Bitcoin Forum

Greetings,

I recently got into the hobby of BTC minning and put my gaming rig to good use while I was busy elsewhere, everything works fine atm. I recently got my hands on a bit of cash and was considering an upgrade, that is getting a second gpu. My problem is that I don't know if the specs of my rig can handle another gpu (not sure about this wattage wise). Here is what I currently have:

CPU: i5 2500k
MB:  Z68X-UD3H-B3
RAM:16GB DDR3
GPU:HD 6970
PSU:Corsair 750W

there's a deal available for me that I can get an 7970 for 360$ basically new condition (also an upgrade from the gaming point of view).

So, should I handle both at once(probably need some underclocking, even so not sure if its possible)? if not should I bother getting a new PSU or save up for a new rig altogether?

Looking for general advice, hurry up if plausible cause the deal may end soon.
If more details are wanted, I can provide on demand.

Thanks for anything that helps.

You're cutting it pretty fine with that PSU.  It will run it, but you might get the PSU overheating.  Most PSU's will just cut out if they're pushed too hard, so no harm done.  Others explode like mine did the other day with a terrific boom.  ;)

Also, what is "basically new"?  You can never really know if that card has been burning at 110 degrees for the last 18 months mining bitcoins...$360 is not that great of a deal for a well used card. 

If the PSU is under warranty for the next year I would take the risk but that is with the expectation BTC price will rise so it is some risk to take on a purely investment level.

@shaunb
Thats the same impression I got from looking around on other forums and pluggin numbers in for on a site, I am paranoid some sort of catastrophic failure will happen. You aren't the only one to have reported things along the lines of "boom".

I should note that my case has 2 fans, one that's like 120mm and another smaller one that I don't recall the size of. Could help cool the PSU a bit but also bears a load on it...?

@Cozzie
Investment wise, I am willing to take it, since it's also a gaming upgrade.
Now I need to figure out where the hell my papers are and what the warranties are for my PSU. LOL

u got a good calculator mister! :-X

My gamingrig worked just fine with 2x 7950 on a 750wXFX. When i added a 3rd 7950 it could not handle it. So if you have 4x 8pins powerconnectors, i dont see any problems with your setup. The only difference from your setup, is that iv`e got a i5 3570K.

But in a case it`s going to be hot! I have a Thermaltake Level 10 with both doors of, and it went up around 80c.

@skleven
Yea you're right overall heat might become a problem.
My 6970 ranges from 60-64 celcius depending on the time of the day, my rig is in close proximity to a window :D
I wonder if having the case open might be worth it, I mean more dust sure, but when I had my case open I was maybe 3-4 degrees lower (56-59).

In my new scenario this might be the thing that makes or breaks the idea.

Wattage wise you should be ok, I guess the concern is the heat? What kind of case do you have?

Took me a while to find it but it would be this:

Coolermaster Haf 922 Mid Tower ATX Case Black 5X5.25 5X3.5INT Front Audio USB eSATA No PSU
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=38996

Thoughts, concerns, opinions?

Should be a decent airflow due to the big fans, maybe place another big one in the side for airflow straight for the gpu's. Could be a difference of 5 degrees if you don't want to take the side off.

If I am going through with this I will most likely take the sides off, some other ppl have recommended that to me and as long as I clean my rig every so often things should work out.

Thanks everyone for the advice and comments,
I will be keeping an eye on this thread for like another hour for details or additional comments, after that I am off to go buy it~

Nice build.

If you take the sides of airflow ain't a big issue any more. I suggest using these fans if you take sides off  ;D

http://gocampussolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Fan-Storage.jpeg

@lrlrlr
Thanks

@Johnny_G
Yea that's basically the plan. LOL

Hmm, I can't wait to runover at my pals place and tear out the wrapping from it, he changed his mind about what he wanted and basically I am rebuying it off him so it's essentially new.

Also I recently decided to buy more thermal paste, found a nice deal, MX-4 20 grams for a little below 20$
With a whole 20 grams I think it should last me some long time, even if I decide to open up some sort of farming later down the road.