As a test I increased the GPU to 1200, and decreased the fan to 70%. The resulting temperature was 77 (before I changed everything I think it was around 75). I now have the fan at 80%, and the temperature has lowered to 75.  Basically, for increased longevity (I would like the leave the GPU overclocked by 20%), would it be better to leave the fan at 70% or 80%? I'm thinking 70% because an extra 3.6F shouldn't be that major, should it?

I'm trying to maximize performance + longevity for my card. I'm using the easy boost utility, because yes, I will destroy the thing the minute I start playing around with voltages (no overclocking experience). Right now here at the current results for my setup.

GPU: 1175
Memory: 1250
Temperature: 73
Fan speed: 95

Is this safe? Usually at stock the temperature is 69-71, and the fan is at 90%.

I just put the order for the Gigabyte 7950 yesterday. I hope it turns out better than the 7970 HD from XFX Force. I'm on my third return in just four months (turn around time is almost a month...do the math).

That's the chart I was referring too. I forgot to put it in the link.

I want thinking of purchasing a MSI Lighting (7970 HD) graphics card, but I noticed that the card was highlighted in red, while the 7950 was highlighted in blue. Does this mean that the 7970 card if prone to problems, or is it something else? Any help would be greatly appreciated since I would like to get started on mining right away.

Personally I'm of the mind that, even if something's a bubble, you might as well take advantage of it while you can. Got something you want? Better order now.

In Windows 7 there is no maximize option for GuiMiner when you right click on it (at lest not on mine anyway). As a result simply mouse over the icon to get a preview to appear, right click on the preview, and choose maximize from there. Hope this helps.

When I was comparing cards, I noticed that all of the HD 7970 cards were highlighted in red. I did a word search, and found the following sentence:


Okay, that's nice and all, but what about the stuff highlighted in red? Is that basically a do not use notification? I'm asking this because I am using a 7970 HD card by XFX,

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_hardware_comparison

The way I understand things is this: no matter what it is you fool with there is always pros and cons. This is good for some things while at the same time being bad for others...basically you roll the dice, and you take your chances.

I'm poor, live in America, and am only supported by my grandmother and social security. I have gone to college, am knee deep in debt, and can't find a job anywhere, and am hoping to make a buck or two from bitcoin as a way to have some extra spending money.

Everything here is completely true, but since the problem is so widespread, I realistically don't expect charity especially since people will point out that it was foolish to go to college when there were no jobs to be had (these exact same people will also point out that, in the event that I didn't go to college, that I am just a stupid idiot, and should get a college education in order to get a job...I'll get off my soap box now). As a result of this I'm not even going to bother including an address to receive money because I know none will be coming.

What do you mean by the market is uncertain? The job market, or the way prices are going through the roof? Either way, it doesn't matter how hard you run the card, if the best one out of four lasts only two weeks, it's junk. You can't break even due to having to pay shipping multiple times on a card that won't work. Basically I'm thinking of buying a similar card latter (my poor, poor, bank account). but by a different manufacturer...Sapphire, or maybe MSI. The only problem? When I was comparing cards, I noticed that all of the HD 7970 cards were highlighted in red. I can't find a key for it, so I don't know if that means the cards are unsuitable for mining or what. Some information on it would be nice.

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_hardware_comparison

As long as it's done within an hour or, who cares? I stick to Paypal mostly due to ordering from ebay. >_>

Congrats and all, but are you sure broadcasting the idea you've got money is a good idea? I mean, yeah, it's spent on a car, but someone could still get into it if they really wanted. Just a word of caution. Also, due to a lack of foresight, I should have chosen Pessimist as my username. Better safe than sorry especially when it comes too money.

Because my current card was needing to be replaced, and because I wanted to get into bit mining, I decided on purchasing a HD 7970. This is a bit better than buying a HD 5970 because people are charging $400 for a used card...that would have only cost $200 brand new. Ahh...no. The fact it's used means if it messes up I'm out $400 bucks, and since that measly amount is enough to set me back for a couple of months, I, literally, can't afford that to happen (being on social security sucks...the job market is helping things either ). Also, please whatever you do, please do not get me started about the people who can afford to throw around $30,000, because that will start an argument that no one wants to hear.

Anyway, poverty woes aside, Murphey's Law also seems to have gone into full force here the last four months, because who here doesn't like to have things blowing up in their face all the time? The card I purchased on December 24 (Merry Christmas everyone) has been replaced twice already, and now for a third time. The worse part? This is the best one of the lot...it took an entire two weeks to quit working (not showing up in Device Manager), plus it had a damaged tab where the top screw went in. As for the others...well the record is less than a minute for the last card (power fault...the computer wouldn't even start with the card installed), and as for the other it only took around five hours for it to give up working.

Noticing a pattern here? I have been told that there has been a bad batch of cards, and they just realized it in March (funny...I realized something was wrong back in January shortly after getting the computer built, and installed). As a result I have to ask this question: am I just ridiculously unlucky, or is the manufacture the worst company in the world when it comes to manufacturing cards. The fact their headquarters is based in Hong Kong somehow seems to answer that for me. Still, I need a second opinion, which is why I am asking if the card can be used for mining, and if not, would it at least serve as an okay gaming card without giving up on me?

Also, minor detail, I do have a single GTX 470 installed for gaming so that I don't have to take the Radeon card off from data mining. It is possible that the driver conflict which regulates voltages, etc. might be the reason I've had so many problems. Even so how can an Nvidia driver interfere with a Radeon card when, you know, the driver technically shouldn't even recognize the card since it was made by a different manufacturer? Also, kudos if you read all this, and more so if you respond with something useful. Right now I'd appreciate just about any guiding light at the moment.

Personally I'm relieved that this is a scam. I mean, seriously, one mini rig replaces about 20%-25% of all mining globally? Sounds like a bad thing for the average miner who doesn't have thousands of dollars to throw around...or in my case even $500 would be breaking the bank. So, yeah, for self-serving reasons I hope it remains GPU based...at least this way I have a nice card for gaming as well as mining.

Interesting read...defiantly something worth considering.

+1 as well. Seriously, it's the internet, take everything bad about people, and watch it get worse. Basically it's the GIFT principal all over again.

Sadly I had to use search to find the reply link. I'm use to a button, or something, not a bunch of links off to the right side. Still, now that I know what I know, that will be one last hassle. Anyway, not much of a Hello World post, but there you go.