LiteCoin mining Rig (RPi setup, or...?)

CraftedElements · May 17, 2014

Hello members of TomsHardware forums, before I type the rest of this, I want to thank you all in advance, you are all super knowledgeable, helpful and have helped me out multiple times! Thanks in advance!

So here is what I was wondering: This summer I really want to do something. As in something, I mean something that could potentially make some money, or allow me to work with technology (I love technology, specifically computer components, the way they work amaze me). So I've been reading about this whole Bitcoin craze, and have been intrigued.

I wanted to setup my own mining operation, but with Litecoin not Bitcoin, as Bitcoin has been amped up in publicity, while in reality it is not all that it seems, it is getting increasingly harder and harder to mine, more and more people are selling them, and the price of them are dropping. So I've been looking into alternative coins to mine such as DogeCoin and Litecoin.

I only have around 250$, an old computer case with some amazing hard drive cages (I tore the plastic covers off so I have a metal computer case frame with lots and lots of ventilation) and I was planning on putting my setup in the case, and since it's a full tower, I feel that I have more than enough room.

I've been looking into how people are using MinePeon OS with a Raspberry Pi, a usb hub, and 5-6 of these USB block erupter graphics processing units (http://www.amazon.com/ASICMiner-Block-Erupter-USB-Sapphire/dp/B00CUJT7TO) or (http://www.amazon.com/BITMAIN-ANTMINER-U2-Bitcoin-Overclockable/dp/B00ITD5NV6/ref=pd_sim_pc_1/189-2339914-7320667?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TTZYRET7728WBQ69HGQ) I've only been able to find ones that claim to be able to achieve 3Gh/s and the second one I linked looks like the best one for the cost.

What I was wondering: Would I be able to purchase a Rpi, an SD card, a USB hub, and 4-5 of those USB miners, hook it all up and start mining? I have the whole summer to dedicate to this, and by the end of the summer I will most likely have an extra 400$ (I have a job, I did not calculate that by potential earnings of this) so I was wondering if I could then add a few more, or just upgrade the block breaker cards to faster ones?

The environment: My basement would be the place I would be keeping this setup. I live in Minnesota, and my house is around 60-65 degrees throughout the day, and 60 or lower during the night. My basement is unfinished, which means no insulation on the walls, concrete floors, and no ceiling (just floorboards, and foundation above your head). If I had to make an estimate, I would say that my basement is around 10 degrees cooler than the rest of my house, but if something is close to or sitting on the concrete, it could be sitting at a temperature of 45 degrees or lower. I have 3 box fans, and multiple other fans that I could use if I ever needed to. So in my opinion, heat will not be a problem.

babernet_1 · May 17, 2014

Consider Vertcoins too.

CraftedElements · May 17, 2014

Aren't the cards I linked ASICS? And doesn't vertcoin combat those?

babernet_1 · May 18, 2014

CraftedElements :

Yes, the Vertcoin has extra ASIC protection for it requires double the RAM over LItecoin scrypt and the memory requirements change with Vertcoin giving it yet more protection from ASICS.

babernet_1 · May 18, 2014

Oh, I understand now. Those ASIC's you linked don't mine Litecoins, they mine Bitcoins only. Use the calculators and see if they make sense. Remember, they can only mine SHA-256.

CraftedElements · May 18, 2014

Would I be able to hook up any other source of a GPU besides those? Would I be better of to build a rig with 2 280's? Or 2 770's?

tiny voices · May 18, 2014

If you are planning to mine bitcoins, forget it. Mine litecoins. Even then the returns will not be alot.

CraftedElements · May 18, 2014

tiny voices :

That's what I was discussing. I was wondering if I would be able to mine Litecoins with a cheap setup (Such as 4-6 Raspberry Pi Model B's) or if I would have to spend around 1500$ on a computer with high end CPU's to get a noticable return

tiny voices · May 18, 2014

The whole "get in while its hot" train has left the station. Generally if you want to mine bitcoins, you are too late. Lite coins can be profitable, but cannot be mined with those devices you linked. You would have to buy a CHEAP (read $30 AMD sempron) CPU, and 5 or more GPUs. (AMD 7950s) Other GPUs work, but the 7950s mine the best. This is why they are all pretty much gone and expensive used. Either get those used, or buy 4 r9 280x's (should yield the same hash rate). You will need 2 VERY high end 750w PSUs (read PLATINUM certification) to power the cards, and then a PLATINUM 500w PSU to run the motherboard. IF you get anything less than platinum PSUs, you will never make back your electricity money.

Now with that build, you should at least break even on electricity. Generally mining is only profitable if you can get free electricity.

Like I said, it is very hard now to make money on this stuff. The mining game is really past-pime.

Most people just buy litecoin or bitcoin and hope they rise like stocks now, instead of mining.

babernet_1 · May 18, 2014

With some AMD cards you can just about mine Vertcoins for the electricity they use. It's a way to buy the coins real cheap. But again, you are hoping they go up in value to make any money. You can go to coinwarz.com and see most all the coins and which ones are profitable at a given time if you input the data into the calculator.

CraftedElements · May 18, 2014

tiny voices :

Thanks for the info. Do you think my enviornment would be suitable if I had 2-3 280x's running? Like the setup you mentioned?

Since I would be getting money paycheck by paycheck, what would be the best way to start? Get the mobo, 1 psu 1 gpu and get everything setup, and from there start upgrading GPU's and when I have 2 GPU's get a second PSU?

Could you also recomend me a good mobo that could handle 4 GPU's all overclocked, running 24/7? And a good PSU in general? I really appreciate this

CraftedElements · May 18, 2014

And I found a 7950 for cheaper than a used 280x here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202026 (230$)

So I could get a few of these?

CraftedElements · May 19, 2014

If someone could provide me with a starter build that'd be great. A starter as in 1 GPU and the bare minimum I need (I don't need a case)

babernet_1 · May 19, 2014

You don't need much in a processor, 4670 non K would be plenty. Be sure your power supply is big enough for what you eventually want to load and must be platinum in efficiency. 8G ram is plenty. Make sure your mother board can handle the boards.

CraftedElements · May 19, 2014

I don't need a good CPU, I'm just wondering about the build. What PSU, MOBO and would the GPU that I linked be good?

tiny voices · May 19, 2014

An i5 is completely pointless for this. Get the cheapest celeron you can. The CPU does nothing at all when mining. Always get the cheapset junk CPU you can.

Then you will need card risers and a custom built test bench to hold the cards.

Don't expect to make any money more than covering electricity until you have 5+ cards.

Also, you will need to overclock the cards to get the most out them. The cards will need to have their fans run 100%. This machine WILL heat up where it lives by like 5-10 degrees F if not more.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/intel/h81%20pro%20btc/ get this motherboard.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/20752/cab-1907/PCI-Express_PCI-E_x1_to_x16_Adapter_Cable_Riser_w_Molex_and_Capacitor_-_7.html?gclid=CPao1cCet74CFShnOgodB10Aug You need one of these for each GPU. You might be able to find them cheaper, but you NEED the ones with the molex adapter built in. The ones without it will fry the motherboard once you get 4+ cards on there.

Don't forget it will take ALOT of time to even break even on this, and you might never actually get there.

Lastly, this needs to run 24/7 365 if you want any hope of breaking even. You can NEVER shut it down.

I'm sure you know about mining pools. They take like 3% of what you make but they give you WAY easier difficulty for mining. You MUST join a GOOD mining pool to make any returns. Going it solo, you will never even make enough to cover your electricity.

CraftedElements · May 19, 2014

tiny voices :

I keep wanting to hit the "Pick as a solution" button, but there is so much for me to ask! I really appreciate your help!

So I assume I could use those 7950's I linked above, the mobo you recommended, a cheap CPU that uses the least amount of power, those extenders and 2 PSU's?

Would you be able to recommend a PSU? And how would it work, having one PSU plugged into the Mobo, and the other 1 plugged into 2 other GPU's

Also would this extender work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Powered-Riser-Extension-Cable-PCI-E-Express-1X-to-16X-w-Molex-In-Hand-in-USA-/181344844247?pt=US_Power_Cables_Connectors&hash=item2a38feb9d7

I really appreciate all this help

CraftedElements · May 19, 2014

tiny voices · May 19, 2014

CraftedElements :

tiny voices :

I keep wanting to hit the "Pick as a solution" button, but there is so much for me to ask! I really appreciate your help!

So I assume I could use those 7950's I linked above, the mobo you recommended, a cheap CPU that uses the least amount of power, those extenders and 2 PSU's?

Would you be able to recommend a PSU? And how would it work, having one PSU plugged into the Mobo, and the other 1 plugged into 2 other GPU's

Also would this extender work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Powered-Riser-Extension-Cable-PCI-E-Express-1X-to-16X-w-Molex-In-Hand-in-USA-/181344844247?pt=US_Power_Cables_Connectors&hash=item2a38feb9d7

I really appreciate all this help

Those extenders should work. You need 3 PSUs, not 2. One small one to run the motherboard, and 2 others to run the cards. Get something Platinum from Antec, XFX, Seasonic, Corsair. Make sure each has enough connectors for THREE GPUs.

Yes, the 7950s should work. https://litecoin.info/Mining_hardware_comparison this is a good guide to help you know what to expect because every single different 7950 has a different hash rate. Don;t forget overclocking helps. and pretty much all cards on this list are overclocked.

LiteCoin mining Rig (RPi setup, or...?)

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