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Planning to start mining bitcoins.. need help with cooling

S

SeductivePig

Senior member
So basically, the past 3 weeks I've been researching parts to build a gaming PC for BF3 and future games. Just today I realized that I'd have enough money to safely cover the costs of a top of the line PC build, and that I could mine bitcoins with it. If bitcoins somehow fail, I'll have a good PC in the process so I'm not really losing money.

If I leave my computer mining 24/7, will it degrade parts AT ALL, even if I have adequate cooling?


My build is the following:

Case - NZXT Phantom
Cpu - 2500k
Mobo - Gigabyte Z68
Memory - Gskill 2x4GB DDR3
Harddrive - 2x250GB 7200 RPM in Raid configuration
Video Card - 2x6850 in crossfire
Power Supply - Corsair 650HX

I need help picking out a power supply - I can only buy the PSU from best buy, and I have 10% off there. I wanted to get a modular one so I found the Corsair 650HX for $120 after discount and tax - would that be enough for a crossfire build that's running 24/7?

Also I wasn't really sure if I needed to overclock the 2500k right now to mine bitcoins - if I don't overclock it, do you guys think stock cooling is good enough or do I have to invest in a cpu cooler if I leave it on 24/7?
 
Yes, running your components maxed out will reduce their lifespan.
No, it won't matter unless you plan to keep the computer for 10 years.

The Phantom's stock fans should be more than sufficient.

Also, 6870 Crossfire, really?
 
mfenn said:
Yes, running your components maxed out will reduce their lifespan.
No, it won't matter unless you plan to keep the computer for 10 years.

The Phantom's stock fans should be more than sufficient.

Also, 6870 Crossfire, really?
Click to expand...

where do you see 6870 CF?

CPU mining sucks compared to GPU mining. it isnt even worth it really.
Click to expand...

never said I was CPU mining..
 
I've read lots of things about bitcoin mining, and a lot of reports seem to point out that with the added energy your PC is constantly drawing you're lucky to break even with energy and equipment damage costs.
 
I dont pay for my electric so thats not a concern.

Anyways i realized that all 6950s and 6870s have issues so im going to get a 1gb xfx 6950 with the two coolers.
 
gorcorps said:
I've read lots of things about bitcoin mining, and a lot of reports seem to point out that with the added energy your PC is constantly drawing you're lucky to break even with energy and equipment damage costs.
Click to expand...

depends on where you live


OP: stock cooling will be fine, the CPU barely does jack when gpu mining for btc's

is this the card you are talking about?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150552

I'm sure it will be fine, I have a sapphire with a similar heatsink and it runs pretty cool OC'd while mining
 
Last edited:
Zargon said:
depends on where you live


OP: stock cooling will be fine, the CPU barely does jack when gpu mining for btc's

is this the card you are talking about?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150552

I'm sure it will be fine, I have a sapphire with a similar heatsink and it runs pretty cool OC'd while mining
Click to expand...

No actually it was this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150527

I liked this because the reviews were nearly all 5/5 and it seems to be an extremely stable card.. seems like it's a revised model of the same card with a few tweaks to make it perfect.

I'm hoping to run this card with a bit of an overclock and moderately high fan speed so that I don't wear it out too much.


Sucky thing is that since I'm buying this card I'm stuck with my 19" monitor.. 1440x900 resolution. If I were to buy a monitor I'd have to downgrade my card to a 6850.
 
Zargon said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102945

thats the one I bought, why pay more for less RAM?

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php...playPort-PCI-Express-Video-Card-Dirt3-Edition

I beleive they have an active 5$ off coupon right now as well
Click to expand...

Well I heard that 2GB of vram is useless unless I game over 1080p or use multiple monitors.. which I won't. I'll eventually upgrade to a 1080p monitor.

On top of that I don't believe sapphire has a good warranty program - XFX has a really good one.

Weird.. the 6950 I linked had a $20 rebate yesterday but it's gone now. I think I will go with this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150524

XFX 6950, $250, $220AR, free shipping.
 
crazypraveen said:
Why would i do that when crossfire 6850s give better performance when there isn't an issue with the drivers, Crossfire profile, bugs in the game, microstutter, etc. than a 6950?
Click to expand...

Fixed that for you. 😉

EDIT: I see you saw the light on your own.
 
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