600W should be sufficient. If you underclock the memory down to 160MHz a 5970 will only pull ~250W DC. Overclocked CPU might pull another 150W. 400W plus a token amount for MB & fans. You are still <75% of peak on 600W unit.
BEFORE YOU BUY A POWER SUPPLY. Look how much wattage or amps it delivers on 12V rails. 600W is useless if it is only 200W in on 12V rail.
Newegg has links to manufacturer product page. Look there for wattage on the 12V rail(s). For mining that is really all you are concerned with.
Topic: 5970 on the way, would like recommendations (first timer) (Read 2526 times)
This particular mainboard only has one PCI-e slot and I'll only be using the box for mining. I'll boot from a USB stick, since I have no need for a HDD. I'm going to play with CPU mining litecoins at the same time as running this card, so that is the only thing that might up the wattage requirements. The processor is an Athlon II dual core, 3GHz.
The PSU specs (esp on newegg) will show you 'pci-e connector: 6+2pin ' - that's usable in either a 6pin or 8pin socket (the +2)
If this PC of yours only has one PCI-e slot, or you're absolutely certain you won't be adding any more cards to it, that 600W I linked will work solidly for you.
That is assuming you don't also have 20+ hard-drives, 10 fans and a bunch of flashy lights
[edit] Also, avoid using adapters if at all possible. My general rule of thumb these days is if your PSU doesn't have enough native PCI-e connectors to support all your cards, you should look at a bigger PSU.
That's not exactly a cost-effective suggestion, but you'll quickly learn what you can and can't connect if you start to expand.
If this PC of yours only has one PCI-e slot, or you're absolutely certain you won't be adding any more cards to it, that 600W I linked will work solidly for you.
That is assuming you don't also have 20+ hard-drives, 10 fans and a bunch of flashy lights
[edit] Also, avoid using adapters if at all possible. My general rule of thumb these days is if your PSU doesn't have enough native PCI-e connectors to support all your cards, you should look at a bigger PSU.
That's not exactly a cost-effective suggestion, but you'll quickly learn what you can and can't connect if you start to expand.
Sorry for the noob questions, but the 5970 has to connectors on it, a 6-pin and an 8-pin. I have to connect both of these, correct?
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Yup, your PSU should have PCI-e cables with 6 pins naturally, but maybe an adapter to attach 2 more pins with one plug. Need to have the 8pin in there.
Sorry for the noob questions, but the 5970 has to connectors on it, a 6-pin and an 8-pin. I have to connect both of these, correct?
Thanks Transisto. That looks very useful.
I have another question. Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
FWIW I'm running a single 5970 @ 905/200/1.149v and getting about 824-828 MH/s out of it. This is with an AMD Athlon II 255 @ 3.5GHz (overclocked for gaming). According to my Kill-O-Watt meter, I'm drawing about 460-480W at the wall with this setup, so gauge your PSU needs accordingly. I have a Corsair AX1200 so no worries here, and I'd highly recommend this unit to accommodate for future growth. If not, then maybe an AX850. I have another question. Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
Thanks for the input and the link. I'll wait until I can get a power supply. I just looked up the 5970 on AMD's site and it says it wants at least a 650w power supply: http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5970/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5970-overview.aspx#3
They give one or two with every card, except the 5970.Quote
650 Watt or greater power supply one 75W 6-pin and one 150W 8-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended (850 Watt with two 75W 6-pin and two 150W 8-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode)
Are the "75W 6-pin" and "150W 8-pin PCI Express" power connectors are fairly standard on PSUs, or do I have to specifically look for those?You would be very unlucky if your PSU didn't have enough , It's always written in the PSU's details,
Thanks for the input and the link. I'll wait until I can get a power supply. I just looked up the 5970 on AMD's site and it says it wants at least a 650w power supply: http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5970/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5970-overview.aspx#3
Quote
650 Watt or greater power supply one 75W 6-pin and one 150W 8-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended (850 Watt with two 75W 6-pin and two 150W 8-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode)
Are the "75W 6-pin" and "150W 8-pin PCI Express" power connectors are fairly standard on PSUs, or do I have to specifically look for those? Is it problematic to plug it in with this power supply just to give it a test run? I'm anxious to give it a try, even if I have to clock it down or throttle it due to the poor PSU (until I can get a better one).
I would highly recommend against it. That PSU can't provide half the power a 5970 wants, and that's not mentioning the other cmponents that want 12V power, namely your CPU.
Symptoms would range from mild to catastrophic.. mild would be it doesn't turn on, or does but is very unstable. Catastrophic would be the PSU failing and taking out your PC and your new 5970 with it.
I would recommend going with something like this PSU at least:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028
The system I'm putting this in has a 300w power supply. I have no idea if it's "good" or not, the brand on it is "Microstar". As for amps, it has different ratings depending on the voltage. Here's the table on the side of it, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me:
If I decide to test the 5970 using this power supply, how can I tell if it's not supplying enough power? Will the PS and/or GPU get hotter than normal? Can I risk damaging the GPU by using this power supply?
| Volts | +3.3v | +5v | +12v | 12v |
| Amps Peak Amps | 16A 18A | 25A 27A | 14A 16A | 0.5A 0.5A |
WHAT ?
Your OLD 300w PSU can merely provide 160w of 12v (if lucky).
Very few 300W PSU are good, in the sense that they allow 300w on the 12v. Go for 400w and 500w if you want effciency.
Is it problematic to plug it in with this power supply just to give it a test run? I'm anxious to give it a try, even if I have to clock it down or throttle it due to the poor PSU (until I can get a better one).
The system I'm putting this in has a 300w power supply. I have no idea if it's "good" or not, the brand on it is "Microstar". As for amps, it has different ratings depending on the voltage. Here's the table on the side of it, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me:
If I decide to test the 5970 using this power supply, how can I tell if it's not supplying enough power? Will the PS and/or GPU get hotter than normal? Can I risk damaging the GPU by using this power supply?
| Volts | +3.3v | +5v | +12v | 12v |
| Amps Peak Amps | 16A 18A | 25A 27A | 14A 16A | 0.5A 0.5A |
WHAT ?
Your OLD 300w PSU can merely provide 160w of 12v (if lucky).
Very few 300W PSU are good, in the sense that they allow 300w on the 12v. Go for 400w and 500w if you want effciency.
Thanks Transisto. That looks very useful.
I have another question. Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
2.8 amp AC for a system with a single card.I have another question. Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
So a good 300w could do. (highly suggest 400w)
| Volts | +3.3v | +5v | +12v | 12v |
| Amps Peak Amps | 16A 18A | 25A 27A | 14A 16A | 0.5A 0.5A |
If I decide to test the 5970 using this power supply, how can I tell if it's not supplying enough power? Will the PS and/or GPU get hotter than normal? Can I risk damaging the GPU by using this power supply?
Thanks Transisto. That looks very useful.
I have another question. Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
2.8 amp AC for a system with a single card.I have another question. Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
So a good 300w could do. (highly suggest 400w)
Thanks Transisto. That looks very useful.
I have another question. Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
I have another question. Are there any special requirements in terms of a power supply for running the 5970?
BAMT is a debian on USB with everything ready for mining. simply edit a txt file at boot or SSH using root:changeme
Do you have a link handy?I recommend buying 5 more 5970s from me 
My first order of business is getting this one set up and mining. Once I have more knowledge on this subject, I might be interested. 
I recommend buying 5 more 5970s from me
BAMT is a debian on USB with everything ready for mining. simply edit a txt file at boot or SSH using root:changeme
Do you have a link handy? 
For a pool, I think I want merged mining with NMC and a pool that pays well. I don't understand the different payout schemes the different pools use; I have not spent any effort looking into that. What recommendation might you have on that point?
Is it also true that running linux from a live CD (or a live CD on a USB stick) end up being faster? Please explain.
Is it also true that running linux from a live CD (or a live CD on a USB stick) end up being faster? Please explain.
I'm a hopper so can't answer the pool question very well, It is very easy to change pool, so pick one and research later.
BAMT is a debian on USB with everything ready for mining. simply edit a txt file at boot or SSH using root:changeme
Thanks for the response CleverMiner. It's only been a month or two since I found out about Bitcoin, and I'm finally jumping into mining to give it a shot.
Is it also true that running linux from a live CD (or a live CD on a USB stick) end up being faster? Please explain.
This card is very noisy when overcloked, if you are not to have it around I suggest you to use BAMT on a USB as a the minner.
Noise (and heat) are not a problem, as this will be in my basement shop. I'm not sure what BAMT is? I am considering either cgminer or phoenix, as these are the two miners I have heard the most about.For a pool I suggest ars technica pool, nmcbit, abcpool (haven't used)
I'm not sure Ars Technica is a good choice. In the thread on that pool, it seems to be on its last leg. For a pool, I think I want merged mining with NMC and a pool that pays well. I don't understand the different payout schemes the different pools use; I have not spent any effort looking into that. What recommendation might you have on that point?Is it also true that running linux from a live CD (or a live CD on a USB stick) end up being faster? Please explain.
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