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image of top and bottom half of the Mac Pro PSU
 

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he's one of the most trustworthy sources around here. he definitely knows his stuff...

I know that. =)

But he implied himself that maybe I shouldn't just trust the information, but rather check myself.

I do feel there is an unnecessary amount of drama attached to this.

I'll get my voltmeter. I'll check the "self-explanatory" wires myself. I'll take photos. If it works, I'll post my steps in a new thread. I didn't mean to highjack this one.

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there are 4 terminals with +12v

THANK YOU.
 
I know that. =)

But he implied himself that maybe I shouldn't just trust the information, but rather check myself.

I do feel there is an unnecessary amount of drama attached to this.

I'll get my voltmeter. I'll check the "self-explanatory" wires myself. I'll take photos. If it works, I'll post my steps in a new thread. I didn't mean to highjack this one.

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THANK YOU.



ANDREEOnline

Thanks for checking this out and making a how to!
Im sure we all in this community would really start putting this info to use in our mac pros.

Thanks also to sheep 666 for the pointers
Looking forward for more info about how to mod the PSU
 
Then appreciate advices and use your brain instead waiting for someone who will walk with you through the process holding your hand.

Totally uncalled for. I've stated many times, spread over many threads, that I appreciate all the ground work people have done to make it possible to quickly get up to speed with a 4.1 Mac Pro.

The way I look at a forum like this is that it allows us to NOT have to re-invent the wheel by trail and error or by "working at it alone in the dark".

Many of the upgrade steps have been thoroughly documented in appropriate threads: SSDs, GFX and flashing and compatibility, CPU options and strategies.

But the power problem hasn't been cleanly solved yet.

You have brought a solution to our attention and suggested how to do it, but as a forum resource, the solution doesn't exist yet.

I'd still buy you a beer if I get it to work though. Seems doable and sweet.
 
Totally uncalled for. I've stated many times, spread over many threads, that I appreciate all the ground work people have done to make it possible to quickly get up to speed with a 4.1 Mac Pro.

The way I look at a forum like this is that it allows us to NOT have to re-invent the wheel by trail and error or by "working at it alone in the dark".

Many of the upgrade steps have been thoroughly documented in appropriate threads: SSDs, GFX and flashing and compatibility, CPU options and strategies.

But the power problem hasn't been cleanly solved yet.

You have brought a solution to our attention and suggested how to do it, but as a forum resource, the solution doesn't exist yet.

I'd still buy you a beer if I get it to work though. Seems doable and sweet.


check this site that talks about the pins of the PSU on mac pros

http://pinoutsguide.com/Power/apple_mac_pro_psuj3_pinout.shtml
 
But the power problem hasn't been cleanly solved yet.

You have brought a solution to our attention and suggested how to do it, but as a forum resource, the solution doesn't exist yet.

Wrong. It does exist. Here: https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20795858/ and all needed pointers are in this thread.

But you want illustrated step-by-step guide like kids. If someone can't understand that 12V connects to 12V and GND to GND, even pictures won't help. Anyone with "brain services on" doesn't even need pointers I posted.

I'll tell you a secret: I wasn't the first who did this mod, I've read about it being done on MR about a year ago. No pics, no pointers just "hey peeps, I omitted backplane power connectors by routing power cables directly from the PSU".
I thought: he can – I can do it too. You can as well. Just use your brain.
 
assuming the Cables in a cMP PSU all Just go to 2 big Holes in the PCB where its wave soldered in like the rest of the through hole components then it would be a simple case of Removing all the wires adding in the needed 8 Pin 12V and ground cables, hope theres space in the PCB holes for the extra wires and solder it all back up. I see 666 sheep has his guide but heres my take on it LOL
 
Wrong. It does exist. Here: https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20795858/ and all needed pointers are in this thread.

I wrote that you had suggested a solution—that is what those pointers are.

When I talk about a "clean forum solution", I definitely mean a step by step guide with pictures. For kids? Sure children like images too. It's one of the most effective ways to communicate information.

12V to 12V and GND to GND is a given. I fail to see how a bundle of black unmarked wires going into a black unmarked pin grid is supposed to be obvious. I do my preparations ahead of computer delivery. I have not previously studied the Mac Pro PSU. Maybe it's a given when I see it.

I really don't see the need for the grumpiness. If my "measure twice, cut once" approach differs from your "seat of the pants", so be it.

It can be a fine line between forum hero and Darwin award recipient.

Anyway, it is certainly not unreasonable to ask for a clarification in this case.

If my calm and methodical approach rubs you the wrong way I simply ask that you refrain from discussing the issue further with me.
 
Wrong. It does exist. Here: https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20795858/ and all needed pointers are in this thread.

But you want illustrated step-by-step guide like kids. If someone can't understand that 12V connects to 12V and GND to GND, even pictures won't help. Anyone with "brain services on" doesn't even need pointers I posted.

I'll tell you a secret: I wasn't the first who did this mod, I've read about it being done on MR about a year ago. No pics, no pointers just "hey peeps, I omitted backplane power connectors by routing power cables directly from the PSU".
I thought: he can – I can do it too. You can as well. Just use your brain.

Could you be more condescending please?
 
Could you be more condescending please?

I didn't mean to be, but if you're asking I'll try my best :D

Whole discussion at this point is starting to lead to nowhere. Anyone who will have their PSU pulled apart will clearly see what I meant. Good luck with becoming forum heroes then! ;)
 
Anyone who will have their PSU pulled apart will clearly see what I meant.

If that is indeed the case, things might fall into place.

Good luck with becoming forum heroes then! ;)

I wasn't talking about myself. Rather about people just jumping into projects without proper preparation: you might come up with something, or you might… well, get a nomination.
 
wow there is a lot of drama in this post, almost like a mexican soup opera.
i hope that by the time we are on page 10 of this post we get the actual instructions and kid pictures of how to do it.

If you need me to dissemble my PSU and take pictures i can do that, no problem.(i guess i do like pictures) i just don't know what cables to cut etc.
 
wow there is a lot of drama in this post, almost like a mexican soup opera.

Yes.

But I'll give 666sheep the benefit of a doubt. I'll get my 4.1 on Tuesday and sometime in the next few days I'll take a look at it. According to legend, everything will be clear then.

I am assuming this also applies to me: a first time 'PSU-cable-observer', and not only to 'those who already know all about the cables and pin configurations' beforehand.
 
Yes.

I am assuming this also applies to me: a first time 'PSU-cable-observer', and not only to 'those who already know all about the cables and pin configurations' beforehand.

You might be interested in checking out this page.

I'm not sure if this also applies to the Mac Pro but it's an interesting read;
Even though the specification allows for a delivery capability of 75 W (six-pin connector) or 150 W (eight-pin connector), the total power-handling capacity of these connectors is at least 192 and 288 W, respectively, using standard terminals, and even more using the HCS or Plus HCS terminals.
 
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.

Let's be constructive here. I know the 8 pin layout now (image above). I'll just google what the sense pins are.

Can all the 12V and GND wires from the respective 8 pin connectors be soldered to a single point each (since it's a single rail), or will each wire need to be matched to a corresponding wire in the "cluster" out of the PSU?

As an example, assuming six 12V and ten GND: can I cluster the six 12V wires and solder them all to one point on the PSU end? And then cluster the ten GND and solder them to another point?

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You might be interested in checking out this page.

Thanks, checking now.

EDIT: good read. Seems like 8 pin has three 12V and that the sense are GND? At least, the sense wires aren't 12V.
 
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Thanks, checking now.

EDIT: good read. Seems like 8 pin has three 12V and that the sense are GND? At least, the sense wires aren't 12V.

Looks like everything that isn't 12v+ is ground, but I don't know for sure. Perhaps you could use a VOM to test the sense pin on the 6-Pin connector to confirm.

Regarding the solder points;

This is an uneducated guess, but judging from the pictures posted above, there are multiple solder points in the factory configuration. I think that trying to draw too much from one connection COULD cause an overheating issue at the point of connection. Especially since it's connected directly to a circuit board and possibly heating up or overloading copper traces again (just like on the MP board). Since there are multiple connection points already provided, I think it would be prudent to divide the burden across them to lessen the chance of over taxing a single connection.

Of course I'm not an engineer, or even experienced here, so I could be way off base. Just food for thought..
 
Depending on how the load must be distributed, it might even be possible to use something like this:


6to2x8.JPG



Would save me some soldering and it would just need 6 wires to be drawn from the PSU.

Also: could a moderator extract this discussion on how to tap the internal PSU for two 8 pin connectors into a separate thread, please?
 
Thats a damn good idea Andree, would simplify the mod a lot. Since all the wires are going to the same place anyway, I bet that would work fine.
 
Have gotten my computer and looked at it. To a few photos and I will start my own thread to keep everything on topic and in one place.

I'll write a longer text there. Will mod it, but have not done it yet. Making some preparations.
 
I'm currently running a MacVidCards GtX 780 6GB and external power is required in my case. My MacPro turned off randomly with internal power.

This will definitely be my next card if MVC manages to mod this beast:p

I know this thread is old, but I had the same issue with the same card until I switched the cable configuration (basically just routing them to opposite ports).

I've since had no power issues for over a year.
 
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