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Topic: If i got 2 free 5970's (Read 638 times)

sr. member
Activity: 504
Merit: 250
September 25, 2012, 07:34:18 AM
#8
Last winter I ended with 2 x 5970 and one 5830 getting around 1600 MH/S with a 500W PSU maxed out. I'm only running the 5830 now using 100W as there is no heating contribution gained in the summer months. I'm mining with a loss, as Europe is expensive electricity wise. In winter they turn a profit.
I've put water blocks on my 5970 and have an AC condenser as radiator. Everything on the motherboard is turned off in bios: Sound, ports etc. CPU and ram is down clocked (no need for a cpu fan faster than idle. It's a dual core 2.2ghz). Running BAMT  it's 64bit makes a self sustained system. it monitors GPU temps and controls fans and restart GPU cores individually if they crash.

The noise from the 5970 fans was too much, even at 70% and needed bi monthly vacuuming.
hero member
Activity: 658
Merit: 500
Caveat Emptor
September 25, 2012, 05:48:46 AM
#7
Thanks for the info Luno, your a gent.

Id much prefer to go the downclock route hearing the associated probs with the higher speeds. I really dont want to damage the cards with anything too intensive. Looking at temps on VRM's should be the last of my concerns Smiley.

Do you mind if i ask what kind of rig you are running?
sr. member
Activity: 504
Merit: 250
September 25, 2012, 05:40:24 AM
#6
Yes You downclock the ram of your gpu to save power. The calculations of hashing are not memory intensive. I think that I got down to 240W pr. card, 120W pr. GPU with a ram clock of 300MHZ. You card also runs cooler, so less noise from fans and a few more watts saved by moving less air.

Some miners overclock their GPU core, which gives you more hashing power, but usually results in worse power efficiency. You get more MegaHashes but at a comparatively higher power consumption. The 5970 don't like overclocking much around 5-25 MHZ. Overclocking also erode the silicon gates in the processor faster as you may know. So you run a higher risk of bricking. Keep 5970 core temperatures under 65 degrees Celcius.
hero member
Activity: 658
Merit: 500
Caveat Emptor
September 25, 2012, 04:37:42 AM
#5
Think i will take them , they will do me for a decent enough eyefinity setup after i've had my way with them lol.

Would downclocking the GPU result in any noticable temperature differences or hashing power? Is this done simply to reduce power costs and therefore increase oveall profit? Or just for a stability increase on the miner.
sr. member
Activity: 504
Merit: 250
September 25, 2012, 04:27:26 AM
#4
I would take the cards if I had free power. You will get your 200 back  before Christmas. Easiest setup is to use BAMT, a linux distro that runs of a USB stick. (I downclock through flashing my GPU bios). If thats to technical, just run them @ standard ram clock. Hey, you've got free power!
hero member
Activity: 658
Merit: 500
Caveat Emptor
September 25, 2012, 04:20:58 AM
#3
If you live in Europe, you can also put your mining rig in a car and get power from free municipal electric car charging stations. (As gas costs money, you are actually running your car on electricity and not breaking any laws).

I LOVE that idea, you sir are a genius haha  Grin the ultimate in portable mining rigs.

I do have the bonus of free power Luno, should i take the cards or just leave the mining to the guys who have the ASICs on preorder. Would still be fun tho i reckon, at least to see what i could get before the increase in difficulty
sr. member
Activity: 504
Merit: 250
September 25, 2012, 04:15:28 AM
#2
 you will get around 1280 MH/S which will get you 0.4BTC a day with current difficulty. With proper down clocking of the GPU ram both cards will use a little less than 500W i.e. 12KHW/day. The 12KHW/day goes into heating your home, so their are actually some savings to be had, if you mine@home during the winter.

Some power companies offer special discounts, like free power between midnight and 6.00 AM. If you live in Europe, you can also put your mining rig in a car and get power from free municipal electric car charging stations. (As gas costs money, you are actually running your car on electricity and not breaking any laws).
hero member
Activity: 658
Merit: 500
Caveat Emptor
September 25, 2012, 03:57:56 AM
#1
So as the title says guys would there be any real benfit to getting these. I know someone who sells computer parts and has 2 cards that he would like to give me as payment for a debt owed. (Roughly £400 give or take)

I have access to free electricity and the site where i would mine is cold as hell. Would i be able to generate enough with the current difficulty where its at, to make enough to get my foot in the game?

Or has the way ahead been blocked by all the big boys out there who will have ASIC powered everythings crunching away in the background.

Even if i got enough to daisy chain a few of the BFL devices or another retailers product i would be quite happy.

Should i get them or collect the hard currency equivalent?
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