Newbie hardware setup

[scr3wh34d]

Building my first mining rig and looking for input. Just trying to get the most for my money and trying to stay around $2,000. Here is what I have so far - any suggestions are welcome.

CPU: AMD FX-6100 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX  AM3+ Motherboard 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1066 Memory
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  
Power Supply: OCZ ZX 1250W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Total: $1636.88

Thanks!

[Hephaestus]

You can go cheaper on the CPU, RAM, and motherboard.  Graphics cards will function on PCIe x1 slots just fine (as long as you're not gaming), you really only need one CPU core, and 4 GB of RAM would be plenty.

This is the board I use:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128566
I've got six graphics cards running on it, all on PCIe x1 to x16 risers, powered by two 950 watt power supplies.
Cheap FM2 dual-core processor and 4 GB of RAM, Ubuntu 12.04 installed on a flash drive.

So, you could knock maybe $200 off your build there...

[Kaepora]

Building my first mining rig and looking for input. Just trying to get the most for my money and trying to stay around $2,000. Here is what I have so far - any suggestions are welcome.

CPU: AMD FX-6100 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX  AM3+ Motherboard 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1066 Memory
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (4-Way CrossFire)  
Power Supply: OCZ ZX 1250W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Total: $1636.88

Thanks!

Get 4 gigs, I am running a rig with 4 7950s and only 2 Gbs of DDR3 RAM and it works fine. Don't crossfire and don't get the crossfire bridge as its not needed.

[scr3wh34d]

Thanks for the tips! Just to add, the rig will be used for nothing but mining and I haven't decided on an OS yet.

[Hephaestus]

I'd definitely go with Ubuntu, I'm pretty sure Windows won't let you install it to a flash drive (plus Ubuntu is free).

[Kaepora]

Thanks for the tips! Just to add, the rig will be used for nothing but mining and I haven't decided on an OS yet.

If you are really new at this go with windows and dont use Windows XP! It doesnt support that many cards. If you are experienced with command lines or are willing to learn use linux.

[scr3wh34d]

Thanks for the tips! Just to add, the rig will be used for nothing but mining and I haven't decided on an OS yet.

If you are really new at this go with windows and dont use Windows XP! It doesnt support that many cards. If you are experienced with command lines or are willing to learn use linux.

I've worked with a handful of linux distros and I'm comfortable with the command line. However, I do have a spare Win7 64bit license laying around. I just want to use whatever will be more efficient/has the best applications to do the job.

Thanks again people!

[Hephaestus]

The performance should be the same, cgminer runs on both Windows and Linux.  The advantage is that a 16GB flash drive is much cheaper than a hard drive.

[kinger1331]

Hopefully you have thought of sufficient cooling for those beasts! Ref coolers run LOUD on the 7950

[scr3wh34d]

Hopefully you have thought of sufficient cooling for those beasts! Ref coolers run LOUD on the 7950

I haven't figured out cooling yet. Noise isn't too much of an issue for me, as the box will be located in a basement room I don't frequent.

[scr3wh34d]

So after a lot more research I'm thinking the GPU route is just not the way to go. I'd really like a BFL box, but I want something that I know will be here sooner.(from what I read they're still shipping orders from last june/july so I don't want to jump on that boat. From what I've seen, this seems like it may be the best route to go. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.0

Again, My main goal is to stay under or around $2k and get the most efficient gh/s for my money.

Thanks for all the help people!