Topic: Running Corsair 1200 & 1000 watt psu's near max capacity. Safe? (Read 445 times)

Thanks for detailed post, I'll stand corrected. When few years ago I was thinking of server PSUs I researched tons of forums and videos and I *did* see a few mentioning this issue. Just spent another half an hour seraching Youtube and this time didn't find any. Could they be El Cheapo Chinese knock-offs? Maybe, who knows. Anyway, as I said above, even if protection isn't an issue I was very disappointed by noise levels. My rigs are in my small house and living in a server room never appealed to my wife (nor to me tbh). I know people modify them to make them much quieter but still, they're loud. Size also matters. So back then I made my choice and am with quality ATX PSUs never loading them over 70-80%. Quiet, cool and don't take much space, although cost is higher.

For one I seen many consumer grade, or "home" as you put it, PSUs that didn't shutdown automatically, and some of the cheaper ones actually caused the fire to begin with.

Please share a link where you can show that server PSUs do not have built in protection if you are going to make that claim. Most server PSUs retail for $500 on up when new and I doubt they have any less protection than the far less costly home units. I sure as hell don't want my $7k+ server busting into flames any more than you do your home computer.

Secondly, once you go the route of server PSUs, you almost certainly are going to be running many of them and with 240V power. Since you will be running 20 or 30 amp circuits, you are going to need a PDU to break this power out and distribute it to many different rigs. These PDUs range from low cost to expensive units, but they all come with built-in protection as well, that usually limits the maximum current each outlet on the PDU can deliver, which is a fraction of the units total current rating. So no, a server PSU isn't anymore likely to continue pumping current into anything than a consumer PSU is, both because of its design and because of the extra protection often placed in front of it.

Also when a short circuit situation does occur, no matter the wattage, or current available, a voltage drop will occur and it is this that the PSU circuitry detects, when this goes outside of acceptance limits it shuts the unit down, whether a home or server PSU. Can this circuitry fail, yes, but again I would wager most components in a consumer versions are actually less reliable and robust than those found in a server counterpart.

Mining can be a dangerous activity if done improperly, this is the case whether with a consumer or server grade PSU, but just because you are not familiar with one aspect of it don't go around spreading misinformation about the subject.

For the server PSU, I only run them at 60% capacity. Otherwise, it is too noisy.

OK, not entirely but mostly, then I tried to use server PSUs a year or so ago then was annoyed with their noise plus saw a number of very bad examples.

Well, that they have no protection is not entirely true. The problem is that if you use a PSU that can support 200 Amps in 12 v, it is really hard for a short circuit of one MB to be so strong as to exceed the limits of those PSUs.

I have almost 30 Delta DSP 2400 working 24/7, at 50% load are almost undetectable under 22º celcius, over that the start to make some noise.

That's a very risky move. See, server PSUs don't have any built-in protection, so when there's suddenly any short etc in your GPU/MB they will continue pumping current into it. "Home" PSUs will shut down automatically.

Thanks, i´m not a lab, but i have almost 200 psus, delta, corsair, seasonic, evga etc. Under 18º celcius you can go up to 55 to 60%, over 18º it´s better to stay near to 50%-55% to keep it at their best efficient level. The problem isn´t only the power efficient, there are many factors that becomes criticals when you go to the limits, THR, harmonics, power factors, etc...

fixed it

It´s easy,
Normally the points of maximum efficiency are those of greater stability and duration.

https://www.adslzone.net/app/uploads/2016/06/80plus-en.png

Sorry, i don´t know how to upload the img file.

OP, what many haven't told you is that you are at the threshold where you should seriously look into server PSUs. While EVGA and Corsair are good brands, the fact remains they are consumer PSUs not meant for 24/7 operation at or near 100% capacity.

Now this is not to say that they cannot perform this function, as many miners certainly utilize them in this manner and they are both quality units manufactured to last, it is just that wasn't their design purpose. Most of the specs are for peak loads and the actual assumption is they would normally be running closer to 50%.

Server PSUs on the other hand are definitely designed to be installed in equipment that is going to run 24/7 and probably running closer to its max rating. They will use more robust components, but they will require 240V and are very loud since they are designed for data-center usage.

There are several companies selling these (used ones are significantly cheaper than new) along with various breakout boards and even pico units to plug feed your motherboard 24-pin ATX connector. The cost of the breakout boards, cables, pico unit, and used PSU are roughly that of a new consumer PSU, sometimes even less. Also, one benefit is if the actual server PSU dies, the rest of your investment is still safe as you can simply pickup another $25 PSU as your breakout boards, etc. are still good.

One company that sells these is Parallel Miner, but there are others with a quick google search.

And 1 more thing that I do not see stressed enough.

BAD / dirty / not stable 110/220v *input* power will cause just as much (if not more) damage to PSUs then running them at a high percentage of the max output.

-Dave

Not really a good idea. Although they are capable of these loads leaving 15-20% gap between rated and actual output helps your PSU to work long without any issues. Stays way cooler that way, too.

Which was why I started the post (part that you didn't quote) with "Dave's opinions"

None of us can really speak to this beyond our own experiences and what we see here.

Would it have been better if instead of "opinion" I had said, in my limited testing of less then 100 units in mining EVGA and seasonic tend to seem to be able to take more abuse then corsair.

And in my real job of IT work, with countless power supply replacements over the last 2 decades. The generic / OEM power supply units have the biggest pile in the recycling box with corsair running a distant second but still many more then any other brand.

Once again, nothing I can prove that matters. Is corsair #2 in dead units because they are #1 in replacement power supplies so by nature I am going to see more? I don't know. All you and I and probably most people here can give is opinion.

Unless you want to go out and get a few 1000 of each brand and run them at 90+% in a controlled environment for years and keep track of how long they last. Because in test sample size less then that, it's all just opinion....

What I can *also* say is that in very limited times I have done the RMA myself, EVGA is easier to deal with then anyone else. They are also the slowest.

-Dave

To take a page out of Metroid's book... "PSU's will die in 2018".

Death, it seems, is coming to a lot of electronics this year, according to the great oracle that we know as "Metroid".

For normal uses it's fine. It would be different for 24/7-365. But I absolutely agree with "to keep PSUs cold", that's why I'm adding more cooling systems near my rig. I'm using Peltier since Air Conditioner isn't my options, lol.

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I am working with only like 20 or so typical 8 gpu rigs. And PSU is the unit that dies most often. Probably because I do push those to 90-95% but probably not.
Out of 20 rigs I had
Corsair hx850 - clicking sound from psu not working
corsair 1500w - 2 units - both shut off even at 60% load - dead on arrival
evga 1000w dead fan - could be my fault
seasonic 1000w - burned sata cable - my stupidity - 3 risers on one sata cable
most of the units died because my fault or came to me doa.

I talked about this on jonnyguru forums and came to conclusion that using psus on near max load is ok if the cooling is OK and if the psu is high quality. So maybe in summer ill lower the load.

that's better


It would be safer and would keep both of your device (PSU and GPU)  and another part also in good condition, at least for an extended period.


With 1200 input and 1100 output, of course, you should choose Evga with 1300 Wattage.

Thanks everybody for the heads up.

I am on 240 V power so efficiency is  90+ even on these loads.


I will replace this 1000 unit with a 1200 one so it should be ok.


Regarding my 1200 units I suppose I should run them up to 1000-1050 input?

I am running one at 1200 input -1100 output,, do you guys think the 1300 G2 from EVGA will be significantly better than my RX1200i from corsair?

I run a bunch of Corsair 1000's and have not any any issues with them. I don't push them as hard as you though, and I keep them to a maximum of 800-850 watts on input, meaning they are probably delivering 750-800 output. I also run them at 240V input, so this is a little easier on them as the input current is slightly less and PSU efficiency is slightly better.

For the OP pushing the input over 1040 watts and 950 output, while you may technically be within specifications, I think consumer PSUs are designed more for the 1000 watts to be a maximum surge current, and not a 24/7 constant load. I would look at reducing the load on it if you expect it to last and to also minimize fire risks.

Can you share which specific model of Corsair PSU are you talking about?