Bitcoin Forum

Hi there!

I am really new to all the bitcoin mining things but I've been wanting to build my own gaming PC for a long time and now I've seen these 2 mid-level pc configurations on the bitcoin Wiki (https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_rig#Mid-level_AMD-based_miner.2Fgaming.2Fworkstation_rig:_single_ATI_6870.2C_Approximately_300_Mhash.2Fs):
Mid-level AMD-based miner/gaming/workstation rig: single ATI 6870, Approximately 300 Mhash/s
and
Mid-level Intel-based miner/gaming/workstation rig: single ATI 6870, Approximately 300 Mhash/s

I'd really like to build one of these 2 systems, but I can't choose which one, since it will be my first ever PC build (will I even be able to do it then?)

So which one would be better? I even think I'll use it for gaming more and for mining secondarily. I need to have a new gaming PC since my current gaming laptop won't be able to run MW3 and I'd like to play that game when it's released in November :)

So any suggestions? Which one of these two? Or any other configuration/combination suggestions? Or should I just not try because it will be too hard for me?

Cheers

Depends on several factors, one being money,

I love Intel Processors for actual productivity usage (not mining), I feel they are faster than AMD Processors but AMD Processors are cheaper than Intel Processors, so if money is a concern go with AMD, otherwise I would go with the 2nd Generation I7's

Ram, HD, Sound Card, etc are all based on the mother board you select which will only be compatible with either AMD or Intel.

The video card is the most important thing for mining and 300 Mhash/s based on bitcoinx.com. Your only going to make "Coins per 24h at these conditions: 0.178 BTC" which means if you ran your machine 24/7 for 6 days you would get 1 coin. 1 coin at current market value is around 13.50, the cost of electricity alone won't be worth it if your paying electricity and you have to be okay with mining all day and night and not using your machine.

Concerning building the machine, that's up to you, it really isn't that hard... you can pick up a Comptia A+ book and learn how to do it in an hour.

If you want to be serious about mining go AMD and buy a higher up model of video card either 5xxx or 6xxx

So to be very direct, I wouldn't mine with 300Mhases if you pay for electricity just buy the coin.. and enjoy your gaming machine  ;D

300 mhash will pay for the power to run your computer, and a bit more, but it really is a toy more than an investment.  I would go with the AMD CPU for your purpose.  I have intel CPUs on my computers in which i compile code or deal with large databases.  You won't feel the lower speed of an AMD for gaming and internet surfing. 

I think calling it a gaming/mining rig is pretty redundant, because you won't be able to do both effectively at the same time.

Thanks for your advice!

To be honest, the main purpose of my machine will be gaming because bitcoin mining seems like it's nothing for me.


Will this graphics card be able to run the high end games like MW2 at good/high quality? And will it be outdated soon or is it powerful enough to run next 2-3 years' games (if someone can know that already...)?

And because I'll almost only use it for gaming, is there maybe a better setup you suggest?

If you have a system to play your current games and are looking to upgrade to play the new games as they come out in the fall, the best advise you can get is to wait until a few weeks before release date to get your parts and build it. The depreciation on existing parts and possible availability of new parts means that for the same price, you can build a better platform on which to enjoy those games.

Also if between gaming and mining, you will be running the rig at full power 24/7, then it would be wise to plan accordingly when choosing components. What I mean here is you need to consider the electrical consumption of each component. Over time, operating costs can outweigh the initial investment so spending a few extra bucks up front on stuff like a high efficiency power supply can make financial sense.