Hi guys,
I have a DIY file server with 40 HDDs. Only issue is power supply because moder ATX PSUs usually have max. 20-25A on 5V rail, while 12V rail is overdesigned for hungry GPUs.
I have place for another 80HDDs, but I do not like power efficiency and hooking up 6x PSU, each barely 20% load and poor efficiency.
I use Seasonic Prime-TX PSUs with up to 97% efficiency at 50% load. Problem.is 20-25HDDs overload PSU durimg the cold start/spin-up stage.
Modern HDDs have usually 0.5-1A@5V rail. Seasonic handles +30% overload before protection kicks in.
Idling HDDs are not problem. Manufacturers do not share much info about power use...they state 6-8W idle/light use but what rail 5 or 12V...nobody knows but it is possible to measure it of course.
I have seen an adapter for Corsair PSUs that uses PCIe 12V rails and convert it to 5V for PC tuners.
I recall various breakout boards fir server PSUs so I am betting it is possible.
Can someone provide more info or even design PCB/IC (no issues to sponsor greatest minds on Earth)
I am not electronics guy, I know only fundamentals.
Is it possible to design an IC/PCB that takes standard industry PCIe connector with 3x12V wires (PCIe cable limit is 150W ~ 3x 12V@4A) and converts it to standard Molex connector, please?
Molex has got 1x12V and 1x5V wire, which can be easily hooked up to Molex/SATA adapter for powering HDDs.
I have no idea how voltage/current is regulated in PSU and HDD. SATA connector can handle 1.5A on each 12V and 5V pin.
Common connection of HDDs is single SATA cable with four connectors. 1st drive may have up to 4A flowing via connector.
Psu 5/12V pushing 1A for each drive > 1st hdd connector 4A > 2nd 3A > 2A > 1A. I have no idea how exactly it works but I have successfully used 5x SATA (4+1SATA adapters via Molex that can handle 10A).
BackBlaze storage provider runs successfully 5xSATA on one cable for years without any HDD failure...I bet it works
My objective is to fully utilize one PSU in order to run it at 50% load and max efficiency.
Right now I have 1kW/25A PSU powering server + 20 HDDs and second 750 W/20A powering 20 HDD
Average power consumption 290W with 2x PSU, which is poor efficiency about 90%.
It would be great to use only one PSU. 290W on 750W is about 95% efficiency. It is 5% energy saved. Server runs 24/7 and it saves about 100€/year.
During cold start about 500W spike for less than 10seconds
Any suggestions, please?
I have a DIY file server with 40 HDDs. Only issue is power supply because moder ATX PSUs usually have max. 20-25A on 5V rail, while 12V rail is overdesigned for hungry GPUs.
I have place for another 80HDDs, but I do not like power efficiency and hooking up 6x PSU, each barely 20% load and poor efficiency.
I use Seasonic Prime-TX PSUs with up to 97% efficiency at 50% load. Problem.is 20-25HDDs overload PSU durimg the cold start/spin-up stage.
Modern HDDs have usually 0.5-1A@5V rail. Seasonic handles +30% overload before protection kicks in.
Idling HDDs are not problem. Manufacturers do not share much info about power use...they state 6-8W idle/light use but what rail 5 or 12V...nobody knows but it is possible to measure it of course.
I have seen an adapter for Corsair PSUs that uses PCIe 12V rails and convert it to 5V for PC tuners.
I recall various breakout boards fir server PSUs so I am betting it is possible.
Can someone provide more info or even design PCB/IC (no issues to sponsor greatest minds on Earth)
I am not electronics guy, I know only fundamentals.
Is it possible to design an IC/PCB that takes standard industry PCIe connector with 3x12V wires (PCIe cable limit is 150W ~ 3x 12V@4A) and converts it to standard Molex connector, please?
Molex has got 1x12V and 1x5V wire, which can be easily hooked up to Molex/SATA adapter for powering HDDs.
I have no idea how voltage/current is regulated in PSU and HDD. SATA connector can handle 1.5A on each 12V and 5V pin.
Common connection of HDDs is single SATA cable with four connectors. 1st drive may have up to 4A flowing via connector.
Psu 5/12V pushing 1A for each drive > 1st hdd connector 4A > 2nd 3A > 2A > 1A. I have no idea how exactly it works but I have successfully used 5x SATA (4+1SATA adapters via Molex that can handle 10A).
BackBlaze storage provider runs successfully 5xSATA on one cable for years without any HDD failure...I bet it works
My objective is to fully utilize one PSU in order to run it at 50% load and max efficiency.
Right now I have 1kW/25A PSU powering server + 20 HDDs and second 750 W/20A powering 20 HDD
Average power consumption 290W with 2x PSU, which is poor efficiency about 90%.
It would be great to use only one PSU. 290W on 750W is about 95% efficiency. It is 5% energy saved. Server runs 24/7 and it saves about 100€/year.
During cold start about 500W spike for less than 10seconds
Any suggestions, please?