i bought 6pcs 5870s for $50

[jeprokzki]

i bought these 6pcs 5870 sapphire v2 from my friend who didn't know bitcoin (evil laugh) because his closing his computer shop now...

my question is how do i start building this mining rig? i need some suggestion/recommendation if what is the best and efficient setup...
do i make this 6 crossfires? or by 3s or by 2s?
what type of motherboard and power supply if ever i make 6xfire or 3xfire or 2xfire?
what os linux/ubuntu/windows 7?
what software update or tweaks?
what's the best mining software for ati 5870?

im asking all these because im using nvidia cards this is my first time to use ati and not familiar on using this cards for mining.


thanks and if you have some addons just post it thank you guys,

[ninjaboon]

$50 is dirt cheap. wow.

[jeprokzki]

yes that's why i instantly bought it all  actually there are 10 cards i reserved the 4pcs. i need still to build this 6pcs first

[Jama]

From my personal experience with 5870's.
you are better off running them individually.
For ease of install windows with guiminer and cgminer is the best way to go, I ge 450Mhash per card this way.
For more control and a bit more speed BAMT Linux is the way to go, you will get at least anothe 10Mhash per card.
If you want an easy of the shelf psu look for a corsair/seasonic or similar 1200w or more and that should be good.
If you want to do it on moe of a budget, you can get a quality 500w atx psu to look after the mobo, CPU etc and then a cheap server psu to run the cards on.
As for motherboards I'm not sure as in the us you see. To get more models than us in the uk, us remember you can also use the pcie x1 slot so coun these in your total.
If you plan to have 10, I would look to run 5 per board.

Hope this helps a bit.
James.

[jeprokzki]

so you mean sir i will put all those 6 cards in 1 motherboard using pci-e extension port? and run it by single gpu? and regarding linux any linux version is ok? thanks for the reply

[pheaonix]

he means running 6 systems with 1 gpu each

[Viceroy]

I'm trying to rebuilt a centos mining rig but I, too, am having difficulty running more than 2 gpu per motherboard.  Come join us if you are so inclined:  https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=170516.0

[Jama]

so you mean sir i will put all those 6 cards in 1 motherboard using pci-e extension port? and run it by single gpu? and regarding linux any linux version is ok? thanks for the reply

Yes, put all cards on one motherboard if you only have 6, or if you get 10 have 2 motherboards with 5 each.
Don't crossfire the cards just run them as singles.

he means running 6 systems with 1 gpu each

Not quite, see above for what I mean.

[ryantc]

your friend is having a double evil laugh, these cards have been tested and mining like shit

you can put 3-4 cards on one mobo, so you only need to pull up two rigs for mining.

[Viceroy]

you can put 3-4 cards on one mobo, so you only need to pull up two rigs for mining.

I can put 5 on my MB.. doesn't mean you can make them operate...   what OS?

[ryantc]

you can put 3-4 cards on one mobo, so you only need to pull up two rigs for mining.

I can put 5 on my MB.. doesn't mean you can make them operate...   what OS?

no kidding? since when OS becomes a problem in mining business?
I have no experience with linux, but win 7 won't fail the task.

[jeprokzki]

thanks for the inputs guys im now looking for the most suitable mobo for 6gpus and i decided to buy seasonic 1200w +gold for those 6gpu...now im just confused for the o.s i will use because some saying there is a slight improvement in hashing speed and compatibility etc...some there is no difference .... regarding mining software guiminer or pheonix or cgminer?

[ryantc]

if you want to plug 6 cards in one mobo, you will need extension cable (1x -> 16x)
with molex connector

then mobos you can consider
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130645
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128508

or maybe there are more just wait for more reply 

[Jama]

thanks for the inputs guys im now looking for the most suitable mobo for 6gpus and i decided to buy seasonic 1200w +gold for those 6gpu...now im just confused for the o.s i will use because some saying there is a slight improvement in hashing speed and compatibility etc...some there is no difference .... regarding mining software guiminer or pheonix or cgminer?

In my experience with BAMT (linux) you get about 10-15 extra MHash per card then windows, with both using CGMiner.
I think this may be down to when using windows I have dummy plugs and some power is used to create a desktop, in linux there is no need so a few more hashes appear.
This is only based on my experience and is my theory so do not take it as gospel.

[jerethdaminer]

http://motherboard.findthebest.com/l/644/ASUS-Z9PE-D8-WS  that board has 6 or so slots, but windows i think will only see 4 gpus multiple rigs running 4 would probobly be most effeciant via windows not sure about anything else

[middlemarkal]

what you really need are risers to be able to use your 1X pci-e to connect with your cards on an open case .

look at the minirig picture tread

[WynX]

if you want to plug 6 cards in one mobo, you will need extension cable (1x -> 16x)
with molex connector

then mobos you can consider
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130645

Hands down best board for the buck. Get extension cables for all slots, in above example 3x [16 -> 16] and 4x [1 -> 16]. Run linux for getting rid of dummy plugs.

[nebiz]

I did this with two of these per board and it went excellently.

You will need a lot of air flow and a lot of space.

I used a USB based linux operating system for mining. Not sure if it still exists around here but it was great.

This setup gave me just shy of 400 MH/s per card, IIRC. It depends on the submodel but one was sapphire and one was something that started with an X. Both were equal.

I stopped mining because it wasn't really worth the noise in my apartment

[DrG]

You would probably be better off making 2 3 card rigs.  Yes there is more cost for the base systems, but heat management will be easier, and you can get 2 600 PSUs for less than the 1200W PSU.  The ability to spread the heat out by keeping 2 rigs apart is key, unless you live in a cold area.  6 5870s will let you cook eggs

[jeprokzki]

You would probably be better off making 2 3 card rigs.  Yes there is more cost for the base systems, but heat management will be easier, and you can get 2 600 PSUs for less than the 1200W PSU.  The ability to spread the heat out by keeping 2 rigs apart is key, unless you live in a cold area.  6 5870s will let you cook eggs

hehehe maybe that's the best way i can do separate 3 cards by 2s because im thinking also about the heat it will cause in my room and the problems in the future of 6 cards in 1 rig. thanks for the suggestion sir.