Putting GPU on a server (DL160 G6)

Flour321 · Oct 14, 2016

I own a pretty good (at least for games) server, a DL160 G6,
it has 500W PSU, 2x E5620 and 24GB of ram, all in 1U rack case.

Obviously, this server doesn't have a proper GPU, so I want to put one in, but I'm not sure what will fit in power consumption:
I have a 16x PCI-E port and 8x PCI-E port, but 8x has to be populated with RAID controller. Both of those ports have a note that they are 3.3Volts, which I read means they are rated for 35W (so they don't appear to support GPUs)

I don't intend to keep GPU inside case, i want to put it outside with PCI-E 16x to 16x extender (since there are no high-power GPUs that are REALLY single-slot for low cash).

But my question is: What GPU should I get having those constraints:
- Only one PCI-E 1x6pin connector max (my PSU has one but it's far away from PCI-E port), but better yet if no 6pin needed.
- Fairly low power consumption
- Fairly cheap and powerful (Let's say I want to play newest games but not on max settings, I will be happy with medium)
- Can be as monstrous as needed.
Additionally, should I get a 16x to 16x with a molex or without? I have doubts If my motherboard will handle 75W that GPUs need from PCI-E, so should I bypass PCI-E power directly to a molex?

And do keep in mind that this is a server, not a desktop PC, so I'd like to keep within standards for most part, since those server parts are really only meant for that.

FnaticMeister · Oct 14, 2016

I mean, you could pick up an RX 460, which draws only 75w from the PCI connector if you buy the sapphire 2gb edition. Here's the link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202228&cm_re=rx_460-_-14-202-228-_-Product
If you want to get a better one for a little bit more money:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125897&cm_re=rx_460-_-14-125-897-_-Product
Good luck with everything!

Rookie_MIB · Oct 14, 2016

Servers become a bit tricky, because they tend to have a lot of high-powered fans, and high powered CPUs along with it. They also don't have the best cooling for graphics cards and their fans are pretty noisy, and finally they don't always have the connections easily available to put in a higher powered GPU without using molex -> PEG adapters. That limits what you can put in the computer.

With your server, it's doubly hard because with 1U, you have NO room for a dual slot GPU, and that's what most of them are today. And are you SURE you want to put it outside? Theres limits to how far those flexible connectors will go, and you DON'T want your GPU to land on something that shorts things out. That would be BAD and could damage both the server and the GPU.

In many regards you'd almost be better off buying a 2U chassis and transferring everything over to a bigger case.

Flour321 · Oct 15, 2016

Thanks for answers guys. Sadly noone yet picked on that 3.3V thing with PCI-E so this would be appreciated

.

As far as RX 460 goes, this seems like great suggestion, it costs new about as much as 750 ti but is more powerful and doesn't need 6-pin connector (just as 750 ti, ofc). Thanks FnaticMeister.

About 1U rack: you are right Rookie_MIB that 2U case would be better but sadly there isn't big chance of that happening: much of stuff in that server is highly customized for that case, like PCI-E cage, HDD bays, Information display, fan mounts, even ports on back are just integrated into chase. I don't have room for anything even slightly bigger than 1slot full PCIE inside. But I can put GPU just slightly to back from server, via PCI-E open slot. That would require less than 20cm of PCI-E cable extender, which I heard is capable of being extended up to 30cm, so we should be safe here. I'm sure that putting GPU outside is only proper thing to do, but I think it will be secure being back to server, i can even put it in some kind of box if those plastic covers on GPU are insufficient. I know that shorting GPU will kill it and put whole server in risk. Still that server is 14kg so I don't plan on moving it too often, and I believe I have fairly secure place for GPU. Probably only 2 things will be able to short it and I should watchout for those: server case is metalic and fluids are another common risk for PCs.

Now for power: There are fairly powerful 75W GPUs (RX 460 and 750 ti are probably okay), but I'm not sure if my motherboard will handle it. Should I reroute PCI-E power while I extend it to a molex connector? Or putting it on 3.3Volts PCI-E slot is okay? Do note that I currently have free PCI-E 6-pin power cord and 2 molex cables (yes, that PSU only has 2 molex cables at all).

FnaticMeister · Oct 15, 2016

Flour321 :

Thanks for answers guys. Sadly noone yet picked on that 3.3V thing with PCI-E so this would be appreciated

.

As far as RX 460 goes, this seems like great suggestion, it costs new about as much as 750 ti but is more powerful and doesn't need 6-pin connector (just as 750 ti, ofc). Thanks FnaticMeister.

About 1U rack: you are right Rookie_MIB that 2U case would be better but sadly there isn't big chance of that happening: much of stuff in that server is highly customized for that case, like PCI-E cage, HDD bays, Information display, fan mounts, even ports on back are just integrated into chase. I don't have room for anything even slightly bigger than 1slot full PCIE inside. But I can put GPU just slightly to back from server, via PCI-E open slot. That would require less than 20cm of PCI-E cable extender, which I heard is capable of being extended up to 30cm, so we should be safe here. I'm sure that putting GPU outside is only proper thing to do, but I think it will be secure being back to server, i can even put it in some kind of box if those plastic covers on GPU are insufficient. I know that shorting GPU will kill it and put whole server in risk. Still that server is 14kg so I don't plan on moving it too often, and I believe I have fairly secure place for GPU. Probably only 2 things will be able to short it and I should watchout for those: server case is metalic and fluids are another common risk for PCs.

Now for power: There are fairly powerful 75W GPUs (RX 460 and 750 ti are probably okay), but I'm not sure if my motherboard will handle it. Should I reroute PCI-E power while I extend it to a molex connector? Or putting it on 3.3Volts PCI-E slot is okay? Do note that I currently have free PCI-E 6-pin power cord and 2 molex cables (yes, that PSU only has 2 molex cables at all).

You wouldn't have to reroute the whole thing with a molex connector, and with the latest GPU's, you probably won't need them. For now, if you aren't playing demanding games, go with the RX 460 or GTX 750 ti. In preference, I would get the RX 460 if you're looking for more long term effects and pros. Good luck!

Rookie_MIB · Oct 16, 2016

A followup on the voltages you were worried about. Looking at the electrical specs, all pcie slots use 12v and 3.3v, so it will power a board up to 75w if it is a physical x16 slot. It will just init at a low power 25w first.

And in my 2u server at home, I had a multi slot riser on my asus server board which had an x8 physical slot. I dremeled and cut the end off it and dropped in a Radeon 6670 which worked flawlessly and had no external PEG connector for extra power.

You should be fine with a RX460.

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Putting GPU on a server (DL160 G6)

Flour321

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FnaticMeister

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Rookie_MIB

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Flour321

Commendable

FnaticMeister

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Rookie_MIB

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