Quick noob question, Mining rig setup for 3-4 HD7970 or 7870

[MLB56]

hi guys, i want to build 2-3 rigs with 3 or 4 graphic cards each.
i asked my hardware store for a offer but they totally misunderstood me.

which is the best CPU for those cards? it should be just enough.
2GB ram is also fine right?
i dont need a DVD-drive if i use Hubutu on a stick right?
which would be the best motherboard?
and i guess i need 1250W ?

thanks a lot

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[MashRinx]

I bought very cheap AMD Sempron CPUs.  If you plan to have uses other than mining, you may want to upgrade a bit.  I didn't

2 GB RAM is fine if you just want the machine for mining.  I have many machines with just 2 GB and they hash well

There are several MB choices.  I have personally had good luck with the ASRock 970 Extreme 4, as have others on the forum.  At $99, it's decently priced for the PCIx slots it has too.

I bought 1200 watt PSUs for 3 x 7970s machines they all handle the load fine.  

I would say no on the DVD drive.  Even if you did need one to install Windows, etc.  you wouldn't need to keep it attached once that's done.

Cooling is something you want to keep in mind.  3 or 4 7970s in any case are going to run hot, probably very hot.  Almost all of my machines are completely opened (custom frames) and have at least one PCIx-extender to raise the middle card up to allow all 3 cards to get better cooling.  At about $15 (last I checked) these are worth finding and investing in on the web.

[Negcreep]

Hey I was wondering if someone could show me an image showing a mining rig with one of these PCI-e extenders installed?

Just want to see how its all set up to give improved cooling. Having trouble visualizing it.

[MashRinx]

Check out the "pics of your mining rigs" thread:  https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=7216

There are several example pics on the most recent pages as of this post: 107 & 108, and I'm sure you can find many more further back in that same thread.

[os2sam]

hi guys, i want to build 2-3 rigs with 3 or 4 graphic cards each.
i asked my hardware store for a offer but they totally misunderstood me.

which is the best CPU for those cards? it should be just enough.
2GB ram is also fine right?
i dont need a DVD-drive if i use Hubutu on a stick right?
which would be the best motherboard?
and i guess i need 1250W ?

thanks a lot

I think this is still very helpful.  There are of course newer GPU's but everything else should be good.

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_rig

[Bitsaurus]

Any CPU is fine
You don't need an optical drive, only if installing OS from one
1250 Seasonic or Corsair is fine for 4 or even 5 cards