Mining w/ USB miners

[onestyles]

Hi guys,

New to the mining scene but I have done some reading this week about mining in general, how power supplies work (I had no idea what rails were previously) and my particular question(s). I'm sure any questions here will be simple ones if anyone doesn't mind holding my hand briefly..

When considering USB hubs and the wattage they can support, does that have any effect on my desktop/laptop? In other words, say I am using a hub that is 90W, 20v 4.5a. Is there going to be a drain on my pc or laptop as well or is the draw going to all come from the hub's power and my computer is merely providing a place for the data to go?

When looking at something like the Antminer U2 http://buy-antminer.com/antminer-u2 should I mainly consider the W requirement or is there more that I should be considering? Would something like this Anker USB hub http://www.ianker.com/product/68ANHUB-BV7A be able to support 7 of the Antminer U2's?


Thank you in advance for any responses!

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[Chrithu]

When considering USB hubs and the wattage they can support, does that have any effect on my desktop/laptop? In other words, say I am using a hub that is 90W, 20v 4.5a. Is there going to be a drain on my pc or laptop as well or is the draw going to all come from the hub's power and my computer is merely providing a place for the data to go?

I am not completely sure of it as this is a question more suited for an electrician, but my understaning is that if the devices connected to the hub drain more than the power supply can deliver there can be a drain on the PC/Laptop as well at least for the power the USB port can deliver. BUt you should wait for someone else to answer this.

When looking at something like the Antminer U2 http://buy-antminer.com/antminer-u2 should I mainly consider the W requirement or is there more that I should be considering? Would something like this Anker USB hub http://www.ianker.com/product/68ANHUB-BV7A be able to support 7 of the Antminer U2's?

No the number of Ampere that can be delivered is actually more important the wattage is just a result of that. I don't have a link to the charts at hand but if you overclock the U2 beyond 2.0 GH/s it will need more than the 0.5A that a USB Port/Hub usually delivers. That's the whole reasoning behind buying USB Hubs that can deliver more than 0.5A per device.

[Glizlack]

If your using a powered usb hub it should be fine. Please allow me to suggest you don't spend any money on more usb miners or usb hubs strictly for mining. Unless of course your doing it for fun. They will never make you any money back. Even with free power I doubt you would ever even make more than 20 us dollars worth or so.

What you can do to learn is work with what you have until you decide if your more interested in mining. Or rockbox makes a small affordable miner that runs 32gh/s for around 70 us dollars. That only draws around 50 watts or less.

That will also be difficult to roi but you will come much closer with that. It will make enough for you to see how trading works with the daily fluctations. It will also allow you to pick a pool you like etc.

Steve

[michelem]

You shouldn't look at wattage but ampere, more ampere more stability. And stay away from USB3.0 hub, that shouldn't work for mining.
I can suggest buying this: http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-Hi-Speed-7-Port-Powered-DUB-H7/dp/B00008VFAF that's the best USB HUB for your purpose.