I like to create things
So I'll show you how I made my rig capable of holding up to 6 GPU's and still being pretty quiet and cool.
Goals:
1. up to 6 GPU's
2. quiet
3. good cooling
4. reasonable price
I used ASROBK H81 pro BTC motherboard.
It has some limitations but I can live with them.
I used MSI Z87-G45 before but couldn't connect 3GPU's to the mobo. The bluescreen appeared each time. No help from MSI support. It's a shit company. Even my computer-store sellers told me that..
I used this thing. It's designed to work with multiple GPU's.
1. Preparations
I decided to pack everything into one box. But there is no box for 6 GPU's on the market instead od Cubix which costs way too much for me. So I decided to connect two computer boxes into one.
In one keep PSU, display GPU and mobo, and in another one, only additional GPU's (and in the future additional PSU).
First mobo tests.
Rebuilding the GPU box:
GPU's need two rails to be attached:
Testing - it will fit
Now cooling.
I bought some "quiet" fans. As far as GPU's can generate lots of temperature I decided to attach 3 fans (pushing) on one side, controlled with switches and two high speed fans (pulling) controlled from Speedfan software.
the switches:
On top of "main" box there are two slots for fans. They are covered with grates which are too noisy.
Get rid of the grate
And replace it with the "quiet" grates:
Now making it all quiet..
I bought the "acoustic foam" which has one sticky side.
I've covered each part that could emmit any sound out of the boxes, but left some "maintanance" spaces as well.
the foam:
Some foam on one rail so the GPU doesn't fall into vibrations:
Foam between two boxes to keep them quiet:
To connect GPU's you'll need powered up risers. I chose the USB risers. They are 60cm long. The ones that has 1X slot, and the additional molex power connector.
So you'll need additional molex cable from your PSU to power up risers.
Happily I'm Corsair AX1200 owner so each cord is modular. I could even get one more molex cord to power up my side fans.
After you connect two boxes you'll need to move it from time to time. So I "designed"
two handles. They are connected with screws attaching two boxes to each other.
After everything was set up it's time to connect all cables and close side lids.
In the end. What has and what hasn't been achieved
1. Space - enough too put in 2slots-wide X 6 GPU's.
2. Temperatures - at this moment running only 780Ti and 2 X 660 I don't need to run side fans. The top fans at low speeds do their job. After I add more GPU's, there will be still enough air blow to keep them at proper temps.
3. Noise - forget about water cooling noise level with this rig
You hear it but it's not disturbing. I wish I had more cash to spend on water cooling, but since I don't have - this rig is extremely quiet to me 4. price - old PC box - no $. some fans, wires.., I don't know how much it costed but low enough not to count it. The fun when it all comes to life - priceless
5. Performance - I don't know what's the myth with textures load on 1X PCI-e slots. I get almost same times on the same scenes. The overall performance is normal as with any other mobo I used.
The next goal is getting enough work on my shoulders to fill the "GPU box" with only 780Ti's
The brand new one comes soon though.
