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If you were to use a standard power supply externally, what are the steps in powering it on and off? Turn on the machine first, then extra PSU? PSU first then tower? Is sleep mode possible? Linking the PSU to the tower so it turns on automatically?
 
Today we'll find out more about this card, hopefully power draw included along with price.

We do know it's a 6x8 pin card and that its little brother 980 is rated for 165W TDP.

So I wonder if the Titan X might be able to be modded for 6x6 pins like the 780 was. Which would be awesome - imagine a Titan running in a CMP without needing any secondary power. Quite embarrassing for the NMP if true.
 
Today we'll find out more about this card, hopefully power draw included along with price.

We do know it's a 6x8 pin card and that its little brother 980 is rated for 165W TDP.

So I wonder if the Titan X might be able to be modded for 6x6 pins like the 780 was. Which would be awesome - imagine a Titan running in a CMP without needing any secondary power. Quite embarrassing for the NMP if true.

Latest rumors is 250w tdp.

Since original titan with same tdp works fine in macpro, this one should be good as well.
 
Just a couple (or three) cautions re Titan X on Mac Pro

1) You'll need to be able to supply adequate power to it. So your system will need to supply it with 75 watts from the PCIe slot (usually no big deal) and it'll need to be supplied power at its 75 watt - PCIe 6-pin connector (also usually no big deal) and about 150 watts via its PCIe 8-pin connector (the big deal) ( I recognize that the TDP is just 250W and (2x75W) + 150W is > 250W, i.e., 300W, but wiring for exactly 250W is too complex for most).
2) You'll need a MP system running Yosemite and
3) You'll need to have the then latest Nvidia drivers for the Mac that support the X.

So, if you plan on getting an X, try to make sure that you have the proper power, OS and driver support already established for when your X arrives.
 
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Here is the guide:
– disassemble the PSU
– solder 16 copper cables (18 AWG at least) to 12V and GND lines (you gotta know 8-pin plug pinout obviously)
– route cables through "cable hole"
– crimp and put plugs on
and it's done.

Thanks sheep. I understand the basics, it's the specifics I need help with. Like where do you pull from for the Sense0 and Sense1 lines.

I 'm someone who doesn't have the technical skills or knowledge at present to perform such a mod, so I'm looking for someone who could/would provide the service. I realize that isn't you. I don't need this mod right away, but a proper guide would no doubt be of great benefit to others as well (unless I'm missing something here).

So it seems that with your modified PSU, you are able to toss almost any video card (or pair of cards) into your system without great consideration for power requirements.

Thanks for your contribution.
 
As far as I know, the sense lines are still just grounds. The card senses the ground connected to them and knows if its a 6 or 8 pin cable.

A buddy of mine here is VERY good at soldering, he repairs old ham radio motherboards. I just don't have a spare mac pro PSU to try this mod on.

I can see why the mac pro's shut off when we load the PSU too much now. Its nothing to do with the actual PSU power rating. Its the mac pro motherboard, ALL the power has to run thru the motherboard traces. They are not nearly as robust as having wired cables and apple knew that. The PSU may be 980 watts, but its bottle-necked by circuit traces on the mobo that probably cant handle more than 500 watt total. Perhaps that's also why apple never offered the 130 watt cpu's for the dual socket boards. Maybe with maxed ram, card, and those cpu's, it was too close to the safety limit on the boards power connection to the PSU.
 
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As far as I know, the sense lines are still just grounds. The card senses the ground connected to them and knows if its a 6 or 8 pin cable.

A buddy of mine here is VERY good at soldering, he repairs old ham radio motherboards. I just don't have a spare mac pro PSU to try this mod on.

I can see why the mac pro's shut off when we load the PSU too much now. Its nothing to do with the actual PSU power rating. Its the mac pro motherboard, ALL the power has to run thru the motherboard traces. They are not nearly as robust as having wired cables and apple knew that. The PSU may be 980 watts, but its bottle-necked by circuit traces on the mobo that probably cant handle more than 500 watt total. Perhaps that's also why apple never offered the 130 watt cpu's for the dual socket boards. Maybe with maxed ram, card, and those cpu's, it was too close to the safety limit on the boards power connection to the PSU.

Thanks for the information Surrat, it was very helpful.
 
Thanks sheep. I understand the basics, it's the specifics I need help with. Like where do you pull from for the Sense0 and Sense1 lines.

I 'm someone who doesn't have the technical skills or knowledge at present to perform such a mod, so I'm looking for someone who could/would provide the service. I realize that isn't you. I don't need this mod right away, but a proper guide would no doubt be of great benefit to others as well (unless I'm missing something here).

So it seems that with your modified PSU, you are able to toss almost any video card (or pair of cards) into your system without great consideration for power requirements.

Thanks for your contribution.

It's really relatively easy mod. Basic soldering skills and understanding of PCIe plugs pinouts are enough. Proper insulation of soldered joints is required as well.
You need to be precise and mark cables carefully before routing them through "cable hole". That's most tricky part TBH.
Disassembling the PSU is really easy and when you do that, you'll see the rest. Now after making few PSUs I wouldn't even need to do it. Only dangerous thing inside the PSU is "mega" capacitor. DO NOT TOUCH IT and you'll stay alive ;)

Anyone who want's to offer mod service needs to practice it themself, sorry.
I don't want to be responsible for any potential damages in case of someone's fault. And I hate spoon feeding ;)
That's why I won't publish any step by step.
 
I don't want to be responsible for any potential damages in case of someone's fault. And I hate spoon feeding ;)
That's why I won't publish any step by step.

OK. I have a 2009 4.1 incoming and would like to solve the PSU problem. I benefit a lot from a the info already out there, for which I am grateful.

I would happily remove the PSU and start to solder the wires, but don't know where to start. I can find the pin layout I guess.

Could you meet me half way and tell me how many wires, and where to put them, in order to get two new 8 pin PCI connectors from the included PSU? I would then document my progress and make it available here, if successful.

Thanks!

Anyone else who knows is welcome to chip in of course...
 
Could you meet me half way and tell me how many wires, and where to put them,

666sheep wrote: 16 copper cables (18 AWG at least)

I didn't do this mod but I'm pretty sure that it's almost impossible to overlook a 12V terminal capable of handling 80A :D

to avoid the need to buy all the parts and tools necessary to create the cable on my own, I'd buy a set of cables like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261793345021
 
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If all pointers I posted aren't enough for you I guess you need to think twice before starting to do this mod... No offense, but I said enough.

No offense taken. I understand that you won't be the one helping out—that's OK!

Taking apart the Mac Pro: no problem.
Soldering wires: no problem:
Delidding CPUs: no problem:
tightening/un-tightening screws: no problem
running wires through too small holes: doable.
Keeping track of cables: no problem

Connecting unmarked cables to unmarked cables, where only one combination is correct and there are plenty of wrong possibilities: a step wide open for error, unless you know what goes where.

I fully intend to provide images of an 8-pin connector and try to find an image of whatever "thing" comes out of the Mac Pro PSU. Someone here will tell me what goes where.

When I'm done, my documentation will help other people in my situation. No biggie.

Don't mistake "not knowing something" for "difficult/easy". Difficult things are those that despite knowing exactly what to do, are still hard.
 
You're overthinking this. Just take apart the PSU and you'll get it.

Possibly. But it's because I don't know what comes out of the main PSU. Maybe it's self explanatory. But I won't do a trail and error on this, hence the need for explicit advice.

And really: no offense taken. Everyone shares on their own terms, and we all get tired of repeating ourselves endlessly.

OK, so the 8 pin is mainly 12V and GND. Do we need the 'sense' for gfx?

PCIe_pinout.png
 
This is interesting, I looked up the PSU in the 5,1.

That 12.2volt 79amp rail is really strange, I never saw a computer PSU setup like this one. I guess the trick is just tapping off the right wires, to create the 150 watt 8pin cables.

Surrat, when you removed the PSU, do you remember if the cables were marked so as to know where to join the the 12V and GND pins from additional 8 pin PCIe connectors? It's hard to say looking at your images.

I'd like to try the mod that 666sheep suggests, but need marked wires or a schematic of the PSU pins similar to what I already have to the 8 pin connector.

Thanks!
 
Possibly. But it's because I don't know what comes out of the main PSU. Maybe it's self explanatory.

It is.

I'll give you my last advice, it's up to you if you'll takie it or not...

Let's put it this way: I can tell you the pinout from my memory, I remeber it very well. Would you trust it or would you prefer to check it with your own eyes to be 200% sure that you won't fry your precious GPUs and PSU?

That's why I strictly recommend disassembling the PSU to identify wires precisely.
 
It is.

I'll give you my last advice, it's up to you if you'll takie it or not...

Let's put it this way: I can tell you the pinout from my memory, I remeber it very well. Would you trust it or would you prefer to check it with your own eyes to be 200% sure that you won't fry your precious GPUs and PSU?

That's why I strictly recommend disassembling the PSU to identify wires precisely.

Well, with this information I'd kindly request the pin layout, then use that to cross reference my findings when removing the PSU (I'll get the computer on tuesday). If it matches I'd go ahead.

Let's be realistic: once we start cutting wires and del-idding CPUs, we can't be that precious about it anymore.

I don't take "forum information" at face value. I weigh it against who's saying what and try to get a feel for that user's track record. Are you a trust worth person?
 
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