Author

Topic: Bitcoin Contraption of the week (Read 6396 times)

hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 06, 2012, 04:45:26 AM
#53
Whatever drivers and SDK linuxcoin comes with; SDK appears to be 2.4, Im not sure how to check the driver version. I do see this in the log:

[    38.627] (II) ATI Proprietary Linux Driver Version Identifier:8.86.5
[    38.627] (II) ATI Proprietary Linux Driver Release Identifier: 8.861       $
[    38.628] (II) ATI Proprietary Linux Driver Build Date: May 24 2011 22:46:53
[    38.628] (++) using VT number

Im guessing thats 11.4. Anyone know how to check that from the command line?

Other than that, I did nothing special. cgminer default settings, intensity 9.

Yeah that is catalyst 11.6. Linuxcoin comes with SDK 2.4 and 11.6 and kernel 2.6.39 AFAIK.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 06, 2012, 04:41:24 AM
#52
Whatever drivers and SDK linuxcoin comes with; SDK appears to be 2.4, Im not sure how to check the driver version. I do see this in the log:

[    38.627] (II) ATI Proprietary Linux Driver Version Identifier:8.86.5
[    38.627] (II) ATI Proprietary Linux Driver Release Identifier: 8.861       $
[    38.628] (II) ATI Proprietary Linux Driver Build Date: May 24 2011 22:46:53
[    38.628] (++) using VT number

Im guessing thats 11.4. Anyone know how to check that from the command line?

Other than that, I did nothing special. cgminer default settings, intensity 9.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 06, 2012, 04:28:58 AM
#51
How did you get 450 + out of a 5870 Shocked

Im getting ~455 out of mine. 1GHz/300 clocks, cgminer, linuxmint.

Please share SDK, kernel parameters etc. so I can see if I can replicate this.

It is not that I don't believe you but I need to optimize my miners as well so it would be very good if I can get that as well.

Thank you !
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 06, 2012, 02:36:42 AM
#50
How did you get 450 + out of a 5870 Shocked

Im getting ~455 out of mine. 1GHz/300 clocks, cgminer, edit: linuxcoin.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 06, 2012, 02:33:58 AM
#49
Cards with fail fans go into the mineral oil tank.    Cool

I have been wondering about that. I actually think its a pretty good idea to have working fans even when submerged in oil. Perhaps removing the shrouds is enough when there is a high enough flow of oil, but Id rather have a fan on it.

Make sure you keep us posted if you decide to carry on that crazy idea of yours about the oil submersed rig !

Thanks !

Why is it crazy?  I have 6 cards hanging in a rubbermade tote full of mineral oil.  The oil gets pumped through a radiator that is mounted to the outflow of a window mounted AC.

I believe you but pictures would be nice so I can understand your setup and maybe create my own ! Thank you !

Hint:  Turn the motherboard face down.

Sounds like you already did pretty much what Im planning on. A few questions: what pump are you using.. what is its rated flowrate and how much of that is left when pumping oil? What are your oil and GPU temperatures like?
hero member
Activity: 784
Merit: 1009
firstbits:1MinerQ
February 05, 2012, 07:37:59 PM
#48

Why is it crazy?  I have 6 cards hanging in a rubbermade tote full of mineral oil.  The oil gets pumped through a radiator that is mounted to the outflow of a window mounted AC.

Hint:  Turn the motherboard face down.
I'd love to see a photo of that too. Presumably there would be little point in the shroud, heat sink and fan in this situation as cooling would be mostly dependent on oil flow and exchange. I read years ago about people submersing their PSU in oil. Since my ambient afternoon temp here is now 38C and in a couple months it will go over 40C I'm actually interested in low-cost crazy solutions.
sr. member
Activity: 378
Merit: 250
Why is it so damn hot in here?
February 05, 2012, 07:28:09 PM
#47
Over-volted, over-cooled, probably 1000/350 clocks, 2 threads, intensity set to 8.  Just a guess.   I run mine at 950/150 at stock voltage and get ~435 MH/s.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 05, 2012, 07:24:04 PM
#46
I get 400+ out of 5850's, 450+ out of 5870's is nothing special. You got remember, just cause you can't doesnt mean someone else can't Smiley

But i know what the problem is to the origional post of the op, You bought a XFX, thats your problem Smiley Steer clear is the best advice Wink

How did you get 450 + out of a 5870 Shocked
sr. member
Activity: 322
Merit: 250
February 05, 2012, 07:06:52 PM
#45
I get 400+ out of 5850's, 450+ out of 5870's is nothing special. You got remember, just cause you can't doesnt mean someone else can't Smiley

But i know what the problem is to the origional post of the op, You bought a XFX, thats your problem Smiley Steer clear is the best advice Wink
sr. member
Activity: 378
Merit: 250
Why is it so damn hot in here?
February 05, 2012, 07:04:05 PM
#44
Cards with fail fans go into the mineral oil tank.    Cool

I have been wondering about that. I actually think its a pretty good idea to have working fans even when submerged in oil. Perhaps removing the shrouds is enough when there is a high enough flow of oil, but Id rather have a fan on it.

Make sure you keep us posted if you decide to carry on that crazy idea of yours about the oil submersed rig !

Thanks !

Why is it crazy?  I have 6 cards hanging in a rubbermade tote full of mineral oil.  The oil gets pumped through a radiator that is mounted to the outflow of a window mounted AC.

I believe you but pictures would be nice so I can understand your setup and maybe create my own ! Thank you !

Hint:  Turn the motherboard face down.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 05, 2012, 07:03:00 PM
#43
Cards with fail fans go into the mineral oil tank.    Cool

I have been wondering about that. I actually think its a pretty good idea to have working fans even when submerged in oil. Perhaps removing the shrouds is enough when there is a high enough flow of oil, but Id rather have a fan on it.

Make sure you keep us posted if you decide to carry on that crazy idea of yours about the oil submersed rig !

Thanks !

Why is it crazy?  I have 6 cards hanging in a rubbermade tote full of mineral oil.  The oil gets pumped through a radiator that is mounted to the outflow of a window mounted AC.

I believe you but pictures would be nice so I can understand your setup and maybe create my own ! Thank you !
sr. member
Activity: 378
Merit: 250
Why is it so damn hot in here?
February 05, 2012, 07:01:52 PM
#42
Cards with fail fans go into the mineral oil tank.    Cool

I have been wondering about that. I actually think its a pretty good idea to have working fans even when submerged in oil. Perhaps removing the shrouds is enough when there is a high enough flow of oil, but Id rather have a fan on it.

Make sure you keep us posted if you decide to carry on that crazy idea of yours about the oil submersed rig !

Thanks !

Why is it crazy?  I have 6 cards hanging in a rubbermade tote full of mineral oil.  The oil gets pumped through a radiator that is mounted to the outflow of a window mounted AC.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 05, 2012, 06:30:16 PM
#41
Cards with fail fans go into the mineral oil tank.    Cool

I have been wondering about that. I actually think its a pretty good idea to have working fans even when submerged in oil. Perhaps removing the shrouds is enough when there is a high enough flow of oil, but Id rather have a fan on it.

Make sure you keep us posted if you decide to carry on that crazy idea of yours about the oil submersed rig !

Thanks !
sr. member
Activity: 378
Merit: 250
Why is it so damn hot in here?
February 05, 2012, 04:37:23 PM
#40
Yes, it would be better to have the fan on it, but you can pull the shroud and drop a $10 120mm in front of it instead.  The main thing is to make sure the oil flows across the heatsinks, how you do it doesn't really matter.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 05, 2012, 04:24:51 PM
#39
Cards with fail fans go into the mineral oil tank.    Cool

I have been wondering about that. I actually think its a pretty good idea to have working fans even when submerged in oil. Perhaps removing the shrouds is enough when there is a high enough flow of oil, but Id rather have a fan on it.
sr. member
Activity: 378
Merit: 250
Why is it so damn hot in here?
February 05, 2012, 04:22:06 PM
#38
Cards with fail fans go into the mineral oil tank.    Cool
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 03, 2012, 02:11:38 PM
#37
On most cards the "assembly" is really a duct forcing the air through the heatsink fins. Looking at the pictures of your card, it doesnt seem to be the case, the fans blow right through the cooler dont they? If so, should not be a problem removing the shroud and mounting whatever other fans on it with tieraps or anything. Get creative Smiley.
hero member
Activity: 784
Merit: 1009
firstbits:1MinerQ
February 03, 2012, 02:10:26 PM
#36
Did you check the links I provided?
Doh! Didn't think of that Smiley
legendary
Activity: 1764
Merit: 1002
February 03, 2012, 02:01:19 PM
#35
what about removing the entire fan assembly from my card and using a high speed floor fan?

i mean the fan assembly itself blocks airflow.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 03, 2012, 01:46:02 PM
#34
Fan failures are most common, unsurprisingly, as its mechanical, we run our fans much faster than most people, and particularly the cheap brands often use crap fans (Im looking at you, XFX).

As per above link though, cards dying altogether is not exactly unheard off.
full member
Activity: 210
Merit: 100
February 03, 2012, 01:42:19 PM
#33
Did you check the links I provided?
hero member
Activity: 784
Merit: 1009
firstbits:1MinerQ
February 03, 2012, 01:25:53 PM
#32
Do these cards ever fail except for the fans? It seems like I keep hearing about the fans going but I haven't noticed if other things die too (before waranty).
Video cards, like all electronic devices may fail even when lying unused on a shelf...
Unless done right, mining can drasticly reduce the expected useful lifetime of the card.

Well, I know they CAN fail. But have there been many reports of spontaneous death? I don't recall any recently.
full member
Activity: 210
Merit: 100
February 03, 2012, 01:22:54 PM
#31
Do these cards ever fail except for the fans? It seems like I keep hearing about the fans going but I haven't noticed if other things die too (before waranty).
Video cards, like all electronic devices may fail even when lying unused on a shelf...
Unless done right, mining can drasticly reduce the expected useful lifetime of the card.
hero member
Activity: 784
Merit: 1009
firstbits:1MinerQ
February 03, 2012, 01:00:54 PM
#30
Do these cards ever fail except for the fans? It seems like I keep hearing about the fans going but I haven't noticed if other things die too (before waranty).
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 03, 2012, 12:41:05 PM
#29
The deepcool one is powered by 2 3-pin case fan headers. No software fan control. Its also not mentioned as being compatible with your card. I dont know how different a 6970 layout is, as its compatible with a huge range of cards, so it might fit, but no guarantee. ANyway, I didnt buy it because its particularly good, I just got a good deal on one, and Im sure it will prove more than adequate when I plunge it in my oil bath.
legendary
Activity: 1764
Merit: 1002
February 03, 2012, 11:59:43 AM
#28
i have a Powercolor with 2 exposed fans, both of which have several blades knocked off (don't ask).

when i run the card, it makes a huge racket and vibrates like hell (out of balance?).  any thoughts?

You will kill the fan bearings real fast like that. As long as it cools, I see no harm in keeping it running provided you have software that shuts the card down when it overheats (use auto-gpu in cgminer!), because one of these days  the fans will give out. Might as well replace them now. You dont mention warranty, but Id be shocked if broken blades  or PCBs are covered Smiley

BTW I just got an email back from my PC shop, they cant tell me what I will get as RMA so Im gonna put another cooler on it and screw the warranty. Id like to replace only the fan, but I cant find a fan that could fit anywhere, so I picked up an aftermarket cooler (deepcool V6000).

this is my card with the broken fans. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131394 

can i replace the fan assembly with one from an aftermarket company like deepcool?  how is it powered?
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 03, 2012, 11:06:36 AM
#27
i have a Powercolor with 2 exposed fans, both of which have several blades knocked off (don't ask).

when i run the card, it makes a huge racket and vibrates like hell (out of balance?).  any thoughts?

You will kill the fan bearings real fast like that. As long as it cools, I see no harm in keeping it running provided you have software that shuts the card down when it overheats (use auto-gpu in cgminer!), because one of these days  the fans will give out. Might as well replace them now. You dont mention warranty, but Id be shocked if broken blades  or PCBs are covered Smiley

BTW I just got an email back from my PC shop, they cant tell me what I will get as RMA so Im gonna put another cooler on it and screw the warranty. Id like to replace only the fan, but I cant find a fan that could fit anywhere, so I picked up an aftermarket cooler (deepcool V6000).
full member
Activity: 210
Merit: 100
February 03, 2012, 11:05:42 AM
#26
Here are a few recommendations:
(1) the easy solution - buy an aftermarket cooler.
(2) the DIY solution - buy a failed Powercolor card with identical fans and swap the fans.
(3) the ghetto solution - remove the fans and the shroud. Use zip ties to fasten some case cans to the heatsink. When in doubt, use duct tape.

The fans will vibrate because as you guessed correctly, they are out of balance. This condition will seriously degrade the fans' MTBF.
I wouldn't wait until the fans jam and the plate du jour is roasted Powercolor GPU à la lyonnaise Smiley
legendary
Activity: 1764
Merit: 1002
February 03, 2012, 10:47:50 AM
#25
+1 nice, a support on the side just in case Cheesy
dunno why i have the feeling that i lose money every time i have to RMA a card, hmm

Because you do, lol.
Im wondering if I should RMA the card. Its only a fan, and I fear it might take weeks and end up getting something completely different in return, like a *shrug* 6870 or something. This card also happens to be my best overclocker, it will do almost 1.1Ghz at stock voltage.

OTOH,  just replacing the fan will void warranty, and I still have ~18 months of warranty on it. Its not unthinkable it will actually break in that time.

To complicate matters more, Im going to oil cool these cards in a few weeks. I, pretty sure that will void warranty anyhow, as the stickers wont survive that, and I am not going to be able to clean it without taking it apart. So this would be my last opportunity to get a "free fan"

decisions, decisions,...  Tongue

i have a Powercolor with 2 exposed fans, both of which have several blades knocked off (don't ask).

when i run the card, it makes a huge racket and vibrates like hell (out of balance?).  any thoughts?
legendary
Activity: 1764
Merit: 1002
February 03, 2012, 10:44:22 AM
#24
Perhaps an uninformed question as I'm not doing Windows mining, can't you just request 330MHz in cgminer?
Does the card refuse to set memory that low?

Works fine here. Though my dedicated miners run linux, my main PC is also used for mining and runs both windows and linux. I have no problem letting cgminer set the memory clock to 300 on any OS.

If it helps, on windows I do not use catalyst other then enabling the overdrive (it still shows default clocks btw). I dont use any of the other trix/whatever apps. Just wait until catalyst has fully loaded before launching cgminer, and it will set 300 Mhz with no problems.

i'm sure this doesn't work on the 69xx cards.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 03, 2012, 06:06:03 AM
#23
Laugh all you want. It does work.... and better than the stock one :p




... provided you only have 1 per rig lol.

wait, thats a 5870 and you're getting 456.22 MH/s?

I get 503 on my 5870 @ 1090/330. P4's 456mhash @ 1000mhz has a small room for improvement; I can do 461.47 at 1000/330.

Kernel ?
SDK ?
Software config ?

Thanks !
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 03, 2012, 04:47:08 AM
#22
I was trying to help cypherdoc with that post.

So was I Smiley
full member
Activity: 210
Merit: 100
February 03, 2012, 04:43:52 AM
#21
Perhaps an uninformed question as I'm not doing Windows mining, can't you just request 330MHz in cgminer?
Does the card refuse to set memory that low?

Works fine here. Though my dedicated miners run linux, my main PC is also used for mining and runs both windows and linux. I have no problem letting cgminer set the memory clock to 300 on any OS.

If it helps, on windows I do not use catalyst other then enabling the overdrive (it still shows default clocks btw). I dont use any of the other trix/whatever apps. Just wait until catalyst has fully loaded before launching cgminer, and it will set 300 Mhz with no problems.
I was trying to help cypherdoc with that post. That's what I get for failing to specify my target...
There, fixed.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 03, 2012, 03:17:28 AM
#20
+1 nice, a support on the side just in case Cheesy
dunno why i have the feeling that i lose money every time i have to RMA a card, hmm

Because you do, lol.
Im wondering if I should RMA the card. Its only a fan, and I fear it might take weeks and end up getting something completely different in return, like a *shrug* 6870 or something. This card also happens to be my best overclocker, it will do almost 1.1Ghz at stock voltage.

OTOH,  just replacing the fan will void warranty, and I still have ~18 months of warranty on it. Its not unthinkable it will actually break in that time.

To complicate matters more, Im going to oil cool these cards in a few weeks. I, pretty sure that will void warranty anyhow, as the stickers wont survive that, and I am not going to be able to clean it without taking it apart. So this would be my last opportunity to get a "free fan"

decisions, decisions,...  Tongue
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 03, 2012, 03:09:51 AM
#19
Perhaps an uninformed question as I'm not doing Windows mining, can't you just request 330MHz in cgminer?
Does the card refuse to set memory that low?

Works fine here. Though my dedicated miners run linux, my main PC is also used for mining and runs both windows and linux. I have no problem letting cgminer set the memory clock to 300 on any OS.

If it helps, on windows I do not use catalyst other then enabling the overdrive (it still shows default clocks btw). I dont use any of the other trix/whatever apps. Just wait until catalyst has fully loaded before launching cgminer, and it will set 300 Mhz with no problems.
sr. member
Activity: 266
Merit: 250
The king and the pawn go in the same box @ endgame
February 02, 2012, 11:43:34 PM
#18
Run the ATI Bios hacker to drop clocks so low.
legendary
Activity: 1764
Merit: 1006
February 02, 2012, 11:29:01 PM
#17
clocktweak.

i drop my 58xxs to 150mhz or whatever's optimal with it.
legendary
Activity: 1764
Merit: 1002
February 02, 2012, 11:26:07 PM
#16
Perhaps an uninformed question as I'm not doing Windows mining, can't you just request 330MHz in cgminer?
Does the card refuse to set memory that low?
If cgminer fails on Windows, I'd try Afterburner/Trixx. Something's bound to work.

it doesn't work.
full member
Activity: 210
Merit: 100
February 02, 2012, 11:24:44 PM
#15
how would you get your self down to 330 in Windows?

Perhaps an uninformed question as I'm not doing Windows mining, can't you just request 330MHz in cgminer?
Does the card refuse to set memory that low?
If cgminer fails on Windows, I'd try Afterburner/Trixx. Something's bound to work.
legendary
Activity: 1764
Merit: 1002
February 02, 2012, 10:27:55 PM
#14
Laugh all you want. It does work.... and better than the stock one :p




... provided you only have 1 per rig lol.

wait, thats a 5870 and you're getting 456.22 MH/s?

I get 503 on my 5870 @ 1090/330. P4's 456mhash @ 1000mhz has a small room for improvement; I can do 461.47 at 1000/330.

how would you get your self down to 330 in Windows?
legendary
Activity: 1344
Merit: 1004
February 02, 2012, 09:40:33 PM
#13
Laugh all you want. It does work.... and better than the stock one :p




... provided you only have 1 per rig lol.

wait, thats a 5870 and you're getting 456.22 MH/s?

I get 503 on my 5870 @ 1090/330. P4's 456mhash @ 1000mhz has a small room for improvement; I can do 461.47 at 1000/330.
sr. member
Activity: 266
Merit: 250
The king and the pawn go in the same box @ endgame
February 02, 2012, 08:21:35 PM
#12
Laugh all you want. It does work.... and better than the stock one :p




... provided you only have 1 per rig lol.

wait, thats a 5870 and you're getting 456.22 MH/s?

Not that far fetched
legendary
Activity: 1764
Merit: 1002
February 02, 2012, 08:17:18 PM
#11
Laugh all you want. It does work.... and better than the stock one :p




... provided you only have 1 per rig lol.

wait, thats a 5870 and you're getting 456.22 MH/s?
legendary
Activity: 924
Merit: 1004
Firstbits: 1pirata
February 02, 2012, 07:02:09 PM
#10
Nicely done Cheesy
I see you're staying true to your DIY spirit...

+1 nice, a support on the side just in case Cheesy
dunno why i have the feeling that i lose money every time i have to RMA a card, hmm
full member
Activity: 210
Merit: 100
February 02, 2012, 06:00:33 PM
#9
Nicely done Cheesy
I see you're staying true to your DIY spirit...
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 02, 2012, 05:54:56 PM
#8
Laugh all you want. It does work.... and better than the stock one :p




... provided you only have 1 per rig lol.
sr. member
Activity: 303
Merit: 250
February 02, 2012, 05:29:54 PM
#7
Takes a whole new meaning to 5-slot cooler.   Cheesy
donator
Activity: 1218
Merit: 1080
Gerald Davis
February 02, 2012, 04:57:51 PM
#6
them dang bitminter guys are resourceful  Wink

"Those coins aren't going to mint themselves so grab that blowtorch. I got an idea ..."
sr. member
Activity: 266
Merit: 250
The king and the pawn go in the same box @ endgame
February 02, 2012, 04:08:32 PM
#5
them dang bitminter guys are resourceful  Wink
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 02, 2012, 04:04:59 PM
#4
Next, attach the nozzle of a ShopVac.  Shocked  Tongue

I would have, if I had one. I considered a hairdryer too!
donator
Activity: 1218
Merit: 1015
February 02, 2012, 04:03:30 PM
#3
Next, attach the nozzle of a ShopVac.  Shocked  Tongue
donator
Activity: 1218
Merit: 1080
Gerald Davis
February 02, 2012, 04:00:49 PM
#2
Wow.....

I think just "wow" is enough.
hero member
Activity: 518
Merit: 500
February 02, 2012, 03:59:50 PM
#1
So what do you do when a 5870 fan fails, when the card is still under warranty, when there are warranty seals on the screws and you havent gotten an RMA number yet?

Simple, take a fan, a hot glue gun and fix it!

Except, one fan didnt do it. The original broken fan is still in there, and its not moving and blocking the airflow. So it overheated. Badly.

So you take a second fan. Better but still not good enough.

So you do the obvious thing and find whatever fans you have of roughly the right size and you end up with this beauty:





Now its back to 60C Cheesy.
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