Bitcoin Forum

Other => CPU/GPU Bitcoin mining hardware => Topic started by: btc_artist on December 06, 2011, 07:51:02 PM



Title: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 06, 2011, 07:51:02 PM
I've got a 5970 on the way.  I'm planning to put it in a computer I already have running Ubuntu 11.10.  What are your recommendations for:

- Overclocking
- What miner to use
- What pool to use
- Any other tweaks to the miner software to get more MH/s

This will be my first attempt at GPU mining. I'm approaching it as a hobby, and just want to see how many bitcoins I can get out of it.

Thanks.


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: CleverMiner on December 07, 2011, 12:36:15 AM
What you brought is basically a GPU.

Is it your first card or do you think 5970 are different to the point on requiring a special pool ?

Edit : Sorry missed "first timer"  (you have 650 post, about time)

This card is very noisy when overcloked, if you are not to have it around I suggest you to use BAMT on a USB as a the minner.

For a pool I suggest  ars technica pool, nmcbit, abcpool (haven't used)


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 07, 2011, 04:51:26 AM
Thanks for the response CleverMiner.  It's only been a month or two since I found out about Bitcoin, and I'm finally jumping into mining to give it a shot.

This card is very noisy when overcloked, if you are not to have it around I suggest you to use BAMT on a USB as a the minner.
Noise (and heat) are not a problem, as this will be in my basement shop.  I'm not sure what BAMT is?  I am considering either cgminer or phoenix, as these are the two miners  I have heard the most about.

For a pool I suggest  ars technica pool, nmcbit, abcpool (haven't used)
I'm not sure Ars Technica is a good choice. In the thread on that pool, it seems to be on its last leg.   For a pool, I think I want merged mining with NMC and a pool that pays well.  I don't understand the different payout schemes the different pools use; I have not spent any effort looking into that.  What recommendation might you have on that point?

Is it also true that running linux from a live CD (or a live CD on a USB stick) end up being faster?  Please explain.


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: CleverMiner on December 07, 2011, 05:43:50 AM
For a pool, I think I want merged mining with NMC and a pool that pays well.  I don't understand the different payout schemes the different pools use; I have not spent any effort looking into that.  What recommendation might you have on that point?

Is it also true that running linux from a live CD (or a live CD on a USB stick) end up being faster?  Please explain.

I'm a hopper so can't answer the pool question very well,  It is very easy to change pool, so pick one and research later.

BAMT is a debian on USB with everything ready for mining.   simply edit a txt file at boot or SSH using root:changeme


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 07, 2011, 02:53:44 PM
BAMT is a debian on USB with everything ready for mining.   simply edit a txt file at boot or SSH using root:changeme
Do you have a link handy?


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: grubles on December 07, 2011, 03:01:12 PM
I recommend buying 5 more 5970s from me  ;D


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 07, 2011, 03:07:47 PM
I recommend buying 5 more 5970s from me  ;D
My first order of business is getting this one set up and mining. Once I have more knowledge on this subject, I might be interested. :)


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: Transisto on December 09, 2011, 05:30:38 PM
BAMT is a debian on USB with everything ready for mining.   simply edit a txt file at boot or SSH using root:changeme
Do you have a link handy?
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=28967.0


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 09, 2011, 05:43:06 PM
Thanks Transisto.  That looks very useful.

I have another question.  Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: Transisto on December 13, 2011, 07:10:08 AM
Thanks Transisto.  That looks very useful.

I have another question.  Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
2.8 amp AC for a system with a single card.

So a good 300w could do. (highly suggest 400w)


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 13, 2011, 11:53:46 AM
Thanks Transisto.  That looks very useful.

I have another question.  Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
2.8 amp AC for a system with a single card.

So a good 300w could do. (highly suggest 400w)
The system I'm putting this in has a 300w power supply. I have no idea if it's "good" or not, the brand on it is "Microstar".  As for amps, it has different ratings depending on the voltage. Here's the table on the side of it, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me:

Volts+3.3v+5v+12v12v
Amps
Peak Amps
16A
18A
25A
27A
14A
16A
0.5A
0.5A

If I decide to test the 5970 using this power supply, how can I tell if it's not supplying enough power? Will the PS and/or GPU get hotter than normal?  Can I risk damaging the GPU by using this power supply?


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: Transisto on December 13, 2011, 06:02:42 PM
The system I'm putting this in has a 300w power supply. I have no idea if it's "good" or not, the brand on it is "Microstar".  As for amps, it has different ratings depending on the voltage. Here's the table on the side of it, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me:
Volts+3.3v+5v+12v12v
Amps
Peak Amps
16A
18A
25A
27A
14A
16A
0.5A
0.5A
If I decide to test the 5970 using this power supply, how can I tell if it's not supplying enough power? Will the PS and/or GPU get hotter than normal?  Can I risk damaging the GPU by using this power supply?

WHAT ?
Your OLD 300w PSU can merely provide 160w of 12v (if lucky).

Very few 300W PSU are good, in the sense that they allow 300w on the 12v.  Go for 400w and 500w if you want effciency.


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 13, 2011, 06:09:21 PM
The system I'm putting this in has a 300w power supply. I have no idea if it's "good" or not, the brand on it is "Microstar".  As for amps, it has different ratings depending on the voltage. Here's the table on the side of it, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me:
Volts+3.3v+5v+12v12v
Amps
Peak Amps
16A
18A
25A
27A
14A
16A
0.5A
0.5A
If I decide to test the 5970 using this power supply, how can I tell if it's not supplying enough power? Will the PS and/or GPU get hotter than normal?  Can I risk damaging the GPU by using this power supply?

WHAT ?
Your OLD 300w PSU can merely provide 160w of 12v (if lucky).

Very few 300W PSU are good, in the sense that they allow 300w on the 12v.  Go for 400w and 500w if you want effciency.
Thanks for the reply.  I will buy a good 500+w PSU to run the card.

Is it problematic to plug it in with this power supply just to give it a test run?  I'm anxious to give it a try, even if I have to clock it down or throttle it due to the poor PSU (until I can get a better one).


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: cicada on December 13, 2011, 06:36:45 PM
Is it problematic to plug it in with this power supply just to give it a test run?  I'm anxious to give it a try, even if I have to clock it down or throttle it due to the poor PSU (until I can get a better one).

I would highly recommend against it.  That PSU can't provide half the power a 5970 wants, and that's not mentioning the other cmponents that want 12V power, namely your CPU.

Symptoms would range from mild to catastrophic..  mild would be it doesn't turn on, or does but is very unstable.  Catastrophic would be the PSU failing and taking out your PC and your new 5970 with it.

I would recommend going with something like this PSU at least:
 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028)


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 13, 2011, 07:25:15 PM
Thanks for the input and the link.  I'll wait until I can get a power supply.  I just looked up the 5970 on AMD's site and it says it wants at least a 650w power supply: http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5970/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5970-overview.aspx#3
Quote
650 Watt or greater power supply one 75W 6-pin and one 150W 8-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended (850 Watt with two 75W 6-pin and two 150W 8-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode)
Are the "75W 6-pin" and "150W 8-pin PCI Express" power connectors are fairly standard on PSUs, or do I have to specifically look for those?


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: Transisto on December 13, 2011, 07:32:09 PM
Thanks for the input and the link.  I'll wait until I can get a power supply.  I just looked up the 5970 on AMD's site and it says it wants at least a 650w power supply: http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5970/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5970-overview.aspx#3
Quote
650 Watt or greater power supply one 75W 6-pin and one 150W 8-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended (850 Watt with two 75W 6-pin and two 150W 8-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode)
Are the "75W 6-pin" and "150W 8-pin PCI Express" power connectors are fairly standard on PSUs, or do I have to specifically look for those?
They give one or two with every card, except the 5970.

You would be very unlucky if your PSU didn't have enough , It's always written in the PSU's details,


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: Mousepotato on December 13, 2011, 07:37:23 PM
Thanks Transisto.  That looks very useful.

I have another question.  Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
FWIW I'm running a single 5970 @ 905/200/1.149v and getting about 824-828 MH/s out of it.  This is with an AMD Athlon II 255 @ 3.5GHz (overclocked for gaming).  According to my Kill-O-Watt meter, I'm drawing about 460-480W at the wall with this setup, so gauge your PSU needs accordingly.  I have a Corsair AX1200 so no worries here, and I'd highly recommend this unit to accommodate for future growth.  If not, then maybe an AX850.


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 13, 2011, 08:01:22 PM
Sorry for the noob questions, but the 5970 has to connectors on it, a 6-pin and an 8-pin.  I have to connect both of these, correct?

https://i.imgur.com/mZ6OL.jpg


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: Eveofwar on December 13, 2011, 08:07:16 PM
Sorry for the noob questions, but the 5970 has to connectors on it, a 6-pin and an 8-pin.  I have to connect both of these, correct?

[image]

Yup, your PSU should have PCI-e cables with 6 pins naturally, but maybe an adapter to attach 2 more pins with one plug.  Need to have the 8pin in there.


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: cicada on December 13, 2011, 08:10:27 PM
The PSU specs (esp on newegg) will show you 'pci-e connector:  6+2pin ' - that's usable in either a 6pin or 8pin socket (the +2)

If this PC of yours only has one PCI-e slot, or you're absolutely certain you won't be adding any more cards to it, that 600W I linked will work solidly for you.

That is assuming you don't also have 20+ hard-drives, 10 fans and a bunch of flashy lights ;)

[edit] Also, avoid using adapters if at all possible.  My general rule of thumb these days is if your PSU doesn't have enough native PCI-e connectors to support all your cards, you should look at a bigger PSU.

That's not exactly a cost-effective suggestion, but you'll quickly learn what you can and can't connect if you start to expand.


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: btc_artist on December 13, 2011, 08:53:43 PM
This particular mainboard only has one PCI-e slot and I'll only be using the box for mining. I'll boot from a USB stick, since I have no need for a HDD. I'm going to play with CPU mining litecoins at the same time as running this card, so that is the only thing that might up the wattage requirements.  The processor is an Athlon II dual core, 3GHz.


Title: Re: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer)
Post by: DeathAndTaxes on December 13, 2011, 09:04:29 PM
600W should be sufficient.  If you underclock the memory down to 160MHz a 5970 will only pull ~250W DC.  Overclocked CPU might pull another 150W.  400W plus a token amount for MB & fans.  You are still <75% of peak on 600W unit.

BEFORE YOU BUY A POWER SUPPLY.  Look how much wattage or amps it delivers on 12V rails.  600W is useless if it is only 200W in on 12V rail.

Newegg has links to manufacturer product page.  Look there for wattage on the 12V rail(s).  For mining that is really all you are concerned with.