM3 socket, that has 5 pcie slots(but 4 that can be used with a 1 slot gap for dual-slot GPU cards) and my case has 8pci expansion slots on the back.
So its fairly easy to run a 4 card setup even if those cards are dual slot.

What case are you using?

TJ11.  got it cheap and love it. it has a fantastic design and I'm able to close the side panels with appropriate amount of fans for proper heat/airflow dispersal.  with more GPUs being supported by 11.6 drivers, I will be adding more cards in the empty 5.25 bay... there's plenty of room to "hang" them there...


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: melco on June 23, 2011, 07:28:25 AM
I'm running a system with 4 x 6970 (which require 1 8pin & 1 6pin each) and I'm using a Silverstone Strider 1500W. The PSU has 4 pcie cables with a 6+2pin and a 6pin.
My motherboard is an MSI 890FXA-GD70 for AM3 socket, that has 5 pcie slots(but 4 that can be used with a 1 slot gap for dual-slot GPU cards) and my case has 8pci expansion slots on the back.
So its fairly easy to run a 4 card setup even if those cards are dual slot.

I use MSI 790FX-GD70 Socket AM3, that also has 5 pcie slots (4*x16,1*x1 physical size). Also I use 2xChieftec APS-800C connected with each other on green powerOn signal cable and black ground cable. Works like a charm.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 23, 2011, 07:29:02 AM
I use MSI 790FX-GD70 Socket AM3, that also has 5 pcie slots (4*x16,1*x1 physical size). Also I use 2xChieftec APS-800C connected with each other on green powerOn signal cable and black ground cable. Works like a magic.

Very nice.  That's a $200 board, right? D= DrMos, G= Gamer (orange box).  OR am I thinking of the 870A-GD70?


TJ11.  got it cheap and love it.

How much is cheap? I hear these suckers go for $600 to $700!


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: melco on June 23, 2011, 08:17:51 AM
I use MSI 790FX-GD70 Socket AM3, that also has 5 pcie slots (4*x16,1*x1 physical size). Also I use 2xChieftec APS-800C connected with each other on green powerOn signal cable and black ground cable. Works like a magic.

Very nice.  That's a $200 board, right? D= DrMos, G= Gamer (orange box).  OR am I thinking of the 870A-GD70?

Nope. This (http://www.msi.com/product/mb/790FX-GD70.html) one. Got two such for 86$ each (I live in Ukraine. They are still available for order).
All except GPUs: Mobo 86$ + CPU AMD Sempron 140 36$ + Kingston DDR3-1333 1024MB PC3-10600 (KVR1333D3N9/1G) 13$ + 2* Chieftec APS-800C 123$ = 381$ total


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: rograz on June 23, 2011, 09:26:44 AM
Running 4x Sapphire 5850 Xtreme on a corsair 650 TX perfectly stable pulling 630W(around 85% eff) from the wall so there is still some headroom. I wouldnt try it with any other 5850s tho since the Xtreme cards seem to pull about 15-20w less than other 5850s.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: Whiplash450 on June 23, 2011, 12:26:45 PM
I'm running a system with 4 x 6970 (which require 1 8pin & 1 6pin each) and I'm using a Silverstone Strider 1500W. The PSU has 4 pcie cables with a 6+2pin and a 6pin.
My motherboard is an MSI 890FXA-GD70 for AM3 socket, that has 5 pcie slots(but 4 that can be used with a 1 slot gap for dual-slot GPU cards) and my case has 8pci expansion slots on the back.
So its fairly easy to run a 4 card setup even if those cards are dual slot.

What case are you using?

I'm using the In Win Ironclad ~100 euros from Amazon although I've seen it cheaper if you are prepared to look around a bit.

The cables on the Silverstone 1500W are about 50cm long and probably good enough for any top/bottom mount config that you could think of. Only problem is that the PSU is very expensive ~280 euros.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: Mabsark on June 23, 2011, 06:48:26 PM
If you've got a modular PSU and not enough PCIE cables, couldn't you just buy more cables?


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 24, 2011, 12:28:14 AM
If you've got a modular PSU and not enough PCIE cables, couldn't you just buy more cables?

No, not really.  When you buy a modular PSU, it comes with ALL cables it can handle. So, the X4 1200w, for example, supports 6 6/2-pin cables, and includes 6 6/2-pin cables.  (That's 3 video cards)

If you need 2 more, you will need a converter to/from a molex, apparently.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: Mabsark on June 24, 2011, 01:04:30 AM
If you've got a modular PSU and not enough PCIE cables, couldn't you just buy more cables?

No, not really.  When you buy a modular PSU, it comes with ALL cables it can handle. So, the X4 1200w, for example, supports 6 6/2-pin cables, and includes 6 6/2-pin cables.  (That's 3 video cards)

If you need 2 more, you will need a converter to/from a molex, apparently.

So, whats the difference between adding an extra molar cable and adding an extra 6-pin PCIE cable?


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 24, 2011, 01:47:44 AM
Well, I guess the only difference is that you would need a 4pin-Molex-to-6/8pin-PCIe modular cable. Not sure if they make those.

I think they make molex-to-6/8pin adapters. You could use an adapter with a molex-to-molex cable.
This would be a perfect solution.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: Mabsark on June 24, 2011, 02:54:04 AM
Well, I guess the only difference is that you would need a 4pin-Molex-to-6/8pin-PCIe modular cable. Not sure if they make those.

I think they make molex-to-6/8pin adapters. You could use an adapter with a molex-to-molex cable.
This would be a perfect solution.

So why couldn't you just use a 6 pin PSU to 6 pin PCIE cable directly, instead of a using a 6 pin PSU to 4pin molex cable combined with a 2 molex to PCIE adaptor? That's what I don't get and it seems extremely odd to me. If you can use the molex adaptors, then you should just be able to replace the whole molex cable with a PCIE cable.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: gmannn on June 24, 2011, 03:54:34 AM
http://www.amazon.com/Diablotek-600-Watt-Power-Supply-PSDA600/dp/B003UWNL2O

a 35 dollar PSU, 600 watts.  powering 2x 5830 and 2x 5770 for a total 1ghash.

Underclocked single core sempron, no hard drives.  running linuxcoin via usb stick and 3x fans to keep things below 70c.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 24, 2011, 05:45:04 AM
So why couldn't you just use a 6 pin PSU to 6 pin PCIE cable directly,...

I don't know why you are not getting it.  Here's a picture.

I don't KNOW if "they" make a 5pin-molex to 6/8pin-PCIe power cable.  But if not, then one must use an adapter in conjunction with a 5pin-psu(molex) cable.

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd492/PandaMarketer/psu-pcie-card-max.png


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 24, 2011, 05:49:43 AM
a 35 dollar PSU, 600 watts.  powering 2x 5830 and 2x 5770 for a total 1ghash.

How are you powering the four cards? The specs I read show only 2 x PCIe 6+2 cables.  You must be using adapters.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: CanaryInTheMine on June 24, 2011, 05:54:50 AM
a 35 dollar PSU, 600 watts.  powering 2x 5830 and 2x 5770 for a total 1ghash.

How are you powering the four cards? The specs I read show only 2 x PCIe 6+2 cables.  You must be using adapters.

better details here:

2x6 and 2x(6+2) connectors


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 24, 2011, 06:28:12 AM
Canary, So you are using TWO rigs to get your 1ghash?

'Cause if you're not using adapters, and your PSU only has four cables (two 6pins, and two 6+2pins), then it can only support two physical cards (not counting on-board GPUs).


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: CanaryInTheMine on June 24, 2011, 06:46:08 AM
Canary, So you are using TWO rigs to get your 1ghash?

'Cause if you're not using adapters, and your PSU only has four cables (two 6pins, and two 6+2pins), then it can only support two physical cards (not counting on-board GPUs).

I think you are confusing me with gmannn...  and it would be very easy to power his setup... 5830's are clearly covered...

5770 only needs 1 6-pin.  it would be very easy to convert 4 pin molex to 6 pin.  The PSU gmannn is referring to is fully capable of his setup.

Also, cards typically include such molex converters etc...  Don't confuse this with Y-splitters...

Hope this helps.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: gmannn on June 24, 2011, 06:50:38 AM
a 35 dollar PSU, 600 watts.  powering 2x 5830 and 2x 5770 for a total 1ghash.

How are you powering the four cards? The specs I read show only 2 x PCIe 6+2 cables.  You must be using adapters.

Yes the built in pcie cables power the 5830s (2 plugs each card), and I use 2-molex>1-6pin adapters that came with 5770s to power them.  the 5770s only need a single 6pin.  


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: Mabsark on June 24, 2011, 07:05:07 AM
So why couldn't you just use a 6 pin PSU to 6 pin PCIE cable directly,...

I don't know why you are not getting it.  Here's a picture.

I don't KNOW if "they" make a 5pin-molex to 6/8pin-PCIe power cable.  But if not, then one must use an adapter in conjunction with a 5pin-psu(molex) cable.


I've never seen those 5 pin peripheral sockets before. All the modular PSUs I've seen use 6 pin peripheral connectors that look just like 6 pin PCIE plugs.


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: melco on June 24, 2011, 09:46:56 AM
Well, I guess the only difference is that you would need a 4pin-Molex-to-6/8pin-PCIe modular cable. Not sure if they make those.

I think they make molex-to-6/8pin adapters. You could use an adapter with a molex-to-molex cable.
This would be a perfect solution.
Why not to use Y-slitter to split 6pin PCIe to 2*6pin PCIe?


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: PandaMiner on June 24, 2011, 11:54:48 AM
Why not to use Y-slitter to split 6pin PCIe to 2*6pin PCIe?

As I stated in the OP, Y-splitters are not recommended by the video card manufacturers.  That, and I don't have any. :P


Title: Re: What PSU do you use with a 4 GPU rig?
Post by: Dyaheon on June 24, 2011, 02:27:00 PM
So why couldn't you just use a 6 pin PSU to 6 pin PCIE cable directly,...

I don't know why you are not getting it.  Here's a picture.

I don't KNOW if "they" make a 5pin-molex to 6/8pin-PCIe power cable.  But if not, then one must use an adapter in conjunction with a 5pin-psu(molex) cable.


I've never seen those 5 pin peripheral sockets before. All the modular PSUs I've seen use 6 pin peripheral connectors that look just like 6 pin PCIE plugs.


http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules/NDReviews/images/SF-1300/DSC05930.jpg

Mine looks like that, all slots are identical. I suppose with a PSU like that, you could try to acquire more cables instead of using molex->6pin adapters. However, it's easier to use adapters than acquire more pci-e cables :)