My second ZEC + XMR+ ETH thread builds info links thoughts and photos.

[philipma1957]

As you're one of the two mining experts for me, I'd like to ask you something. I've found quite a bunch of 7 PCi-e slots motherboards. Since they don't have the "BTC" branding, as the ASRock ones, I'm not sure if it will resist to 7 GPUs on it (if I go for a 7 build that will surely be little cards, such as GTX 950/960).

I used the MSI Z77A-GD55 Motherboard with 7 PCIE slots, they will work will 7 grahics cards. I am not sure about yours.

this MSI mobo will fit only 3 cards without risers.

there is a full 7 slot 16x PCI like the Asus Z10PE-D8 WS, but its way out of budget.

this will fit 4 cards with spacing easily.

too bad this Asus mobo is more like a server board

At the inverse of Philip, I love the risers. I don't mind even use 7 risers. It gives more power to the cards and it has that's mining look that I enjoy so much. In term of stability and power draw I'm quite hesitant with those.

I had so many issues with risers running gpus back in 2012 I decided to stop using them.
I have a rack that will let me do three or four of the four card rigs it will be a nice neat stack.


New build will be with these parts:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438063  higher end item but good sale  after rebate... 140

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202230    I got 4 for .............................................  770

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138421  I reviewed mobo on newegg....................... 130

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104531  2 x 8 ram ................................................   73

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053  case .......................................................   99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820156153  higher end m2 ssd ...................................   79

windows 7 pro  on ebay ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  45

intel i5 6500t   on ebay ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 195


So the above add to 1531  if you  make adjustments  below  it is 1281  and there are a lot of 99 usd psus good so drop to 1241
and open frame on plywoood drop to $1142.00 bare bones


Now  I already had the i5 6500t  and it has mined for months          I have found  the g4400 intel works fine is only 50-60 bucks
        I already had the 2 x 8 = 16 gb  ram it has mined for months  I have found 1 stick works for 38 bucks
        and you can find m2 ssds for under 50 bucks   that have 120 gb size.

[Redrose]

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

[citronick]

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

hello redrose

can share your 300 dollar rig?

[LoneRangir]

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

Exit strategy...  It is easier to sell higher end parts to gamers when you're done using the cards for mining. 

[Redrose]

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

hello redrose

can share your 300 dollar rig?

-Intel G1820 : 43,14$
-ASRock PRO BTC H97 Anniversary : 84,99$
-Kingston HyperX 8 Gb : 39,99$
-Lepa MaxBron 1000W : 109,99$
-Western Digital Caviar Blue 320 Gb : 20,99$
---------------------------------------------------
TOTAL : 299,1$

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

Exit strategy...  It is easier to sell higher end parts to gamers when you're done using the cards for mining. 

It might sounds a good plan, but depending of where you live, reselling parts may be a real pain. I prefer to go cheaper and keep it, that'll always be useful in some way.

[philipma1957]

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

well  the four card builds are smaller then the six card builds  and I am 90% sure  I can get four rx470's to work in the rosewill thor v2 case.

I have a place to put that case which will mean zero power cost for me.

I also have a set friends that build speakers and game a lot. I will sell them rigs 6 months old with better cpu's .

To me the  four card  mobo build in a case or case free fits where I can set them better then a six card riser case.

as for parts  I can go :

 129 mobo  .......       http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138421    this was on sale it went up
  60 intel cpu ......      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1UH3Z96302
  34 1 stick 8 gb ram..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820156103
  50 1 m2 ssd..........  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820249073
  95 1 psu ............... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438060
  99 1 case................http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0723W13688

467 but the mobo went up to 165 from 130 so now  ...........      492

770 four rx 470's   can't get this anymore sale is over. so now    796
______
1243  in a case   a few rebates and it would be 1220  so now    1288 in a case  and 1187 mounted on wood.

no case  1144  which is pretty good.

[QuintLeo]

-ASRock PRO BTC H97 Anniversary : 84,99$
-Lepa MaxBron 1000W : 109,99$

 You also need risers to use that setup, which you did NOT include in your pricing.
 For a mining-specific build, might be a good setup, though I suspect I could shave a few $$ off the total price - and I'm not impressed with anything I've read about the long-term reliability of the LEPA power supplies vs. EVGA G2 series or especially Seasonic X-series.


 I do agree with you on the "don't worry about an exit strategy" option, as I've already got long-term plans in place for all the machines I'm currently mining Ethereum with.

[Redrose]

-ASRock PRO BTC H97 Anniversary : 84,99$
-Lepa MaxBron 1000W : 109,99$

 You also need risers to use that setup, which you did NOT include in your pricing.
 For a mining-specific build, might be a good setup, though I suspect I could shave a few $$ off the total price - and I'm not impressed with anything I've read about the long-term reliability of the LEPA power supplies vs. EVGA G2 series or especially Seasonic X-series.


 I do agree with you on the "don't worry about an exit strategy" option, as I've already got long-term plans in place for all the machines I'm currently mining Ethereum with.

To don't fake the prices of the setup, I usuallt include price of the risers (about 10$ each) in the price card in my ROI plans.

[philipma1957]

Okay the Rosewill Thor V2 arrived today and I am building a four card rig.

the good  it all fits.

will post back later.

[xleejohnx]

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

well  the four card builds are smaller then the six card builds  and I am 90% sure  I can get four rx470's to work in the rosewill thor v2 case.

I have a place to put that case which will mean zero power cost for me.

I also have a set friends that build speakers and game a lot. I will sell them rigs 6 months old with better cpu's .

To me the  four card  mobo build in a case or case free fits where I can set them better then a six card riser case.

as for parts  I can go :

 129 mobo  .......       http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138421    this was on sale it went up
  60 intel cpu ......      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1UH3Z96302
  34 1 stick 8 gb ram..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820156103
  50 1 m2 ssd..........  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820249073
  95 1 psu ............... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438060
  99 1 case................http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0723W13688

467 but the mobo went up to 165 from 130 so now  ...........      492

770 four rx 470's   can't get this anymore sale is over. so now    796
______
1243  in a case   a few rebates and it would be 1220  so now    1288 in a case  and 1187 mounted on wood.

no case  1144  which is pretty good.

the case i have that is 8 slots fits the biostar just fine the only problem i have is air flow!! granted i didnt get all ref cards so some of the air flow is because of the dual fans blowing hot air into the case but what im having to do at the moment right now is use a desk fan to force the hot air out of the case.. the case works with 4 cards yes.. but they need to be ref cards but atm ref cards are the hardest to get. so im going with an open air case with riser to run the 6 cards i have now and used some coins to get the cards for a case build i can use in the tv room for winter heat when that time comes.. so this build phil is showing will be next months project!!

[citronick]

Okay the Rosewill Thor V2 arrived today and I am building a four card rig.

the good  it all fits.

will post back later.

looking forward to this build Phil.

pls do take some notes and findings to share on cooling/air flow/top-vent etc.

I think the heat from the 4 cards will be the biggest challenge.

[LoneRangir]

If that side fan doesn't keep the cards cool nothing will!

[Lion BItcoin Shop]

why you not use usb riser ?

[EastSound]

why you not use usb riser ?

He said the quality of the USB risers are not so good.

I use all my rigs with USB or ribbon risers as the heating is a concern for my mining operation.

[Q_R_V]

why you not use usb riser ?

If you can insert 4 cards per rig, it fits into nice pc case and temperatures are in acceptable range - forget about risers. That build is safer.

[citronick]

why you not use usb riser ?

If you can insert 4 cards per rig, it fits into nice pc case and temperatures are in acceptable range - forget about risers. That build is safer.

this was my original intention to Phil, to find an optimum method to rack or get them rig into a decent chassis, for ISP hosting.

So far 4xGPU mobo in a decent  full ATX may do the trick like Phil's Rosewill case.

Any other suggestions is welcomed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

[-droid-]

For hosting and utilizing open air and risers this case works great:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EGREBKM


Just buit two of them myself, pretty nifty design Idea as the vents face up as a lot of server racks exhaust at the top

As a bonus they give you 6 usb risers free, plus a power button and a cool little case with all the screws and mobo standoffs

[Redrose]

For hosting and utilizing open air and risers this case works great:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EGREBKM


Just buit two of them myself, pretty nifty design Idea as the vents face up as a lot of server racks exhaust at the top

As a bonus they give you 6 usb risers free, plus a power button and a cool little case with all the screws and mobo standoffs

That's so expensive ! Even though I use a horizontal build, if you want to use such a type of cases, you should better take some planks, a good old handscaw, some nails and an hammer. Then you're fine for a near free case ! If you're a lazy rich man, you can even buy little square planks that do not need to be cut .

[Nikolaj]

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

hello redrose

can share your 300 dollar rig?

-Intel G1820 : 43,14$
-ASRock PRO BTC H97 Anniversary : 84,99$
-Kingston HyperX 8 Gb : 39,99$
-Lepa MaxBron 1000W : 109,99$
-Western Digital Caviar Blue 320 Gb : 20,99$
---------------------------------------------------
TOTAL : 299,1$

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

Exit strategy...  It is easier to sell higher end parts to gamers when you're done using the cards for mining.  

It might sounds a good plan, but depending of where you live, reselling parts may be a real pain. I prefer to go cheaper and keep it, that'll always be useful in some way.

A good suggestion so you don't waste money if you buy many of those..

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=413

Don't.

For a budget build ok, but the PSU, and I speak for very high direct experience, given that it's the most important thing in a system, needs to be very good, with high quality components and topology.

Be careful with budget PSU's, there's a reason if it has a very low MSRP.

[philipma1957]

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

hello redrose

can share your 300 dollar rig?

-Intel G1820 : 43,14$
-ASRock PRO BTC H97 Anniversary : 84,99$
-Kingston HyperX 8 Gb : 39,99$
-Lepa MaxBron 1000W : 109,99$
-Western Digital Caviar Blue 320 Gb : 20,99$
---------------------------------------------------
TOTAL : 299,1$

Phil, I'll never understand your logic. Why taking such high end parts ? A platform costs me less than 300$, PSU included ! However, fitting all in a case is a genius move. I'll see if I can do the same for my next one !
Also, you know, risers increased a lot in quality in four years, and now, on Amazon, there's a lot of reliable risers. Never got deceived of any of mine.

Exit strategy...  It is easier to sell higher end parts to gamers when you're done using the cards for mining.  

It might sounds a good plan, but depending of where you live, reselling parts may be a real pain. I prefer to go cheaper and keep it, that'll always be useful in some way.

A good suggestion so you don't waste money if you buy many of those..

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=413

Don't.

For a budget build ok, but the PSU, and I speak for very high direct experience, given that it's the most important thing in a system, needs to be very good, with high quality components and topology.

Be careful with budget PSU's, there's a reason if it has a very low MSRP.

yeah I get better psu's as routine when when I find a good price I get them.


Oh four card build in that case has been a disaster. I shorted two pcie slots on the mobo.  not sure if it was the fault of the case my self or the mobo.
one problem was the rx 470's I used had a back plate and were not fitting due to the backplate.

did not kill the cards.  for now I am using the mobo as a two card miner.

I have a lot of things on my plate I will not be doing more build I am now at 400mh +