60 replies to this topic

[xXDeltaXx]

Since this forum has lockout & the build's going to be slow, this will probably be part 1 of many lol

The custom 30cm extenders have arrived! - 31cm of extension looks a bit rediculous lol

So, I'm after a way to establish how much (if any) these restrict my system.
Has anyone got any ideas? - I've thought running a GPU benchmark or two with my current setup and then repeating with the cable in place...
Any specific ones to try / stay away from?

Edit - piccies (Phone camera only )
So, I got these specially made from Meitk in China (they normally only make up to 19cm in length) - very helpfull sales person
They arrived boxed, surrounded by bubble wrap an in individual static bags :thumbup:

Here's a bit of an idea as to the legth lol (Deceased BFG GTX 280 for comparison)


Dead GTX280 & broken motherboard - to give an idea of the size / layout etc



Few other pics: cable (motherboard side) cable (GPU side)

Edited by xXDeltaXx, 26 September 2011 - 09:29 PM.

[Righthooks]

You have captured my attention, and I really want to see where this is going in the long run. I loath PCI extensions, so if you can get me to see a finer purpose...I shall buy you a drink.

-Hooks

[xXDeltaXx]

lol Hooks

Hopefully it's going into a fully capable PC that will last a few years and into a custom case that will last a good few more... kind of a Delta take on the SilverStone TJ12.

So, as of; these are the benchies I'm thinking of:
Gun Metal Benchmark (I have it already installed for some reason)
Heaven Benchmark v2.1
Fluid Mark 1.2.0
3D Mark 06
3D mark Vantage (possibly - I have it, but it's just the free version)
Mafia 2 Benchmark

Any others to look out for / use???

[xXDeltaXx]

Cable in & it fired up first shot

Benchies part 2 underway

[xXDeltaXx]

Ok; the good, the bad and the ugly...

Good - the cable ran with no issues! I've heard about some cables not allowing the GPUs to be detected etc... not the case with these ones
Bad - My system is not really optimised for this kind of testing: two screens, one running a load of monitoring software, old game settings etc
Ugly - not much really. The performance (on this antiquated system) doesn't take too much of a hit.

I've got the screenies if people want to take a look; but here's a summary table

It's pretty much the same with or without the cable in place. The min FPS tends to increase. The max FPS can go either way... The average FPS doesn't really change. N.B. Overall Average is generated by the software, calculated is just the averages of the stated values

As per request, CUDA-Z was ran in both cases... not really sure on the results TBH, but I think the cable did have a slight performance loss - was expecting it TBH.
Without cable

With cable


Software / benchmarks used: Crysis Benchmark (3 run setting), Mafia II Benchmark (3 separate runs), Metro 2033 Benchmark (3 run setting), FluidMark (3 separate runs), Heaven Benchmark (3 separate runs), 3D Mark 06, GPU-Z & CUDA-Z. I tried Vantage, but it just crashed...

All in all, a bit better than I expected with 30cm of cable installed. But, the differences may be more or less pronounced on a new system (GTX600s + Socket 2011)... It'll be interesting to try these on a new system with SLI and see if an increase in voltage and / or an OC will address performance limiting from the cable.

[Luke]

Neat! I would have thought the cable would slow things down a bit more.

[xXDeltaXx]

Yeah, me too - cannot wait to try it out on Kepler / socket 2011. It should be interesting because the newer hardware runs faster - so the losses may be more noticeable, but in turn; they are more balanced (even optimised??) then this old socket 775 + GTX470 - so the losses may not be as big to start with.

But yeah, adding 30cm of cable = qute a bit of extra resistance & thus volt drop.

[Luke]

xXDeltaXx, on 02 October 2011 - 01:01 AM, said:

But yeah, adding 30cm of cable = qute a bit of extra resistance & thus volt drop.

I would have thought communication latency would have been more of a factor.

[Nate]

I have never seen a cable like this, what purpose would it serve exactly?

[Luke]

Nate, on 02 October 2011 - 04:45 PM, said:

I have never seen a cable like this, what purpose would it serve exactly?

Stuffing a ton of GPU's in your case without needing to convert them to single slot.

[xXDeltaXx]

Luke, on 02 October 2011 - 04:56 PM, said:

Stuffing a ton of GPU's in your case without needing to convert them to single slot.

Bingo

[Honey Badger]

Or, it could also be used to space out cards further so they can BREATHE. lol

This is very cool, thank you for posting this. Gives me thoughts of possibly getting one of these myself for my current setup so I can space my cards out better in my case for more optimal airflow.

[xXDeltaXx]

Well, like I said, they are non standard. The normal ones like this are upto 19cm long (with and without the additional +12V connector). I kind of got a special deal on these from Meitk... being a custom length and all.

But, if anyone is thinking of trying them, they do sell on the internet (a supplier on Ebay for definite) or I can forward e-mail addresses to their sales rep Cathy / send her's to you (if she's happy to work that way).

Also, I've got 5 - so I can take PCB measurements for clerances if needs be

Edited by xXDeltaXx, 02 October 2011 - 08:07 PM.

[dirtylarryuk]

xXDeltaXx, on 02 October 2011 - 08:06 PM, said:

Well, like I said, they are non standard. The normal ones like this are upto 19cm long (with and without the additional +12V connector). I kind of got a special deal on these from Meitk... being a custom length and all.

But, if anyone is thinking of trying them, they do sell on the internet (a supplier on Ebay for definite) or I can forward e-mail addresses to their sales rep Cathy / send her's to you (if she's happy to work that way).

Also, I've got 5 - so I can take PCB measurements for clerances if needs be

I'm loving this thread!

[Luke]

dirtylarryuk, on 03 October 2011 - 02:34 AM, said:

I'm loving this thread!

I agree. I always thought these cables would become the modders dream. They can allow you to make some seriously different looking builds.

[xXDeltaXx]

Well, like I have said in bits and bobs over this thread and a couple of others - the Silverstone TJ12 was the main idea for this type of build (it uses some "custom made" cables - but they never got back to me as to who by or any other details )

Basic idea for this is to be able to utilise a UD9 (or Ivy version) on all 7 PCIe x16 if I so wish. Mountain Mods case with custom back panel to allow up to 5x dual slot GPUs on one level (hence 5 long cables) and have space for 2 other items (4 way splitter)

[Luke]

xXDeltaXx, on 03 October 2011 - 03:52 AM, said:

Well, like I have said in bits and bobs over this thread and a couple of others - the Silverstone TJ12 was the main idea for this type of build (it uses some "custom made" cables - but they never got back to me as to who by or any other details )

Basic idea for this is to be able to utilise a UD9 (or Ivy version) on all 7 PCIe x16 if I so wish. Mountain Mods case with custom back panel to allow up to 5x dual slot GPUs on one level (hence 5 long cables) and have space for 2 other items (4 way splitter)

I like the way you think. That is the direction I would have headed.

[xXDeltaXx]

Well, a small update - nothing extra bought; but I think the case plan is set.

Opinions please as I normally miss something obvious when doing this kind of thing...
The basic case is to be a Mountain Mods Extended Ascension - but with the front and side panels in slightly different orientations and a custom back panel (& a few little bits).
It starts of as the 'HPTX' motherboard tray c/w 'Horizon-10' option - but with the offset height changed so it only has 2x PSU and a single 92mm fan below the tray.
Then it starts getting Delta-ish (bit mental)...
The the expansion ports are removed from the I/O panel and offset by 61mm (3x 0.8" standoffs) - this enables a splitter card to be installed and it's ports to clear the motherboard
A second block of expansion ports are installed 50mm above the lower ones to take the GPUs (up to 5) - the long flexible extenders from above bridge the gap. Any closer to that drink Hooks? lol
An additional support bracket is installed to help with the GPU weight...
Then as there's room, 3x80mm fans above it all and room for a 360 rad down the side.

There's still more work to do - cable routing plans for one... but what do you think? & more importantly, what have I missed...?

Delta

[xXDeltaXx]

Soo, liquid cooling...

The build isn't going to be liquid cooled to start with (maybe the CPU on the rear 360... maybe)

However, I do intend to put the lot under water at some stage... I've gotthis open on another forum as well & so far the general consensus is that 3x 360 rads will not be enough for my needs and there is questions about getting the amount of air flow needed

Mihapiha has just suggested going external - the Mo-ra3 (probably the 140 x 9) - looks good, that may be the way I choose to go (may need two though lol)
My other option would be change the back panel to a 240 rad and have 3x 480s on the lid with or without the 2x 360rads on the front... any ideas / comments / suggestions? - water cooling is omething I'm not too clued up on :/

Would be to cool the Motherboard (undecided - probably Ivy), the CPU(s), up to 5 GPUs plus any other little bits

Yup, it's a strange plan lol
Delta

Edited by xXDeltaXx, 21 November 2011 - 09:01 PM.

[LightPhoenix]

I would place graphics card on a other height.
Like a stairs

-> [] ->
x-> [] ->
-> [] ->
x-> [] ->

On this way the airflow is on its best because the cards are exhausting heat on a different height.

Edited by LightPhoenix, 21 November 2011 - 09:57 PM.