Mining Rig
- Thread starter VTR
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- 10 Dec 2012
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- 254
I don't want to be a buzz killington... but I was under the impression that GPU's are now completely inefficient when it comes to mining...
Bitcoin, yes; other coins are still fine as far as I know.
Do you want this to be a dedicated mining rig? Or a general use build that can mine when you're not using it? Those are two very different setups.
For a dedicated mining rig, get the cheapest multi-GPU motherboard you can find, a cheap CPU to go with it, an efficient PSU, a bunch of GPUs, and put it all in a crate (not a case). If this is what you want, you'll get more detailed advice on how to get started here: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=158
For a general use with mining on the side build...we'll need a budget and more specific details about what it will be used for.
Do you want this to be a dedicated mining rig? Or a general use build that can mine when you're not using it? Those are two very different setups.
For a dedicated mining rig, get the cheapest multi-GPU motherboard you can find, a cheap CPU to go with it, an efficient PSU, a bunch of GPUs, and put it all in a crate (not a case). If this is what you want, you'll get more detailed advice on how to get started here: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=158
For a general use with mining on the side build...we'll need a budget and more specific details about what it will be used for.
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- 10 Jan 2011
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- 105
Like Fulax said, it depends on whether you will be using the rig for things other than mining as well.
It will be for the alt coins yes 
It will be purely used for mining but if that doesn't work out and it could then be used as a media PC to connect in the living room to the TV that would be ideal. I would like it in a reasonably compact, stylish case if possible. Budget isn't fixed but the cheaper the better really. I want it to support atleast xfire 7970's.
I have a gaming PC so it wont need to run any games or anything along those lines.
It will be purely used for mining but if that doesn't work out and it could then be used as a media PC to connect in the living room to the TV that would be ideal. I would like it in a reasonably compact, stylish case if possible. Budget isn't fixed but the cheaper the better really. I want it to support atleast xfire 7970's.
I have a gaming PC so it wont need to run any games or anything along those lines.
For a pure mining rig I'd give up on the idea of cool, quiet, and small. You're going to be running multiple GPUs at 100% 24/7 - they'll be hot and noisy, and they'll need plenty of room to breathe. Using a proper case will just add extra overhead costs and choke your cards. Which is exactly why people put their mining rigs in crates: http://www.cryptobadger.com/2013/04/build-a-litecoin-mining-rig-hardware
If you want to turn it into a media PC later, buy the case then.
As I said: cheap multi-GPU motherboard (970 AM3/AM3+), cheap CPU (AMD Sempron seems popular), efficient PSU (Gold-rated at least), and as many GPUs as you can afford/fit (your 7970 will work with a 280X). That's pretty much as far as my knowledge on the subject goes. Head over here for advice on the latest hardware recommendations and whatnot: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=158
If you want to turn it into a media PC later, buy the case then.
As I said: cheap multi-GPU motherboard (970 AM3/AM3+), cheap CPU (AMD Sempron seems popular), efficient PSU (Gold-rated at least), and as many GPUs as you can afford/fit (your 7970 will work with a 280X). That's pretty much as far as my knowledge on the subject goes. Head over here for advice on the latest hardware recommendations and whatnot: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=158