Bitcoin Mining Question

[Ryzen-9]

This is mining question but I couldn't find the forum for it so I put it here because it is also about graphics cards.

How many graphics cards can I connect through a Pcie 16x slot if I use splitters?

[Vroooom]

https://linustechtips.com/main/forum/37-foldinghome-boinc-and-coin-mining/

[Ryzen-9]

Just now, Vroooom said:

https://linustechtips.com/main/forum/37-foldinghome-boinc-and-coin-mining/

Thanks

[Taja]

Just to be clear, nobody mines bitcoins anymore. If you are talking about another cryptocurrency, then go ahead.

[Vantage9]

32 minutes ago, Taja said:

Just to be clear, nobody mines bitcoins anymore. If you are talking about another cryptocurrency, then go ahead.

 

Its really not that clear cut anymore.  For an average home-user, someone who's just mining with their gaming rig, they usually go through a site like Nicehash.com.  You use their mining software, mining whatever algorithm is most profitable for them at the moment, and they pay you directly in Bitcoin. 

 

So my my perspective, I have two gaming rigs that get me "X" amount of Bitcoin every day.  Are they mining Bitcoin?  Technically no, but from my point of view - yes they are.

[Ryzen-9]

46 minutes ago, Vantage9 said:

 

Its really not that clear cut anymore.  For an average home-user, someone who's just mining with their gaming rig, they usually go through a site like Nicehash.com.  You use their mining software, mining whatever algorithm is most profitable for them at the moment, and they pay you directly in Bitcoin. 

 

So my my perspective, I have two gaming rigs that get me "X" amount of Bitcoin every day.  Are they mining Bitcoin?  Technically no, but from my point of view - yes they are.

Ok, good to know but that wasn't really my question. The question was how many graphics cards can I connect through a single pcie 16x slot.

[Ryzen-9]

Just now, №☢ said:

Ok, good to know but that wasn't really my question. The question was how many graphics cards can I connect through a single pcie 16x slot.

Without losing any computing performance.

[Vantage9]

I think this is a tiered answer.  It depends.  

 

If this rig is a multi-purpose machine you will mine and game on, then just 1.  If you split the PCIE 16x slot for multiple cards, gaming performance should be reduced.  

 

If this is a dedicated mining rig, then it kind of depends as well.  You could buy a splitter like this (http://amfeltec.com/products/flexible-x4-pci-express-4-way-splitter/) and get 4 cards per 16x slot.  This solution, however, could run into PCIE lane bottleneck issues, depending on your motherboard and chipset. 

 

If its a dedicated mining machine, why use a motherboard that's aimed at a gaming rig?  You could get a mobo like this (http://www.realhardwarereviews.com/tb250-btc-pro/) or something similar that is designed for as many cards as you can afford.  For mining purposes you only need a 1x slot, so you're better off just getting a card with as many 1x slots as possible.

[Ryzen-9]

15 minutes ago, Vantage9 said:

I think this is a tiered answer.  It depends.  

 

If this rig is a multi-purpose machine you will mine and game on, then just 1.  If you split the PCIE 16x slot for multiple cards, gaming performance should be reduced.  

 

If this is a dedicated mining rig, then it kind of depends as well.  You could buy a splitter like this (http://amfeltec.com/products/flexible-x4-pci-express-4-way-splitter/) and get 4 cards per 16x slot.  This solution, however, could run into PCIE lane bottleneck issues, depending on your motherboard and chipset. 

 

If its a dedicated mining machine, why use a motherboard that's aimed at a gaming rig?  You could get a mobo like this (http://www.realhardwarereviews.com/tb250-btc-pro/) or something similar that is designed for as many cards as you can afford.  For mining purposes you only need a 1x slot, so you're better off just getting a card with as many 1x slots as possible.

If I use a threadripper based system couldn't I just do what that motherboard does even better if I use some splitters.

[Vantage9]

You kinda avoided the most important question.  Is this a dedicated mining rig, or multi purpose?

[Ryzen-9]

Just now, Vantage9 said:

You kinda avoided the most important question.  Is this a dedicated mining rig, or multi purpose?

Dedicated

[Vantage9]

Well at that point, cost becomes your real enemy.  

 

A threadripper system would be massively expensive for no reason.  You don't need CPU power to mine.  

 

You could buy that dedicated B250 mining motherboard for $120, plus $80 for a G4560.  That's $200 for the core platform.  You're gonna spend $450 on the cheapest Threadripper, plus a minimum of $300 on the motherboard... that's $750 at least.  More like $800.

 

You just quadrupled how much mining you have to do before you break even.

[Ryzen-9]

Just now, Vantage9 said:

Well at that point, cost becomes your real enemy.  

 

A threadripper system would be massively expensive for no reason.  You don't need CPU power to mine.  

 

You could buy that dedicated B250 mining motherboard for $120, plus $80 for a G4560.  That's $200 for the core platform.  You're gonna spend $450 on the cheapest Threadripper, plus a minimum of $300 on the motherboard... that's $750 at least.  More like $800.

 

You just quadrupled how much mining you have to do before you break even.

Yes it would cost a lot but threadripper has 64 pcie lanes so you can connect like 64 graphics cards.

[Ryzen-9]

1 minute ago, №☢ said:

Yes it would cost a lot but threadripper has 64 pcie lanes so you can connect like 64 graphics cards.

Theoretically

[Vantage9]

I mean I don't want to do the math anymore, but I'm almost positive it wouldn't work out.  

 

You'd spend less building multiple small mining rigs using the appropriate hardware than if you build one massive behemoth using a threadripper setup.

 

Electricity costs would also be a much bigger problem with the threadripper build, which hurts your profitability.

[Ryzen-9]

7 minutes ago, Vantage9 said:

I mean I don't want to do the math anymore, but I'm almost positive it wouldn't work out.  

 

You'd spend less building multiple small mining rigs using the appropriate hardware than if you build one massive behemoth using a threadripper setup.

 

Electricity costs would also be a much bigger problem with the threadripper build, which hurts your profitability.

Yeah ok this getting boring I think I will just do some research myself instead of talking for an hour with random people I don't know.

[Vantage9]

Dude, there's a reason NOBODY builds mining rigs using top end CPU hardware like that.  It is not economically sound.

 

If you're not an expert, just find what expert miners use and copy their shit.  You are going down the wrong path with the threadripper thing.

[Taja]

1 hour ago, Vantage9 said:

 

Its really not that clear cut anymore.  For an average home-user, someone who's just mining with their gaming rig, they usually go through a site like Nicehash.com.  You use their mining software, mining whatever algorithm is most profitable for them at the moment, and they pay you directly in Bitcoin. 

 

So my my perspective, I have two gaming rigs that get me "X" amount of Bitcoin every day.  Are they mining Bitcoin?  Technically no, but from my point of view - yes they are.

Nice, did not know about this site. But still, it is a misconception - and a bad one. It make it seens like there is only one cryptocurrency, and spreads ignorance about something (mining and cryptocoins) that is very big in the world today, and moves a absurd amount of money.

 

It would be like thinking you invest in the "stock market" like it is only one thing, and you actually are investing in companies. You can just pay someone to invest for you, but it is good to know at least the very basics.