Basic Spec

[SpaceFish]

Hi Guys,

I am very new to this but currently building a PC to be used when I get home for general PC based stuff (internet, tv, basic gaming). But as it will be left idle just as an ftp server for most of the day I thought I would tailor it for a little mining.

As I am new I had a few hardware questions that I hope are not too basic (feel free to point me in the right direction if these have been asked to many times to justify replying)

First off is there any real difference from a mining point of view between say an i3 or a similarly priced AMD processor? (I know its not for mining but just in terms of a limiting factor)

Second the more serious GPU question! I am limited in budget here so will not be able to get lost of shiny 7990s or the like. My question is what would get me better results,  two Radeon HD 7770s or one 7870?

Finally just how big a PSU would I need to run the setup?

Sorry if this is two many questions but I would like to get it right from the start and as its not just for mining thats why I havent looked at the other solutions its more just to give it something else to do while I am leaving it turned on.

Thanks.

SF.

[Shadow383]

Hi Guys,

I am very new to this but currently building a PC to be used when I get home for general PC based stuff (internet, tv, basic gaming). But as it will be left idle just as an ftp server for most of the day I thought I would tailor it for a little mining.

As I am new I had a few hardware questions that I hope are not too basic (feel free to point me in the right direction if these have been asked to many times to justify replying)

First off is there any real difference from a mining point of view between say an i3 or a similarly priced AMD processor? (I know its not for mining but just in terms of a limiting factor)

Second the more serious GPU question! I am limited in budget here so will not be able to get lost of shiny 7990s or the like. My question is what would get me better results,  two Radeon HD 7770s or one 7870?

Finally just how big a PSU would I need to run the setup?

Sorry if this is two many questions but I would like to get it right from the start and as its not just for mining thats why I havent looked at the other solutions its more just to give it something else to do while I am leaving it turned on.

Thanks.

SF.

How about two 5870s? That could be good for 850Mhash/s no trouble...

[SpaceFish]

I would say yes...but I can't seem to find them anywhere and as I am building it from scratch i am trying to get it all new...snob I know.

O and I am in the UK if that helps.

[Shadow383]

I would say yes...but I can't seem to find them anywhere and as I am building it from scratch i am trying to get it all new...snob I know.

O and I am in the UK if that helps.

Well if it's a warranty concern, find something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XFX-ATI-Radeon-HD-5830-PCI-e-Gaming-Graphics-Card-1GB-HDMI-DVI-Display-Port-/170911645861?pt=UK_Computing_Computer_Components_Graphics_Video_TV_Cards_TW&hash=item27cb20c0a5#ht_1829wt_1163

Alternatively, there are a bunch of 5850s and 5870s going on ebay right now for ~£70-100

[SpaceFish]

Sorry its probably a stupid question, but what makes these better than the ones I mentioned earlier? Happy to go with them just curious why they mine better?

Thanks.

[Shadow383]

Sorry its probably a stupid question, but what makes these better than the ones I mentioned earlier? Happy to go with them just curious why they mine better?

Thanks.

Much better Mh/s/£ 
A couple of months back I had a spare motherboard, picked up a 950W PSU, 3 5830s and a 5850 and effectively got 1.2Gh/s for ~£350

[SpaceFish]

Ah right so not actually faster just better value for money? Cool.

Sorry to be a pain but can you recommend a decent motherboard that would go with them? I want to get things as compatible as possible. Also what would get the best results just plonking them in or running them in crossfire?

Thanks and sorry for all the questions.