10 GPU LTC Rig configuration?

[Lucky Cris]

Before we get started and you all decide to give me those 'your crazy' responses.... yes, I know this is a pretty penny. Yes, I know I can invest in a BFL device or two for what it's going to cost me to build this, but I want to mine LTC. I'll get back to mining BTC later.

Anyways, is this possible? I have an opp to buy ten (10) 7950s at what I think is a good price nowadays. So I understand I'll need 2 motherboards - can they be configured to work together?

[repairguy]

Not really. What do you mean work together? Are you planning on solo mining?  If you join a pool pplns will keep them from working against each other.

[Lucky Cris]

Yes, I want to solo mine, but I don't want two separate rigs. From what I've read, a mobo can only handle 7 GPUs at most. Forgive me, I'm not a techie.

[repairguy]

I am sorry, I don't know alot about solo mining with ltc.  I know back in the btc solo days they made a way to direct more than one machine at the same pc with the bitcoin software to keep them from working against each other. I assume ltc has developed something similar, But I am not sure.  You have to have 2 separate mobo/gpu sets, you could put them in same custom open frame to make one "rig"

Also I think the gpu limit is 8.  Perhaps you would be better off using one mb with 8, and save spending mb+ram+cpu+ps just to run 2 cards.  That is just my opinion.  I would go with 8 or 16.

[Lucky Cris]

8 GPUs for one mobo? The max I've read about is a 7 GPU config... how is 8 possible? Is that a special motherboard?

[1632008]

Supermicro x9drx might be an option for you, which supports up to 11 cards on a single board.
But for AMD cards you will still meet the 8-gpu driver limit.

[Lucky Cris]

Damn it. Is that using Windows, tho? What about if I use linux? Can I beat that 8 driver limit?

[RickJamesBTC]

Just do two 5 gpu computers. You can build the base system for under $200 each.  You won't have any issues, windows or linux.

[Lucky Cris]

Just do two 5 gpu computers. You can build the base system for under $200 each.  You won't have any issues, windows or linux.

But wouldn't this impact solo mining efforts? Aren't my chances of finding blocks greater with higher hash power?

[repairguy]

Yes higher hash rates means higher probability of finding a block.  Splitting your gpus into separate machines doesnt decrease your hashrate.  you need to direct them at the same litecoin software.

[repairguy]

With 10 gpus you would statistically find a block about every 20 days.  You could just use pooled mining and eliminate alot of the risk.

[Lucky Cris]

Ah!

So I can build 2 separate computers with 5 GPUs each and still have the same probability of finding a block.  That's if someone has found out how to point them at the same litecoin software.

RickJamesBTC mentioned building a base system for under $200 each. I guess I must be going to the most expensive sites because for the PSUs alone (calculate I'll need 4), they're going to cost me 1 something each. Am I missing something?

[Lucky Cris]

With 10 gpus you would statistically find a block about every 20 days.  You could just use pooled mining and eliminate alot of the risk.

Yes, I know. I want to first give it a shot solo. You neva kno!

[ineedit]

Ah!

So I can build 2 separate computers with 5 GPUs each and still have the same probability of finding a block.  That's if someone has found out how to point them at the same litecoin software.

RickJamesBTC mentioned building a base system for under $200 each. I guess I must be going to the most expensive sites because for the PSUs alone (calculate I'll need 4), they're going to cost me 1 something each. Am I missing something?

Don't buy new kit, so lower costs

Aim all you rigs at the same litcoin daemon

[repairguy]

Ah!

So I can build 2 separate computers with 5 GPUs each and still have the same probability of finding a block.  That's if someone has found out how to point them at the same litecoin software.

RickJamesBTC mentioned building a base system for under $200 each. I guess I must be going to the most expensive sites because for the PSUs alone (calculate I'll need 4), they're going to cost me 1 something each. Am I missing something?

I believe he was saying motherboard/ram/processor.

[Lucky Cris]

I believe he was saying motherboard/ram/processor.

Hehe. Told you I'm no techie

[repairguy]

It is also my preference not to overload power supplies more than 60% of capacity.  If you use them continuously above 60% the life span and efficiency take a dump.

[Lucky Cris]

So here's the site I'm using as a baseline: http://miningrig.a-r-d.me/

I'm not getting the GPUs from Amazon, but I believe all the other pieces are in stock. Here's the plan:

2 AM3 5 socket motherboards
unsure which extenders I'll need
2 cheapest AMD CPU
4 of the 850W PSUs
2 of the bare min memory.

Will this set up work?

[Lucky Cris]

It is also my preference not to overload power supplies more than 60% of capacity.  If you use them continuously above 60% the life span and efficiency take a dump.

repairguy, you're scaring me, lol. This is supposed to be fun! lol

[repairguy]

It is also my preference not to overload power supplies more than 60% of capacity.  If you use them continuously above 60% the life span and efficiency take a dump.

repairguy, you're scaring me, lol. This is supposed to be fun! lol

It is fun! I don't mean to scare you, 80% is probably ok for life but efficiency goes down.