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

[ps_jb]

I managed to get 5 recognised but with lot of battle : many restart, unplug and replug. I don't know why it didn't work straight.

I then added the 6th , and I got it recognised but it is stucked with the 43 error code, and the "6xgpu registry hack mod" even in administrator mode doesn't work to get it working.
So for now , it's mining with 5 gpus , and I continue searching for ideas about the 6th. Never had this problem before with h81 pro BTC mobos ... (it's my first MSI z97)

Unfortunately it was about like in my case, except I did not get 43 - Win 10 helped.

[citronick]

The 8x4x4x + gen 2 trick didn't work ..

Did you try ps_jb's suggestion?

I tried to add the GPUs one by one after the first 3 GPUs (on 16x slots) , and with those settings : 8x4x4x and Gen1.

I managed to get 5 recognised but with lot of battle : many restart, unplug and replug. I don't know why it didn't work straight.

I then added the 6th , and I got it recognised but it is stucked with the 43 error code, and the "6xgpu registry hack mod" even in administrator mode doesn't work to get it working.
So for now , it's mining with 5 gpus , and I continue searching for ideas about the 6th. Never had this problem before with h81 pro BTC mobos ... (it's my first MSI z97)

To Citronick, I understand your advice. But depending on electricity price, customs cost, place available, noise acceptable, electricity available, GPUs costs (sometimes good deals), and abiity to resell gear, everyone will have a different answer to the question .. For me, pandaminer is not good right now. Sure I'm loosing lot of time dealing with problems, and I would like to get rid of it. But in the end, in my particular situation, (different from your particular one), pandaminer could be a loss in the end.

point taken - vg54dett.

Like what Philip shared, the 4xGPU Biostar Z170 mobo is so far the best format and also cost efficient; good after sales opportunities too. I have 5 x rigs like the Biostar and have chosen that format for all new rigs... until Pandaminer came along.

[philipma1957]

The 8x4x4x + gen 2 trick didn't work ..

Did you try ps_jb's suggestion?

I tried to add the GPUs one by one after the first 3 GPUs (on 16x slots) , and with those settings : 8x4x4x and Gen1.

I managed to get 5 recognised but with lot of battle : many restart, unplug and replug. I don't know why it didn't work straight.

I then added the 6th , and I got it recognised but it is stucked with the 43 error code, and the "6xgpu registry hack mod" even in administrator mode doesn't work to get it working.
So for now , it's mining with 5 gpus , and I continue searching for ideas about the 6th. Never had this problem before with h81 pro BTC mobos ... (it's my first MSI z97)

To Citronick, I understand your advice. But depending on electricity price, customs cost, place available, noise acceptable, electricity available, GPUs costs (sometimes good deals), and abiity to resell gear, everyone will have a different answer to the question .. For me, pandaminer is not good right now. Sure I'm loosing lot of time dealing with problems, and I would like to get rid of it. But in the end, in my particular situation, (different from your particular one), pandaminer could be a loss in the end.

point taken - vg54dett.

Like what Philip shared, the 4xGPU Biostar Z170 mobo is so far the best format and also cost efficient; good after sales opportunities too. I have 5 x rigs like the Biostar and have chosen that format for all new rigs... until Pandaminer came along.

I like the biostar z170. Use a m2 ssd. Use an evga 750 p2 psu or a rosewill quark 850.
Small size fast build.
As for six card builds such a time waster always an issue or 2 or 3.

I have 1 h81 and if you only use 4 cards it works great.  So that's what I do with it.
And if you don't use a piece of shit celeron or pentium psu .

I have a i5 4570s in it it runs really good.

[HerbPean]

I have 1 h81 and if you only use 4 cards it works great.  So that's what I do with it.
And if you don't use a piece of shit celeron or pentium psu .

I'm having the same result.

4 cards rock solid, 5 cards not so much ...

[philipma1957]

Now for exciting news on the z270 series.

I am testing this mobo


https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128966

and this cpu
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117730


It is very attractive.  has 3 slots  full size and two for risers. ie five cards..

I just got five cards going on eth.

3 msi rx 470's    --------------- 4gb
1 powerclor red devil rx 470 -- 4gb
1 radeon  rx 480 --------------  4gb

seems stable. at the moment.

I am running windows 10  Enterprise

[QuintLeo]

Now for exciting news on the z270 series.

I am testing this mobo


https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128966

and this cpu
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117730


It is very attractive.  has 3 slots  full size and two for risers. ie five cards..

I just got five cards going on eth.

3 msi rx 470's    --------------- 4gb
1 powerclor red devil rx 470 -- 4gb
1 radeon  rx 480 --------------  4gb

seems stable. at the moment.

What kind of temperature is that middle card on the motherboard running at?
Seems VERY cramped for a non-ref style card.

[QuintLeo]

 it seems to be lenghty to get something solid & stable, even with the thousands experience feedback from other peoples.

 Only if you insist on running riser rigs.

 The most reliable rig I've had this past year is the trio R9 290 rig (upgraded "Avatar" I bought from NewEgg as a trio R9 280x rig) after I swapped things around to get rid of the single riser in it and installed UBuntu 14.04 in place of the total junk Win 8.1 it came with.

 It just keeps ETHing and ETHing and ETHing.....

 

[philipma1957]

Now for exciting news on the z270 series.

I am testing this mobo


https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128966

and this cpu
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117730


It is very attractive.  has 3 slots  full size and two for risers. ie five cards..

I just got five cards going on eth.

3 msi rx 470's    --------------- 4gb
1 powerclor red devil rx 470 -- 4gb
1 radeon  rx 480 --------------  4gb

seems stable. at the moment.

What kind of temperature is that middle card on the motherboard running at?
Seems VERY cramped for a non-ref style card.

I shifted cards about a bit.

The center card of the MSI RX 470 is about 72.

I will post gpuzGPU-z

The hottest card is the RX 480 at 76
The card you asked about is 67


all cards on 1 piece of plywood


all temps good 75 or lower



66c


584 watts at the wall

[bittawm]

do the 270s work with 6+ cards?

[philipma1957]

do the 270s work with 6+ cards?

I need to do more work  as the board does have 6 slots  but they are somewhat buried.
I would need 4 risers using 1 in the full slot in the middle.

means a bit of work for me.

here is the board:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128966


it has 6 slots  so I have  to play with it more   to get it to do six.

[TheYankeesWin!]

It is very attractive.  has 3 slots  full size and two for risers. ie five cards..

I just got five cards going on eth.

3 msi rx 470's    --------------- 4gb
1 powerclor red devil rx 470 -- 4gb
1 radeon  rx 480 --------------  4gb

seems stable. at the moment.


all cards on 1 piece of plywood

I am looking at the five cards on that board  and the fact that you can run the  5 cards with a evga 750 p2 psu

I think only a fool or masochist would want to run the sixth card.  On your particular board.

[philipma1957]

@ the yankeeswin    yeah my board is a dream board for five cards.  I would never bother to try a sixth card  as it would kill density factor

also I am under 600 watts  running eth 7.4  with stock bios.  

I am looking to see a better z270 or z250  as the Aorus  is meant for 5 cards.

Also I am running Windows 10 Enterprise  so this could be the reason I did the 5 cards with ease.

[TheYankeesWin!]

Phil  do you like the EVGA 750 watt p2?

I ask because I see the EVGA 750 T2  on amazon  today for prime members it is $139.95

[philipma1957]

$135.99 is a really good price for a 750 watt titanium psu.

-- Note I am a prime member and it is even better then what theyankeeswin said it cost. ---

I have points on amazon  I will buy that if it is that price.  Thanks



Edit  he was right  I ordered it.  It was 145 with tax  but I had 35 in points so it was 110  for a 750 watt titanium!

For prime members only! The price is $135.99.

 If anyone wants one  and is not prime  I can order it for you. Then drop ship it to you.  but it may be a little more then 145 if you have  a high tax rate. (usa only)




Details for Order #109-xxxxxxx-xxxxxxx
Print this page for your records.

Order Placed: January 21, 2017
Amazon.com order number: 109-xxxxxxx-xxxxxxx
Order Total: $110.32

Not Yet Shipped
 
Items Ordered   Price
1 of: EVGA SuperNOVA 750 T2, 80+ TITANIUM 750W, Fully Modular, EVGA ECO Mode, 10 Year Warranty , Includes FREE Power On Self Tester, Power Supply 220-T2-0750-X1
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC

Condition: New
$135.99

Shipping Address:
Philip xxxxxxx
xx xxxxx  xxxxxx xx
HOWELL, NJ xxxxx-xxxx
United States

Shipping Speed:
Two-Day Shipping

Payment information
Item(s) Subtotal:   $135.99
Shipping & Handling:   $0.00
    -----
Total before tax:   $135.99
Estimated tax to be collected:   $9.35
Gift Card Amount:   -$9.99
Rewards Points:   -$25.03
    -----
Grand Total:   $110.32
Payment Method:
Amazon.com Visa | Last digits: xxxx
Rewards Points
Gift Card

Billing address
Philip xxxxxxx
xx xxxxx xxxxxx xx
HOWELL, NJ xxxxx-xxxx
United States

[arielbit]

any review and opinion on pandaminer 1600w customized PSU? (OEM from GreatWall)

i think it is cheap at 72$  https://www.pandaminer.com/default/product_detail?id=3

[philipma1957]

any review and opinion on pandaminer 1600w customized PSU? (OEM from GreatWall)

i think it is cheap at 72$  https://www.pandaminer.com/default/product_detail?id=3

it has bronze efficiency.  Say 80-83 %  my evga 1600 g2 uses  1000 watts it uses 1070

It has 7 pcie jacks .  it is not loud.  it has a standard  c13 or c14 plug.  and unlike most atx it is pre jumpered  so if you flip the power switch  it turns on.

lastly  the 7 cables seem to be 18 ga not 16 ga  and they are really 5 cables    3 single and 2 double

I would fear overload  on the double cable.  I got it for the review and can use it for other gear  I would not use  it for this miner.

Since I think the two double cables could melt.

[citronick]

any review and opinion on pandaminer 1600w customized PSU? (OEM from GreatWall)

i think it is cheap at 72$  https://www.pandaminer.com/default/product_detail?id=3

it has bronze efficiency.  Say 80-83 %  my evga 1600 g2 uses  1000 watts it uses 1070

It has 7 pcie jacks .  it is not loud.  it has a standard  c13 or c14 plug.  and unlike most atx it is pre jumpered  so if you flip the power switch  it turns on.

lastly  the 7 cables seem to be 18 ga not 16 ga  and they are really 5 cables    3 single and 2 double

I would fear overload  on the double cable.  I got it for the review and can use it for other gear  I would not use  it for this miner.

Since I think the two double cables could melt.

Agree with Phil -- a compact, data centre class, high end miner running 24x7 like this Panda should deserve a good above average PSU.

Invest a good quality PSU to protect your 2,000$ investment.

The power rating required by Pandaminer is 1380w + 10% (for ETH mining you would need more juice).

Give a 15-20% safety buffer, a EVGA-G2-1600w is a very good PSU for Pandaminer.

[philipma1957]

any review and opinion on pandaminer 1600w customized PSU? (OEM from GreatWall)

i think it is cheap at 72$  https://www.pandaminer.com/default/product_detail?id=3

it has bronze efficiency.  Say 80-83 %  my evga 1600 g2 uses  1000 watts it uses 1070

It has 7 pcie jacks .  it is not loud.  it has a standard  c13 or c14 plug.  and unlike most atx it is pre jumpered  so if you flip the power switch  it turns on.

lastly  the 7 cables seem to be 18 ga not 16 ga  and they are really 5 cables    3 single and 2 double

I would fear overload  on the double cable.  I got it for the review and can use it for other gear  I would not use  it for this miner.

Since I think the two double cables could melt.

Agree with Phil -- a compact, data centre class, high end miner running 24x7 like this Panda should deserve a good above average PSU.

Invest a good quality PSU to protect your 2,000$ investment.

The power rating required by Pandaminer is 1380w + 10% (for ETH mining you would need more juice).

Give a 15-20% safety buffer, a EVGA-G2-1600w is a very good PSU for Pandaminer.

The evga is a bit costly

if you use my fan mod the gear is not quiet but not killer loud.

you can buy this for 20 bucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-BladeCenter-1800W-Power-Supply-P-N-74P4400-FRU-P-N-74P4401-DPS-1600BB-/262811922237?

with this breakout board
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1667131.0
http://www.price-technology.com/bitcoin-mining.html

his 2k board is pretty sweet.    I have 3 of them  they all run well.  this setup  would do 1 pandaminer for about 90 bucks

[arielbit]

@philipma1957

i just noticed up thread in your photos, you have carpet...you must be careful, i've read it can generate static electricity by rubbing unknowingly....can damage some computer stuff

BTW since i started mining i never used casing for my rigs, i used screws and nuts like these for my motherboards



it helps in a lot of ways 

[philipma1957]

@philipma1957

i just noticed up thread in your photos, you have carpet...you must be careful, i've read it can generate static electricity by rubbing unknowingly....can damage some computer stuff

BTW since i started mining i never used casing for my rigs, i used screws and nuts like these for my motherboards



it helps in a lot of ways 

Yeah the one 5 card rig in the den is on a carpeted floor.

but there is plywood base with 2by4 legs.

Normally winter does have static in the house  but it has been damp and wet not cold and dry.

I have worked on gear on that rug for years and I am aware of when it gets static I do Have a touch bar to discharge the static.