Would you recommend a regular PSU per rig or server PSU?

[nu1mlock]

Hello,

I've ordered components for five rigs with 6x RX 570 cards. In a few weeks, I'll be ordering another 10 but might go with Nvidia instead depending on the market. I'm planning on at least another 20 after that within a few months.

Would you recommend a single powerful PSU for each rig or would you rather go with a smaller PSU for motherboard and risers and then a server PSU to power the GPU's? Perhaps a single powerful server PSU for two rigs, depending on the rig?

With AMD cards, I'm looking at around 1000W per rig but was thinking of doing 6x GTX 1080 Ti's in a couple for around 1500W each (not sure about this number though, just going off of what the manufacturer claims).

[couture]

I too am interested in this

It comes down to does the server PSU cost plus server PSU break out board plus small atx PSU cost more or less than one or two platinum rated computer PSUs...


I'm having trouble locating breakout boards for a good price to the UK so if anyone knows of any... please let me know!

[Vann]

Server PSU's are much cheaper to use than comparable ATX PSU's but the fans are loud if you plan to use them in a living space. ParallelMiner has server PSU kits and breakoutboards. They ship internationally and also take Crypto.

http://www.parallelminer.com/product-category/power-supply-kit

[iamnoobplzhelp]

I use a server power supply like this to power the cards and the risers for up to 8 cards.
http://www.parallelminer.com/product/hp-1200-watt-power-supply-kit-for-gpu-mining-platinum-94-zec-dash-eth/
Then I use a ~400w PSU for the motherboard and SSD.

You also want to use PCIe 6 pin powered risers, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Optimal-Shop-Extension-Cable-GPU-Cable-Ethereum/dp/B072HYTBVQ

Then use a GPU power splitter like this to power both the card and the riser:
http://www.parallelminer.com/product/18awg-pci-e-6pin-to-dual-8-pin-y-splitter-extension-cable-2x-62pin-cable-6in-each-side/

Safest way to power the risers.

[nu1mlock]

Then use a GPU power splitter like this to power both the card and the riser:
http://www.parallelminer.com/product/18awg-pci-e-6pin-to-dual-8-pin-y-splitter-extension-cable-2x-62pin-cable-6in-each-side/

Safest way to power the risers.

Is this really a good idea? I mean, the 8-pin cable is rated for 150W. On a GPU with 2x 8-pins you'll of course use two separate cables, but splitting one of those cables doesn't seem like such a good idea.

It'd work just fine for GPU's that use 6-pins of course. But what do I know, I'm no expert.

Edit: Is it a good idea to power GPU's in two different rigs with the same server PSU?

[iamnoobplzhelp]

Then use a GPU power splitter like this to power both the card and the riser:
http://www.parallelminer.com/product/18awg-pci-e-6pin-to-dual-8-pin-y-splitter-extension-cable-2x-62pin-cable-6in-each-side/

Safest way to power the risers.

Is this really a good idea? I mean, the 8-pin cable is rated for 150W. On a GPU with 2x 8-pins you'll of course use two separate cables, but splitting one of those cables doesn't seem like such a good idea.

It'd work just fine for GPU's that use 6-pins of course. But what do I know, I'm no expert.

Edit: Is it a good idea to power GPU's in two different rigs with the same server PSU?

The 8 pin cable means that the power supply is rated to give 150w of power. The cables themselves can deliver way more. They are 16awg, which is better than the 20 or 18awg that you normally get. The server power supply can give 1200w/6gpu = 200w per card. Any excess of 150w from the GPU will come from the riser.
Molex connectors can only give 50w, and the SATA connectors can only give 35w. Those adapters can also melt.

Also, hopefully you're undervolting so you're using less than 100w per card.

[iamnoobplzhelp]

Edit: Is it a good idea to power GPU's in two different rigs with the same server PSU?

I guess it's possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. Going this way is cheaper than buying a 1500w+ PSU anyway. The way the server PSU works is you power on the server PSU then you turn on the motherboard. It's fine to leave the server PSU on for restarts.

[nu1mlock]

The 8 pin cable means that the power supply is rated to give 150w of power. The cables themselves can deliver way more.

This is great information, thank you!

Going this way is cheaper than buying a 1500w+ PSU anyway.

It's not really cheaper than purchasing an EVGA G2 1600W where I live, but the EVGA PSU doesn't have enough cables for 6x GTX 1080 Ti + 6x 6-pin risers.

Speaking of which, would it be fine to power 4x 6-pin risers with the server PSU and 2x 6-pin risers with the "regular" PSU? Would that cause any issues?

Also, hopefully you're undervolting so you're using less than 100w per card.

No, I will not undervolt a GTX 1080 Ti to use less than 100W per card. Is that even possible?


Edit: Although this website claims that the 8-pin (6+2) official connector wattage is 150W and the sata connector is 75W+ (12V and 5V combined, which should be fine with a riser and voltage regulator):
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#pciexpress8
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#sata

[fanatic26]

Just as an FYI to you guys you can power GPUs seperately from the risers and motherboard with no issues. You dont even need to power cycle the cards when you power cycle the motherboard. I have tons of rigs running 600w ATX PSUs powering risers and the motherboard with 94% efficiency server PSUs on all the cards.

[iamnoobplzhelp]

If you can get a 1600w+ Platinum PSU for less than a server PSU, then you have to let me know. Those are like $350+ for me. The server PSU is like $80 + 400W PSU for like $30 = $110, way cheaper for me.

I am actually not familiar with nVidia cards for mining at all. All of my mining cards are AMD, so I can't give any advice about undervolt. I have my RX 480s at about 70w each and 580s at 85w each.

[couture]

If you can get a 1600w+ Platinum PSU for less than a server PSU, then you have to let me know. Those are like $350+ for me. The server PSU is like $80 + 400W PSU for like $30 = $110, way cheaper for me.

I am actually not familiar with nVidia cards for mining at all. All of my mining cards are AMD, so I can't give any advice about undervolt. I have my RX 480s at about 70w each and 580s at 85w each.

Are you running ethOS by chance? Getting those undervolts on the 5xx series?

[couture]

Server PSU's are much cheaper to use than comparable ATX PSU's but the fans are loud if you plan to use them in a living space. ParallelMiner has server PSU kits and breakoutboards. They ship internationally and also take Crypto.

http://www.parallelminer.com/product-category/power-supply-kit

Thankyou Do you know how if there is a way to run the 24pin mobo supply from a server PSU? I.e lots of people running the two PSUs, but is there no way to run power from the breakout board from the server PSU to power the mobo? Not just power the GPUs?

[nu1mlock]

If you can get a 1600w+ Platinum PSU for less than a server PSU, then you have to let me know. Those are like $350+ for me. The server PSU is like $80 + 400W PSU for like $30 = $110, way cheaper for me.

I am actually not familiar with nVidia cards for mining at all. All of my mining cards are AMD, so I can't give any advice about undervolt. I have my RX 480s at about 70w each and 580s at 85w each.

Well, when I look at PSU's I never purchase the cheapest one. Of course, there are cheap 400W you can get for close to free, but a quality PSU like an EVGA 650W is still €100 here in Sweden. The 550W variant is €1 cheaper. Then add a 2400W server PSU for $170 including shipping to Sweden and I'm quite close to what an EVGA G2 1600W costs. Not including any VAT or custom expenses that might be added when importing. With them included, it'll be more expensive than just buying an EVGA G2 1600W. Unfortunately, that PSU doesn't have enough 8-pin connectors for 6x GTX 1080 Ti's.

Of course, this is for 6x GTX 1080 Ti which use a more power than 6x RX 570/580.

[PanneKopp]

if you can afford and integrate take the server one

I love Supermicro (ablecom) platinum PSU.

[iamnoobplzhelp]

If you can get a 1600w+ Platinum PSU for less than a server PSU, then you have to let me know. Those are like $350+ for me. The server PSU is like $80 + 400W PSU for like $30 = $110, way cheaper for me.

I am actually not familiar with nVidia cards for mining at all. All of my mining cards are AMD, so I can't give any advice about undervolt. I have my RX 480s at about 70w each and 580s at 85w each.

Are you running ethOS by chance? Getting those undervolts on the 5xx series?

Nope. Just -96mv on MSI afterburner. I want to go further, but that's the max on afterburner.

This rig has been running for 90+ hours.

http://imgur.com/a/xQyAl

[Elder III]

Then use a GPU power splitter like this to power both the card and the riser:
http://www.parallelminer.com/product/18awg-pci-e-6pin-to-dual-8-pin-y-splitter-extension-cable-2x-62pin-cable-6in-each-side/

Safest way to power the risers.

Is this really a good idea? I mean, the 8-pin cable is rated for 150W. On a GPU with 2x 8-pins you'll of course use two separate cables, but splitting one of those cables doesn't seem like such a good idea.

It'd work just fine for GPU's that use 6-pins of course. But what do I know, I'm no expert.

Edit: Is it a good idea to power GPU's in two different rigs with the same server PSU?

With a server psu like this one it's actually designed to power two mining rigs worth of GPUs. This does require 240v in order to run it.  http://www.parallelminer.com/product/2400-watt-power-supply-kit-for-gpu-mining-94-efficiency-200-240v-ethereum-eth-zec-dash/