Noob help - GPU cooling advice

[JamesBay]

Hey all. I tried to search the forums here and couldn't find exactly what I was searching for. Basically, I set up a 6 GPU rig recently and can't figure out how to cool down the GPU's adequately. What I have is: 6 XFX RX580 and 3 fresh air fans coming in and 3 fans going out of the chassis. I also set the fans on each GPU to go to 100% at 75C. Even with all of this, I am running at 87-89C consistently. And from what I understand, this is going to either burn my cards up or create a fire hazard. So, two questions: 1) can anyone recommend a very high air flow fan that I can daisy chain with 4 pin molex and 2) any software tweaks I can use outside of afterburner?

After spending a butt load of money, this rig is going to be a paper weight if I can't cool down my cards.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Vayra86]

Open case / mining rig because let's face it, that's whats up here...

Also, keep in mind that ambient temperature is the first and foremost influence on your card temps under load. Cooling happens by dissipating heat. And you can only dissipate heat with a significant temperature difference, so anything you can do to increase the potential difference is going to increase the effect of any active cooling you do. First and simplest thing to think of is putting the rig in the basement if you have one. Second is airconditioning and/or ventilation (but this is a power hog too = $$$ so factor that in).

Something like this

These people know more (and finer) details than I do
@R-T-B
@cdawall
@trog100

 

[Supercrit]

You used a chassis, open or closed? If it's open it's better to have some large box fans instead of multiple 120mm PC fans, you will save a ton because for the amount of air they can move they are lot cheaper. also do have fresh air intake and hot air exhaust for the room itself.

 

[JamesBay]

I was attempting to find a solution to stack rigs and not make it look like I was creating server farm to piss off the wife. So, I chose to go to a chassis rather than an open air solution. I have everything in a Hydra II chassis. Other people aren't running into the high temps, I think, because of the fans they are using (and closing the side vents for max flow). It sounds like you guys are recommending on going with an open rack...correct? No high powered fans or software adjustments?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B4QHDPJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Supercrit]

To save money, make one yourself with some wood if you have the power tools, customize it yourself and incorporate components wherever you want. Otherwise, have the case open, lay on the ground/table, have a large box fan blowing directly to the cards, much better than trying to direct the airflow in tight spaces with 6 cards.

 

[JamesBay]

Thank you Super for the advice. I am going to have to find a decent looking open air, stackable frame from Amazon. My wife will get pissed me having a hokey wood thing in the house.

Wish I could keep the chassis...but I don't know how to cool the cards down....

 

[Jetster]

If changing the case or opening it up doesnt work. . Buy an AC unit tog get your ambient temps down

 

[Nuckles56]

Also if noise isn't a consideration, buy 6 of these and then you'll be fine, they move so much air it isn't funny https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dnPfrH/delta-electronics-case-fan-afb1212ghecf00

 

[biffzinker]

My wife will get pissed me having a hokey wood thing in the house.

I highly doubt screaming Delta fans would go over any better with the OP's wife.

 

[phanbuey]

Mod the case to hold a box fan as someone here said

 

[Norton]

@JamesBay what are you using for fans?

Note that the manual for that case recommends some pretty heavy duty fans:

2. Install the fans
We recommend high speed server fans with greater than 4000 RPM and 150 CFM.
Generic case fans may not provide adequate static pressure for server environment.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0817/8277/files/Hydra_2_Rev_B_User_Manual.pdf?184048170500311230

 

[Hood]

My wife will get pissed me having a hokey wood thing in the house.

But she won't mind sweating from the massive heat output, or the super loud Delta fans? As long as it doesn't look "hokey"? You have a problem, my friend. Tell her your machine prints money and she will be more tolerant! The Delta fans linked above would work, but they're very loud (like a nearby vacuum cleaner). Describe your climate and living space for more specific solutions (basement, attic, spare rooms?).

 

[eidairaman1]

Don't piss your wife off, if she tells you no on the mining thing don't go behind her back and do it or try to hide it, that would betray her trust in you.

 

[moproblems99]

Don't piss your wife off, if she tells you no on the mining thing don't go behind her back and do it or try to hide it, that would betray her trust in you.

Sounds like it is a little late for that. However, this was the best advice here. That said, I'll gladly take those cards off your hands so she doesn't find out.

 

[Caring1]

Your GPU temps aren't too bad in my opinion, as long as they stay below 90C.
Does that rack come with a top that closes, and directs airflow more accurately?
I would look in to fans with a high CFM and hopefully low Db.

 

[JamesBay]

Also if noise isn't a consideration, buy 6 of these and then you'll be fine, they move so much air it isn't funny https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dnPfrH/delta-electronics-case-fan-afb1212ghecf00

Actually, I am considering that fan. I need to make a decision on replacing the fans I have (1300RPM) or buying a new rig frame. The noise may be a problem, but an open air rig with subpar fans are going to make nice as well.

Sounds like it is a little late for that. However, this was the best advice here. That said, I'll gladly take those cards off your hands so she doesn't find out.

I may take you up on that. I just found out today that I am only going to make $5 a day running all 6 cards 24/7. This whole endeavor may not be worth it...

Your GPU temps aren't too bad in my opinion, as long as they stay below 90C.
Does that rack come with a top that closes, and directs airflow more accurately?
I would look in to fans with a high CFM and hopefully low Db.

Yes, there is a cover. And others who have purchased it isn't having this heat issue. And I think it is because of the fans they have and some software tweaks. I am just too new to know what they are doing.

Also, based on what I have read on other forums, I may burn down my house if trying to run the cards at 90C for a long period of time. Not correct?

@JamesBay what are you using for fans?

Note that the manual for that case recommends some pretty heavy duty fans:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0817/8277/files/Hydra_2_Rev_B_User_Manual.pdf?184048170500311230

I thought 1300RPM would be good enough. But clearly I was wrong.

 

[ne6togadno]

cooler master jetflo 120
try first with 1600 rpm adapter. it should give you good enough noise/performance rate.

edit:
first check fan directions. make sure those at the prot side of the gpus suck air out while those above cpu blow fresh air in.

 

[trog100]

a pic of my own mining rig.. it runs cool with all fans running slow and its nearly silent.. but its a bit on the large side..

its currently producing maybe $14 US per day less power costs it pulls about 1000 watts from the wall.. its not worth building one with things as they are.. mine has been running faultlessly 24/7 since august 2017.. i built mine more out of interest than anything else..

trog

 

[Caring1]

From what I see, both open air frames have a larger space between the GPU's, compared to the frame in the link supplied by the O.P.
This lack of space will limit air flow to the cards causing them to run hotter.
If they could be spread out a bit, it should help.

 

[trog100]

From what I see, both open air frames have a larger space between the GPU's, compared to the frame in the link supplied by the O.P.
This lack of space will limit air flow to the cards causing them to run hotter.
If they could be spread out a bit, it should help.

one card feeds heat to another.. on a mining rig the gap between them is a "bigger the better" principle .. the front fans on my rig basically help cool the air gap between each card.. as i said earlier all my fans are running very slowly.. very slowly is all it needs if the air gap between each card is wide enough..

if all the fans on my rig were turned up the thing sounds like a jet engine... i only know because on a boot up once the thing got its knickers in a twist and fired up with all the fans running flat out..

i follow the same principle on my sli daily use rig.. blow air directly between the cards with two case side fans.. good cooling isnt about shifting tons of air with noisy fans.. its about blowing air where it does the most good..

on my mining rig starting from left to right as you move down the line of cards each card run a little hotter than the one on the left of it and it all adds up.. the five 140 mm front fans push air between the cards and help lesson this heat build up effect.. as i say.. blow the air where it does the most good..

trog

 

[JamesBay]

cooler master jetflo 120
try first with 1600 rpm adapter. it should give you good enough noise/performance rate.

edit:
first check fan directions. make sure those at the prot side of the gpus suck air out while those above cpu blow fresh air in.

On the fan direction - yes - I did it correctly. Just the fans are not strong enough.

Thanks all for your help and advice. I ordered some massive Delta fans for this set up and will keep the chassis to see how the new fans work. I know this is going to get very loud....so I will have to suck up to the wifey with chocolates or something. Now I have to look at the power going to the GPU's. When doing nicehash with updated drivers for mining, the GPU's are running 99% straight out. And then I have the two GPU fans at 100%. So if I can have more air flow with the new Delta fans and tweak the power settings, I think I should be ok. If this doesn't work, I will probably give up on this endeavor. I spent over $3000 on this experiment and can't have a fire hazard when leaving the house.

 

[jboydgolfer]

I don't know if it's a viable option for you, but I'm gonna share this because I've used a similar resolution to cool a computer in a hot room in the past.

Even the smallest air-conditioner (<$100) ,providing good 60°F or lower air is a huge help with ambient air cooled GPUs. If you were able to throw in a window mount, or even a stand-alone air conditioner ,you can then go to a hardware store or Home Depot, and purchase dryer vent duct tubing for five dollars ,some tape, and a vent hood possibly, you can almost direct port A/C cool air ,from an air conditioner right to the intake area of your gpu's. I've done this in the past with a buddy & it worked really well. I didnt think it would be a viable solution before we did it, but it cost less than $100 all said n done, and aside from the added cost of running an A/C (im guessing this isnt an issue as your running a large number of GPU's) the cost to benefit ratio was definitely in favor of the solution being viable , atleast in this experience.


something like this, which ran to a "hood" we fashioned, that allowed the case fans to draw fresh A/C cooled air from the vent tubing right into the GPU shrouds. Dropped 10c+

 

[trog100]

On the fan direction - yes - I did it correctly. Just the fans are not strong enough.

Thanks all for your help and advice. I ordered some massive Delta fans for this set up and will keep the chassis to see how the new fans work. I know this is going to get very loud....so I will have to suck up to the wifey with chocolates or something. Now I have to look at the power going to the GPU's. When doing nicehash with updated drivers for mining, the GPU's are running 99% straight out. And then I have the two GPU fans at 100%. So if I can have more air flow with the new Delta fans and tweak the power settings, I think I should be ok. If this doesn't work, I will probably give up on this endeavor. I spent over $3000 on this experiment and can't have a fire hazard when leaving the house.

my mining rigs gpu fans run at less than 50% the gpu temps are less than 60C.. my gpu power is set to a max of %80.. my (open air) rig has (including the gpu and psu fans) 23 fans in all running.. its cool and its also near inaudible..

i have given advice but you sure aint listening to it.. maybe giving up is the best idea..

trog

 

[moproblems99]

I spent over $3000 on this experiment and can't have a fire hazard when leaving the house.

I don't want to sound like an ass, but you should find out how to bail out now. $3000 is going to be tough to make back in this market. You shouldn't have these problems. No extra cooling should be required. I have 5 580s in my rig and my temps don't go beyond 72C.

A quick glance through the thread and I didn't see it but did you downclock the cores to the 1200 range? Did you undervolt them by 80 to 100mv or so? Did you lower the power level to 75% or so?

 

[cdawall]

I just run forced air with the cheap box fans blowing across the rigs. That with a steep fan curve is working fine with 95F days.