Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
Hey guys, I've been dabbling in Crypto mining a little lately, and have built a simple little GPU miner. I've been doing tons of research and reading etc.
My question first needs a quick explanation. The entire rig, is powered by an ATX PSU, which supplies various voltages to various components. The most important, and most power consumption, is the 12v supplied to the GPU's via their 6+2 PCIe pins. ATX PSU's can get pretty pricey when you get into multiple GPU's, and their efficiency can be less than desirable (85-92%). This can be even worse when it comes to powering it via solar, because after MPPT conversions, then inverter efficiency losses, and then the efficiency loss through the ATX PSU can mean the 500w the actual GPU rig is drawing, is really ~630w. Just doesn't make much sense to go from DC -> AC -> DC.
My question is, does anybody know if they can power their GPU's (and the PCIe Risers), from a 48v -> 12v buck converter? These can be had much cheaper, and typically have a much higher efficiency (upwards of 95%). And you also dont have the loss of the inverter as well. My only concern is if the buck converter has any voltage sag, I'm unsure of how the GPU will react.
Obviously I will need to leave the ATX PSU to supply the other components with 12v, 5v, and 3.3v, but a much cheaper PSU can be used, and the draw will be much much less.
On a side note, I have found 48v ATX PSU on the internet, that are pretty much drop in replacements, but their price tag of $800-1200 is a little off-putting.
Please discuss
My question first needs a quick explanation. The entire rig, is powered by an ATX PSU, which supplies various voltages to various components. The most important, and most power consumption, is the 12v supplied to the GPU's via their 6+2 PCIe pins. ATX PSU's can get pretty pricey when you get into multiple GPU's, and their efficiency can be less than desirable (85-92%). This can be even worse when it comes to powering it via solar, because after MPPT conversions, then inverter efficiency losses, and then the efficiency loss through the ATX PSU can mean the 500w the actual GPU rig is drawing, is really ~630w. Just doesn't make much sense to go from DC -> AC -> DC.
My question is, does anybody know if they can power their GPU's (and the PCIe Risers), from a 48v -> 12v buck converter? These can be had much cheaper, and typically have a much higher efficiency (upwards of 95%). And you also dont have the loss of the inverter as well. My only concern is if the buck converter has any voltage sag, I'm unsure of how the GPU will react.
Obviously I will need to leave the ATX PSU to supply the other components with 12v, 5v, and 3.3v, but a much cheaper PSU can be used, and the draw will be much much less.
On a side note, I have found 48v ATX PSU on the internet, that are pretty much drop in replacements, but their price tag of $800-1200 is a little off-putting.
Please discuss