Bitcoin Forum

Other => Beginners & Help => Topic started by: achillez on July 28, 2011, 04:40:15 AM



Title: building first RIG need help
Post by: achillez on July 28, 2011, 04:40:15 AM
ok so here's my situation - I have a MSI-x58 motherboard with a 5850. I thought it'd be brilliant to purchase two 6870's put them in a crossfire setup, and then throw the 5850 in an old PC. Problem is that the x58 PCIe slots are too dang close together and the 6870s quickly go to 80C ++ within a matter of seconds when running a bitcoin client.

So I'm thinking of building a dedicated bitcoin mining rig, maybe keeping a 6870 in my dedicated PC (for gaming). Does anyone have suggestions on how best to do this? Budget isn't that much of a concern for me. I could spend $1K+ if this would enable me to build a 2GH/s system (of course I realize I'll need new cards to achieve this).

thanks in advance for any advice folks might have


Title: Re: building first RIG need help
Post by: Bitweasil on July 28, 2011, 04:46:19 AM
Well, my first thought is that 80C isn't bad at all... I usually get cranky if my GPUs are regularly breaking 100C.  They're designed to run that hot...

If you want to look at a pre-done 4 GPU build (which won't break 2GH/s on stock clocks), I have a quad nVidia build for other purposes detailed here:

http://blog.cryptohaze.com/2011/06/quad-gpu-builds-with-case.html

I have the board/case/PSU/etc listed.  I got all of this plus a 6870 for right around $1000 shipped.

You're not going to be great on cooling, but the Antec 900 pulls plenty of air through the side window once you remove the plexiglass & as long as my garage isn't too hot, I don't have trouble keeping them cool.

If you're looking for the most cost efficient way of doing this, I'm probably not of much use. :)  But you said budget wasn't a concern.


Title: Re: building first RIG need help
Post by: release on July 28, 2011, 04:47:56 AM
don't buy a case. Open air is the way to go.


Title: Re: building first RIG need help
Post by: Slab Squathrust on July 28, 2011, 04:52:05 AM
They do make PCIe extender ribbons.  See below

http://www.9mart.com/products/2-Lots-PCI%252dExpress-Extension-Cable-8x-To-16x-Riser-Card-For-1U%7B47%7D2U.html (http://www.9mart.com/products/2-Lots-PCI%252dExpress-Extension-Cable-8x-To-16x-Riser-Card-For-1U%7B47%7D2U.html)

These would only work well if your case has plenty of expansion slots.  Also some people have claimed they can melt or catch fire so proceed at your own risk.  I have two 5870s in my rig with a slot in between and never let the temps go above 75oC
Also you should look at 5970's if you are interested in a dedicated mining rig, and have $1000 to spend.  They are probably the best cards for hashing (two 5870's on 1 card)


Title: Re: building first RIG need help
Post by: Slab Squathrust on July 28, 2011, 04:52:59 AM
don't buy a case. Open air is the way to go.

Oh and a buddy of mine has a test bench mining away, and the temps usually stay in the 50s.  This ^^^ is a good suggestion.


Title: Re: building first RIG need help
Post by: Bitweasil on July 28, 2011, 04:55:14 AM
don't buy a case. Open air is the way to go.

That's true for temperature and cost reasons.

There are benefits to having everything tucked in a case.  Significant others, for instance, typically complain much less about it.

;-)