How many of you are running multiple S3's on a single power supply? Just wondering how it's working out, as the specs on many power supplies shows they should be able to handle 2 or 3 S3's on one. Looking at a 850w Thermaltake supply with a 70A +12v rail, it should power 2 S3's non-overclocked (having only 6 x 6pin PCIE connectors, if it had 8 then it should handle both S3's OC'ed). There's some 1000w supplies like the EVGA that has 83A +12v rail that should hand a pair of S3's overclocked (not sure of the exact wattage for a OC S3 at say 250M, anyone know for sure? I read one person had 374watts for 250M while another states 402watts for the same 250M which means a 850w PS should do for 2 if it has 8 6pin PCIE connectors), or 3 S3's non-OC. A couple 1200w power supplies like the SeaSonic has a 100A +12v rail that should theoretically handle 3 OC'ed S3's (but it only has 10 6pin PCIE connectors meaning only 2 OC and one non-OC). EVGA even has a 1600w Power Supply that should be able to handle 4 non-OC S3's at once (Lepa also has a 1600w with 10 6pin PCIE connectors at a rather inexpensive $270, but the 4 x 30A +12v rails might have to be tested first), anyone doing this?
Jump to about the 29minute mark on this video to see why grabbing the cheapest that will work isn't a good idea for most (if you're paying for the power bill) and why a Platinum Plus 80 power supply might be worth the bigger initial investment over the long run. Example, paying $85 (like the Rosewill 650w Tachyon that was on sale last week with $30MIR and -20% off) for a quality PS now, rather than a cheap $40 one, may cost you more than what you initially saved after one year of use.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuBvGUT6VM8&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecsAre any of you running a PC and a S3 or pair of S3's and a PC on the same power supply? How's that working out if so?
What about enclosures for the S3's and power supplies? Looks like the Corsair Carbine 540 could fit a pair of S3's and a power supply easily (if placed on its side and feet added on the side to not block the vent intake for the power supply that would be on the bottom). The Enermax Fulmo GT looks like it might even fit 3 S3's (maybe 4 if you can remove the hard drive rack) and 2 power supplies.
Here's a little list I put together for myself that some newbies might find handy if you're looking to start with a quality power supply (these are rated at 80 Plus Gold or Platinum. Note, these are not tested, this is going by their factory listed specs. Also, keep in mind that if efficiency is of priority to you, then you'll want something rated at about twice the power you'll put through it, so if you have 2 S3's non-OC that's 340watts each so 680 watts both, you'll be looking for a 1,200+watt power supply to keep the efficiency at around 90% for a Gold or Platinum rated supply):
Rosewill Tachyon 650w should handle 1 non-OC (if efficiency is a primary factor) or OC'ed S3. (was $82 last week, currently $110 after $30 MIR)
Thermaltake 750w should handle 2 non-OC S3's. (if efficiency is a primary factor, then 1 OC'ed S3)
Thermaltake 850w should handle 2 non-OC or 1 OC'ed and 1 non-OC S3's (and theoretically handle 2 OC'ed S3's if it didn't have only 6 x 6pin PCIE connectors, a EPS 12V 8-Pin TO 2x PCI-E 6+2-Pin Splitter Cable will probably benefit for 2 OC'ed S3's).
EVGA 1000w should handle 2 OC'ed S3's. (3 non-OC S3's would be a little over recommended specs, but if tested and works with 3 non-OC S3's for duration, this might be worth considering at the price of $200 - $30 MIR = $170 at newegg. But not recommended as it's about 4A/48w under specs on the +12v line and that's also at limit with no headroom.) (If efficiency is your primary factor, then this one is probably best for 2 non-OC S3's)
EVGA 1200w should handle 3 non-OC S3's or 1 OC'ed S3 and 2 non-OC S3's (theoretically could handle 2 OC'ed S3's and an additional non-OC'ed S3 if it didn't have only 8 x 6pin PCIE connectors, a EPS 12V 8-Pin TO 2x PCI-E 6+2-Pin Splitter Cable will probably benefit for the 2nd OC'ed S3 and maybe even the 3rd OC'ed with a 2nd EPS 12V 8-Pin TO 2x PCI-E 6+2-Pin Splitter Cable). ($222.50 after $10 MIR is probably the best price for a single Platinum power supply that will power 3 S3's at once within specs and room for OCing. If efficiency is your primary factor, this one is probably best for 2 OC'ed S3's. Also note 92% (115VAC) / 94% (220VAC~240VAC) efficiency and a 10 year warranty for this fully modular power supply. At about $250 with the 2 splitter cables, that's about the same price as the Tachyon 650 x 3 when it was on sale.)
Seasonic 1200w should be able to handle 2 OC'ed S3's and an additional non-OC S3 (with its 10 x 6pin PCIE connectors, the 3rd S3 could be OC'ed with a EPS 12V 8-Pin TO 2x PCI-E 6+2-Pin Splitter Cable).
EVGA 1300w should handle 3 OC'ed S3's if you have enough PCIE connectors, this one is hard to beat for the price of $201 after $30 MIR.
Lepa 1600w should also be able to handle 4 non-OC S3's, but it having 4 x 30A +12v rails means it's at max. specs. (at $270, might be worth testing though)
EVGA 1600w should be able to handle 4 non-OC S3's or 3 OC'ed S3's and one non-OC S3 with its 14 x 6pin PCIE connectors (a EPS 12V 8-Pin TO 2x PCI-E 6+2-Pin Splitter Cable could make the 4th S3 OC'ed). If efficiency is a primary factor, then this for 3 non-OC S3's (with a max. of 3 OC'ed S3's).
With one of these EPS 12V 8-Pin TO 2x PCI-E 6+2-Pin Splitter Cable adapter, things might be better if they're still in the Power Supplies specs.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/22990/cab-1932/Premium_Bitcoin_Mining_18AWG_EPS_12V_8-Pin_TO_2x_PCI-E_62-Pin_Splitter_Cable.html?gclid=CO270-LNvsACFdGCfgods74ASg Adding this easy to read chart for premium Gold/Platinum rated power supplies (but other supplies probably have similar graphs):
Power Supply rating (average on +12v single line) : max. safe spec. (w/ about 10% headroom) : peak power efficiency max. (about 50-60% of max. spec.)
450w-650w : 1 OC'ed S3 : 1 non-OC S3 (600-650w only)
750w : 2 non-OC S3's : 1 OC'ed S3
850-1050w ($--170) : 2 OC'ed S3's : 2 non-OC S3's (1000w+ only)
1200w ($200-250) : 3 non-OC S3's : 2 non-OC to 2 OC'ed S3's
1300/1350/1375w ($220-300) : 3 OC'ed S3's (1 to 2x splitter req.) : 2 OC'ed
1500w (--450+) : 4 non-OC : 2 OC'ed to 3 non-OC S3's
1600w ($350) : 4 non-OC to 4 OC'ed S3's (splitter req.) : 3 OC'ed S3's
The best power supply you can get currently (money not a factor) is the Corsair AX1500i Titanium ($450+) and would be at peak efficiency with 2 S3's (non-OC or OC'ed).
