Topic: [SUCCESS] 7 GPU Mining with Asrock H81 Pro BTC + PCIe Switch/Hub - page 4. (Read 29657 times)

Thank you for your answer pikachuy .

 

From my experience, with this motherboard, it would not boot sometimes if there is no display/monitor connected. So the dummy plug emulates a monitor being connecting all the time, that way, I am guarantee the computer to boot up, even if I restart the computer remotely. I updated the original post to include comments about the dummy plug and link.


What I did was go on the first GPU in WattTool, and set up the settings to my liking, and then save profile, and then I go onto the next GPU and repeat, and save profiles (like GPU1.ini GPU2.ini GPU3.ini and etc.). Once that is all done for your GPUs, create a new text file in the WattTool folder named "Run.Bat". Then right click that new file and choose edit, and enter in something like this "WattTool-0.92.exe GPU1.ini GPU2.ini GPU3.ini GPU4.ini GPU5.ini GPU6.ini GPU7.ini" and save. Then right click that file and create shortcut. Now take that shortcut file and place it into your startup folder. Now when your computer boots up, it will load up all your profiles automatically. When ever I need to tweak stuff, I just make my changes and re-save the profiles to their appropriate name and it will still auto-load at startup.


Correct, you can use either or. If you have no Molex, you can power the switch/hub with SATA. If you have no SATA, you can power it with Molex.

The switch has both SATA and Molex connectors. I think I see in your pictures that you only connected the Molex? No need to connect the SATA as well?

What does it serve your dummy plug?

To keep a resolution when you take remote control?

Or did you find that? Do you have a stp link? I'm from europe.




Actually it works well wattTool I did not get down to 0.90v with msi afterburner, but with wattTool no problem.

The file that tut speaks is the file ExampleProfile?

Do you place it or this file so that it starts automatically?


thank you in advance

I got my cables from sidehack, can see his thread here: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/fs-gs-server-psus-boards-kits-stickminers-gpu-riser-power-made-in-usa-940317

Nice setup.  Just wondering what kind of PCIe cables those are and where did you get them.  I've been looking for some spare PCIe cables for EVGA power supplies.

Watttool is kind of similar like MSI afterburner, but to me, I like WattTool better because I can change all the settings in a simple text .ini file and have it load at startup easily. I'm not much of a graphical interface kind of person when it comes to underclocking/overclocking. All the settings I need (voltage offset, GPU control, memory control, fan control, and etc) all in a plain text file easily for me to modify.



Yes, I am using a dummy plug as you can see from the pictures, only setting I changed was set PCIe to gen1, and disable onboard GPU.



This is the case I got, http://spotswoodcomputercases.com/wp/?page_id=8791

Hi Pikachuy. Are you using dummy plug? Any magic settings in BIOS? Thanks.

Hello,

it's makerbeam or openbeam?

it work well your pci express 1 to 3

Hmm interested.

I will test.

What is this watttool tool?

It serves to modify the bios or is it a soft like msi after burner?

Nicely done! Love the case too

UPDATE: Steps I did to do the same is on the bottom of this post.
UPDATE2: Tried 8 GPU, and it was blank screen/no post or boot, so 7 GPU is max with this setup.

Well, after reading all this talk about motherboards with 7 PCIe slots for 7 GPU rigs, it got me into the hype of wanting it too. But all my rigs are Asrock H81 Pro BTC motherboards and didn't want to buy a new motherboard for each of them, just to add a 7th GPU. I've read about PCIe switches/hubs and decided to give it a try and want to share my findings with others.

Here's my setup:

Motherboard: Asrock H81 Pro BTC
Processor: Intel Pentium G3240
Ram: 8GB G.SKILL Ripjaws Series
Storage: 60GB SSD
Power Supply: EVGA 1300 G2
Cards: (7) XFX 480 8GB Reference (Custom public bios, thanks @Eliovp)
PCIe Switch/Hub: https://www.amazon.com/PCI-E-Switch-Multiplier-Expander-Expansion/dp/B01ERXUEOM
Custom power cables for the EVGA to power 7 GPU and 7 Risers (thanks @sidehack for the nice quality cables, and a custom CPU to VGA modular cable https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/fs-gs-server-psus-boards-kits-stickminers-gpu-riser-power-made-in-usa-940317)
Drivers: 16.11.5
Tools: http://www.overclock.net/t/1609782/watttool-a-simple-tool-that-combines-overclocking-with-vrm-monitoring-tweaking-for-rx-400-series
O/S: Windows 7 X64 with 6+ GPU MOD (https://lbr.id.lv/6xgpu_mod/)
Bios settings changes: Set PCIE2 Link Speed to gen1, and disable onboard GPU, Also, see post #44 for all my bios settings here https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.18803505
NOTE: HDMI Dummy plug used because sometimes it would not boot without a display connected so I used a dummy plug 24/7 since I manage it remotely with teamviewer https://www.amazon.com/CompuLab-fit-Headless-Display-Emulator/dp/B00FLZXGJ6/

And a shout out to @Spotswood for the nice quality open frame (http://spotswoodcomputercases.com/wp/?page_id=8791), puts my PVC frame to shame:








And a look at the PCIe Switch/Hub nicely mounted:






Now time for the good stuff...

I downclock/lowered my numbers a bit instead of going for the 31+ Mh because power consumption and heat is a big factor for me.

Here is my Claymore mining ETH at a stable ~204 Mh:


Here is my GPU-Z:


Here is my WattTool settings (results may vary):


Now after all that is done, here is my Kill-A-Watt meter:


So 204 Mh at about 976 watts is pretty dang good for me. Just a shy under 1000 watts for a 7 GPU rig setup with 200+ Mh.

Now one is done, time to do the others (fun stuff)!

Here are my steps:
1. Install the hardware of the PCIe splitter (only need power from molex or sata, not both) and GPU's and connect everything.
2. Boot into BIOS and change PCIE link speed to gen1.
3. Boot computer in safe mode.
4. Run DDU to install all old drivers from here http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html
5. Reboot computer normally.
6. It should show 7 gpu in device manager, if so, install drivers 16.9.1 (I have tested and it seems the most stable for me) http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/desktop/previous/detail?os=Windows%207%20-%2064&rev=16.9.1
7. Once driver's are installed, do not reboot computer. Download this and run it and modify registry https://lbr.id.lv/6xgpu_mod/
8. Now reboot, and everything should work.