Hi, a couple of hardware questions from a new miner!

[Icarus21]

I currently have this build:

Graphics cards: 3x Gigabyte r9 270 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125491
Power Supply: Antec HCG 750w - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049
CPU: AMD A-10 6800k - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157457
HDD: Old WD terabyte hard drive 5600rpm (I don't remember the exact model)

Scenario: All of these parts are new and are returnable except for the hard drive.

I have a few questions.

1.) Does my current power supply have the capability of running four 270s from gigabyte?

2.) Regarding the powersupply. I bought it from microcenter for $110; newegg lists it at $89, however, they don't sell them anymore and now offer the 'newer version'. Is it worth going through the hassel of getting this new version from newegg? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371066

3.) I plan on connecting 4 gpus to the mobo; is it capable of handling that many?

4.) I bought the CPU + Mobo for $40 off for a grand total of $160 from microcenter. I keep hearing that scrypt mining (which I am currently doing) is not CPU intensive. If so it seems like I overpaid for the mobo + cpu. I have an old LGA 775 quad core lying around, but I have no mobo to connect it to. What would you all recommend regarding this scenario?

5.) I'm getting kind of hot temperatures and am limited at running 300kh/s per gpu. I've gotten them to 400, and I believe I can get them to 450; however, I cannot do this because of temperatures. Right now I'm using a stacker830. Would I benefit at all from using milk crates and a fan? If not would you all recommend using water cooling (I'm currently using 3 case fans on the stacker830, and I like to think my wire management is decent).

Thanks all!

[1713550990]

1713550990

[1713550990]

1713550990

[1713550990]

1713550990

[1713550990]

1713550990

[1713550990]

1713550990

[1713550990]

1713550990

[LitecoinRates]

I've only got 2 x R9 270s but from what I have read if you want to go above that you need to use risers. I find that having cards next to each other on the MB causes the second card to heat up by 10 degrees (as it's sucking in hot air from the first card).

I would have thought you need a bigger PSU too for that many cards.

Your hash rate per card is comparable to mine.

[Icarus21]

Yup! The reason I know I can reach 400 is because I've put one of the cooler cards (running at 68 or so) to an intensity of 16. They usually run at i-13 and get 300. The card that I pushed upward reached a decent temperature of lower 70s. However, the card behind it shot up to upper 80s (usually resting at lower 80s) and I immediately lowered the intensity back to 13. I think you're right regarding risers. The main heat issue, I believe, is due to them being so dang close to eachother. If I could separate them then I hope to get at least 400 out of each one. Regarding the power supply, I bought that antec based on the brand and amount of amps going to each 12v. I read from here: http://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/power-requirements-for-graphics-cards
that r9 270s should take up 24amps per 12v. I figured that because each 12v rail has 40 on this psu that it should be able to cover at least 4 cards (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, there are gaps in my knowledge when it comes to psus).

[ineedit]

I currently have this build:

Graphics cards: 3x Gigabyte r9 270 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125491
Power Supply: Antec HCG 750w - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049
CPU: AMD A-10 6800k - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157457
HDD: Old WD terabyte hard drive 5600rpm (I don't remember the exact model)

Scenario: All of these parts are new and are returnable except for the hard drive.

I have a few questions.

...

1.) Not a chance, allow for 300W per card plus 150W for the rest

2.)  Use it to power the montherboard and one card and buy another to power the other three cards

3.) Yes but you will need powered risers

4.) eBay the LGA 775

5.) Milk crate is the cheapest option, full watercooling the best. Work out what is cost effective for you.

[Lucky Cris]

1) No... research how much power 270s consume. It's probably around 300w per card. Not to mention you have to account for the power requirements of your mobo

2) It doesn't matter if it's an outdated model or not... power is power. But you need more anyways. If it's cheaper for you to keep it and just get another, the do that. To be safe, you'll probably need another 750w PSU

3) According to the specs, it should be able to handle 5. But even with the 2 you have, please use risers - powered ones so that the cards aren't draining power from your mobo

4) Too many variables to consider to offer suggestions. I would say that $140 isn't bad, although you could've save a buck or two. But by the time you get another mobo to go with your CPU, you might end up paying more. GPU mining isn't CPU intensive

5) Please say you're using risers? Surely you don't have that rig mining away without adequate airflow, right?

[Icarus21]

5) Please say you're using risers? Surely you don't have that rig mining away without adequate airflow, right?

Nope, no risers. 3 270s. I'd say that they have good airflow and the environment is nice, though. At the moment the cards are as ordered: gpu 0 - 83c gpu 1- 55c gpu 2- 75c. All running the same settings and getting 300kh/s. They're disconnected from everything except for an ethernet cable and power cable. I use remote desktop to check on it every once in awhile. The computer has great airflow, imo:

2x front intake
1x case top outtake
1x back outtake
3x gpu fans
1x cpu fan
1x psu fan

The case is kept in a cool room with available spacing to get air out. The room is probably around 62c all day.

2.)  Use it to power the montherboard and one card and buy another to power the other three cards

Hmm. I can use two power supplies for one machine? If so I have an extra 700w lying around and another 500w, as well.

[Lucky Cris]

Nope, no risers. 3 270s. I'd say that they have good airflow and the environment is nice, though.
The case is kept in a cool room with available spacing to get air out. The room is probably around 62c all day.

Sounds like you have the cooling requirements under control, then. But you still need risers. Do a forum search on the benefits of getting powered risers.

Hmm. I can use two power supplies for one machine? If so I have an extra 700w lying around and another 500w, as well.

You certainly can. Couple of ways this can be done, ineedit's advice is spot on.

[Icarus21]

Sounds like you have the cooling requirements under control, then. But you still need risers. Do a forum search on the benefits of getting powered risers.

Definitely!

You certainly can. Couple of ways this can be done, ineedit's advice is spot on.

Great news! I haven't known of this, would it be possible for some search terms to learn a bit on the different ways of achieving this? I'm unsure if it's a possibility...but I'm a bit afraid of burning my house down xD. If this is unwarranted then I can definitely understand why you guys recommend this, as I already have two other psus available this would definitely help in my power needs.

[Lucky Cris]

Great news! I haven't known of this, would it be possible for some search terms to learn a bit on the different ways of achieving this? I'm unsure if it's a possibility...but I'm a bit afraid of burning my house down xD. If this is unwarranted then I can definitely understand why you guys recommend this, as I already have two other psus available this would definitely help in my power needs.

There's so much info out there it's overwhelming. I consulted Google:

how to connect two PSUs for mining

top results are from this forum.

I can def understand your concern about burning the house down! lol  I don't know enough to infer whether or not that's a risk for you. It is for my set-up (well, my soon to be setup once I get the other materials). I'll be running a total of 10 cards on two mobos... to be safe, I'm actually upgrading a freaking circuit breaker.

[ineedit]

Sounds like you have the cooling requirements under control, then. But you still need risers. Do a forum search on the benefits of getting powered risers.

Definitely!

You certainly can. Couple of ways this can be done, ineedit's advice is spot on.

Great news! I haven't known of this, would it be possible for some search terms to learn a bit on the different ways of achieving this? I'm unsure if it's a possibility...but I'm a bit afraid of burning my house down xD. If this is unwarranted then I can definitely understand why you guys recommend this, as I already have two other psus available this would definitely help in my power needs.

Try one of these http://www.amazon.com/Vantacor-Dual-Adapter-Cable-2-way/dp/B00DL3L2J6 or search for PSU paperclip. Regardless of your choice of solution, always power on the second PSU first.