Bitcoin miner rig/general gamer

Hello all!

I am new to this amazing community and would like to get some feed back on a rig that I am about to build.

Some specs:

CPU:Intel 3770k ~ 350$ (newegg sold out in a heart beat but I found one for 10 dollars more) http://www.cpusolutions.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2989
GPU(S):2(soon to be 3) radeon HD 7970 from XFX(Core edition) 480$ eachhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150585
Memory: G.skill Ripjaws X series 16GB(2x8GB) DDR3 2133 180$http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231571
Mother Board:Asus Sabertooth z77 339$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821
Power Suply Unit: Cougar CMX 1000 (keep in mind there will be three GPUs) 180$http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817553004
Tower: NZXT Phantom (Phan-002OR) 125$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146073
Hard Drives: 2(raid.0) Samsung by seagate spinpoint F3 80$(each) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

This is just one build model. To make sense of it all I will share a bit about what my plans for using it are. For the most part, if I were not looking to mine bitcoins, I would build a much more inexpensive computer. But, because I am bitcoin mining, I might as well have some fun with it. My plan is to have it generating bitcoins anytime that I am not using it. When I AM using it, I will either be gaming, using photoshop, or working on my project in C#. I don't expect the computer to pay for itself with bitcoins by any means. I do however have an advantage in the fact that I am currently in a situation in which I get free power(power cost is one of the things that makes bitcoin mining for profit unrealistic).

One aspect that I do need help with, knowing the components I plan on using, is the liquid cooling system. I have a couple different theoretical configurations for the cooling, but am missing the experience to know a couple different aspects such as:
radiators ~ I dont know how large one radiator would have to be, or if I ran two, how large they would both have to be. I don't know much about cooling performance of radiators, or the substitution of that performance for a quiet rig.
Loops ~ I don't know how many loops I would need for the three GPU's and high heat CPU. I am assuming I could get away with 2 loops, but would like to get it done with one if possible. I have made a list of some high flow blocks already in an attempt to do so. If I did use one loop, would it be possible to have a radiator inbetween the CPU and GPU's? or a small radiator inbetween each component?

Anyways, here is a list of some liquid cooling parts.

Pump: MCP35x pump 99$ http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11740/ex-pmp-109/Swiftech_MCP35X_12v_PWM_Controlled_Water_Pump_-_Black.html
Resi: FrozenQ liquid fusion dual bay 110$ http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14151/ex-res-305/FrozenQ_Liquid_Fusion_Dual_Bay_Reservoir_-_UV_Green_Helix.html?tl=g30c107
Note* They actually make a combo of the previous two, just noticed 125$ http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14200/ex-res-309/FrozenQ_Liquid_Fusion_Dual_Bay_Reservoir_w_Swiftech_MCP35x_Series_Pump_Installed.html?tl=g30c107
(IF STRONGER PUMP NEEDED) Pump Swiftech dual extreme duty small form factor 12 - I have never heard any reviews for this pump so that would help ~ 200$ http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14962/ex-pmp-174/Swiftech_Dual_Extreme_Duty_Small_Form_Factor_12_VDC_Industrial_PWM_Pump_-_White_MCP35X2-WT.html
Graphics Block: EK Radeon HD 7970 VGA Liquid Cooling Block - Acetal + Electroless Nickel Plated (X2) 117 each http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14867/ex-blc-1044/EK_Radeon_HD_7970_VGA_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Acetal_Electroless_Nickel_Plated_EK-FC7970_-_AcetalEN_Nickel.html
SLI link for GPU: 12$ http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10968/ex-blc-755/EK_FC_Link_R48X058X0697079507970_-_SLI_Connection_EK-FC_Link_R48X058X0.html
CPU block: Heatkiller rev 3.0 1155 ~ 90$ http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14214/ex-blc-977/Heatkiller_Rev_30_11551156_CPU_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Nickel_Black_14014.html?tl=g30c85s139

So, tell me what you think. I am very open to suggestions, and am quite new to liquid cooling. Once again, radiator suggestions would be much appreciated. Feel free to ask me anything.

Note* if you have gotten this far, thanks for taking the time to read this!

What case do you have? For a tri gpu system i would recommend going with either 1 HUGE rad but that would require you to get a case to support that type of rad but that would be one expensive case lol the more realistic solution would be for you to get a fairly large case and then go with either dual 240 or dual 360 rads if you can fit them in your case. (i am in NO WAY a water cooling expert just giving you my own personal advise for the best advise post a thread in the water cooling section you would get WAY more/better advice over there)

Horrerblade said:

What case do you have?

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NZXT Phantom case, Here is a link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146073

One "HUGE" rad isnt going to do it (Im talking like 4x120 still wont). That setup will need multiple rads for sure to cool 3 GPUs and a CPU properly.

But isnt a 480 and 2 240s the same thing?

yes. What Im saying is a total of '480mm' of rad isnt enough be it 4x120 in one or 2 2x120mm rads was my point. Sorry I wasnt clear there.

Moved to water cooling for you. +1 to more radiator. You most likely won't be able to fit enough radiator in that case for the harware you want to cool. I'd recommend moving to a different, larger (much larger) case or dropping something from the loop. You could probably do one CPU and one GPU with 480mm worth of radiator, however you fit it.

Adding two more GPUs, you'll need more radiator. Additionally, you could use just the one MCP35x with one or two radiators, CPU block and GPU block, but if you add two more GPUs plus more radiator, I'd bump up to the dual pump configuration as well.

Horrerblade said:

But isnt a 480 and 2 240s the same thing?

Click to expand...

Not exactly, 120.4 will be less restrictive than 2 120.2's...but pretty much yea.

Despite being moved to the watercooling section, I'd recommend you get this PSU instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151105

I categorized the previously listed case into the wrong spread sheet(I put it in the Super tower section instead of the full sized sheet . No wonder it seemed well priced) This is a more suitable case from my SUPER tower spread sheet.

Danger Den double wide LINK

johan851 said:

Despite being moved to the watercooling section, I'd recommend you get this PSU instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151105

Click to expand...

Is it worth the extra 80 dollars? It is no doubt a much better PSU and would have a longer life, but could I not get by on the PSU I posted? This is a good suggestion and I am going to give it alot of thought. All the parts I listed (Other than the GPU(S)) are just for reference of the type of hardware I am looking for, and can be changed based on suggestions.

This is a fun build for me and I would like to make it as good as possible for around 3000$.

Ok, yea. If that's the case, you have plenty of room. Fill that bad boy up with radiators IMHO; the more the merrier. Get the double-pump / pump top combo you linked (with dual MCP35x pumps). Then go with a 4x120mm & 3x120mm in the chamber behind the motherboard. It looks like you might be able to fit some sort of radiator in the front on the motherboard side too but I can't tell really without seeing it.

The only case I could imagine that would do better is an Acension CYO, which would give you room for 3x 3x120mm rads in the front. You could pick a back panel for the radiator of your choice as well.

Well, it seemed like you had the cash. The Seasonic PSU is at least well-tested.

Here's some discussion on the Cougar: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1612785
Here's a review with some basic info, which isn't very encouraging with regards to keeping output voltages in spec: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cases/display/1200w-psu_6.html
Here's a review of the smaller version (700w) that also indicates issues with output voltages at higher loads: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cougar-CMX-700-W-Power-Supply-Review/1317/9

So information is a bit sparse, but what's out there doesn't look very encouraging. We have a PSU sticky to help you find some recommended models: http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=589708 If you're going to drop $2500+ on components, it makes sense to me to spend that little bit extra on the part responsible for powering the whole thing. This guy looks like a good deal to me: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341045

Is there a particular brand for radiators that you would recommend?

Depends on what you're going for. If you want quiet with superb heat dissipation, I'm a big fan of Thermochill. If you want the absolute most heat dissipation and don't mind some noise (from the stronger fans you'll need), Black Ice GTX. If you want bang-for-your-buck, go with Swiftech; they're not the best but they get the job done within a few degrees of the big dogs and are much cheaper.

Oh, and one more tip. Nothing against FrozenCPU - they have superb customer service and often have parts others don't - but you can do better on price for cooling loop components. For instance, here are your GPU blocks for $14 cheaper. Check out Sidewinder, Jab-tech, Petra's and Performance-PCs as well as Frozen for comparison shopping.

Thank you so much Johan851, you have persuaded me to change my PSU to a higher rated one.

That's a wise choice Hallenhero, and I'd have made the same suggestion if I wasn't focused on the water loop. Thanks for the save johan!

For my build I went with a Mo-Ra 3 Pro 140mm, It's huge, fits 9 140mm fans (so it's quiet as hell) and from everything I've read, it cools wonderfully. I haven't finished my build, but it is going to be similar to yours, except it is using a 3770 with a raystorm block the Asrock Fatality Z77 motherboard, and a pair of Zotac 680 GTX's with EK waterblocks.

I use my rig for folding, but bitcoin mining is an interesting idea as well, and one that might pay...


Also any particular reason you choose that CPU block? The Raystorm has better flowrates than anything else I could find (which is important if you're cooling multiple components) and it did extremely well cooling as well.

http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=1392&page=6

That is one of the reviews which pushed me to it as well.

I spent the extra money for the all copper block (was 99) but they also have a non all copper one for like 60 bucks.

Also the 655 based pump seemed to provide better flow-rates than the 35x (or at least they did when I was shopping).

+1 to the block question. I'd probably lean toward EK Supreme HF, having no experience with the Raystorm. The HK is an older block and has been surpassed for some time now. FWIW.

hokiealumnus said:

+1 to the block question. I'd probably lean toward EK Supreme HF, having no experience with the Raystorm. The HK is an older block and has been surpassed for some time now. FWIW.

Click to expand...

I actually read some direct comparisons between the HK and the Raystorm. Those were actually the two I was considering before I made my choice. The Raystorm consistently did better in head to head comparisons, especially with flow rates. Because I'm using a HUGE single loop radiator with a single pump, flow rate was key for my build, so even if something was like 0.5 degrees better in cooling, the 20% increase in flow rate was too much to walk away from.