4 GPU Litecoin Mining Rig Guide

146 Replies

PLEASE NOTE: the guide below was written back when Litecoin mining on GPU’s was profitable. I recommend the AntMiner L3+ Litecoin Miner (ROI in about 100 days, currently) or building an Ethereum mining rig by following my 6 GPU Mining Rig Guide. Happy Mining!

Home-built crypto currency mining rigs are a great way to invest in the new digital currencies, while avoiding some of the risk involved in purchasing the coins outright. This guide will show you how to assemble a fairly easy to build ‘milk crate mining rig’. This rig is capable of mining at over 2,800Kh/s. As of the date this guide was updated (2/20/2014), a 4 GPU Litecoin mining rig like this can generate over $350 USD worth of Litecoins per month or around $500 USD worth of Dogecoin, and will cost you between $2,000-$2,500 to build. If you want to see the live current calculation yourself, click here, for a pre-configured Litecoin calculator or here for a Dogecoin mining calculator. You’ll just have to enter your electricity rate to calculate your net profits. I have built several of these rigs for myself and friends. Build time should be no more than 2 hrs.

Mining Hardware Build List

  • Power Supply – $250 –  1300 watt Gold Rated PSU  –  If you are having a hard time finding these larger power supplies in stock, an alternative is to get  two lower powered 750 watt Gold Rated PSU’s and connect them together with this add2psu adapter to power your rig.
  • Motherboard – $90 –  ASRock MB-970EX4 Socket AM3+/ AMD 970/ AMD (best motherboard for mining at the moment). If it is out of stock, this one or this one are good alternatives.
     
  • Graphics Cards (GPU) –  $350 x 4  AMD Radeon R9 280x – This is one of the best graphics card for alt-currency mining. It is capable of over 750Kh/s per card, bringing your total rig power to 3,000 Kh/s. Stick with the Sapphire, Gigabyte, ASUS or MSI brands and avoid the HIS, Powercolor and XFX brands as they are known to have issues with mining. I would also recommend the AMD 7950 if you can find them for under $300/ea. They get around 700Kh/s and use significantly less power than the 280x when under-volted. There are several other recommended mining cards that will work with this rig guide listed here. Just remember to calculate the power requirements for whichever cards you decide to go with.
  • CPU – $40 – AMD Sempron 145 Processor – We’ve chosen the cheapest option here, since the CPU doesn’t affect mining efficiency.
  • RAM  – $50  –  4 GB Corsair DDR3 RAM
  • 1x to 16x Powered Riser Cables –  $6 x 4  –  PCI Express 1X to 16X Powered Riser Cables – These riser cables allow you to suspend the graphics cards abover the motherboard for better airflow/cooling. We recommend powered riser cables which plug directly into the PSU to reduce the wattage required from the motherboard. The 1x male end of the cable plugs into either the 1x or 16x slot on the motherboard, and the 16x end of the cable is where the graphics card gets plugged in.
  • Hard Drive –  $40  –  Small Solid State Drive
  • Case – $6 – Plastic Milk Crate (you might be able to pick one of these up at an office supply store for less). Alternatively, for a much more aesthetically pleasing build, check out the custom built cases designed and built by Rich Chomiczewski. I’ve personally used his cases and can recommend the excellent build quality and customer service he provides.
  • Extra Cooling  –  $30  –   Box Fan – Best cooling for a mining rig, as it pushes all that hot air away from the rig.
  • Operating System  –  $0-$90  –  Windows 8.1  – If you’re familiar with Linux you can of course download it for free (some folks consider Linux to be the best OS for litecoin mining, since it keeps your overall costs down, improving your litecoin mining ROI). If you want to load the OS from a CD you might want to pick up a $29 external USB powered DVD drive. Many laptops in the ‘thin & light’ category are shipping with no internal optical drive, so it will probably come in handy for other uses as well.
  • Monitor, Mouse and Keyboard – Most people already have this trio somewhere around the house, but I included it since you’ll need it to set up your rig. Once the rig is setup it can run without these as a ‘headless mining rig’.

If you’d like to trade Litecoins or any other Scrypt based currency to Bitcoin, I would recommend the Cryptsy exchange. Also, I personally use and highly recommend CoinBase for buying and selling your Bitcoin for USD here in the US. If you sign up through that link, they’ll give you $5 worth of Bitcoin to get you started as a reward for buying your first coin through them!

Putting it all Together – Assembling your Litecoin Mining Rig

Here’s a quick Youtube Video Assembly Overview followed by step-by-step instructions:

  1. Unpackage everything
  2. Install processor and RAM on motherboard
  3. Plug in all riser cables
  4. Place motherboard in plastic crate
  5. Plug in SATA hard drive
  6. Connect all GPUs to riser cables and fasten them to plastic crate evenly spaced out for maximum heat dissipation
  7. Plug in all power supply connections
  8. Connect mouse, monitor and keyboard and an internet connection (I used a USB WiFi adapter)
  9. Check all connections once more
  10. Fire it up! Install the OS if needed. Install Graphics card drivers. Install mining software. Make sure fans are doing their job. Fire up the mining software, tweak for maximum hasrate and let ‘er run!

Sidenote: If mining isn’t your thing, and you are just interested in purchasing some cryptocurrency as part of your investment portfolio, I personally use and recommend Voyager.  Trade $100 on the platform, and receive $25 of Bitcoin FREE. 

146 thoughts on “4 GPU Litecoin Mining Rig Guide”

  1. Joe

    Hey Josh,

    I currently built the rig you have mentioned above, but my cards won’t go higher than ~460kH/s or ~1.8mH/s. Do you have any tips of guides to get my 7970s up to the 700 mark or even 750?

    Thanks again,

    Reply ↓
    1. admin Post author

      Check out the setting in the Software Guide just published today (link is at the top of the page). That should get you started.

      Reply ↓
  2. neuromancer

    I ordered the parts on your list, but when I got the ASRock motherboard I discovered it has 3 16x slots. I noticed that you only used 2 16x-16x riser cables and 2 1x-16x riser cables. If I go with 3 16x-16x cables and 1 1x-16x cable will that give me better performance or am I missing something? Thanks for this site. I wouldn’t have been able to build my rig without it!

    Reply ↓
    1. admin Post author

      The GPUs don’t need the 16x for mining (only gaming) so 1x vs 16x won’t make a difference for you. However, the third 16x slot can be used to install a 5th card as long as the power requirements for the card are met. For example, a 1250 watt PSU like the one in the guide will support 5x 7950s, however 5x 7970s would overload it. There are additional configurations to the rig that need to be made, which is why I haven’t mentioned it in the guide yet. 🙂 Happy to have helped one more miner along their way. Cheers!

      Reply ↓
  3. hybridkdm

    So you said your using guiminer? Mind telling me your settings? I have almost the same setup you do except the CPU.

    I can only get 647 and 623 kh/s out of my 2 7970’s. I have 2 more on the way and trying to get the most out of them 😀

    Reply ↓
  4. Jay

    Great build thread. I’m using your wise wisdom and experience from this DIY for my first mining rig. However, I do have a few questions regarding the use of PCIE riser cables. The ASRock mobo you’ve recommended has (3) PCIE 2.0 slots and (2) 1x slots….. . . so why not use (3) 16x to 16x and (1) 1x to 16x riser cable to hook up four cards instead? Wouldn’t this sound like the better approach since 16x slots can provide more voltage to each card compared to 1x cables?

    To my understanding, 16x slots are capable of supplying enough power to it’s respective card.. so it’s not really necessary to use a powered 16x to 16x cable (the one with the molex pigtail on it). However, on multi-card setups (and/or if you run out of 16x slots), some say it’s recommended to use powered 1x to 16x risers since 1x slots are undervolted and wouldn’t be able to supply the amount of draw the GPU needs. Without a powered 1x riser, wouldn’t that cause system instability? What do you think Josh?

    Reply ↓
    1. admin Post author

      Hi Jay! I’ve replaced the PCI-e riser links with links to powered risers. They are optimum to keep your motherboard from having to carry all that extra voltage to the cards. I’ve used non-powered and they work, but why make it the ‘weak link’ in the rig? Spending a little extra on the riser cables is worth it, especially if it means keeping your motherboard from getting fried. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  5. Cisco

    Thank you Josh, I appreciate you taking time to reply. I totally understand where you are coming from. Cheers bro!

    Reply ↓
    1. admin Post author

      Hi Cisco, I honestly didn’t expect the massive response to my humble little coin mining website. I’m blown away! My time is mostly taken up by day job, side business and family responsibilities, so not much time for the website. However, I do plan to post more detailed software configurations, screenshots and photos soon. You should be able to get 700+ from your 7970s with the right configuration. For now, I’d recommend looking here for guidance: https://github.com/litecoin-project/litecoin/wiki/Mining-hardware-comparison. 7970s tend to run a little hot, so the key to high hashrates is good spacing/cooling and proper software configuration. It’s a toss-up between the 7970 and 7950. If you plan to build multiple rigs, I’d recommend the 7950s. They don’t have the high density hashing power that 7970s do, but the lower power requirements, heat build up and initial cost make them a good deal for someone who wants to get serious and build multiple rigs. I have one of each and I’m happy. It’s a hobby for me, not a business, really. I love building things and the fact that the things I build can make a little side money is just a bonus for me. 🙂 Cheers! – Josh

      Reply ↓
  7. Derek Leong

    Hiya,

    Ive just bought my first mining rig and am gonna try and see how things goes.
    Started with a seasonic 1250w, 2x sapphire 7970 oc. Only worry I have is power if and when I get my hands on the 1x to 16x extension cables and add in 2 more 7970s.

    Does the powered riser help a lot?

    Reply ↓
    1. admin Post author

      A powered riser takes the power load off the motherboard (normally, some power comes from the board and some from the PSU). Using a powered riser, almost all power is run directly from the PSU to the graphics card.

      Reply ↓
  8. neuromancer

    How do you mount the components to the sides of the milk crate? Do you use zip ties? Or do you use screws in drilled holes? I’m assuming if you do, they would have to be the screws that get narrow at the tip so that they would grip better into the plastic holes. Do you need metal extender bars to reach all the way across the milk crate to mount on both sides of the crate?

    Reply ↓
  9. Mark

    Thanks for the reply, seems like undervolt and oc is the way to go, for noise levels, cost and spend, could you post what you have the settings at on the system build you listed?

    Still have no idea about the 7970oc Vs the 7970vapor-x and the 2x8pin thing, oc version is quite hard to get my paws on in the UK, worth holding out for it?

    Cheers

    Reply ↓
  10. cisco

    What settings are you using for your Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 ?

    I have been reading all over that they are a pain to get a decent hash-rate with, maybe you can do a tutorial on how to get the best hash-rate power draw from them? Also, I am in Hong Kong, do you know where I can get RELIABLE riser cables? I honestly do not trust anything non branded and from China, especially with $2200 worth or hardware…

    Thanks bro!

    Reply ↓
    1. admin Post author

      As I mentioned in a previous comment reply, riser cables are REALLY hard to find. 🙁 I hope to find a good source (other than the one currently linked) and link to it. For now, I’d suggest asking around on the bitcoin and litecoin forums. If you find a good source, be sure to comment here. Thanks!

      Reply ↓
      2. Jonathan

        I purchased powered risers (both 1x, 16x) from Amazon and they were eligible for free Prime shipping. I paid ~$12 each.

        Reply ↓
        1. admin Post author

          Awesome! Ya, they are often available on eBay or Amazon, though it seems most vendors run out pretty quickly (they just batch order them from China and re-sell with markup for US market).

          Reply ↓
  11. neuromancer

    I was only able to get one 1x to 16x unpowered and one 16x to 16 x powered riser cable because that’s all they had in stock. How bad would it be for me to plug 2 of the cards into the AS Rock motherboard? Also why did you recommend an unpowered 1x to 16x and a powered 16x to 16x cable? Should I get all powered? I have been having trouble finding powered 16x to 16x in stock.

    Reply ↓
    1. admin Post author

      I recommended 2x powered and 2x non-powered to save overall build costs. Running 2x cards non-powered = no issue. Running 4x cards non-powered = pushing power limits of the motherboard and risks burning out the motherboard prematurely. putting 2 cards on the board and 2 on risers shouldn’t be an issue as long as their is plenty of space between the cards for your box fan to push air through and keep those hot little processors from overheating.

      Reply ↓
  12. Mark

    My last comment seemed to have disappeared, so re-posting

    Have you had any issue with 4 7970s on a 1250 PSU? on paper it seems that it would be over limit even before OC’ing cards

    Also i am trying to choose between..
    3GB Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 OC, 5700MHz GDDR5, 950MHz, 2048 Cores, HDMI/ 2x mini DP
    and
    3GB Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 Vapor-X GHZ Edition, 6000MHz GDDR5, 28nm, 1000MHz, 2048 Cores,DP/DVI-I/HDMI
    Which would you reccomend?
    Also the Vapor-X version has 2x8pin instead of 1×8 1×6, would this be an issue?

    Thanks.
    Mark.

    Reply ↓
    1. Tommy

      I have 4 7970’s running on a 1300W PSU. High end mobo, too. I can overclock, but my cards won’t stay stable due to heat.

      I don’t think you’ll have a problem with 1250W at all.

      Reply ↓
  13. dnyce

    One more question… You mentioned the Sapphire 7950. How do you feel that those compare to the MSI 7950s? I’m having a hard time finding hard evidence one way or another and I want to go out feeling like I’ve made the best bang for my buck purchase. 😉

    Reply ↓
  14. Mark

    Hi, i am looking to build a 4×7970 rig, although i am a little concerned that the PSU being 1250w with 4 overclocked cards which i am considering either..
    3GB Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 OC, 5700MHz GDDR5, 950MHz, 2048 Cores, HDMI/ 2x mini DP
    or
    3GB Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 Vapor-X GHZ Edition, 6000MHz GDDR5, 28nm, 1000MHz, 2048 Cores,DP/DVI-I/HDMI
    (also which would you reccomend?)
    Looks like on paper that it would exceed the 1250w supply even before any core tweaks alone, without MB or HDD?
    Have you had any problems with the psu?

    Thanks,
    Mark

    Reply ↓
    1. Mark

      Edit

      Also still not sure which would be better after hours of trawling, however the vapor-x version seems to have 2x8pin connectors instead of an 8 and a 6, would this be an issue?

      Thanks

      Reply ↓
    2. admin Post author

      Hi Mark, most folks undervolt their gpu’s as well as overclocking them, which reduces the power (lower power = lower running costs) needed by the card. Just to be on the safe side, you could always get a 1600 Watt Gold Rated PSU like this one.

      Reply ↓
  15. dnyce

    Great write up for a noob like me! 😉

    Question:
    I need a rig that isn’t an eye sore, and still cools down efficiently. What are your thoughts on the HAF XB case, using only 2 7950s?

    Also, what CPU cooler do you use in this setup? I don’t see that listed up above.

    Thanks!

    Reply ↓
    1. admin Post author

      See my previous reply about the case. And regarding the CPU cooler, the AMD CPU’s come with radiator/fan assembly, so no need to purchase anything additional.

      Reply ↓
      1. dnyce

        Thanks and sorry for the double post. I thought that my first post did not make it through.

        As for the cooler, so you don’t think it’s necessary to add additional cooling to the processor? I’ve heard that the stock cooler can be noisey in a setup like this?

        Reply ↓
        1. admin Post author

          The CPU fan doesn’t make much noise, but if noise is a concern for you, you might want to look into water-cooling for your graphics cards. Several of the overclocking forums have some great guides. The fans can get quite noisy when under load for litecoin mining or while playing a game with high graphics requirements.

          Reply ↓

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