Bitcoin Forum

I'm mining ETH with multiple graphic cards (over 20).  I've researched copper wires and wattage.  You guys taught me 16AWG is the wire thickness to use for my cables.  Thanks for that.... Here is my question:

Is it best to rewire all my connections using 16AWG Bare Copper Wire (OFA Wire)? (aka "Pure" Copper)

This would require a complete manual rewiring (ALL, including 6 pin, Molex, etc).   I don't see pre-made OFA wires on the market for graphic cards.  I saw nothing on ebay or amazon selling 6 pin wires using 16 AWG bare copper wire (also known as OFA wire). All on the market are either 18AWG CCA wire, or 16AWG using CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum). 

For those that don't know CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum) is the copper wire manufacturer's way to cut costs.  It combines the 2 metals in the wire. Search on it and you will see what I saw.  It's bad.

This video freaked me out: https://www.youtube.com/embed/TuSkIrdJdcw

I understand the cable connections for mining are only 3 feet. Given the amount of cables in a mining apparatus, from what I surmised the voltage and wattage drop should be significant using CCA wire.

Am I wrong?  Are OFA wires for mining worth the investment?

I ran to my limit of knowledge here.

I was looking at using either Bare Copper Wire (OFA Wire) or 16 AWG Mil-Spec Tin Coated Copper Wire.  Apart from the benfits of temperature and longevity, I couldn't find out how much of a drop the tin coating would affect voltage/wattage drop.

All my cables are made with Belden 9916 wire, which I believe is a tinned copper. CCA's for chumps.

That said, no GPU is going to pull enough current through 16AWG to really matter, as long as your pin contacts are in good shape.

You built the connections yourself?  Our you bought 6+2 pin and 6 Pin connectors that had the Belden cable?

I have been manufacturing and selling cables, often alongside my PSU breakout boards, since early 2014. Cut, crimp, assemble in house.

OK, so compared to what is on the market, which are 16AWG 6 Pin and 6+2 Pin cables that are CCA copper, is it worth me rewiring the system with OFA wires?  I believe you said the power draw was moot, but 180 Watts or 300 Watts of power draw for each card should matter here, no?

@sidehack:  How is the performance of making all the wires yourself compared with buying a 6 pin or 6+2 pin Copper Clad Aluminum wire adapter?  I appreciate the help here.  Its alot of work and I would rather not do it if the advantages are negligible.