), I would say just stick with Windows, and install Logmein and CGMiner, and you'll be all set. 
Topic: Linux vs Windows GPU mining (Read 3803 times)
Ya as much as I'm a bit fan of Linux (Gentoo is my personal choice, but that's not for everyone ), I would say just stick with Windows, and install Logmein and CGMiner, and you'll be all set.
), I would say just stick with Windows, and install Logmein and CGMiner, and you'll be all set. 
Thanks for the reply.
It's headless in the sense that there will be no monitor attached. I'll use it to store media and serve video files (not decode video, I have a setup box that decodes it) to my tv and also to store ROMS that get served to my Wii. I basically used it for this while I was gaming and using it as my main computer, so I don't think it will hurt performance mining. The only difference was I didn't have the miner turned on all the time and it had a monitor attached. Now I will just let the miner go and no monitor.
Even if the occasional streaming does affect performance, I don't care because it's already paid for itself in my own entertainment over 2 years. So, basically if I can set it up and forget about while it mines and still use it to serve files, that's what I want.
Also I should mention I pay a flat rate for electricity each month, no matter how much I use. This is another reason I don't mind just running it full on 100% as long as it is worth it for me.
I just never mined using Linux. I've played with Linux before and I know ssh is nice to use to control the computer if you don't have a monitor...that's why I was thinking Linux. I just never tried to run a Windows machine with no monitor. Maybe I'll take a look at those programs you mentioned. The nice thing is I have Windows running nonstop (i.e. weeks with no reboot) on that computer now anyway, so it would probably be easier to go the Windows route. I was just concerned with being able to control it without having to screw around with unpluggin,plugging in my monitor every time.
It's headless in the sense that there will be no monitor attached. I'll use it to store media and serve video files (not decode video, I have a setup box that decodes it) to my tv and also to store ROMS that get served to my Wii. I basically used it for this while I was gaming and using it as my main computer, so I don't think it will hurt performance mining. The only difference was I didn't have the miner turned on all the time and it had a monitor attached. Now I will just let the miner go and no monitor.
Even if the occasional streaming does affect performance, I don't care because it's already paid for itself in my own entertainment over 2 years. So, basically if I can set it up and forget about while it mines and still use it to serve files, that's what I want.
Also I should mention I pay a flat rate for electricity each month, no matter how much I use. This is another reason I don't mind just running it full on 100% as long as it is worth it for me.
I just never mined using Linux. I've played with Linux before and I know ssh is nice to use to control the computer if you don't have a monitor...that's why I was thinking Linux. I just never tried to run a Windows machine with no monitor. Maybe I'll take a look at those programs you mentioned. The nice thing is I have Windows running nonstop (i.e. weeks with no reboot) on that computer now anyway, so it would probably be easier to go the Windows route. I was just concerned with being able to control it without having to screw around with unpluggin,plugging in my monitor every time.
So wait, is this going to be a headless miner, or a media server that also mines?
Linux is very stable for mining, and is quite easy to set up. Ubuntu should work out of the box with ATI's drivers. BAMT is another option.
However, it really depends on what you're most comfortable with. If you can comfortably set up a Windows box and not touch it for weeks at a time, then go with that. Instead of SSH, you can use RDP or Logmein to control your headless windows box.
As far as fan speed goes, I'd recommend trying out CGMiner. It works in both Linux or Windows, and works great for those 5xxx cards - Fan control, automatic overclocking/downclocking, pool failovers, undervolting, etc.
TL:DR Ubuntu with 11.12 drivers, 2.5 SDK, and CGMiner will give you an excellent headless miner.
Linux is very stable for mining, and is quite easy to set up. Ubuntu should work out of the box with ATI's drivers. BAMT is another option.
However, it really depends on what you're most comfortable with. If you can comfortably set up a Windows box and not touch it for weeks at a time, then go with that. Instead of SSH, you can use RDP or Logmein to control your headless windows box.
As far as fan speed goes, I'd recommend trying out CGMiner. It works in both Linux or Windows, and works great for those 5xxx cards - Fan control, automatic overclocking/downclocking, pool failovers, undervolting, etc.
TL:DR Ubuntu with 11.12 drivers, 2.5 SDK, and CGMiner will give you an excellent headless miner.
Upgraded to a new machine and I'm about to convert my old gaming rig into a full-time miner...
Now I'm used to mining in Windows with Afterburner and Phoenix and phatk kernel and no problems. Since I have another machine for gaming, I want to use my old box as a media server while mining (2x5870) with the same hashrate and temps I get under Windows until shit hits the fan for GPU miners (i.e. asics drop).
Linux is obvious choice as it will be headless and ssh is ideal. My question is how easy is it to get setup mining on Linux with good fan control and hashrate?
My main concern is fan control, I've read very mixed reviews online about ATI drivers some running too slow, others pegging out at 100%. Is this an issue ? Is there a nice linux distro that works out of the box with ATI in regards to mining and fan control with minimal setup? Is there any difference in hashrate if I use the same kernel and flags?
Now I'm used to mining in Windows with Afterburner and Phoenix and phatk kernel and no problems. Since I have another machine for gaming, I want to use my old box as a media server while mining (2x5870) with the same hashrate and temps I get under Windows until shit hits the fan for GPU miners (i.e. asics drop).
Linux is obvious choice as it will be headless and ssh is ideal. My question is how easy is it to get setup mining on Linux with good fan control and hashrate?
My main concern is fan control, I've read very mixed reviews online about ATI drivers some running too slow, others pegging out at 100%. Is this an issue ? Is there a nice linux distro that works out of the box with ATI in regards to mining and fan control with minimal setup? Is there any difference in hashrate if I use the same kernel and flags?
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