Building Cheap Miners : My "Secret" - page 42.

VyprBTC

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Quote from: sundownz on December 16, 2017, 12:26:00 PM

Well -- good news on the ROI front. I began buying hardware in March.

I accelerated a bit buying in June... and I still have at least $25k in hardware I haven't brought online yet (I buy anything that's on sale so I don't miss out).

Even with all the extra hardware that isn't running yet... I am only 4-weeks away from getting back my entire investment! So that means all the hardware that IS running is well beyond paid for.

I am about to finish my 4th rack... and I already have all the GPUs, power supplies, and half the HP Z400s that I need for the 5th rack =)

Pretty exciting.

So you have 25k in hardware not being used, and let's just say another 25k in hardware for a total of 50k that you haven't earned your money back on. If you would have put that money in BTC instead of buying the machines you'd have 450,000$

sundownz

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4th rack is under construction.

I plan to have it done before I go on vacation in a week =)

sundownz

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Quote from: hackl3r on December 16, 2017, 12:37:21 PM

I' m trying to start for my first time to mine bitcoin gold, i've never mine something and bitcoin gold seems pretty good actually but i don't really know how to start!!

This forum is a great resource. In fact it's where I've learned most of what I know on the topic Cool

hackl3r

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I' m trying to start for my first time to mine bitcoin gold, i've never mine something and bitcoin gold seems pretty good actually but i don't really know how to start!!

sundownz

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Well -- good news on the ROI front. I began buying hardware in March.

I accelerated a bit buying in June... and I still have at least $25k in hardware I haven't brought online yet (I buy anything that's on sale so I don't miss out).

Even with all the extra hardware that isn't running yet... I am only 4-weeks away from getting back my entire investment! So that means all the hardware that IS running is well beyond paid for.

I am about to finish my 4th rack... and I already have all the GPUs, power supplies, and half the HP Z400s that I need for the 5th rack =)

Pretty exciting.

sundownz

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Quote from: Michael20 on December 06, 2017, 09:56:05 AM

Why you don't use server psu, cheaper and think more reliable?

My build philosophy on the miners is to keep it simple and each unit fully contained in or directly above "the box" (the case)... in case of an explosive and/or fiery failure I do at least have a steel box to contain it.

Also it's just simpler to have a "normal" PSU to power the PC, video cards, and risers all-in-one, IMHO. I have heard of some folks having issues powering different parts from different supplies.

Also it's nice to have a 5-year warranty on the system PSU. I just keep spares around and RMA any failed supplies... I have all Rosewill and their warranty has been phenominal in my experience.

Not to say there is anything wrong with doing it other ways... just my preference / short list of justifications for it =)

sundownz

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VS86SYA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hey guys -- for those buying bulk like me... Rosewill has a special on their 850-watt Quarks for $98.99 if you order 20 pcs right now.

I, of course, ordered 20 pcs this morning =)

It *may* require a business account -- as my Amazon account is as such.

-----

I have been buying 850-watt supplies almost exclusively lately... for some odd reason the deals are better than what has been going for the 750s. But... can't complain about getting a bit larger supply for the same money.

CryptoCruncher

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Hello all,

Stoked to see that I can actually do something with an old T5500 that was about to be tossed into the dumpster at work... It came with a 1GB Nvidia Quadro 600 card and 12 Gb Hynix Ram.
A quick search brought me here and since I had been planning to build a miner I struck gold it seems...

First problem is that the system won't boot up. I got a blank HD in it, but I have the dreaded "2-3-4 blink with solid amber power light Pb7" code. Tried the usual and I am now looking at replacing the X5650 CPU. If that works I am planning to add a few 580's and fire it up.

Love to hear if someone else has had to work through this particular issue before and has insights. I'll post my build notes along the way...

sundownz

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Quote from: Preach on December 06, 2017, 04:51:17 PM

Too funny...

Thanks for your quick reply...

I am on the phone as we speak... Cheesy

Wil

I may also try to buy a load of them direct. If I can sort out power requirements I may add 300+ more of the Z400s =)

Just talked to my power company about setting up a big additional service here at the warehouse.

Preach

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Too funny...

Thanks for your quick reply...

I am on the phone as we speak... Cheesy

Wil

sundownz

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Quote from: Preach on December 06, 2017, 02:47:41 PM

Hey Sundownz,

New guy here, thanks for all the info, I just went through 11 pages...

When you screw down the PCI-e risers, do you have anything under them?

For anyone living in Canada, does anyone have a source for these Dell T5500 or HP Z400's or equivalents???

The cost is roughly $550 - 600 inc. shipping at newegg.ca... or ebay charges are roughly $200 to get it across the border...

For that price I can build a base system that can do up to 6 gpu's or 13 with a better power supply.

Thanks

Wil

Will,

The company that does the refurbishing actually is IN Canada -- maybe they will sell direct ?

http://www.astsys.com/home/

For the risers... I simply leave the foam that comes on them on the bottom of the PCB.

Preach

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Hey Sundownz,

New guy here, thanks for all the info, I just went through 11 pages...

When you screw down the PCI-e risers, do you have anything under them?

For anyone living in Canada, does anyone have a source for these Dell T5500 or HP Z400's or equivalents???

The cost is roughly $550 - 600 inc. shipping at newegg.ca... or ebay charges are roughly $200 to get it across the border...

For that price I can build a base system that can do up to 6 gpu's or 13 with a better power supply.

Thanks

Wil

rs1x

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Quote from: sundownz on December 06, 2017, 08:29:08 AM

Quote from: rusman123 on December 06, 2017, 12:48:38 AM

hi now i have a problem CPU OVERLOADED HOW TO FIX SLOWLING FOR PROCESSING THANK. Grin

I am not sure I understand correctly.

You are using a Z400 & having high CPU usage ? Have you checked task manager to see what is hogging resources ?

rusman123 looks like bot/spam

Michael20

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Why you don't use server psu, cheaper and think more reliable?

sundownz

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Quote from: rusman123 on December 06, 2017, 12:48:38 AM

hi now i have a problem CPU OVERLOADED HOW TO FIX SLOWLING FOR PROCESSING THANK. Grin

I am not sure I understand correctly.

You are using a Z400 & having high CPU usage ? Have you checked task manager to see what is hogging resources ?

rusman123

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Activity: 16

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hi now i have a problem CPU OVERLOADED HOW TO FIX SLOWLING FOR PROCESSING THANK. Grin

sundownz

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Quote from: rs1x on December 05, 2017, 03:10:44 PM

Quote from: sundownz on December 04, 2017, 08:59:09 PM

Quote from: rs1x on December 04, 2017, 05:31:15 PM

Hey sundownz -
Do you use the 750 Watt power supply to power both the Z400 and the GPU's?

I've found something weird i wasn't able to use an aftermarket power supply because of some weird wiring scheme of where you plug the power supply into the motherboard.

Ive found some adapters that are supposed to fix my problem:

https://www.moddiy.com/products/ATX-to-HP-Z400-24%252dPin-Non%252dStandard-ATX-Pinout-Main-Power-Adapter-Cable.html

Yes the 750-watt PSU is for the system & GPUs.

And yes, absolutely, the Z400 motherboard plug is an EPS plug (not ATX) -- I make my own adapters:

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.24926817

I cannot verify 100% that the adapter you linked will work -- but it does LOOK correct. They identified the pins correctly & the result should be the same as my home-made adapters.

Sorry - i should have checked that earlier post in more detail - But thanks for the confirmation that something is unique with the Z400's.

No problem! =)

Once I build my next 12 system I may buy those pre-made adapters and save my finger-tips from making them, haha!

rs1x

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Quote from: sundownz on December 04, 2017, 08:59:09 PM

Quote from: rs1x on December 04, 2017, 05:31:15 PM

Hey sundownz -
Do you use the 750 Watt power supply to power both the Z400 and the GPU's?

I've found something weird i wasn't able to use an aftermarket power supply because of some weird wiring scheme of where you plug the power supply into the motherboard.

Ive found some adapters that are supposed to fix my problem:

https://www.moddiy.com/products/ATX-to-HP-Z400-24%252dPin-Non%252dStandard-ATX-Pinout-Main-Power-Adapter-Cable.html

Yes the 750-watt PSU is for the system & GPUs.

And yes, absolutely, the Z400 motherboard plug is an EPS plug (not ATX) -- I make my own adapters:

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.24926817

I cannot verify 100% that the adapter you linked will work -- but it does LOOK correct. They identified the pins correctly & the result should be the same as my home-made adapters.

Sorry - i should have checked that earlier post in more detail - But thanks for the confirmation that something is unique with the Z400's.

sundownz

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Quote from: bigjee on December 04, 2017, 09:30:39 PM

Quote from: sundownz on December 02, 2017, 10:05:45 AM

Quote from: bigjee on December 02, 2017, 03:58:57 AM

Quote from: sundownz on November 29, 2017, 09:44:39 AM

Quote from: wacko on November 28, 2017, 11:53:45 PM

Quote from: shibob on November 28, 2017, 11:13:36 PM

But I wonder are there any lost in performance when using DDR3 rather than DDR4?

Zero difference between DDR3 and DDR4 for mining purposes.

Indeed... these HP Z400 systems use CHEAP memory as well. So I always outfit them with 6 GB or more memory.

Hey sundownz have you ever tried out the Z600? What do you think about the compatibility with 4 cards?
Will it work like the z400?

Thanks.

I have never tried the other models to build mining rigs.

But... the Z600 and 800 models have extremely oddly shaped power supplies so replacing them would be tricky.

Yeah im probably not going to replace the original psu but add another atx psu in parallel to power just the cards. apart from the psu any other challenges you foresee?

Otherwise they look solid if not swapping the PSU. I wouldn't forsee any issues using several GPUs with risers.

I do have one Z800 as an office PC at my business and it seems like a tank of a system.

bigjee

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Quote from: sundownz on December 02, 2017, 10:05:45 AM

Quote from: bigjee on December 02, 2017, 03:58:57 AM

Quote from: sundownz on November 29, 2017, 09:44:39 AM

Quote from: wacko on November 28, 2017, 11:53:45 PM

Quote from: shibob on November 28, 2017, 11:13:36 PM

But I wonder are there any lost in performance when using DDR3 rather than DDR4?

Zero difference between DDR3 and DDR4 for mining purposes.

Indeed... these HP Z400 systems use CHEAP memory as well. So I always outfit them with 6 GB or more memory.

Hey sundownz have you ever tried out the Z600? What do you think about the compatibility with 4 cards?
Will it work like the z400?

Thanks.

I have never tried the other models to build mining rigs.

But... the Z600 and 800 models have extremely oddly shaped power supplies so replacing them would be tricky.

Yeah im probably not going to replace the original psu but add another atx psu in parallel to power just the cards. apart from the psu any other challenges you foresee?

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