the 290 (non-x) as well, seems slow... (and higher voltage --> more watts, but no increased performance)
possibly through bad Asics quality (in 290)... or drivers/software is not optimized, yet

it looks to me as if they (both 290x and 290 non-x) throttle down a lot in tests because they get too hot (or run into other driver/bios limitations)




i know this is a 290x thread, still I want to aks a 290 question here, since it fits best I think.
the 290 was "upgraded" with a new driver that raises the fan speed limitation. I wonder how both driver version compare in tests 290 old vs. 290 new vs 290x (quiet vs. über)

I saw that the thread was 2 years old.

but the information still holds.
its the same products in the market, nothing better has come out in 2 years.

and the information is still relevant for people "starting out" today...



so think first, before you make "tips"...  
your post contained no information, so you could also go back and delete it!
and btw. reving old threads is better than spammin new ones!

Servus und Moin Moin,

Which power unit did you go with?


My recommendation
Always go for the multi rail... it is just way safer, especially when you are under full load "all the time".

the MaxRevo 1500 Gold has been relabeld to 1500 Platinum (Platimax), since in EU (with 240V) it is more efficent... (MaxRevo is "discontinued")

noch aktuell?

well, low voltage and regular voltage are about same price, so I might try the low voltage RAM;
is it more likeley to run into problems with that?


CPUs are slow compared to GPUs, but what ist the Hash/Watt (compared to a regular/optimzed 7950 setup)? any numbers?

also speculating on a 290 (no x), but until it is availabe and more results are around, I will wait, or go fot the 7950s
Though too many of them are voltage locked.

What is the way to go for bet Hash/Watt? Lower orignal clockspeed? Lower original Voltage? Any recommendation (with exact hard info)?


if I get the sempron 145, there is "other" core left ;-)
but does CPU mining make sense khas/watt-wise? If so, then maybe a slightly stronger CPU would do the trick.


Anybody have used Low Voltage RAM? pricewise they are the ~same as regular RAM

i stumbled onto two other things that I was unaware before... slightly off topic, but maybe someone can give a quick answer

* Dummy plugs for GPUs if no display is installed: still needed, or solved with newer AMD Catalyst drivers?  (Win/Linux)
(if required, what is there proper name to look in electronics shop)

* RAM requirement for Litecoin: Does scrypt mining require a certain amount of RAM? (or was that due to bugs in the miner software?) how much?
* if RAM is required, does Speed/CL-timings make a difference?




(PS: Sempron 145 with possible/probable option to unlock 2nd core sounds good; any reasons not to go with ASROCK 970 extreme 4?)

i am still deciding which board/CPU kombination..

going with AMD, I might go for Asrock 970 Extreme 4

but should I go with Sempron 145 or X2 180/190 ?

thanks for the info and recommendations.

no riser, because i want it in a proper case. I won't discuss it, since it is not an option for me... (i see the problems and pros and cons, but it is not open to me)

Hardware prices in europe are way higher, often € = $, so I don't want to buy too many different boards/CPUs to experiment, but land a good choice right away.

which MB/CPUs allow undervolting?

Last CPU that I undervoltet was a Pentium M (Banias)... lol... since then, most CPUs I have seen are voltage locked, or Boards don't allow for it.


Energyconsumption of Board and CPU is important, since in 1-2 card setups it is a factor. Also board quality (components) make some part of the energysupply to the cards.
I don't want the board to burn in 2 months.

unfortunatly the info, whether a GPU is voltaged locked or not is very distributed, also most retailers don't offer conlcusive information that allows to pick the right cards.

last year I was looking at AMD Sempron 145, but I think an Intel C2D is a better choice. Any recommendation for a Board (allowing 3 GPUs)?
(thanks for the recommendations of the updated IB/Haswell Boards)

i am in europe, so 240 is the way ;-)

i am interested in efficent boards/cpus, any recommendations?

which (cheap) board/cpu will work to start with a 3 card setup (no pcie-risers!)
I want to use it as a setup to tweak and get more experience with the components

got any real (running longer than 10min) kHash and Watt readings?

i read your post, still both don't make sense.

so what is it, that is stated in the first post?

can anybody verify those results?
I still wonder how the hashrate would go up through undervolting....

Hi,

I want to build a GPU Setup for mining (majorly LTC) and want to focus on best Hashrate/Watt, possibly through undervolting. (Not overall profitability!)

Phase A: I will start with a 1 GPU Setup and extend (Phase B) to a second/3rd card if components look promising. Next step would then be a 4 card setup in Phase C.
I will not use riser cards!

I think I will put them in a Cooler Master HAF XB.

My approach (open for discussion): use an efficent base setup, and increase efficency through adding cards.


Phase A/B:

• Any suggestions for highly efficient mobo/CPU combinations? (CPU reusable in Phase C as well?)
• Intel/AMD, Socket?
• Boards/Architectures that allow undervolting?
• high efficency under system load

• Choice of GPU: I tend towards 7950s (two PCI-slot width only!), but I don't know which are not voltage locked and can be undervoltet; I would go with a different GPU if through undervolting better Hash/watt is possible.
  
• what about new and upcoming R9 280 (no X) and 290/290x

Phase C

• Choice of MoBo?

e.g.
ASrock Z87 Extreme9/ac
Asus Maximus V Extreme


Unfortunately there is lots of information on how to OC and squeeze out more Hashes from many cards, but very little information about increasing system and card efficiency. I also noticed many contradicting about voltage lock on cards.
Also lots of information is scattered through the web.... maybe we can try to gather some of that knowledge in this thread.

Discussions about profitability should be limited to a minimum, since my request is not about overall profitability, but realizability. Managing system in enclosed casing and long term stability.

Any suggestions? Links to undervolting attempts and hashrates and energy measurements?

small update:

maybe the 7950 vapor-x is only voltage locked on one of its two bioses. can anyone confirm?

Another question: do boost models come with higher factory voltage? that would be bad for my undervolting idea...

I came across some info that sapphire 7950 vapor-x have the voltage locked. does that mean that they don't work well for undervolting? or was that just a tempory (software update) thing?

Hi,

i am not completely new to bitcoin, but have left over a year ago due to personal reasons. Now I am back and overwelmed with what has happened in the meantime.
Now I need advice on Hardware for BTC/LTC (mainly LTC) mining that gives best Hash/Watt since I live in Europe and pay ~0.27€/Kwh (yeah, green energy^^) LOL
(don't tell me that I will pay more in electricity than I will gain; I know that might happen most likely)


I plan on starting with a single 7950 (saphire vapor x) and see how things work out. maybe adding 1-3 of the same later if i am satisfied
(8GB Ram, Semperon 145, ~1000W Platinum PSU)

I stumbeled across asrock mainboards, mainly the 970e4 as a recomendation, but whats the main difference to the 990?


Which hardware gives me the best Hash/Watt
How is the spacing on the mainboards; do i really need risers? is would prefer an "almost" closed from the rig casing.


What ist the power consumed by the mainboard? I figure that the 7950s may be around 200-250W
any help/advice in undervolting? optimizing for Hash/Watt?



Any comments? Help?

cheers.