First Rig - LTC - Seeking Input

[robamichael]

Hello Fellow Visionaries,

I am planning my first mining rig build, for Litecoin, and I would like to get some input.

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Here is my current plan:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/N6Fk
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Updated:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NLCo
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How does it look?

I have done my best to research this build for the past week. Information is very scattered, and the scene is changing so quickly that it's difficult to tell what is obsolete.

A case will be added because I don't have the time to build a custom open-air rig, and I rather not have a Frankenstein experiment in plain sight. Should I go for a full tower? Anything specific to consider?

Your help is very appreciated!

[jordan.dev]

Parts look ok. Are you using the machine for other tasks?

All things considered you might not need such a powerful CPU and an SSD for mining. Could probably save a few $ there.

As for as case...I just built one of these and it turned out really well: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=29729.0

Good luck!

[robamichael]

Parts look ok. Are you using the machine for other tasks?

All things considered you might not need such a powerful CPU and an SSD for mining. Could probably save a few $ there.

As for as case...I just built one of these and it turned out really well: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=29729.0

Good luck!

Good points!

The rig will be used exclusively for LTC mining.

Can explain what type of CPU might be more appropriate?

I have also changed out the Gigabyte GPUs for some cheaper Sapphires. Do they look OK?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NoiI

Thanks!

[Khanduras]

At that point, I'd say the cheapest CPU you could buy that would fit that board.  Sure, booting the machine would take longer if you sacrifice the SSD, but any drive that's large enough fort he OS install plus your mining software will do.  If you feel like messing with it, install the OS to a decent-sized USB flash drive instead of dishing out for an actual hard driven and you save even more money.  There isn't too much difference in the GPUs, so you should be fine either way.

[Turok]

you don't need CD/DVD ROM as well

[tal0n4]

Go with a Sempron 145 for the CPU.

Get rid of the SS drive and run off a USB stick.

You don't need a CD ROM and good choice on the power supply. I've got five of those running in rigs similar to what you are building.

[ftping]

Just built a rig similar to yours, except I bought a $60 Athlon II instead of the FX series. No point in spending extra cash on a CPU that won't really be used to its full potential.

[jordan.dev]

Go with a Sempron 145 for the CPU.

Get rid of the SS drive and run off a USB stick.

You don't need a CD ROM and good choice on the power supply. I've got five of those running in rigs similar to what you are building.

Yes I did the Sempron 145, used MSI cards though. I think card manufacturer is really about personal preference and quality of the heat-syncs. MSI hasn't let me down.

[Dargo]

OP, see discussion in this thread for a more cost effective build.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=161235.0

[Kasaf]

Could I use this setup for mining BTC instead of LTC? Or would it not generate a good hash rate for BTC?

[jordan.dev]

Could I use this setup for mining BTC instead of LTC? Or would it not generate a good hash rate for BTC?

At the current difficulty, it's my understanding that LTC is slightly more profitable on a daily basis. It has been for me thus far. I need to check again, but it's safe to assume this.

[grue]

you don't need that much ram, 2x5850s only uses 50 mb on cgminer
you don't need a cpu cooler, the stock one is just fine (unless you want to go passive cooling)
you don't need a case, just put it in a plastic storage box
you don't need a super expensive gold PSU. there are less efficient ones with comparable outputs for $150 or less.

[Kasaf]

you don't need that much ram, 2x5850s only uses 50 mb on cgminer
you don't need a cpu cooler, the stock one is just fine (unless you want to go passive cooling)
you don't need a case, just put it in a plastic storage box
you don't need a super expensive gold PSU. there are less efficient ones with comparable outputs for $150 or less.

Is that for bitcoin mining for Litecoin mining?

[robamichael]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I wasn't aware that there would be a stock CPU cooler. I will remove correct that.

Is there some way to tell how much ram is required per kh/s?


The open-air rig looks awesome, but I really don't have the time to build one of those. How do you suppose I station the cards without using a case?

[grue]

I wasn't aware that there would be a stock CPU cooler. I will remove correct that.

only OEM CPUs don't come with cooler.

Is there some way to tell how much ram is required per kh/s?

2 5850s @ 700 kh/s (concurrency 5600) only uses 50 mb in cgminer.

The open-air rig looks awesome, but I really don't have the time to build one of those. How do you suppose I station the cards without using a case?

put all the component at the bottom of the box, and suspend the video cards from the top using string+sticks. You'll definitely need extenders/risers for this though, but using this configuration allows for more space between the cards for better cooling. speaking of extenders, if you plan on using them, you don't need an expensive motherboard. all you need is one with enough pice slots (any width, even x1).