I believe that each 6-pin connector is rated industry standard at 192watts max., which the S3+ falls under per blade at default speed, but once you start overclocking if falls outside of spec. and that's why it is recommended to connect the 2nd pair of 6-pin connectors if you OverClock. So don't listen to those that say it's OK, it may be OK for them but it's not designed to do that and if you have the 2nd pair of connectors then just attach them.
At an ambient room temperature of 29C (84F), an
S3 oc'd to 250M requires around 360WDC from a PSU; 180WDC per blade. Therefore, one power input per S3 blade is still within the 192W max capacity spec of a 6-pin PCIe power harness (Mini-Fit Jr. power connector with 18-gauge wires). I have oc'd my units to 250M (though I have been keeping them at 243.75M since it seems to be the sweet spot) using Corsair CX500 PSUs (only two PCIe power connection) with no issues whatsoever and the PCIe power cables/connectors are barely warm to the touch. They've been continuously hashing for almost three months now. Do not take my word for it though; go with the figures I provided above.
...and I do have pictures:
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.8227268https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.8471571On your first link you say:
Legend: Tambient/Tdevice/Wattage/Hash Rate
@ 218.75M (stock)
35C/45C/365W/440GHs
@ 225M
35C/45C/378W/453GHs
@ 237.5M
32C/43/400W/478GHs
@ 250M
29C/43C/425W/485GHsBut then you say on this post "
S3 oc'd to 250M requires around 360WDC from a PSU"
Or am I miss reading something?
Yes, you're definitely missing something.
You must have some mighty efficient S3's, here's what my Overclocked S3+'s consumed AT THE POWER SUPPLY.
237.5M will use about 385w
250M will use about 410w
So no, when Overclocked they do not fall within specs.
Two other reviews online I read had similar results.
Hmmm...
Like firewire2013, you obviously are missing the fundamentals when figuring out PSU wattages/specs/performance. Since it is so fundamental/basic when it comes to dealing with PSUs in relation to the devices they are powering, I refrain from spoonfeeding to give you both a chance to learn it yourselves the proper way through sound research and hard work. However, I'm glad to offer hints to hopefully point you to the right direction:
-AC > DC conversion
-PSU efficiency
-WAC from the wall vs. WDC from the PSU
-carefully reread the first paragraph in my first link
I think those are more than enough hints to get you going.
Well, if you' want to respond like that, then I'll respond in kind.
And here we have a case of someone claiming they know more than other people including the manufacturer of the product he thinks he's an expert on ("I'll use your product, but you designed it wrong" attitude). Please don't explain yourself, it shows a lot. AC>DC Conversion? That should be included in the PSU efficiency because all AC is converted to DC in the power supply, hnmmm but you have it listed separately. When a power supply manufacturer lists the efficiency, they include for loss from conversion as well as heat for the rating. Wall reading vs. from the power supply, well I have both of those listed in my readings, so your response is moot. Please don't bother rereading your own posts, I think I've given you more than enough hints to your mistakes. I feel sorry for people that might follow your advise and similar "If the wires get hot after ten minutes... easy to check...", but then if there is problems you have no responsibility to the possible damages your advise caused.
Where exactly did I say I know more than the manufacturers? That said, they're not technical deities either (couldn't even put together a decent S3 firmware). My numbers are sound; it's more like you couldn't figure them out and I'm not about to resort to spoonfeeding and deprive you of the joys of discovery and the satisfaction derived from learning in the process. If you really believe that my numbers are off, then illustrate it in detail. Just saying so doesn't wash; but then again, that's how you roll it seems. Right on cue, you continue to make stuff up.
Anyway, I was merely making sense of your "
each 6-pin connector is rated industry standard at 192watts max., which the S3+ falls under per blade at default speed, but once you start overclocking if falls outside of spec" statement. Industry standard of what? Please elaborate on which industry it is a standard of. Do you know where or how this "192watts max" is derived from? To reiterate, an S3 overclocked to 250M at an ambient temperature of 29C draws around 180WDC/blade. Yes, it's a sound number which you obviously haven't figured out yet; otherwise, we wouldn't be having this interesting discussion. 180W is clearly within the "192watts max" specification of a single PCIe power harness that you produced without any substantiation. Yet, you continue to insist that "
when Overclocked they do not fall within specs". How does 180W not fall within the "192watts max" specs that you have been brandishing around? It's your number, not mine. I am merely applying it.
Like you, I also prefer a decent headroom when it comes to PSU loading (within reason considering cost/safety factor). If it's working and you're happy and comfy using a particular PSU (overkill or not), then good for you. I'm glad that your units are hashing safely. However, there has already been a ridiculous amount of anecdotal and baseless posts in these forums and adding more does not help. It's hard enough to sift the facts from fables and fabrications as it is.
Hint: Modern ATX PSUs that we use to power our miners nowadays are equipped with 6+2 pin PCIe power connectors (three +12V circuits) instead of the legacy 6-pin ones (two +12V circuits). They (6+2 or 8-pin PCIe power connectors) could theoretically handle up to 252W. But don't take my word for it.
Homework Assignment: Read up on Molex Standard Mini-Fit Jr. power connector specs (as well as their HCS and Plus HCS variations for good measure. Interesting stuff.)