Looking to build a rig... Looking for some advice

[nightwolf92]

Im looking to build a rig to start with about 2-3 7950's and I would like some advice as to what the requirements are for some hardware components.

Basically I'm not going to get too specific on the type or brand of the product but the performance of it...

Budget 1500$
Items that i need: (or so i think)

BTC a 1000W PSU
BTC PCIe x16 4slot Mobo
BTC RAM... (how much do i need?)
BTC Processor(Can i get some 50$ processor or should i go all out.)
BTC 2-3x7950
BTC Either an Open Case as shown somewhere on this forum. Or if someone can recommend a cheap, efficient tower.
BTC Risers? (not sure what those are but they sound like i need them)
BTC a couple fans (to fit the case otherwise can buy random fans to place in the Open case)


Please make some modifications or additions(or subtractions) to my list, if you can provide price ranges or links that would be even better!

Thank you!


Current BUILD List with estimates


Case: Thermaltake VN700M1W2N Black Steel / Plastic Overseer RX-I ATX Full Tower / Computer Case
147$ after shipping

http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-VN700M1W2N-Plastic-Overseer-Computer/dp/B008LA8BB6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365535783&sr=8-2&keywords=thermaltake+Overseer+RX-I

Graphics Card: 419$ ea. After 20$ rebate… + 119$ Gamecodes = 300$ (APPROX) Per card if all game codes sell…
4x Sapphire 7970 Graphics cards

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001
Processor: AMD Sempron 145 Proccessor 35$
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Sempron-145-Processor-SDX145HBGMBOX/dp/B0040BPHJO%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIAA4MWUJXHBYFRNQ%26tag%3Dsquid1633810-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0040BPHJO

Power Supply: OCZ OCZ-ZX1250W ZX Series Modular Power Supply - 1250W, 80 Plus Gold, 140mm Fan, Active PFC, SLI & CrossFire Support $239.99 After Rebate $219.99

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7213995&CatId=5115

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT4G3D1339DS1S00 $68.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148543



Only worry is about the heat issue with these 4 cards running... Anyone have any tips?

[1715556752]

1715556752

[1715556752]

1715556752

[1715556752]

1715556752

[meebs]

.
BTC Risers? (not sure what those are but they sound like i need them)
BTC a couple fans (to fit the case otherwise can buy random fans to place in the Open case)


Please make some modifications or additions(or subtractions) to my list, if you can provide price ranges or links that would be even better!

Thank you!

1. NO CASE. You will be amazed just how horrible of airflow ANY case provides compared to an open air solution

2. http://www.amazon.com/A1store-PCI-E-Express-Adapter-Extension/dp/B008YTX5EM/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1365115957&sr=8-10&keywords=pcie+riser  (that is a riser cable, used with said open air case)

3. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=7216.0   That thread will give you lots of ideas of how others have setup mining systems in the past, dealing with all the heat is a major PITA in the non-winter months.

[Matthew N. Wright]

1. NO CASE. You will be amazed just how horrible of airflow ANY case provides compared to an open air solution

I honestly don't know why you would ever suggest this to anyone. It is common knowledge that a case helps with airflow by directing the cool air and hot air to proper channels, whereas no case would be like just blowing a fan at your entire computer.

[nightwolf92]

Thank you for the advice, I just need to find a cheap mobo. :/
also work out how much ram/what kind of CPU i need. otherwise im good to go!

[nightwolf92]

Thanks Wolf0 I appreciate the advice!

[briannguyen]

I would go for 6870

[bitrocket]

2. http://www.amazon.com/A1store-PCI-E-Express-Adapter-Extension/dp/B008YTX5EM/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1365115957&sr=8-10&keywords=pcie+riser  (that is a riser cable, used with said open air case)
[/quote]

does a full size PCIe x16 -> x16 extender cable offer any speed/performance advantages over the smaller PCIe x1 -> x16 extender cable? Why would you choose one over the other.. it seems like the narrow one (x1 to x16) would be easier to manage and allow for better airflow

second, if you get powered riser cables do you need special power supply adapters to hook them up? Does you typical 850 watt power supply with 3x PCI-e power connectors also have the required connectors for the powered extender cables?

[dg2010]

1. NO CASE. You will be amazed just how horrible of airflow ANY case provides compared to an open air solution

I honestly don't know why you would ever suggest this to anyone. It is common knowledge that a case helps with airflow by directing the cool air and hot air to proper channels, whereas no case would be like just blowing a fan at your entire computer.

Absolutely right. The most efficient way to cool in the majority of cases is to direct your airflow along channels, cool air in, hot air out. And if you look at high end server components designed to run at maximum capacity for years, they all do this.

You will definitely see lower average temperatures across all components with a good case and lots of airflow. Just don't expect it to be quiet....

[nightwolf92]

Anyone have any good case recommendations?

[Ryu.Hayabusa]

Cooler Master HAF is a good one for lots of airflow.  There's a full tower and mid tower version of them depending on what you want.

[nightwolf92]

Probably a full tower, thank you for the recommendation...

One other thing, im looking to do 7970's instead of the 7950's
Which one do you guys recommend getting (Company) because like my 7950 its Hardware Voltage locked.. I need to OC my card and I know some companies lock theirs.

[a1phanumrc]

Anyone have any good case recommendations?

I've been using NZXT cases for a few years now. Very happy with them. Looks like they got this one back in:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146067

[nightwolf92]

that case looks sick... the only thing about getting a case... and finding the right motherboard is having the space to put it all... if you look at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001

Its a double wide card... taking up 2 slots in the back of the computer... If you want a dedicated mining rig with 4 slots you need 8 evenly spaced slots for the cards... Anyone have a motherboard / case for that? o0o0o even 3 per rig would be fine.

[nightwolf92]

Anyone have any good case recommendations?

I've been using NZXT cases for a few years now. Very happy with them. Looks like they got this one back in:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146067

Unfortunately that case would only ever fit 3 cards

[a1phanumrc]

Anyone have any good case recommendations?

I've been using NZXT cases for a few years now. Very happy with them. Looks like they got this one back in:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146067

Unfortunately that case would only ever fit 3 cards

Your OP says 2-3 cards, no? How many do you plan to put in?

[nightwolf92]

sorry lol my bad... That was the start for 2-3 cards... in the end... i'd like each to have 4-5 I should have specified my appologies.

[Marrs]

1. NO CASE. You will be amazed just how horrible of airflow ANY case provides compared to an open air solution

I honestly don't know why you would ever suggest this to anyone. It is common knowledge that a case helps with airflow by directing the cool air and hot air to proper channels, whereas no case would be like just blowing a fan at your entire computer.

Absolutely right. The most efficient way to cool in the majority of cases is to direct your airflow along channels, cool air in, hot air out. And if you look at high end server components designed to run at maximum capacity for years, they all do this.

You will definitely see lower average temperatures across all components with a good case and lots of airflow. Just don't expect it to be quiet....

Do either of you guys advocating using a case have a rig with four GPUs in a case? If so, what temperatures do your GPUs run at?

[nightwolf92]

This will be my build... links all included... i will update my OP with the post...

Case: Thermaltake VN700M1W2N Black Steel / Plastic Overseer RX-I ATX Full Tower / Computer Case
147$ after shipping
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-VN700M1W2N-Plastic-Overseer-Computer/dp/B008LA8BB6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365535783&sr=8-2&keywords=thermaltake+Overseer+RX-I
Graphics Card: 419$ ea. After 20$ rebate… + 119$ Gamecodes = 300$ (APPROX) Per card if all game codes sell…
4x Sapphire 7970 Graphics cards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001
Processor: AMD Sempron 145 Proccessor 35$
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Sempron-145-Processor-SDX145HBGMBOX/dp/B0040BPHJO%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIAA4MWUJXHBYFRNQ%26tag%3Dsquid1633810-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0040BPHJO

Power Supply: OCZ OCZ-ZX1250W ZX Series Modular Power Supply - 1250W, 80 Plus Gold, 140mm Fan, Active PFC, SLI & CrossFire Support $239.99 After Rebate $219.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7213995&CatId=5115
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT4G3D1339DS1S00 $68.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148543




Also im worried about the 4 card temps but I will have to buy fans to compensate... hopefully we can run it at about 75-80*c

[Ryu.Hayabusa]

I'd highly recommend Corsair or Seasonic for the PSU if you haven't already purchased.

[briannguyen]

Read this. It covers all information and questions.
http://www.bitcoinrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/How-to-build-a-Bitcoin-Mining-Rig-Clusterx.pdf