Server PSU or ATX PSU?

[zij]

I'm looking to extend my current set of 6 rigs but with new RX580s drawing more power, I am going to need more than a 1000W PSU to get 6 GPU running off one rig.  I can get 1000W EVGAs for about $150..  But to go up to 1200W or 1300W the price jumps to around $260..

NewEgg sell server PSUs - such as https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4A04496806 for around $55.

It looks like you need to buy a breakout board to plug the PCIE cables into such as: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Breakout-Board-w-8x-6-Pin-to-6-2-PCIe-Cables-for-HP-750w-PSU-Ethereum-ETH-GPU/232124777244

My questions are:

1. Is using a server PSU the way to go and any potential problems?

2. For those that do use server PSUs, do you use a separate PSU for the motherboard and risers?  If so, do you have to get the switching on done in the right order?

Any advice on this appreciated!

[gwestcot]

I'm looking to extend my current set of 6 rigs but with new RX580s drawing more power, I am going to need more than a 1000W PSU to get 6 GPU running off one rig.  I can get 1000W EVGAs for about $150..  But to go up to 1200W or 1300W the price jumps to around $260..

NewEgg sell server PSUs - such as https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4A04496806 for around $55.

It looks like you need to buy a breakout board to plug the PCIE cables into such as: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Breakout-Board-w-8x-6-Pin-to-6-2-PCIe-Cables-for-HP-750w-PSU-Ethereum-ETH-GPU/232124777244

My questions are:

1. Is using a server PSU the way to go and any potential problems?

2. For those that do use server PSUs, do you use a separate PSU for the motherboard and risers?  If so, do you have to get the switching on done in the right order?

Any advice on this appreciated!

I use pcpartpicker to show me what the best deals are on parts but I can tell you right now that the cheapest non-distributor prices for a 1300W is 219.89. Superbiiz also has them for 179.99 but they are out of stock right now.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1012719-REG/evga_120_g2_1300_xr_supernova_1300_g2_power.html

[DevonMiner]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Breakout-Board-w-8x-6-Pin-to-6-2-PCIe-Cables-for-HP-750w-PSU-Ethereum-ETH-GPU/232124777244


I've been trying to track those breakout boards down in the UK, but so far only USA links have been fruitful. The price, along with shipping makes them quite expensive ... anyone know of a UK seller ?

[gwestcot]

I don't think prices are quite as good across the pond as here in the U.S. This is the best I could find with a quick search but I don't even think it is cheaper than the Amazon prices that you have probably already seen.

https://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/powersupplies/over1001w/

[iamnoobplzhelp]

Server PSUs are definitely worth it.
It's also better to use 220v vs 110v.

They both require more work.

If you only have 1,2,3 mining rigs, probably not worth it to go through the effort of using server PSUs and converting to 220v.

If you are running a farm or plan on building 10+, then yeah, get some server PSUs.

In the end, the longer you don't have miners running the more money you are losing. If you have to spend $100 extra on a PSU, but it'll be much shorter to get started mining, then do it. If you want to spend the extra time to get it setup and working correctly, it would be worth it in the long run if you are continually build mining machines.

[gwestcot]

Server PSUs are definitely worth it.
It's also better to use 220v vs 110v.

They both require more work.

If you only have 1,2,3 mining rigs, probably not worth it to go through the effort of using server PSUs and converting to 220v.

If you are running a farm or plan on building 10+, then yeah, get some server PSUs.

In the end, the longer you don't have miners running the more money you are losing. If you have to spend $100 extra on a PSU, but it'll be much shorter to get started mining, then do it. If you want to spend the extra time to get it setup and working correctly, it would be worth it in the long run if you are continually build mining machines.

Well the normal PSU units will take up to 240V so its really of no consequence. If you are building a large farm I would still go with the EVGA power supply units but instead put the entire rig into a rack mountable 4U case so that you can more effectively utilize space and optimize/control heat better.

[uray]

ATX
- its more expensive
- not designed for 24/7 (but its not a problem anyway just wear off faster)
+ its more safe (more protection, covered by 80+ standard, designed to work on wide working condition)
+ covered by long warranty
+ more availability
+ does not need custom breakout (all ATX standard))

Server
- less safe (less protection feature than higrade ATX, had strict working condition requirement)
- warranty ? (its complicated to claim RMA)
- less availability
- need custom breakout cables
+ designed for 24/7 with server grade room condition (temp and humidity)
+ cheaper

[Djentriser]

I think that you can go with the server psu. For the rx series you will need 6 cables with two 6+2 pins so that you can power the card with one of the 8 pins and power the riser with the other end of the cable. You will need a version 006C for the risers. It's very clean and the less you joint cables the better.

[uray]

I think that you can go with the server psu. For the rx series you will need 6 cables with two 6+2 pins so that you can power the card with one of the 8 pins and power the riser with the other end of the cable. You will need a version 006C for the risers. It's very clean and the less you joint cables the better.

and also you can use PCIE Splitter cable so one GPU only use 1 PSU's cable, and  (for GPU+Riser) its safe assuming splitter cable at least use 18awg wire

[fanatic26]

ATX
- its more expensive
- not designed for 24/7 (but its not a problem anyway just wear off faster)
+ its more safe (more protection, covered by 80+ standard, designed to work on wide working condition) <-- this is wrong. Servers PSUs are covered by the same standards and are almost assuredly more efficient as a general rule.
+ covered by long warranty
+ more availability
+ does not need custom breakout (all ATX standard)) <-- You do not need to buy an expensive breakout board. You can build one your self with an $8 soldering iron and some PCI-E pigtails.

Server
- less safe (less protection feature than higrade ATX, had strict working condition requirement) <--Not true, server PSUs in general have BETTER protection circuitry because they are powering devices worth tens of thousands of dollars.
- warranty ? (its complicated to claim RMA)
- less availability
- need custom breakout cables
+ designed for 24/7 with server grade room condition (temp and humidity) <-- in my experience server PSUs can handle much greater heat loads. I have even had servers PSUs sprayed down by a damaged misting system that did nothing but shut off until they dried out.
+ cheaper

[NiHaoMike]

In my experience, surplus server PSUs are so cheap that when you can easily buy 4 or more for the price of an equivalent ATX unit, warranty doesn't really matter. Just keep a few spares on the shelf.

[topgeek]

A consideration:  often server psus are very loud (if that is relativant to your environment).

[NiHaoMike]

A consideration:  often server psus are very loud (if that is relativant to your environment).

The HPs I have worked with are pretty quiet. Almost certainly quieter than the mining setup you'll run with them.

[pikachuy]

A consideration:  often server psus are very loud (if that is relativant to your environment).

The HPs I have worked with are pretty quiet. Almost certainly quieter than the mining setup you'll run with them.

It all depends on how much load you put on them. For example, if you are pushing the HP's server psu near it's limit(close to max wattage), it's like a screaming banshee. But if you are only using about 30-50% load or so, then it'll just be humming.

[Marvell1]

im standardizing to 1500 watt rosewill quark psus so i can dusl mine
they have a ton of cables for up to 8 gpus and are way quiter than server psus
also they have next day replacement inly company that will send rma withoute reciving damaged
units back and a 10 year waranty.  they will hold thier value too  when mining ends

[PcChip]

question for those running those HP "1200W" power supplies (that are actually only 900W at 120vac),

how hard are you pushing them?

I only have three GTX1070's on one right now and it's already hot as hell, can it actually handle 900W?



to answer OP's question about switching, you can get fancy and rig up something to switch them on at the same time, or do what I do: just switch on the GPU's a second before the main system

[NiHaoMike]

You want at least 20% margin throughout the power delivery setup, including the PSUs.

[Vaccinus]

atx psu are better they offer surge protection, they are also more plug and play and less hassles, but they cost more, personally i would go with atx, saving $200 is not that important now with the current profit, you can roi in the same time

[MA3A]

Personally myself i prefer server psu, for the a good reasons stated above, i agree its more tolerant to environmental conditions vs PC ATX.
I also agree about margin, never load PSU to above 80% not critical, but certainly truly stresses it if you go above.
Breakout cable is not a problem.
There are server PSU's that can handle over 200A on 12V rail - im not aware of any PC psu that can handle that (some IBM BLADE's for example) they have some funky nreakout adapter-cable, but hey ....200Amps.. )
any recycling company just trashes those HP/DELL/IBM power supplies and will sell them to you for like 15-20$ a piece in working order, so no competition near, i just buy 5 right away and if need arises will swap... just seen a couple times when psu swap was needed.

[zij]

I think that you can go with the server psu. For the rx series you will need 6 cables with two 6+2 pins so that you can power the card with one of the 8 pins and power the riser with the other end of the cable. You will need a version 006C for the risers. It's very clean and the less you joint cables the better.

and also you can use PCIE Splitter cable so one GPU only use 1 PSU's cable, and  (for GPU+Riser) its safe assuming splitter cable at least use 18awg wire

https://i.imgur.com/1vx0MwZ.jpg

Is there a maximum recommended watts per cable from the breakout board - to ensure the GPU+Riser with the splitter cable don't overload things?