DIY Powered PCIe Riser

[Jama]

Hello all.

I am looking at modifying some standard x1 -> x1 risers to make them powered.
Has anyone done this themselves?

Looking at the pinout of the pci-e socket for x1,x4,x8 and x16 all the pins (A2, A3, B1, B2, B3) are +12v so connecting a 12v wire to any of these should give me a powered riser.
http://cfile3.uf.tistory.com/image/1668D21E4A793AA1229E75

Would I have to cut the 12v wire from the motherboard or just run in parallel to it.

If someone has a spare powered riser laying around and could take a few high res closeups I would really appreciate this.

Thanks.
Jama

On a side note would any UK people be interested in these as I could make a batch.
The ends would be pre-cut allowing a x16 card to fit.

[Jama]

I have answered my own question.
http://blog.zorinaq.com/?e=44

I will leave this here for anyone else who is thinking of doing the same.

I will be offering this as a product in the UK soon, as I have only found US sources.
If anyone is interested drop me a PM.

Jama

[boozer]

Thanks for that... I might try it out.   How do you know what cable to cut?  Very small in the picture...  Probably some pcie drawing somewhere that points to the pins.... makes me nervous thinking about it lol.

[Jama]

Thanks for that... I might try it out.   How do you know what cable to cut?  Very small in the picture...  Probably some pcie drawing somewhere that points to the pins.... makes me nervous thinking about it lol.

Check my 1st post there is a pinout.

If you cut the cable in the middle you can always re-solder if you cut the wrong one.
But go by the age old motto "check twice, cut once" and you should be ok.

Once I have my risers i will make a tutorial with some high res closeups.
I may not have much to offer as I'm on a cash strapped budget but I often do workarounds to help me in my favour.
I am planning to make a tutorial on using a server PSU, as I got a 1300w (106A at 12v) for £11.

Jama

[philips]

There is a small tutorial here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=76121.0

[Jama]

There is a small tutorial here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=76121.0

Thanks that was exactly what i am after.
I won't be making one after all then.

Jama

[philips]

There is a small tutorial here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=76121.0

Thanks that was exactly what i am after.
I won't be making one after all then.

Jama

Those high-res closeups should be nice though to post them here 

[Malawi]

Great tread. Keep it up, and those photos would be really nice.

I Have been thinking about those powered risers - It might be better to use a good transformer instead of a PSU.
You could then set up a power-rail, and connect the risers to that.

Have you checked if there is trouble with electrical interference when the power wires crosses the signal cables?
Would it be wise to use some kind of spacer?

[Jama]

Great tread. Keep it up, and those photos would be really nice.

I Have been thinking about those powered risers - It might be better to use a good transformer instead of a PSU.
You could then set up a power-rail, and connect the risers to that.

Have you checked if there is trouble with electrical interference when the power wires crosses the signal cables?
Would it be wise to use some kind of spacer?

It should be fine signal wise as long as you bring it away from the data lines.

I will have a power-rail.
It is a 1300w server psu which only gives 12v.
It will be connected to all my risers and all the pcie 6pins.
So the PC power supply only deals with motherboard cpu etc.
I plan on making a custom loom for my 6 cards.
I am after another 3 cards so will probably get another 1300w psu and parallel them to give me 2600w (212a) of 12v.
I will post some pictures of this when all my parts get here.

[shilex]

jama can i ask you where did you get the psu?

[Jama]

jama can i ask you where did you get the psu?

eBay.
Just search for sever PSU's.
Once you find one of a desired price/wattage google the model number before buying to check it car be turned on easily.

Mine was easy to power up, it just required the shorting of 2 pins.

[shilex]

thx jama, any news on the powered risers?

[Jama]

thx jama, any news on the powered risers?

I'm still waiting on my batch from China.
I will get some pictures up when they arrive.

[Malawi]

thx jama, any news on the powered risers?

I'm still waiting on my batch from China.
I will get some pictures up when they arrive.

I think you have to short one or two of the other pins at the GPU board to tell it that it's in 1x mode(Unless the standard have changed). Have you thought about how to do that?

I have ordered both 1x-1x risers and 16x-1x risers. I think the coolest option would be the 1x-1x, but ordered the other ones just in case.