MP 1,1-5,1 Dual 1080s in 2010 mac Pro?

[Adamtracksler]

im looking at upgrading my Mac Pro 2010 to dual 1080s for rendering with redshift.

I know power is an issue.

Is anyone else running dual 1080s?

I have seen several solutions ranging from hacking the PSU to external PCIe chassis. Im looking for an easy, affordable and stable solution. (Im assuming an egpu enclosure with usb c won’t work, but maybe it will....)

Thanks in advance. Ad

 

[tsialex]

im looking at upgrading my Mac Pro 2010 to dual 1080s for rendering with redshift.

I know power is an issue.

Is anyone else running dual 1080s?

I have seen several solutions ranging from hacking the PSU to external PCIe chassis. Im looking for an easy, affordable and stable solution. (Im assuming an egpu enclosure with usb c won’t work, but maybe it will....)

Thanks in advance. Ad

Use the search, there are several examples, some with Pixla's mod and some with external PSUs.

Mac Pro 5,1 don't have eGPU support in any form. eGPU needs Thunderbolt, Mac Pro 5,1 don't support it.

 

[startergo]

I opted for Dell DA-2 Power supply
+ cables:
https://kareonkables.com/products/akitio-thunder-2-3-dell-da-2-to-62-6-pin-power-solution
Select the one without the barrel jack. Ask the seller to leave one connector open/not connected to the wires and the cables free from crimps so you can pass through the cables through the holes next to the PCIE slots and crimp/assemble the connector on the other side.
This power supply will give you 216W power (very close to 225W) so you can power 8+6 pin connectors.
[doublepost=1559997044][/doublepost]Remember:
the normal house breakers are 15A so you may have to split the usage through 2 15A breakers if you need 300W +300W power for 2 cards.
https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-53bb28bdae90d657161dab67a726a883

 

[aclarubicin]

Use the search, there are several examples, some with Pixla's mod and some with external PSUs.

Mac Pro 5,1 don't have eGPU support in any form. eGPU needs Thunderbolt, Mac Pro 5,1 don't support it.

eGPU does work with the Titan Ridge, and the GPU in the enclosure is able to drive displays. Done it myself

 

[tsialex]

eGPU does work with the Titan Ridge, and the GPU in the enclosure is able to drive displays. Done it myself

Please be reasonable, do you think that is a solution? Until a way to initialise the Titan Ridge card from macOS is devised, it's not working and it's not a solution for someone in need of a GPU for rendering.

 

[Adamtracksler]

Would an external PCIe enclosure like a netstor na211a work as an easy way?

 

[tsialex]

Would an external PCIe enclosure like a netstor na211a work as an easy way?

PCIe chassis, yes. Netstor na211a, no, it's just 300W.

 

[Adamtracksler]

Any recommendations for a cheap and cheerful PCIe chassis?

 

[startergo]

Would an external PCIe enclosure like a netstor na211a work as an easy way?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cyclone-Mi...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
+
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rosewill-1...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
or
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/980261-REG/dynapower_usa_na255a_xgpu_netstor_6_slot_pcie.html
https://www.span.com/product/NetSto...ith-PCI-Express-x16-Card-amp-1-5M-Cable~39534
[doublepost=1559998498][/doublepost]https://www.span.com/product/NetSto...-x8-+-One-x4-inc-Desktop-Card-amp-Cable~63658

 

[Adamtracksler]

How about these? (I’m in the us)

StarTech PCI Express to 4 Slot PCI Expansion System Model PEX2PCI4

 

[startergo]

How about these? (I’m in the us)

StarTech PCI Express to 4 Slot PCI Expansion System Model PEX2PCI4

This is pcie x1 only one lane. The cheapest all-in-one solution is:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...ower_usa_na211a_g3_netstor_pcie_3_0_slot.html
Just add the Rosewill PSU I linked before

 

[Adamtracksler]

Does the one lane mean it would only support one card?

 

[startergo]

Does the one lane mean it would only support one card?

No it means each of say 4 cards will use 1 lane instead of 16 lanes. The speed of 1 lane is 500mb/s and 16 lanes will give you 8GB (with the overhead)
https://www.tested.com/tech/457440-theoretical-vs-actual-bandwidth-pci-express-and-thunderbolt/

 

[Adamtracksler]

So for a dummy like me: it would work, just slower?

 

[startergo]

I am not sure it will work for your application but for Bitcoin mining should work.

 

[Adamtracksler]

Maybe I’m just better off getting a 1080ti until I can braven up enough for the Pixlas mod.

 

[velocityg4]

I'd think you could just use multiple PSU adapter like they do in mining.
https://www.amazon.com/Multiple-Adapter-Connector-Genetek-Electric/dp/B0711WX9MC/

Use an SATA to Molex adapter to run power to the adapter. Connect the 24Pin ATX connector from the secondary PSU to this. Then run PCIe power cables from your secondary PSU to your GTX 1080's. It won't look pretty and you'll have to leave the door off but it should work.

The multiple PSU adapter simply tells the secondary PSU to turn on when you turn on your computer. I don't know if there is any reason this wouldn't work. It's done quite frequently with Cryptomining.

Assuming the Mac Pro uses a standard ATX connector. Here is another option which is popular with miners.
https://www.amazon.com/Optimal-Shop-Second-Motherboard-Adapter/dp/B07543LNRH/

 

[startergo]

I'd think you could just use multiple PSU adapter like they do in mining.
https://www.amazon.com/Multiple-Adapter-Connector-Genetek-Electric/dp/B0711WX9MC/

Use an SATA to Molex adapter to run power to the adapter. Connect the 24Pin ATX connector from the secondary PSU to this. Then run PCIe power cables from your secondary PSU to your GTX 1080's. It won't look pretty and you'll have to leave the door off but it should work.

The multiple PSU adapter simply tells the secondary PSU to turn on when you turn on your computer. I don't know if there is any reason this wouldn't work. It's done quite frequently with Cryptomining.

Assuming the Mac Pro uses a standard ATX connector. Here is another option which is popular with miners.
https://www.amazon.com/Optimal-Shop-Second-Motherboard-Adapter/dp/B07543LNRH/

When did you see Apple using any "standard" PC connector? It would be a good solution but will it work with sata to molex triggering PSU start?

 

[velocityg4]

When did you see Apple using any "standard" PC connector? It would be a good solution but will it work with sata to molex triggering PSU start?

It should. SATA gets power immediately. The SATA to Molex adapter doesn't do anything special. It just changes the physical connector. There isn't any sort of electrical conversion.

 

[Flint Ironstag]

Heads up - I don't know if Netstor has upgraded those chassis, but up to a couple of years back, the cooling solution was absolutely inadequate for 4 hard working GPUs.

 

[OS6-OSX]

Heads up - I don't know if Netstor has upgraded those chassis, but up to a couple of years back, the cooling solution was absolutely inadequate for 4 hard working GPUs.

Maybe not even for 1.
I have my 980ti in a Netstor with an additional fan something like this one.

So in that small box I have
1. The Netstor fan
2. 980ti fan
3. A fan something like this on the side where the Netstor PCIE is slotted. Blows directly onto the 980ti

 

[ModernGnome]

If you are still looking into options here is a thread I made about doing something similar with my machine except I was running dual 980Ti graphics cards. The setup has been working flawlessly ever since.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/dual-980ti-hybrids-in-mac-pro.2176915/#post-27263497

 

[macguru9999]

I opted for Dell DA-2 Power supply
+ cables:

[doublepost=1559997044][/doublepost]Remember:
the normal house breakers are 15A so you may have to split the usage through 2 15A breakers if you need 300W +300W power for 2 cards.
https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-53bb28bdae90d657161dab67a726a883

It would depend on the peak power supply draw, not just the cards installed. A mac pro PS is 980W so about 8 amps in the usa at 120v rms and 4 amps here in australia 240v rms.