Building Cheap Miners : My "Secret"

[senseless]

My secret is, I pay a little more and buy DL580 G7s for $500 -- $125/mo monero cpu mining and up to 12 GPUs without a breakout board. It also comes with 4x 1200W PSUs. Just make sure to buy some ear plugs so you don't go deaf.

[sundownz]

Don't forget that I mentioned "adapters' for dell t5500:

- It has 2x6 pins PEG => 6 to 8 adapters

- to plug third card you may need to use adapters aswell (and it should not be an AMD card they use to much power especially through the riser).

Psu is big enough but each rail has it's limits.

- I plan to plug a 4th card, and ordered adapters for cpu2 rail (as there is no cpu 2 in my case), BGNing CPU 8Pin to PEG  8Pin. they take forever to come from china.

I will share some pictures when I get my T5500 and configure it for 3 cards -- I will use 3x RX580 cards in that one I think. Either that or 3x Geforce 1070.

[sundownz]

My secret is, I pay a little more and buy DL580 G7s for $500 -- $125/mo monero cpu mining and up to 12 GPUs without a breakout board. It also comes with 4x 1200W PSUs. Just make sure to buy some ear plugs so you don't go deaf.

Also a cool idea -- I will look into it as well. Where do you buy yours ?

Thanks for sharing too!

[navydude]

My secret is, I pay a little more and buy DL580 G7s for $500 -- $125/mo monero cpu mining and up to 12 GPUs without a breakout board. It also comes with 4x 1200W PSUs. Just make sure to buy some ear plugs so you don't go deaf.

So does the bios allow for 12 GPUs in windows? This could be damn nice if so.

Edit: And i can only find the chassis for 500$. Can you give a link to a full machine?

[senseless]

My secret is, I pay a little more and buy DL580 G7s for $500 -- $125/mo monero cpu mining and up to 12 GPUs without a breakout board. It also comes with 4x 1200W PSUs. Just make sure to buy some ear plugs so you don't go deaf.

Also a cool idea -- I will look into it as well. Where do you buy yours ?

Thanks for sharing too!

I don't want to mention it publicly

My secret is, I pay a little more and buy DL580 G7s for $500 -- $125/mo monero cpu mining and up to 12 GPUs without a breakout board. It also comes with 4x 1200W PSUs. Just make sure to buy some ear plugs so you don't go deaf.

So does the bios allow for 12 GPUs in windows? This could be damn nice if so. Or have to run linux?

I don't know, I don't use windows

[Storx]

Don't forget that I mentioned "adapters' for dell t5500:

- It has 2x6 pins PEG => 6 to 8 adapters

- to plug third card you may need to use adapters aswell (and it should not be an AMD card they use to much power especially through the riser).

Psu is big enough but each rail has it's limits.

- I plan to plug a 4th card, and ordered adapters for cpu2 rail (as there is no cpu 2 in my case), BGNing CPU 8Pin to PEG  8Pin. they take forever to come from china.

I will share some pictures when I get my T5500 and configure it for 3 cards -- I will use 3x RX580 cards in that one I think. Either that or 3x Geforce 1070.

hmm have a link to these adapters?
I was just going to run the workstation to 5 cards on risers.. or maybe place 1 in the computer and 4 on risers.. this is going to be my first open case build with this workstation, i was just going to place the workstation on its side on a garage shelving unit i purchased from home depot, then suspend the GPU's off the shelf above with zip ties.. seen it on another persons setup and he has over 50 rigs this way, but all his are with brand new mobo and cpu's... I do have a 1200watt EVGA PSU that was for another build on its way i can use temp tell i get adapters and just short out the startup pin so i can turn it on from the switch on the back... i also have a server 1200w psu on its way from ebay, want to try one of these units out due to how dang cheap they are.

[lexele]

Don't forget that I mentioned "adapters' for dell t5500:

- It has 2x6 pins PEG => 6 to 8 adapters

- to plug third card you may need to use adapters aswell (and it should not be an AMD card they use to much power especially through the riser).

Psu is big enough but each rail has it's limits.

- I plan to plug a 4th card, and ordered adapters for cpu2 rail (as there is no cpu 2 in my case), BGNing CPU 8Pin to PEG  8Pin. they take forever to come from china.

I will share some pictures when I get my T5500 and configure it for 3 cards -- I will use 3x RX580 cards in that one I think. Either that or 3x Geforce 1070.

hmm have a link to these adapters?
I was just going to run the workstation to 5 cards on risers.. or maybe place 1 in the computer and 4 on risers.. this is going to be my first open case build with this workstation, i was just going to place the workstation on its side on a garage shelving unit i purchased from home depot, then suspend the GPU's off the shelf above with zip ties.. seen it on another persons setup and he has over 50 rigs this way, but all his are with brand new mobo and cpu's... I do have a 1200watt EVGA PSU that was for another build on its way i can use temp tell i get adapters and just short out the startup pin so i can turn it on from the switch on the back... i also have a server 1200w psu on its way from ebay, want to try one of these units out due to how dang cheap they are.

I ordered on amazon, look for "BGNing CPU 8Pin to PEG  6+2Pin"

[Storx]

Don't forget that I mentioned "adapters' for dell t5500:

- It has 2x6 pins PEG => 6 to 8 adapters

- to plug third card you may need to use adapters aswell (and it should not be an AMD card they use to much power especially through the riser).

Psu is big enough but each rail has it's limits.

- I plan to plug a 4th card, and ordered adapters for cpu2 rail (as there is no cpu 2 in my case), BGNing CPU 8Pin to PEG  8Pin. they take forever to come from china.

I will share some pictures when I get my T5500 and configure it for 3 cards -- I will use 3x RX580 cards in that one I think. Either that or 3x Geforce 1070.

hmm have a link to these adapters?
I was just going to run the workstation to 5 cards on risers.. or maybe place 1 in the computer and 4 on risers.. this is going to be my first open case build with this workstation, i was just going to place the workstation on its side on a garage shelving unit i purchased from home depot, then suspend the GPU's off the shelf above with zip ties.. seen it on another persons setup and he has over 50 rigs this way, but all his are with brand new mobo and cpu's... I do have a 1200watt EVGA PSU that was for another build on its way i can use temp tell i get adapters and just short out the startup pin so i can turn it on from the switch on the back... i also have a server 1200w psu on its way from ebay, want to try one of these units out due to how dang cheap they are.

I ordered on amazon, look for "BGNing CPU 8Pin to PEG  6+2Pin"

So is that the connector for the 8pin plugs coming off the PSU? i looked up the part number on the PSU it says it has 2x8PEG and 2x6PEG off the PSU

[lexele]

yes it's for the 8 pin cpu plug.Mine have only 2x6 peg, the 2x8 are the motherboard plugs for the cpu(BGNing CPU 8Pin).

[Jz111]

 Great information, thank you  

 I started my mining career with just my solo MSI GTX 1070 on my home rig, but am looking at making a dedicated miner.

 Been building my own computers since way back but never made a miner, and my question is about the PCIe slots/speed -

 Got an older MSI K9A2 CF V2 motherboard I may use to start? (It runs now with 4gb ram and Athlon duo core 3.0/ Win 7 - was retired but mining got me to fire it up to test it. - not my current system) https://www.cnet.com/products/msi-k9a2-cf-f-v2-motherboard-atx-socket-am2-plus-amd-790x/specs/

 The card it has is too old - HD 5770 radeon and is a PCIe 2.0

 By looking this post over it appears one can run newer PCIe 3.0 cards on these older boards? i.e. the Dell T5500 - Just trying to wrap up my confusion on how PCIe 1/2/3.0 slots make any difference to mining. I'm used to building pc's for.. eh computing/internet/gaming/etc.

 If attaching by risers/cables - it makes no difference as to the cards requirements for a slot? So if anyone can enlighten me / point me to a good guide, I would be most grateful.

Happy mining!

EDIT:

found some info on this, sorry have waaay to many thing s going on here atm. But any comments to this are welcome, in case anyone has ? about this as well - here is a post I found:

http://www.gobitgo.com/articles/1001/How-To-Correctly-Use-and-Install-PCI-E-Riser-Cables/

[Vann]

Great information, thank you  

 I started my mining career with just my solo MSI GTX 1070 on my home rig, but am looking at making a dedicated miner.

 Been building my own computers since way back but never made a miner, and my question is about the PCIe slots/speed -

 Got an older MSI K9A2 CF V2 motherboard I may use to start? (It runs now with 4gb ram and Athlon duo core 3.0/ Win 7 - was retired but mining got me to fire it up to test it. - not my current system) https://www.cnet.com/products/msi-k9a2-cf-f-v2-motherboard-atx-socket-am2-plus-amd-790x/specs/

 The card it has is too old - HD 5770 radeon and is a PCIe 2.0

 By looking this post over it appears one can run newer PCIe 3.0 cards on these older boards? i.e. the Dell T5500 - Just trying to wrap up my confusion on how PCIe 1/2/3.0 slots make any difference to mining. I'm used to building pc's for.. eh computing/internet/gaming/etc.

 If attaching by risers/cables - it makes no difference as to the cards requirements for a slot? So if anyone can enlighten me / point me to a good guide, I would be most grateful.

Happy mining!

Yes, you can run PCI-E v3 cards on a PCI-E v1.1 and up board. I was running a HD 7850 PCI-E v2.0 card and two RX 480's with powered USB risers on a Dell XPS 700 motherboard that had PCI-E v 1.1 slots. The speed of the slot makes no difference for mining. The newer PCI-E specifications are able to deliver more power through the slot, but as long as you use powered risers the card can get enough power without overloading the motherboard. The problem I had on the XPS 700 was the BIOS would not recognize the PCI-E v3 cards on Post. I had to use the HD 7850 PCI-E v2 card in the primary PCI-E slot to be able to access the Bios. Once in the OS, all the cards were recognized and mined.

[Jz111]

 Nice! thanks Vann!

 Finding some info -see above now, but good to get practical working experience from users is always best.

 Looks Like this old K9 board can do something useful yet  Mining - even Zen/zcash is a bit slow currently even w/1070 gaming, and found the option to sell hash on nicehash... anyone do this here? Granted could miss on early coin price increases if hoarding, but longer term - it seems a viable approach to setting up a (small) mine farm.

 Definitely be looking at powered risers - if not needed currently, in upgrades they would hold their use.

 Thanks for Reply so fast Vann 

[salfter]

I think I've figured out something for getting back into GPU mining without spending too much.  About $375 at Newegg for the following:

- Biostar Racing Z170GT7 LGA1151 motherboard ($135 for open box)
- Intel Celeron G3920 ($48)
- 8 GB DDR4-2133 RAM ($60)
- 128 GB SATA M.2 SSD ($55)
- full-tower case ($79...make sure it has room for 8 slots, not 7)

I have power supplies sitting idle from previous Bitcoin mining efforts (Antminer S1s are only worthwhile as space heaters now ), so I'll slap one of those in and call it good.  The motherboard has four slots suitable for holding GPUs (16x physical; one wired 16x, one wired 8x, two wired 4x), spaced appropriately so you can actually fit four GPUs without risers.  M.2 SSDs are bootable into Windows as well as Linux and don't require any extra cables from the motherboard or power supply to connect to it.  (A USB flashstick would be cheaper, but is slower and only bootable into Linux).  With this, I'd have space for four GPUs that's protected from having things smash into it (as with an open-frame setup), and without the issues that PCIe risers.

As for GPUs, it looks like RX470s and RX480s are unobtainium right now, as are the RX570s and RX580s that are supposed to replace them.  I have a 4GB RX460 I can pull out of my primary desktop, and it looks like I can buy more at a not-too-insane price.  They'll only do 12 MH/s each when mining Ethereum, but I figure I can run them for a while and replace them with something more powerful once they become available again.

Edit: On second thought, four RX460s (if I had them) would only add up to 44-48 MH/s in one box.  A bit more digging indicates that a GeForce (!) 1070 ought to be good for 30 MH/s at 130 W or less (some are saying 90 W).  I ran the numbers on one, and on the Radeon RX 570 and 580 at current prices, and it looks like the nVidia card wins this round.  Found a used one on eBay for $375; CoinWarz says it should pay for itself in less than two months.

[Storx]

Hey guys, i got my T5500 today in the mail... Im not sure if the units ordered now will have the different PSU, but mine only has a silver 80 rated 550watt PSU unit in it, 1x 6 and 1x 8 cables only available for GPU, luckily one of my Gigabyte cards only needed 1 x8 and 1 x6 for power.. so i am about to boot it up for the first time before putting the GPU in to make sure its working... my unit is extremely ruff shape lol, the entire case is covered in what appears to be random scratch art as if children scratched crap into the case out of boredom.. but they included stuff that the listing didnt state, it had 2 keyboards, 2 mouses, and 2 dp to dvi adpaters for monitor.

[lexele]

silver 80+ that normal, but 550W that's not... myne are 875 and that also what dells specs says:
http://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/shared-content/data-sheets/en/Documents/Dell-Precision-T5500-SpecSheet.pdf

Are you sure it's a T5500, because T3500 has 525 W Psu and they look alike ?

[lexele]

 A bit more digging indicates that a GeForce (!) 1070 ought to be good for 30 MH/s at 130 W or less (some are saying 90 W). 

130W is likely while dualmining ETH+SC or Eth+DCR.

[sundownz]

I got one of the T5500 systems. One card in on a SATA adapter running 24-hours so far.

I ordered the other adapters and will update as I get it up to 4x 1060s (decided to use 4x 1060 in it since I have more of those).

[TimeTeller]

The mods on this are endless.
But it sounds like a great lil project.
And a sweet way of building it.
Thanks for sharing!

[sundownz]

Here are some of the HP Z400 pics :


* 4x Geforce 1060 in this one


* I have a few 100 pieces of wood like this laying around... it's free. So that's where I put my external GPUs.


* This is a completed adapter for the motherboard. I took it down to a single MOLEX plug vs. two in the Tutorial link (the adapters I took apart have a dual yellow wire).


* PSU isn't an exact fit but works no problem.


* I have eight more Z400 to build up once I finish the electrical wiring to support them & get the network switch installed.

[sundownz]

If the Dell T5500 holds up without any hiccups I'll start building those when I've used up these other 8 pcs of the Z400s.

----------

** EDIT 3/13/18 **

To save some reading to those new to the thread... The T5500s proved to be a bit too picky for me so I ended up sticking to HP Z400s.

Once dialed in the two T5500s that I have are performing well but I have to run GPU power a bit down or the systems will reboot presumably due to PSU limitations.