6 GPU SETUP - only 4 GPU Working

[MrLimitless]

Hello Everyone!

I'm here to ask for some guidance. Before anyone else says so, I have searched through forums to try and figure out why it isnt working. I haven't come across a solution.

What Parts I am using.

• 6 x Gigabyte GTX Nvidia 1070
• MSI z170a SLI PLUS motherboard (has 6 pci slots)
• LEPA 1600w Power Supply
• Intel Pentium Processor G4400
• PCI-e risers

What I've Done so far

So far I have used bios settings to m-flash into the latest update. That is version 7998v1B.

I have changed PEG0 and PEG1 to GEN1 both. I also enabled 4G decoding.

Whenever I turn on my rig, Windows 10 boots up and in device manager it only shows me 4 1070 GPU detected.

I am confused and am willing to try anything to do this! Even if I have to send someone $20-30 in BTC, I will. Someone please help me!

Thank you!

[Vann]

Make sure the risers are attached all the way to the cards and recheck all the connections. It's also very possible you could have bad risers. Try switching the risers around.

[MrLimitless]

Make sure the risers are attached all the way to the cards and recheck all the connections. It's also very possible you could have bad risers. Try switching the risers around.

Do you have a suggestion on what risers to use? I bought a package of risers and I didnt hear good reviews about them. Also, is it a bad idea to use the PCI extended cable?

[Vann]

I use 6-pin PCI-E risers. Three thicker wires that are designed to spread a higher 12V load instead of two used by molex and sata connectors. The 6-pin risers also use four capacitors for a more stable current flow compared to the three used by the molex and sata risers. The good ones also come with a voltage regulator to prevent spikes. The problem is they are sold out everywhere, so you have to order them from China which can take 2-3 weeks. That's why it's a good idea to order twice as many risers as you think you will need. Nothing worse that having cards idle while you wait for risers.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/TISHRIC-VER006C-Blue-PCI-E-Extender-1x-to-16x-PCI-Express-Riser-Card-60cm-USB-3/32808611545.html

I don't recommend using unpowered risers. PCI-E 3.0 cards tend to draw more power from the slot and the ribbon cable wires are too thin to use under constant load.

[MrLimitless]

Thanks! So you think my issue is the risers right? How can i check if the issue is actually the risers? Should I remove all GPU and connect one by one and see which one detects and which one doesn't?

I use 6-pin PCI-E risers. Three thicker wires that are designed to spread a higher 12V load instead of two used by molex and sata connectors. The 6-pin risers also use four capacitors for a more stable current flow compared to the three used by the molex and sata risers. The good ones also come with a voltage regulator to prevent spikes. The problem is they are sold out everywhere, so you have to order them from China which can take 2-3 weeks. That's why it's a good idea to order twice as many risers as you think you will need. Nothing worse that having cards idle while you wait for risers.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/TISHRIC-VER006C-Blue-PCI-E-Extender-1x-to-16x-PCI-Express-Riser-Card-60cm-USB-3/32808611545.html

I don't recommend using unpowered risers. PCI-E 3.0 cards tend to draw more power from the slot and the ribbon cable wires are too thin to use under constant load.

[Nokia555]

Hi,

Check that all risers are safely connected like here:


Also can you post what kind of risers you have?

[MrLimitless]

Hi,

Yes I checked the risers and they seem to all be properly connected.

Here is the riser I purchased.

6-Pack PCI-E 16x to 1x Powered Riser Adapter Card w/ 50cm USB 3.0 Extension Cable & MOLEX to SATA Power Cable - GPU Riser Extender Cable

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3UVJHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_bp49YsnUio42s

Hi,

Check that all risers are safely connected like here:
https://i0.wp.com/1stminingrig.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/PCI-express-to-mini-pci-express-adapter-Riser-Card-Mini-ITX-to-external-3-PCI-E-e1497078829266.jpg

Also can you post what kind of risers you have?

[oddwh]

Are you sure this motherboard can use all his pci-e ports at the same time ?

Did you find somebody on a forum who has this card ?

[MrLimitless]

I believe so! It has the slots, and I've seen a couple people use it.

http://www.cryptominingtalk.com/6-gpu-rx570-with-z170a-rig-build/

Are you sure this motherboard can use all his pci-e ports at the same time ?

Did you find somebody on a forum who has this card ?

[BitcoinPC]

As a last resort I have a suggestion.  Since a motherboard and sideboard is significantly less expensive than the video cards, well close, perhaps using two "PCs".  As long as the setup is strong and you have SSH into another machine, then you can set up in an "in house" pool manner and be using all the resources. 

[Sweetbtc]

Hello Everyone!

I'm here to ask for some guidance. Before anyone else says so, I have searched through forums to try and figure out why it isnt working. I haven't come across a solution.

What Parts I am using.

• 6 x Gigabyte GTX Nvidia 1070
• MSI z170a SLI PLUS motherboard (has 6 pci slots)
• LEPA 1600w Power Supply
• Intel Pentium Processor G4400
• PCI-e risers

What I've Done so far

So far I have used bios settings to m-flash into the latest update. That is version 7998v1B.

I have changed PEG0 and PEG1 to GEN1 both. I also enabled 4G decoding.

Whenever I turn on my rig, Windows 10 boots up and in device manager it only shows me 4 1070 GPU detected.

I am confused and am willing to try anything to do this! Even if I have to send someone $20-30 in BTC, I will. Someone please help me!

Thank you!

It may seem like you are not getting what you want out of the six cards, but technically, they are pooled and all the power is being used to one job. 

[Vann]

You also need to install Windows in UEFI mode:

How to test whether Windows 10 was installed with UEFI?

https://superuser.com/questions/946868/how-to-test-whether-windows-10-was-installed-with-uefi

[MrLimitless]

I just checked and it says my BIOS mode is "LEGACY." I'm assuming this shouldn't be the case? If so, should I reformat my SSD and re-install as UEFI.

You also need to install Windows in UEFI mode:

How to test whether Windows 10 was installed with UEFI?

https://superuser.com/questions/946868/how-to-test-whether-windows-10-was-installed-with-uefi

[Vann]

I just checked and it says my BIOS mode is "LEGACY." I'm assuming this shouldn't be the case? If so, should I reformat my SSD and re-install as UEFI.

You also need to install Windows in UEFI mode:

How to test whether Windows 10 was installed with UEFI?

https://superuser.com/questions/946868/how-to-test-whether-windows-10-was-installed-with-uefi

Yes, you need to format the drive and install Windows in UEFI mode for multiple GPU's. Create a bootable UEFI Windows install flash drive using Rufus. Make sure to select UEFI partition for GPT disk from the drop down menu when creating the flash drive and boot to the UEFI installer from the boot menu.

[Vaccinus]

Hello Everyone!

I'm here to ask for some guidance. Before anyone else says so, I have searched through forums to try and figure out why it isnt working. I haven't come across a solution.

What Parts I am using.

• 6 x Gigabyte GTX Nvidia 1070
• MSI z170a SLI PLUS motherboard (has 6 pci slots)
• LEPA 1600w Power Supply
• Intel Pentium Processor G4400
• PCI-e risers

What I've Done so far

So far I have used bios settings to m-flash into the latest update. That is version 7998v1B.

I have changed PEG0 and PEG1 to GEN1 both. I also enabled 4G decoding.

Whenever I turn on my rig, Windows 10 boots up and in device manager it only shows me 4 1070 GPU detected.

I am confused and am willing to try anything to do this! Even if I have to send someone $20-30 in BTC, I will. Someone please help me!

Thank you!

swap all the gpu and the risers first, then it's possible that your problem is the motherboard, are you sure that motherboard support 6 gpu with risers? some simply can not

[MrLimitless]

I removed every PCI connection, and one by one tried each graphic cards riser on one specific slot and they all worked. So I know my issue is not the riser but something with either bios or the way windows is installed.

Hello Everyone!

I'm here to ask for some guidance. Before anyone else says so, I have searched through forums to try and figure out why it isnt working. I haven't come across a solution.

What Parts I am using.

• 6 x Gigabyte GTX Nvidia 1070
• MSI z170a SLI PLUS motherboard (has 6 pci slots)
• LEPA 1600w Power Supply
• Intel Pentium Processor G4400
• PCI-e risers

What I've Done so far

So far I have used bios settings to m-flash into the latest update. That is version 7998v1B.

I have changed PEG0 and PEG1 to GEN1 both. I also enabled 4G decoding.

Whenever I turn on my rig, Windows 10 boots up and in device manager it only shows me 4 1070 GPU detected.

I am confused and am willing to try anything to do this! Even if I have to send someone $20-30 in BTC, I will. Someone please help me!

Thank you!

swap all the gpu and the risers first, then it's possible that your problem is the motherboard, are you sure that motherboard support 6 gpu with risers? some simply can not

[insurgus]

So, those MSI motherboards are bitchy little units. I have 12 rigs using MSI Z270-A and the initial setup is a bit of fiddly crap to make work.

What we do here is.

• Boot with USB cables removed from cards. Risers can be plugged in.
• Upgrade board firmware
• Install OS
• Install drivers for onboard video
• Go back to bios, enable over 3g video setting
• Enable integrated graphics as primary video
• Change PCI risers to GEN3
• Shut down machine.
• Connect 1 video card
• Boot to windows and verify it shows up
• Shut down and reconnect all risers.
• Power back up.
• Enter bios and verify board explorer shows all PCI slots full
• Boot to windows
• Install drivers
• Profit

I hope that helps. They sometimes work in GEN1, but GEN3 seems to give the most consistent results.

[MrLimitless]

Hey!

Thanks for your reply! I ended up actually coming to a fix literally 20 minutes before I saw this post. Now that all 6 are properly working I'm planning on overclocking the GPUs for better hash rate.

However, in bios I set them up as GEN1. Should I change to GEN3 if it's already working under GEN1?

So, those MSI motherboards are bitchy little units. I have 12 rigs using MSI Z270-A and the initial setup is a bit of fiddly crap to make work.

What we do here is.

• Boot with USB cables removed from cards. Risers can be plugged in.
• Upgrade board firmware
• Install OS
• Install drivers for onboard video
• Go back to bios, enable over 3g video setting
• Enable integrated graphics as primary video
• Change PCI risers to GEN3
• Shut down machine.
• Connect 1 video card
• Boot to windows and verify it shows up
• Shut down and reconnect all risers.
• Power back up.
• Enter bios and verify board explorer shows all PCI slots full
• Boot to windows
• Install drivers
• Profit

I hope that helps. They sometimes work in GEN1, but GEN3 seems to give the most consistent results.

[oddwh]

Nice to see it works now, sometimes some cards area bit fancy 

I suppose if you don't have any reason to upgrade, don't do this if your system works as it should be... Anyway that's what I would do, I would be afraid to have to make it work again 

[MrLimitless]

Thanks for the help honestly !

This forum is amazing !

Nice to see it works now, sometimes some cards area bit fancy 

I suppose if you don't have any reason to upgrade, don't do this if your system works as it should be... Anyway that's what I would do, I would be afraid to have to make it work again