Avid Pro Audio Community

Avid Pro Audio Community

How to Join & Post  •  Community Terms of Use  •  Help Us Help You

Knowledge Base Search  •  Community Search  •  Learn & Support


Avid Home Page

Go Back   Avid Pro Audio Community > Pro Tools Hardware > Pro Tools HDX & HD Native Systems (Mac)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-10-2017, 10:16 AM
MixerGuy MixerGuy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LA CA USA
Posts: 1,004
Default GTX 680 or HD7950 vid card and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

Hi all

GTX 680 and HD7950 and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

I'm on a 2012 Cheese Grater Mac, and running stock video card, HDX-2 and Blackmagic video card for HDMI for the 'picture' aka the movie when doing film work - out to an HDMI 1080p screen.

I'm hoping to update my video card to one that does my 3 computer screens PLUS an HDMI all on one card, so i then have a free slot, for a 3rd HDX card, for more horsepower. I need more horsepower.

info below from a wise + trusted video card vendor / Mac Tech who i am in discussions with back and forth......

has anyone else here run into this, and how did they fix it? I hear it is possible... i am looking for specific info.

and I quote:

..."It was my understanding that the HDX-3 cards are just over the power limits for the PCI-e slots, hence the use of the auxiliary power connection.

I don't believe that you'll run into any issues in terms of power draw, however, getting the connectors situated is the tricky part.

Your Mac Pro has two auxiliary power connectors. Currently, your Radeon HD5770 occupies one, and the HDX-3 cards occupy the other.

The [cards i am looking at maybe buying] GTX 680 and HD7950 require both of the power connections.

I have had customers in the past who have modified their HDX cable by splicing it into a splitter cable. ....."

thanks for any info.


Last edited by MixerGuy; 08-10-2017 at 05:21 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-10-2017, 10:35 AM
MixerGuy MixerGuy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LA CA USA
Posts: 1,004
Default Re: TX 680 and HD7950 and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

update - i just found out that the items linked below allow me to get another power source from the 2nd optical bay:

(though i dont know how they would interface with the PCI cards.... and I dont know if I'd need to do any soldering, or if they are plug and play..... to be determined)

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16812200912

or

https://www.amazon.com/6In-Sata-Powe.../dp/B007ZBYKE4
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-10-2017, 01:10 PM
panamajack's Avatar
panamajack panamajack is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Miniappleapolis
Posts: 713
Default Re: TX 680 and HD7950 and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

You could even use an external power supply with PCIe 6 pin power cables. Or you can search on Amazon or ebay for "15-in SATA power to 6 pin PCIe adapter cable."
__________________
PT10.3.10HD(Tyan s2932 [8core Shanghai 2.7GHZ] 32GB,Win7 SP1); PT10HD(Tyan s2892 w/10GB, Win7 SP1);PT8HD(Dell 690 quad Xeon 3.0, 8GB, Win7,192 I/O, 96 I/O);MacBook Pro: 11R, Apogee Element 46, Focusrite 8PreX PT HD 11.3.2; Mac Pro 3.47 Hex 32GB, OSX 10.12.6/L10.4.2;L9.1.8, 2.64TB; G5 D2.3 4GB, 10.4.11/L8; 12c MP 2.66/32GB PT12.4; Structure, GigaGS3, Kontakt 5, Garratin, Sibelius 8.7+, Finale26,EMU,Vegas Pro 16-10/; RME HDSP9652,MOTU 2408 MKIII/1224/308, FX,Kurz,L5s,Strat,ASAT,JB,Zon
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-10-2017, 01:45 PM
arche3's Avatar
arche3 arche3 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,166
Default Re: TX 680 and HD7950 and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

Get an additional power supply. That's what I did.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-10-2017, 04:08 PM
MixerGuy MixerGuy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LA CA USA
Posts: 1,004
Default Re: TX 680 and HD7950 and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

Quote:
Originally Posted by arche3 View Post
Get an additional power supply. That's what I did.
Cool - any chance you have a web link to the one you bought, that works ok in this configuration?

thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-10-2017, 05:22 PM
MixerGuy MixerGuy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LA CA USA
Posts: 1,004
Default Re: TX 680 and HD7950 and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MixerGuy View Post
update - i just found out that the items linked below allow me to get another power source from the 2nd optical bay:

(though i dont know how they would interface with the PCI cards.... and I dont know if I'd need to do any soldering, or if they are plug and play..... to be determined)

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16812200912

or

https://www.amazon.com/6In-Sata-Powe.../dp/B007ZBYKE4

Update - my source said that these would be plug and play, but MIGHT need some sort of adaptor.

i have another tech who is a video card expert researching this.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-10-2017, 05:43 PM
arche3's Avatar
arche3 arche3 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,166
Default Re: GTX 680 or HD7950 vid card and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

It's a 500w pc evga power supply. Ran cable thru front of Mac pro.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-10-2017, 06:15 PM
MixerGuy MixerGuy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LA CA USA
Posts: 1,004
Default Re: GTX 680 or HD7950 vid card and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

thanks for the pic and info about the 500w pc evga power supply

i see a fan... i'm trying to avoid fans at all costs.

I'm hoping that "stealing" the power from the 2nd optical bay will work.... i am told it will.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-14-2017, 04:52 PM
MixerGuy MixerGuy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LA CA USA
Posts: 1,004
Default Re: GTX 680 or HD7950 vid card and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

what do people do when they have HDX-3 plus a video card that needs 2 power connections?

thanks
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-15-2017, 04:23 AM
TrackerLe TrackerLe is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 294
Default Re: GTX 680 or HD7950 vid card and HDX-3 - how do i do power for the cards?

This is the question for me... Does the Sata Port Power work with the HDX Card...
Is it enough to power the Card...
I am interested in the hint to use a Sata to 6 Pin Cable. How does this work?
The Mac HDX Cable uses the proprietary Connector for the Mac Pro, which is smaller than a normal 6 pin connection...or is this wrong?
I want to do the same thing... I use the PC Cable and a 6in Sata to LP4 Adapter...
Maybe someone, who power the card from the sata port, can tell us which adapter cable is the right one...

thanks
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Are HDX cards best way to get most power for PTHD awake Pro Tools 12 6 05-02-2017 06:41 PM
New HD PCI cards, 4x the power clarpark Pro Tools TDM Systems (Mac) 14 10-16-2007 12:43 PM
HD cards - power specs? Trailerman Pro Tools TDM Systems (Mac) 0 11-09-2006 01:05 AM
Power Mac G5 & Digidesign PCI Cards Avid 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Mac) 98 08-20-2003 08:10 PM
Power Mac G5 & Digidesign PCI Cards Avid General 0 08-04-2003 07:57 PM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:06 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Forum Hosted By: URLJet.com