Is there a device that will power an external GPU in a SFF build only when it detects the motherboard has been powered on?

Marmotta

Cable Smoosher
Original poster
Apr 28, 2019
9
9
...I feel I came across something similar to what I mentioned in the title while browsing these forums a while back. I've connected my Intel NUC and M.2 external GPU to the same 12V source, but of course when the NUC is in standby, the graphics card will still be completely on and the fan will spin at 100%.
 

Windfall

Shrink Ray Wielder
SFFn Staff
Nov 14, 2017
2,117
1,584
...I feel I came across something similar to what I mentioned in the title while browsing these forums a while back. I've connected my Intel NUC and M.2 external GPU to the same 12V source, but of course when the NUC is in standby, the graphics card will still be completely on and the fan will spin at 100%.

You would need some sort of poweron sync line. Maybe use @Kmpkt's dyanamo 360 in an external enlosure to power the NUC and eGPU case?
 

Choidebu

"Banned"
Aug 16, 2017
1,199
1,205
Some calls it 'load switch", it is basically a transistor connected to one of the fan or sata headers in your nuc, that switches 12V line to your gpu on or off according to voltage on the header.

The only commercially available one that I know of is Add2PSU, but it is geared towards motherboards with 24 pin, not NUC (or STX or thin ITX if that matter)

Indie solutions here includes @Kmpkt 's dynamo 360 (discontinued but you can ask him more if he got some inventories left) which works on 16-24V, and @Thehack 's distro 400 which works on 12V.

But mind you, afaik these only works by passing through or replicating ps_on which only exists on 24 pin (and a normally high signal) so on NUC/STX/thin ITX which is a normally low signal Idk how it works.
 

Windfall

Shrink Ray Wielder
SFFn Staff
Nov 14, 2017
2,117
1,584
Some calls it 'load switch", it is basically a transistor connected to one of the fan or sata headers in your nuc, that switches 12V line to your gpu on or off according to voltage on the header.

The only commercially available one that I know of is Add2PSU, but it is geared towards motherboards with 24 pin, not NUC (or STX or thin ITX if that matter)

Indie solutions here includes @Kmpkt 's dynamo 360 (discontinued but you can ask him more if he got some inventories left) which works on 16-24V, and @Thehack 's distro 400 which works on 12V.

But mind you, afaik these only works by passing through or replicating ps_on which only exists on 24 pin (and a normally high signal) so on NUC/STX/thin ITX which is a normally low signal Idk how it works.

DIdn't @aquelito have a load switch for meanwell PSUs as well?
 

Thehack

Spatial Philosopher
Creator
Mar 6, 2016
2,818
3,675
J-hackcompany.com
The Distro 400 can also be used. You need a positive 5V or higher signal to trigger it to be "ON." Whether it's based on a fan header or split off the 5V "on" light doesn't matter.
 
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