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Adding extra Internal PSU in optical bay for graphics cards [Build log]
- Thread starter OrangeSVTguy
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I just bought this one and the cables are completely useless. They are shielded overkill and the end connectors have huge rubber shrouds on them. While in the PSU they dont allow the optical tray to drop into place because they stick out too far. Also in my 2008 mac pro (cables route through the same corner in front by the optical cover flaps) they wouldn't reach my GPU anyway.
I got my unit to work as a temporary setup to make sure I had a working power supply that they sent me, but I am going to have to get different PCI-E power cables that are a lower profile. We need slim cables in our mac pros!
Im still searching but so far I've found these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200822711651?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
and these extensions look useable
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en
I havent looked up any 6 pin wires yet because I planned on using a dual 8-pin powered MSI gtx 770.
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Adding extra Internal PSU in optical bay for graphics cards [Build log]
This may be a dumb question but how would one set up a mini plug for the PowerCord on the ePower. I have the same setup going in a 1,1 and its a pain in the ass to have to carry the cable each every time I pull the mac pro out to do something to it.
Here it is completed. I was able to run 24 wires through the slot near the front, which is 4x 6pins. There was not enough room to route sleeved cables which I initially tried to route. Everything works great. Running 2 670s of the aux PSU.
Click thumbnails to enlarge.
Here is the hole I drilled to run the power for the power supply. I plan to install a mini plug here so I can unplug the Mac if I ever need to move it.
I can convert 2 of the 6pins to 8 as soon as I figure out how these propritery cables work.
This may be a dumb question but how would one set up a mini plug for the PowerCord on the ePower. I have the same setup going in a 1,1 and its a pain in the ass to have to carry the cable each every time I pull the mac pro out to do something to it.
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2 Titans cause crash
Late follow-up, but I upgraded my two graphics cards yesterday to Titan Blacks for rendering. Using the FSP Booster (which has the same 450W as this E-Power), I figured everything should be powered ok. (2) 8-pins from the PSU to the Titans, and (2) 6-pins from the logic board.
Octane runs fine when rendering with either card separately, but as soon as I enable the second card, the fans ramp up to max immediately and the machine hard power cycles. Have you experienced anything like that? Didn't happen with my 670+770 cards.
Late follow-up, but I upgraded my two graphics cards yesterday to Titan Blacks for rendering. Using the FSP Booster (which has the same 450W as this E-Power), I figured everything should be powered ok. (2) 8-pins from the PSU to the Titans, and (2) 6-pins from the logic board.
Octane runs fine when rendering with either card separately, but as soon as I enable the second card, the fans ramp up to max immediately and the machine hard power cycles. Have you experienced anything like that? Didn't happen with my 670+770 cards.
I think you should be running AT LEAST an 850W PSU for two Titan Blacks!!!! I even asked MacVidCards, he said 1000W would be great. Please post some pics of your dual Titans in the Mac Pro.... I am building a 5,1 Mac Pro now with two Titan Blacks using a 1000W PSU in the optical tray.
??
Why would I need an 850W power supply to run two graphics cards that are rated at 250W max each and don't even draw near that much when under full rendering load? That seems kind of silly. I'd like to see your pictures of a 1000W PSU in your optical tray, that would be something..
Using the auxiliary PSU and power supplied from the Mac pro and PCIe slots, you have about 750w. 850w is enough for the full system. You don't need a 1000w for just the titans. A good 1000w PSU is good for complete rig with titan 3 way sli setup.
I would like for you to show me where you see tests/real world usage with the Titan Black with full load drawing only 250 watts each....
I have read all of the Titan Black power wattage draw tests and benchmarks - and each card pull up to 40 amps and up to 400w per card... I am waiting for the cards now to be shipped so I can test. I also asked MacVidCards what he thought about running 2 x Titan Black, and he said minimum 800w. PSUs also get hotter and less efficient near max load (<80%), so a 1000w PSU dedicated to both cards is much safer.
Riggles, you don't think your problem is a a PSU issue?
I have read all of the Titan Black power wattage draw tests and benchmarks - and each card pull up to 40 amps and up to 400w per card... I am waiting for the cards now to be shipped so I can test. I also asked MacVidCards what he thought about running 2 x Titan Black, and he said minimum 800w. PSUs also get hotter and less efficient near max load (<80%), so a 1000w PSU dedicated to both cards is much safer.
Riggles, you don't think your problem is a a PSU issue?
riggles on May 23rd:
"I tried that earlier this week w/ my FSP Booster and two Titan Blacks and rendering with both cards immediately reset the machine. Not sure why, but connecting an external 750W PC power supply fixed it so I assume it was a power issue."
You aren't sure why?
"I tried that earlier this week w/ my FSP Booster and two Titan Blacks and rendering with both cards immediately reset the machine. Not sure why, but connecting an external 750W PC power supply fixed it so I assume it was a power issue."
You aren't sure why?
I just did a test with one of the Titan Blacks. Total power draw from my Mac when idle hovered at 210W and would spike to 246W. When starting a render in Octane, power draw goes right to 420W and stays there. So, the Titan Black was drawing ~210W max. That's my real world usage.
I'm not sure how a Titan draws 400W. Seems like it only has the physical power input for 300W (8-pin + 6-pin + PCIe slot), but that's another matter and I'm not an expert.
So, yes, I do believe the issue I had was power related, but I don't understand why it existed or what the power issue was exactly. But I believe that my 750W PSU is more than enough to run two Titan Blacks.
I don't know if anyone has asked, I tried to search for it, but why hasn't someone just built a 2000W replacement for the Mac Pro 980w power supply and include all the relevant cabling for powering multiple graphics cards and adapter cards? It's a much cleaner solution than using auxiliary supplies and surely there is strong demand to make this a profitable venture.
I'm guessing it's the wattage. You're good for like 1200w on a standard household circuit which are usually 15 amp. I had an old power supply that was 1600w if you used the special cable that plugs into a 20 amp outlet. It ran at 1200w otherwise. I'm just taking a guess.
I don't see why anyone couldn't completely swap the Oem PSU for something more powerful.
Demand probably but a tempting Kickstarter project for the 4-5,1 I would seriously consider for even 1.5kw though tutor might want 3kw
Demand probably but a tempting Kickstarter project for the 4-5,1 I would seriously consider for even 1.5kw though tutor might want 3kw
Cmon man you know some engineers
Adding extra Internal PSU in optical bay for graphics cards [Build log]
Not enough and I have mountain of solidworks to climb as it is! But if some bright spark hacks and adapts a stock atx and it is totally functional with the logic board it is not that expensive to get a psu designed to fit out of China the parts in a switcher can be moved about to fit quite easily
Then there's finding a manufacturer that will maintain a consistent quality of components on a long production run which has been a regular annoyance outsourcing manufacturing over there. Saving a few cents on components can prove to be costly for a client.
Not enough and I have mountain of solidworks to climb as it is! But if some bright spark hacks and adapts a stock atx and it is totally functional with the logic board it is not that expensive to get a psu designed to fit out of China the parts in a switcher can be moved about to fit quite easily
Then there's finding a manufacturer that will maintain a consistent quality of components on a long production run which has been a regular annoyance outsourcing manufacturing over there. Saving a few cents on components can prove to be costly for a client.
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Am scratching my head wondering why OWC or any other refurb seller haven't done this with the resources they have and for the custom rigs they build.
Probably copyright and in fear of the wrath of Apple. Bearing in mind the towers are EOL maybe Apple would turn a blind eye to a crowdfunded community driven one
I'd imagine I could probably go about with a Kickstarter project but I wouldn't outsource to China or other places, they would have to be hand built here as I would think since they wouldn't be mass produced and quality and durability is the key factor here. Would have to be modular so there's not a crap load of wires all over the place.
The price of purchasing ATX PSUs and then converting, custom wiring etc would probably put the price above $500. Cheaper just to go the optical bay route and order custom pcie power cables like I did. I doubt I had $100 into it when it was all said and done.
The price of purchasing ATX PSUs and then converting, custom wiring etc would probably put the price above $500. Cheaper just to go the optical bay route and order custom pcie power cables like I did. I doubt I had $100 into it when it was all said and done.
That's why it has to be outsourced because a power supply like that shouldn't cost more than $300. I think a refurb 980w PSU goes for 200-250.
If each PSU generated $30 profit after costs and taxes I think the demand for them could generate $150,000 profit over two years if 5000 units are sold. I'm going off how many custom rigs OCW, Create Pro and Editbuilder appear to be moving but there are many more owners out there.
It I still had my Mac pro, I would definitely try this. Seasonic makes a platinum 1200w PSU are are $250 with a $30 MIR. I don't know if I would chance a PSU from another manufacturer.
I would get it done in China - I could probably even recommend a couple of firms too when you are ready. You know what the existing form factor is, current wiring and connectors. All on top is 2 more pairs of PCIe power and a molex type lead to be run into the PCIe slot bay. But the key factor in it being achievable is successfully modding and adapting a standard ATX to work completely in it, mostly for the signalling spec as you would in essence making an ATX from scratch by moving all the components inside via solidworks then running simulations in an enclosure the same as the original cMP model.
The price will really depend upon the volume, over 1000 units it could be a lot cheaper than 500 bucks. It will only need an expensive looking finish on the side which is exposed when the panel is removed after all..
But the Kickstarter project can begin crowd funding at the design stage once it's proved an ATX can be modded to replace it and I would contribute to that.
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Cr Gott! I've searched 1000 forums. I searched the entire Internet. Please, help. Could someone here on these pages post a wiring scheme for 6×2pins to 1x8 pins. I looked all over the Internet but couldn’t find such a diagram anywhere. It's all very strange somehow.
I'm interested in the scheme for this device.
I watch these pictures, but I can’t understand how to wire 2x6 mini to 1x8 pin???
Many many thanks!!!
