Single PSU powering graphics cards across two computers?

E

Eurypterus

n00b
Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Messages
7
Hi all,

Lets start with the specs

Computer 1
CPU: i3 530
MB: gigabyte H57M-USB3
RAM: 4gb kingston valueram
GPU geforce GTX280
1 Optical drive
5 Hard Drives
PSU: Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W

Computer2
CPU: i5 3570
MB: z77x-udh5
RAM 8gb kingston hyperx 1.65v
GPU: geforce 660ti
1 optical drive
1 ssd
1 hdd
PSU: coolermaster real power pro 1250w

Both systems run stock, no OC

The thermaltake psu cannot run the gtx280 but will power everything else in computer 1.
The coolermaster psu will power everything computer 2 and the 280 gtx in computer 1.
Both computers will be on simultaniously. I will common ground the cases to each other

Is this even possible (especially with both systems under load)?
The cooler master psu has the amps, watts, and connectors to run both cards. But from a technical standpoint, would it work?

My thinking is: that while possible, this is not an ideal situation and the obvious better option is to get a new psu, but this is a very temporary setup.
Worst case scenario if this would even work is that either computer losses power. What would happen in that case? BSOD? Something gets fried? Nothing?

Thanks a bunch, really appreciate any assistance
 
It will be ok, just a little bit ghetto thought :D, back in the 2000s when F@H is new, many of us were using 1 PSU with splitter for 2 system 24/7 completely fine.
 
You're better off getting rid of that Thermaltake PSU and getting a better, higher quality one.
 
davidduc said:
It will be ok, just a little bit ghetto thought :D, back in the 2000s when F@H is new, many of us were using 1 PSU with splitter for 2 system 24/7 completely fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks, good to know it will work. More than just a bit ghetto. :p

Tsumi said:
You're better off getting rid of that Thermaltake PSU and getting a better, higher quality one.
Click to expand...

Its been running fine nearly 24/7 for the last 3 years. As I mentioned, this is a very temporary setup. The i3 machine will be running off of the integrated graphics soon, the system is not going to be used for gaming thereafter.
 
It will work fine, I've done exactly what you're talking about, the only problem was it was extremely awkward to get everything close enough together.
 
LigTasm said:
It will work fine, I've done exactly what you're talking about, the only problem was it was extremely awkward to get everything close enough together.
Click to expand...

Excellent, thank you for confirming.

Cable length should not be a problem, I think. The 6/8 pin connectors are 25-30" long, hopefully that makes it less awkward.
 
Just dropping in to share the results of this. It worked with only a minor hiccup.

First time hooking everything up and booting resulted in a "usb hub power surge" message upon booting windows on the machine donating power. After disconnecting all usb devices and peripherals on the donor machine, the message was gone, but as soon as even a mouse and/or keyboard was plugged in the message would reappear.

This was resolved by changing which pci power lead was donating the power, I believe the 6 pin. Everything worked without a problem thereafter, not sure why changing the power lead worked.

Thanks for responding guys!
 
cool to hear it works! do you just synchronize the power button push?

seems a bit scary, especially since there was a "power surge" issue. But I guess its one of those "if you dont try it you'll never really know" situtaions.
 
unreal89 said:
cool to hear it works! do you just synchronize the power button push?

seems a bit scary, especially since there was a "power surge" issue. But I guess its one of those "if you dont try it you'll never really know" situtaions.
Click to expand...

As long as the donor machine is on first it does not matter when the computer receiving power gets turned on. The donor machine can even be running when the recipient machine is off without issue.

As far as the power surge goes, nothing that I could find was damaged; ports or peripherals. The machines are now separated and running fine on their own.
 
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