Adding extra Internal PSU in optical bay for graphics cards [Build log]

OrangeSVTguy · 04:26 PM

Figured I'd start my own thread. Will be updating with progress as I go along but I haven't had much time lately so it will probably be a while before I finish. The complete finish will be able to provide 4x 6pin and 2x 6+2pin PCI-e power cables, 2 of the 6pin are from the motherboard.

Added a E-Power EP-450CD 450w auxiliary power supply that mounts in the optical bay. This provides 2x 6pin PCI-e and 2x 6+2pin PCI-e. You will need a female PCIe power > female molex adapter which are cheap on ebay. I will be cutting mine down to save room for all the cables. To get the 115v power the PSU needs, I'm going to tap in the main plug the MP cable plugs into. This way I won't need to run the main power cable though the MP and out the PCI bay since it came with it's own PCI cover plate. I'm possibly going to be upgrade the internal PSU fans with more quieter ones. They are small so they are a little louder.

I will routing custom-made sleeved cables. I believe there's enough room to route them through the front of the motherboard and down in front of the PCI fan.

OrangeSVTguy · Oct 25, 2012, 09:05 PM

Had some spare time(taking a break off the house tonight) and did one of the 6 pins and routed it.

As mentioned, there isn't much room so I think I'll only be able to route 1 more cable unless I cut some of that top tray out. I had to label and route 1 wire at a time since space is limited and the connector won't fit through that small hole. That means I'll have to remove it to cut it. When I do, I need to remove the PSU anyways so I can route the main power cable and tap off the main power plug that plugs into the back of the MP.

There is a cover plate in the back that will needs to be removed. This is held on with 2 philips screws.

I will cut out quite a bit of the top plate so I can eventually route all 4 cables. Here's some pictures of the progress so far. I also cut my molex adapter since it was a 3 way and also to shorten it and soldered the ends and shrink tubed it. All my connections are soldered for reliability and better connections.

OrangeSVTguy · 03:04 PM

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.

OrangeSVTguy · Dec 25, 2012, 03:09 PM

Reserved~

All Taken · Dec 25, 2012, 03:12 PM

Very nice write up dude, looking to do the same to run a 690. Trying to find that model or any 5.25" Power supply in the UK is impossible though.

OrangeSVTguy · Dec 25, 2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All Taken

Very nice write up dude, looking to do the same to run a 690. Trying to find that model or any 5.25" Power supply in the UK is impossible though.

Thanks!
A 690 would be incredible on a Mac pro, especially under windows. Look it up tho but I remember hearing people couldn't get the second GPU working under windows but show up as 2 in OSX? Unless a newer driver came out since then? They are $1100 here in the States but this GPU would handle it with no problem.

slughead · Dec 26, 2012, 08:01 AM

How did you get the cable plugs through there? did you take off the back cover or something?

Concorde Rules · Dec 26, 2012, 10:04 AM

Yes, the back cover comes off.

OrangeSVTguy · Dec 26, 2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slughead

How did you get the cable plugs through there? did you take off the back cover or something?

Yes that back shield is removed, I have pictures above. It's held on with 2 screws. I just removed mine all together but I'm sure it could be put back in.

You do have to remove the pins from the pci connectors and route them one-by-one since there isn't enough room.

Dr. Stealth · Dec 28, 2012, 11:33 AM

Excellent write up..... You inspired me. $$$

I've been wanting to add another 4GB 680 to my MP and this was just the poke I needed to make the move.

I don't do any gaming, this is for cadd & rendering....

Just ordered a 450 Watt PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104054

And a second EVGA GTX 680 FTW+ 4GB:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130794

OrangeSVTguy · Dec 28, 2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Stealth

Excellent write up..... You inspired me. $$$

I've been wanting to add another 4GB 680 to my MP and this was just the poke I needed to make the move.

I don't do any gaming, this is for cadd & rendering....

Just ordered a 450 Watt PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104054

And a second EVGA GTX 680 FTW+ 4GB:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130794

Awesome.

Oct 21, 2012, 09:19 PM	#1
OrangeSVTguy macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio	Adding extra Internal PSU in optical bay for graphics cards [Build log] Figured I'd start my own thread. Will be updating with progress as I go along but I haven't had much time lately so it will probably be a while before I finish. The complete finish will be able to provide 4x 6pin and 2x 6+2pin PCI-e power cables, 2 of the 6pin are from the motherboard. Added a E-Power EP-450CD 450w auxiliary power supply that mounts in the optical bay. This provides 2x 6pin PCI-e and 2x 6+2pin PCI-e. You will need a female PCIe power > female molex adapter which are cheap on ebay. I will be cutting mine down to save room for all the cables. To get the 115v power the PSU needs, I'm going to tap in the main plug the MP cable plugs into. This way I won't need to run the main power cable though the MP and out the PCI bay since it came with it's own PCI cover plate. I'm possibly going to be upgrade the internal PSU fans with more quieter ones. They are small so they are a little louder. I will routing custom-made sleeved cables. I believe there's enough room to route them through the front of the motherboard and down in front of the PCI fan. Attached Thumbnails __________________ ╔═════╦═════╦═════╗ ╚═════╩═════╩═════╝ Last edited by OrangeSVTguy; Oct 30, 2012 at 04:26 PM.
	1

Oct 25, 2012, 09:05 PM	#2
OrangeSVTguy Thread Starter macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio	Had some spare time(taking a break off the house tonight) and did one of the 6 pins and routed it. As mentioned, there isn't much room so I think I'll only be able to route 1 more cable unless I cut some of that top tray out. I had to label and route 1 wire at a time since space is limited and the connector won't fit through that small hole. That means I'll have to remove it to cut it. When I do, I need to remove the PSU anyways so I can route the main power cable and tap off the main power plug that plugs into the back of the MP. There is a cover plate in the back that will needs to be removed. This is held on with 2 philips screws. I will cut out quite a bit of the top plate so I can eventually route all 4 cables. Here's some pictures of the progress so far. I also cut my molex adapter since it was a 3 way and also to shorten it and soldered the ends and shrink tubed it. All my connections are soldered for reliability and better connections. Attached Thumbnails __________________ ╔═════╦═════╦═════╗ ╚═════╩═════╩═════╝
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 02:52 PM	#3
OrangeSVTguy Thread Starter macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio	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. __________________ ╔═════╦═════╦═════╗ ╚═════╩═════╩═════╝ Last edited by OrangeSVTguy; Dec 25, 2012 at 03:04 PM.
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 03:09 PM	#4
OrangeSVTguy Thread Starter macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio	Reserved~ __________________ ╔═════╦═════╦═════╗ ╚═════╩═════╩═════╝
	0

Dec 26, 2012, 08:01 AM	#7
slughead macrumors 68000 Join Date: Apr 2004	How did you get the cable plugs through there? did you take off the back cover or something? __________________ http://latewire.com
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 03:12 PM	#5
All Taken In Time-Out Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: UK	Very nice write up dude, looking to do the same to run a 690. Trying to find that model or any 5.25" Power supply in the UK is impossible though.
	1

Dec 26, 2012, 10:04 AM	#8
Concorde Rules macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2007	Yes, the back cover comes off.
	0

Dec 28, 2012, 11:33 AM	#10
Dr. Stealth macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Surf City, USA (Huntington Beach, CA)	Thank You ! Excellent write up..... You inspired me. $$$ I've been wanting to add another 4GB 680 to my MP and this was just the poke I needed to make the move. I don't do any gaming, this is for cadd & rendering.... Just ordered a 450 Watt PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104054 And a second EVGA GTX 680 FTW+ 4GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130794 __________________ Mac Pro 5,1 12 Core @ 3.33GHz - 64GB RAM - Dual 500 GB SSD - Dual EVGA FTW+ GTX 680 4GB 7 TB 7200 HDs - Aux 450 watt PSU - 27" Cinema Display - SpacePilot Pro - GeekBench 27,448
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode