Mining rig with 12 GPU

[Volcomstarr]

Hi,

I want to build a GPU-based system to mine ETH. I'd like to start with 6 GPU and upgrade to 12 GPU later on. Here is the setup that I put that together until now.

• Motherboard: BIOSTAR TB250-BTC PRO (supports 12 GPU)
• GPU: 6x Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070
• Celeron G3900 2C @ 2,8 Ghz
• Corsair AX1500i 1500 Watts (it's 80 Plus Titanium therefore 90%+ efficiency)
• Random RAM and SSD (as far as I know it's not important)
• Riser cables. I don't really know what model I should buy but I'll figure it out
• Open case with 6x Artic F12 PWM intake and 6x outtacke

The idea is that when I'll double the number of GPU from 6 to 12 I'll buy an additional Corsair AX1500i 1500 Watts and 12x Artic F12 PWD.

Is this a good mining rig? What parts would you change and why? I'm open to suggestions of course.

Thank you.

[MarkAz]

One of my rigs is 13 cards, but I'm using the ASUS B250 Mining Export board... I think the processor is fine, if I remember I used an even weaker one on that.  The only thing I would be careful about is the power, the 1070 is rated at 150w max consumption, and for 12 cards that 1800w, so way above what that is going to support.  You're probably better off getting two smaller ones, and just adding the second one when you need the additional power.

On the risers, the only recommendation I would make is replacing the USB cables with quality ones you buy separate - with the risers I've worked with, 99% of the problems I have with them are the cheap USB cables they come with.

Good luck!

[Volcomstarr]

Thank you for reply.

One of my rigs is 13 cards, but I'm using the ASUS B250 Mining Export board...

WTF!!! You gave me a super-awesome info! I wanna kiss you lol A consumer-grade motherboard with 19 GPU slots by Asus! I immediately changed my mind. I'll go for it. Does it run smoothly? I mean is it plug and play or do you do need to play with settings in order to make it work with an high numer of GPUs?

Now I'm gonna recalculate all things since I want to make a system that allows me to add 1 PSU (same brand, same wattage) every 6 GPUs (same model). Probably the AX1500i (1500 Watts) is too much but its smaller brother the AX1200i (1200 Watts) is probably too close to the limit... I mean...

1st array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt
2nd array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt
3th array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt

But one of the PSU should also power the motherboard, CPU, RAM, SSD etc. so probably the best option is...

1st array of 6 GPU + System --> ≃1200 watt powered by AX1500i
2nd array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt powered by AX1200i
3th array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt powered by AX1200i

Is this a good idea?

On the risers, the only recommendation I would make is replacing the USB cables with quality ones you buy separate - with the risers I've worked with, 99% of the problems I have with them are the cheap USB cables they come with.

Nice

[Boilc]

On the risers, the only recommendation I would make is replacing the USB cables with quality ones you buy separate - with the risers I've worked with, 99% of the problems I have with them are the cheap USB cables they come with.

Nice
[/quote]

Agree, USB cable is the most problem part. Especially when you plug in and out several times.

I use a vol meter to check my setup to warranty all in smooth connect.

[MarkAz]

WTF!!! You gave me a super-awesome info! I wanna kiss you lol A consumer-grade motherboard with 19 GPU slots by Asus! I immediately changed my mind. I'll go for it. Does it run smoothly? I mean is it plug and play or do you do need to play with settings in order to make it work with an high numer of GPUs?

It's pretty much plug and play - as the name if the board implies, this is made for mining.  I always upgrade to the latest BIOS, but beyond that it's ready to rock.  It actually does one thing that's super helpful - when it boots up, it shows the motherboard and all the slots, and makes them green if they're good or red if not.  You can then super-easily tell which riser is giving you grief.

Now I'm gonna recalculate all things since I want to make a system that allows me to add 1 PSU (same brand, same wattage) every 6 GPUs (same model). Probably the AX1500i (1500 Watts) is too much but its smaller brother the AX1200i (1200 Watts) is probably too close to the limit... I mean...

1st array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt
2nd array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt
3th array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt

But one of the PSU should also power the motherboard, CPU, RAM, SSD etc. so probably the best option is...

1st array of 6 GPU + System --> ≃1200 watt powered by AX1500i
2nd array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt powered by AX1200i
3th array of 6 GPU (max 150 watt each) --> 900 watt powered by AX1200i

Is this a good idea?

Whenever possible I just use one PSU - usually a server one like the DPS-2000BB w/ a breakout.  It's by far the cheapest option, and will give you great quality power.  With 13 1070's, you'll be at the limit of a DPS-2000BB, so get the DPS-2500BB, which has 2320W.  On my 13 card rig I'm actually running 2x 1650w PSU's. 

Good luck with the build - it's a great motherboard, and a beast of a machine.

[chinny286]

i wish i know how to do any of this.

[crocozino]

the config is OK, except one thing - GPUs - is it relly wise to buy NV gtx 1070 which cost about $400-420 and push 30 Mh/s on ETH instead of RX570 8GB/ RX 580 8GB card, which can push ( after tuning) same 30+ Mh/s but costs about $290-320  - that is actually 35% difference. this is huge man.

[Michael20]

@MarkAz
you needed the molex on the ASUS B250 Mining?
Which usb 3 cable you buy?

[Amph]

first of all you don't mine ETH with nvidia, so you need amd here, second you are okish wit the 1500 watt for 12 gpu, if you underpower them a bit, they do 120watt x 12 it's there...

[davidsuswanto]

Hi,

I want to build a GPU-based system to mine ETH. I'd like to start with 6 GPU and upgrade to 12 GPU later on. Here is the setup that I put that together until now.

• Motherboard: BIOSTAR TB250-BTC PRO (supports 12 GPU)
• GPU: 6x Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070
• Celeron G3900 2C @ 2,8 Ghz
• Corsair AX1500i 1500 Watts (it's 80 Plus Titanium therefore 90%+ efficiency)
• Random RAM and SSD (as far as I know it's not important)
• Riser cables. I don't really know what model I should buy but I'll figure it out
• Open case with 6x Artic F12 PWM intake and 6x outtacke

The idea is that when I'll double the number of GPU from 6 to 12 I'll buy an additional Corsair AX1500i 1500 Watts and 12x Artic F12 PWD.

Is this a good mining rig? What parts would you change and why? I'm open to suggestions of course.

Thank you.

why mining eth using nvidia?

[Volcomstarr]

Whenever possible I just use one PSU - usually a server one like the ood -2000BB w/ a breakout.  It's by far the cheapest option, and will give you great quality power.  With 13 1070's, you'll be at the limit of a DPS-2000BB, so get the DPS-2500BB, which has 2320W.  On my 13 card rig I'm actually running 2x 1650w PSU's.  

Good luck with the build - it's a great motherboard, and a beast of a machine.

Good point but I prefer to avoid server-grade PSU. They're cheap but also noisiest compared to desktop-oriented ones. Moreover I'll need additional cables and usually they're less efficient. The DPS-2000BB for example is 80 Plus Silver (85%) against 80 Plus Titanium (90%+). I know that it costs 4 times more but money is not a problem.

the config is OK, except one thing - GPUs - is it relly wise to buy NV gtx 1070 which cost about $400-420 and push 30 Mh/s on ETH instead of RX570 8GB/ RX 580 8GB card, which can push ( after tuning) same 30+ Mh/s but costs about $290-320  - that is actually 35% difference. this is huge man.

first of all you don't mine ETH with nvidia, so you need amd here, second you are okish wit the 1500 watt for 12 gpu, if you underpower them a bit, they do 120watt x 12 it's there...

I admit that I decided to go for gtx 1070 just because AMD scares me a bit. Usually AMD cards are cheaper which is a plus but they use more power, have slower support for drivers (DAG issue has been fixed in... months? can't remember) and need more tuning. On the other hand I see people getting 30+Mh/s on the gtx 1070 farming ETH and consuming 105 watt with just few restarts. Isn't it impressive?

Let me make it clear. Money is not a problem. I'm not trying to save a few bucks. All I want is a mining rig with the best possible hasrate / power consumption ratio. As far as I know an RX 580 can't give me 30 Mhs @ 105 watt mining ETH. That said, if we don't consider the price of these cards, can we say that the gtx 1070 has a better watt-per-hash ratio than the RX 580?

[Bakhtra]

Why go for 1500w? I think that too expensive, better go for 1000w or max 1200 and then add 1 more psu later (1000w or 850w)

[leowonderful]

I used to use a DPS-800GBA and a breakout board which I paid a total of $35 for with FS and it outputs 1000W on 220V and is platinum rated IIRC and comes with four 6-pin connectors. The PSU was also not loud at all- definitely wasn't the loudest part of my mine. Some of the higher-power PSUs are loud, but not all of them are. If you can solder at all, it's possible to just solder on the 6pin connectors by reading pinouts for a specific server PSU and save money by skipping a breakout board.

[Volcomstarr]

Why go for 1500w? I think that too expensive, better go for 1000w or max 1200 and then add 1 more psu later (1000w or 850w)

I did some calculations and probably you're right. Let me explain.

I'll start with 6x GTX 1070. Each of them uses between 150 watt @ 30 Mh/s out of the box. I've seen people getting 30 Mh/s using just 105 watt with a bit of tuning. Long story short the power consumption should vary between 900 watt (worst-case scenario) and 630 watt (best-case scenario). I also need to consider the consumption of other parts (CPU G3900, ASUS B250 Mining Expert, RAM 1x4GB, 1xSSD, 6x 12cm fans). Probably we're around 1000 watt therefore we have...

1st PSU to power 6x GPU and the entire system: 1000 watt (max) / 730 watt (min). If everything I said is correct, yeah, I should take max 1200 watt.

Now let's suppose that I one day want to add 6x additional GTX 1070. I'll need to attach another PSU to the ASUS B250 to provide energy just for the GPUs therefore...

2nd PSU to power 6x GPU: 900 watt (max) / 730 watt (min). A PSU with 1000 watt should be enough.

3rd PSU to power 6x GPU: same exact story.

If everything is correct I saved a decent amount of money so thank you

I used to use a DPS-800GBA and a breakout board which I paid a total of $35 for with FS and it outputs 1000W on 220V and is platinum rated IIRC and comes with four 6-pin connectors. The PSU was also not loud at all- definitely wasn't the loudest part of my mine. Some of the higher-power PSUs are loud, but not all of them are. If you can solder at all, it's possible to just solder on the 6pin connectors by reading pinouts for a specific server PSU and save money by skipping a breakout board.

I understand but I am not that good to "play" with PSU. I prefer to go for a plug and play solution even if I'm going to pay more.

[Bakhtra]

Go for it, and enjoy your ride.

[Vann]

You can't run 19 cards on the Asus B250 mining expert motherboard without adding at least 6 Nvidia P106 mining cards. Otherwise 13 cards is the max.

[Volcomstarr]

Go for it, and enjoy your ride.

Thank you.

You can't run 19 cards on the Asus B250 mining expert motherboard without adding at least 6 Nvidia P106 mining cards. Otherwise 13 cards is the max.

D'oh! Few hours ago I bought all parts except the motherboard so maybe I can still change my mind about this Asus board.

What's the story behind this 19 GPU motherboard that can only run 13 general-purpose GPUs? I finished to read many articles and posts about this issue and I am very confused. What's the point of supporting 19 GPU when 6 of them must be Nvidia P106 with no output ports that use the same power of their counterparts (the GTX 1060 that I don't want to run)? Please tell me if there's a workaround like using Linux and/or a mix of AMD and Nvidia cards. Is it possible that there are still no BIOS updates by Asus to fix this problem?

[VyprBTC]

you'd have to ask the makers of the board why they did it. could have been oversight, could have been the only way they knew how to make it work (at the time) could be a million other reasons. only they know though.

[candyiman]

Did anone managet o run more than 8 nvidia on Windows?

[Plant Power]

Did anone managet o run more than 8 nvidia on Windows?

^^ This - I had heard rumours that windows was planning or had adjusted to support more than 8 of the same graphics card.. can anyone confirm?