PCIe risers keep getting fried

[CoinConsole]

Greetings mining community,
 
I am currently running a rig that will mine Ubiq (UBQ). I know that this board may not specifically be a Ubiq mining board, but the equipment is essentially the same except I can still use 2GB graphics cards unlike Ethereum. It’s also worth mentioning Ubiq is an Ethereum fork if you are unfamiliar with it, so it is a dagger-hashimoto/ethash algorithm. I’m using Claymore’s miner.
 
Before I talk about the problem, I’d like to take the time briefly to thank everyone who reads this post. I have spent many hours figuring this problem out and I am at a point where I do not know exactly how to fix it without some (professional) advice. I don’t want to keep ruining/risking hardware. So thanks in advance everyone! I’ll consider sending tips in your favorite crypto if you can crack the code or offer advice.
 
The problem:
At some point, sometimes during BIOS, sometimes during boot-up, sometimes during miner startup, the computer screen goes black and the fans on the graphics cards kick into full speed. Like, FULL speed. At least on the main graphics card that is connected to the first x16 slot.
 
CURRENT System Setup:
-AsRock Z97 Extreme4 (3x PCIe x16 and 3x PCIe x1 ports)
-Various different brands of POWERED risers, they have all been connected via 4-pin molex to SATA power (3 or 4 on the same cord from the power supply)
-850w Raidmax power supply (was pulling 750w from the wall with 5 cards attached at one point (for a good 24 hours), so I know that it is able to run that wattage fine)
-2x 2GB DDR3 RAM sticks
-320GB 5400RPM spin drive
-5x XFX R7 370 2GB graphics cards
-1x DVI cord serving as a dummy plug (that was on issue that I figured out the hard way)
 
My testing:
I could probably go on for paragraphs about all of the various tests that I ran. I’ll keep it short and simple, though: I have found out that the issue is certainly not software related. I’ve tried various different drivers, operating systems, and miners and this issue seems to be unrelated to any of those factors.
 
I also know that it is not a hard drive, motherboard, or memory issue. I have tried swapping all of these and the results are the same. As a disclaimer, the motherboard’s 4-pin molex may be causing some power interference with the powered risers.
 
HERE’S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART: I got the system to run for >24 hours after swapping out some new risers that I bought to some older, working risers that I had. Everything ran swimmingly and I was confident that I had simply ordered some poor quality risers from eBay for cheap and needed to invest in stronger risers. However, these knowingly working risers also failed after about 30 hours of running well, which gives me reason to believe that there is something frying the risers. The problem seems to be one of these things: the graphics cards are killing the risers, the power supply is killing the risers, or the motherboard power interference is killing the risers. To elaborate on the last one, the Z97 Extreme4 has a 4-pin molex next to the PCIe slots that has to be plugged in when more than two PCIe slots are filled. Anyways, something is murdering my PCIe risers (or maybe just the cables are frying somehow?).
 
Tl;dr: My PCIe risers keep getting murdered by something and I don’t know what it is. I have gotten this rig to work twice using both new and tested risers, and after about 24 hours they will cause the machine to either 1. BSOD or 2. black screen crash and kick the fans to 100000 RPM.
 
If you have any questions, please please please let me know. I’ve invested a lot of time and money into my rigs, as I’m sure you all have, and I want to get this figured out so I can have a worry-free mining setup once and for all!

[Cereberus]

I believe your problem is with your PSU molex cables but anyway the solution to the problem you are having are risers with PCIE 6 pin and not with 4 molex pins. Below is the link ,however you need a good PSU with a lot of PCIE cables in order to use these ones.

https://www.amazon.com/KECAG-Adapter-Powered-Extension-Bitcoin/dp/B0721THRGS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1499031458&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=PCIE+riser&psc=1

You can try changing risers or changing PSU which is more costly.  A tested PSU which I have in more than three boards is the Corsair Rm1000i with 8 PCIE 6+2 pin cables.

[Vann]

You didn't say what model PSU you have but if it's this the RAIDMAX RX-850AE 850W below it's a multi rail PSU that is rated for 732 W MAX over the combined 12V rails. Do yourself and your rig a favor and buy an EVGA 1000W G2 or P2 single rail PSU that can output >99% of the rated power over the 12V line and has 6 PCI-E connectors.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152043

[Elder III]

Based on my experience building and fixing allot of computers over the past ~12 years I came to the conclusion that long ago that Raidmax makes junk products. I stopped buying their PSUs, even for cheap home PCs that I would build for old retired grannies and housewives.  Just cheap junk in general. So, my first conclusion is that you need to buy a quality PSU. My second conclusion is that you need a PSU that can either power your risers via direct molex plugin or PCI-E plugin, or NO MORE than 2 Sata adapter powered Risers per Sata cable from the PSU.  Plugging in 3-4 Sata powered risers per Sata cable from the PSU could and will fry risers, especially if the PSU is poor quality.

In any case, you need a better PSU to start with.

[philipma1957]

Greetings mining community,
 
I am currently running a rig that will mine Ubiq (UBQ). I know that this board may not specifically be a Ubiq mining board, but the equipment is essentially the same except I can still use 2GB graphics cards unlike Ethereum. It’s also worth mentioning Ubiq is an Ethereum fork if you are unfamiliar with it, so it is a dagger-hashimoto/ethash algorithm. I’m using Claymore’s miner.
 
Before I talk about the problem, I’d like to take the time briefly to thank everyone who reads this post. I have spent many hours figuring this problem out and I am at a point where I do not know exactly how to fix it without some (professional) advice. I don’t want to keep ruining/risking hardware. So thanks in advance everyone! I’ll consider sending tips in your favorite crypto if you can crack the code or offer advice.
 
The problem:
At some point, sometimes during BIOS, sometimes during boot-up, sometimes during miner startup, the computer screen goes black and the fans on the graphics cards kick into full speed. Like, FULL speed. At least on the main graphics card that is connected to the first x16 slot.
 
CURRENT System Setup:
-AsRock Z97 Extreme4 (3x PCIe x16 and 3x PCIe x1 ports)




Look below!!

-Various different brands of POWERED risers, they have all been connected via 4-pin molex to SATA power (3 or 4 on the same cord from the power supply)

 So  bad I want to cry





-850w Raidmax power supply (was pulling 750w from the wall with 5 cards attached at one point (for a good 24 hours), so I know that it is able to run that wattage fine)
-2x 2GB DDR3 RAM sticks
-320GB 5400RPM spin drive
-5x XFX R7 370 2GB graphics cards
-1x DVI cord serving as a dummy plug (that was on issue that I figured out the hard way)
 
My testing:
I could probably go on for paragraphs about all of the various tests that I ran. I’ll keep it short and simple, though: I have found out that the issue is certainly not software related. I’ve tried various different drivers, operating systems, and miners and this issue seems to be unrelated to any of those factors.
 
I also know that it is not a hard drive, motherboard, or memory issue. I have tried swapping all of these and the results are the same. As a disclaimer, the motherboard’s 4-pin molex may be causing some power interference with the powered risers.
 
HERE’S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART: I got the system to run for >24 hours after swapping out some new risers that I bought to some older, working risers that I had. Everything ran swimmingly and I was confident that I had simply ordered some poor quality risers from eBay for cheap and needed to invest in stronger risers. However, these knowingly working risers also failed after about 30 hours of running well, which gives me reason to believe that there is something frying the risers. The problem seems to be one of these things: the graphics cards are killing the risers, the power supply is killing the risers, or the motherboard power interference is killing the risers. To elaborate on the last one, the Z97 Extreme4 has a 4-pin molex next to the PCIe slots that has to be plugged in when more than two PCIe slots are filled. Anyways, something is murdering my PCIe risers (or maybe just the cables are frying somehow?).
 
Tl;dr: My PCIe risers keep getting murdered by something and I don’t know what it is. I have gotten this rig to work twice using both new and tested risers, and after about 24 hours they will cause the machine to either 1. BSOD or 2. black screen crash and kick the fans to 100000 RPM.
 
If you have any questions, please please please let me know. I’ve invested a lot of time and money into my rigs, as I’m sure you all have, and I want to get this figured out so I can have a worry-free mining setup once and for all!

 

I high-lighted the major problem.  I won't insult your mistake or try to embarrass you for this error.

A molex cable can do 1 riser safely = yes
A molex cable can do 2 risers safely =  maybe maybe not  depends on a few things
A molex cable can do 3 risers safely = no never do not think about it.
A molex cable can do 4 risers safely =  yeah right  it is only 33% worse then 3 risers


So  stop using that unit to power 4 risers.

"I ran my mobo with 5 cards pulling 750 watts for  24 hours.  So I know I can do that much watts."

I can't begin to explain to you how wrong that statement is.
But  try this   you overheated and killed gear  correct?

Yes you did.

 Now 5 or 6 cards on that psu =  WTF?  are you thinking.

Hint you should be thinking what I am thinking see below

[damstr]

I believe your problem is with your PSU molex cables but anyway the solution to the problem you are having are risers with PCIE 6 pin and not with 4 molex pins. Below is the link ,however you need a good PSU with a lot of PCIE cables in order to use these ones.

https://www.amazon.com/KECAG-Adapter-Powered-Extension-Bitcoin/dp/B0721THRGS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1499031458&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=PCIE+riser&psc=1

You can try changing risers or changing PSU which is more costly.  A tested PSU which I have in more than three boards is the Corsair Rm1000i with 8 PCIE 6+2 pin cables.

You can't use the sata connectors? I was going to do 2 per cable. Have the evga 1300w psu but running 4x 1080 it's of it.

[philipma1957]

I believe your problem is with your PSU molex cables but anyway the solution to the problem you are having are risers with PCIE 6 pin and not with 4 molex pins. Below is the link ,however you need a good PSU with a lot of PCIE cables in order to use these ones.

https://www.amazon.com/KECAG-Adapter-Powered-Extension-Bitcoin/dp/B0721THRGS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1499031458&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=PCIE+riser&psc=1

You can try changing risers or changing PSU which is more costly.  A tested PSU which I have in more than three boards is the Corsair Rm1000i with 8 PCIE 6+2 pin cables.

You can't use the sata connectors? I was going to do 2 per cable. Have the evga 1300w psu but running 4x 1080 it's of it.

you should delete  this as he would most likely still burn up his gear.

he mentions 5 to 6 gpus on a 850 watt psu.  not good. That shows a fundamental lack of understanding on his part  of overworking his psu.

@ op  buy a better psu  then the one you have.

while  the Corsair Rm1000i  mentioned here should work  with 5 cards it is a bit weak for 6 cards.

try getting it and using only 5 cards


http://www.ebay.com/itm/CORSAIR-RMi-Series-RM1000i-1000W-80-PLUS-GOLD-Haswell-Ready-Full-Modular-ATX12V-/381293021898?


So if you buy it  do not run 6 cards run 5.

[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:
http://www.parallelminer.com/product/ithoo-usb3-0-pci-express-1x-to-16x-extender-riser-card-adapter-w-24-cable/

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/

This is the safest way to power risers and will likely never result in burnt risers.

[damstr]

I believe your problem is with your PSU molex cables but anyway the solution to the problem you are having are risers with PCIE 6 pin and not with 4 molex pins. Below is the link ,however you need a good PSU with a lot of PCIE cables in order to use these ones.

https://www.amazon.com/KECAG-Adapter-Powered-Extension-Bitcoin/dp/B0721THRGS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1499031458&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=PCIE+riser&psc=1

You can try changing risers or changing PSU which is more costly.  A tested PSU which I have in more than three boards is the Corsair Rm1000i with 8 PCIE 6+2 pin cables.

You can't use the sata connectors? I was going to do 2 per cable. Have the evga 1300w psu but running 4x 1080 it's of it.

you should delete  this as he would most likely still burn up his gear.

he mentions 5 to 6 gpus on a 850 watt psu.  not good. That shows a fundamental lack of understanding on his part  of overworking his psu.

@ op  buy a better psu  then the one you have.

while  the Corsair Rm1000i  mentioned here should work  with 5 cards it is a bit weak for 6 cards.

try getting it and using only 5 cards


http://www.ebay.com/itm/CORSAIR-RMi-Series-RM1000i-1000W-80-PLUS-GOLD-Haswell-Ready-Full-Modular-ATX12V-/381293021898?


So if you buy it  do not run 6 cards run 5.

The risers I got have a 6 pin PCIe port on the PCB. The riser comes with a 6 pin PCIE to SATA connectors and you are saying I can't use the SATA psu cable to run 2 off each psu cable?

I will be running the 1080 Ti's @ 200w max and they use 8+6 pin.

Edit: again I'm using an EVGA 1300 G2.

[szafa]

I cant belive this 6 gpu working in 850 W.