Those two mining frames in the photo illustrate my idea well, but I plan to use a PC case and build a frame on top of it where I can easily attach different GPUs, essentially connecting 2 PC cases together. The server motherboard is secured inside the PC case, and the GPUs are openly mounted on top.
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I need to prepare an easy installation option for different GPUs so that I don’t have to take down my server or disconnect everything. This idea was with me right from the start, and it came about when I experimented with Cloud Gaming.
I had already brought the GPU out of the PC case with the longest Riser cable beforehand to improve cooling and prevent the temperature inside the PC case from getting too high. If I were to put the GPU inside the PC case, it would quickly raise the temperature, which in turn would mean that my PC case cooling fans would have to work faster. This, in turn, would create fan noise for me. My servers currently operate very quietly, and the equipment rack is right next to my desk. I can still hear the servers, but it is not so disturbing.
And if I plan to install several different GPUs in addition to Data Center GPUs that lack a fan, then I must have a very easy way to build quiet cooling for them. Additionally, there would be little room left in the PC case because many GPUs take up the space of 2 or 3 cards. And it’s good if there is a gap of one card’s width between them so that air can move through.
Actually, my idea is quite simple. I use Riser cables to extend the PCIe x16 Gen5 slot and connect it to the ricer cable. With Riser cables, it’s important to pay attention to quality. Initially, I looked for a cheaper cable advertised as pcie gen4, but it turned out to be gen 3, and sometimes there were some issues. But when I used a high-quality, expensive cable (TT Premium PCI-E 4.0 Extender 600mm), which is considered the best, it worked flawlessly. I didn’t notice any difference between using the riser cable and not using it. PCIe gen4 cables must also be capable of carrying over 150W of electricity, and not all riser cables have this capability. They may be limited to a smaller Watts. So, it’s definitely something to watch out for.
I also currently have the capability that if my currently used PSU power is not enough, I can add a dedicated PSU just for GPUs. But I don’t need it right now.
I Googled different crypto mining cases and PC cases and found out their prices on Amazon. Initially, I wasn’t planning to buy but rather to build myself. However, after visiting a hardware store, the cost of materials and my time would be several times more to build it myself than to buy a ready-made version from Amazon or eBay. Plus, I lack the proper tools to build a nice frame.
So, I bought a Bewinner DIY gaming computer case for 45 euros from Amazon. It’s also sold under the name of a mining PC case. When it arrived, I had to solve another problem.
I couldn’t simply use my old long riser cable because it wasn’t at a 90-degree angle, and the wire wouldn’t fit through that hole.
I found a 90-degree riser card for 15 euros, and it fit perfectly. Of course, the screw holes of this riser card didn’t match the frame, and I haven’t secured it yet. But I placed a spring under the GPU to prevent it from sagging due to its weight. The spring fit very precisely there. Currently, I have no plans to buy more these riser cables or a riser card until I have bought the next GPUs and am moving step by step. Good quality riser cables are very expensive, 70-100 euros, which is ridiculously expensive, and currently, gen 5 is not available, which I actually want. I’d rather buy when the need arises.
