Build a GPU Mining Rig: Part 1 · Part 2 · Part 3 When we built our first mining rigs we bounced around from site-to-site trying to get everything right. Between the hardware, the software and selecting a mining pool it took a bit more time than we thought it should. So, we’ve created this step-by-step guide with the hopes of simplifying your 6 GPU mining rig build, whether it’s your first build or not. The tutorial below can take anyone from hopeful cryptocurrency miner to successful mining rig builder and miner. If you’re a seasoned mining rig builder feel free to skip directly to the mining rig hardware shopping list for the build. This is a multi-part series. In this, part 1, we’ll introduce what we will be building and identify the hardware we need for the build.
This is what the GPU mining rig will look like when it is just about complete.
About the GPU cryptocurrency mining rig
For beginner’s we advocate that your first mining rig build is an Nvidia-based GPU miner that runs the Windows 10 operating system. Of course, you can use this guide and substitute AMD graphics cards and/or a different operating system. If you’re new to mining with video cards the essential difference is the chips at the core of the two video card platforms. They are both good technologies. Each excels at mining different cryptocurrency algorithms, however. Finally, AMD cards require some non-beginner tinkering to get them to perform at speed. Thus, we’re going with the highly flexible Nvidia GTX 1070 video card to do our heavy lifting.
A cryptocurrency mining rig build for beginners and beyond
The goal of this guide is to take you from zero to building a 6 GPU rig in as little time as possible in a clear, concise manner. The assumption of this guide is that you are new to cryptocurrency GPU mining and have little experience with building computers on your own. If you’re not a beginner, don’t get frustrated. In this guide we’re going to take it slow. If you find a topic that you understand, just move on to the next section or step.
What you’ll need to complete the GPU mining rig build
If anything below sounds foreign, don’t worry. We will cover each item step-by-step. There is a decent learning curve to becoming a cryptocurrency miner, but once you’ve completed your first mining rig the satisfaction of watching it work for you is phenomenal! We will go over each item step-by-step. What you’ll need is a handful of computer components and an operating system for the mining rig, mining software and a wallet to deposit your riches. And, of course, you’re going to need some time and a bit of patience.If everything goes perfectly, you could get through it in three or four hours. Plan on investing several hours over a weekend getting your first build up and running. We promise that once you’re mining you’ll have a great sense of accomplishment. But, before we get started, a bit about the mining rig itself.
Cryptocurrencies the GPU miner will mine
There are many algorithms that NVIDA GPUs excel at mining. Those include Ethash, CryptoNightGPU, Cuckaroo29s, Lyra2REv3, MTP, X16RT, X25X and Zhash. Those aren’t all the algorithms this GPU Mining Rig will be able to mine, it’s just a few associated with the most profitable cryptocurrencies you can mine today. For each cryptocurrency algorithm there are many individual cryptocurrencies. For example, Ethereum’s underlying algorithm is called Ethash. Ethash, which can be mined using the GPU miner we’re building, can mine not only Ethereum, but any of the cryptocurrencies using Ethash, such as Ethreum Classic (ETC). The nice thing about this build is that yes, it’s an Ethereum mining rig. But, it’s much more than that. When your miner is built, you will be able to set it to work mining many cryptocurrencies including, but not limited to, the ones listed below.
Some cryptocurrencies you’ll be able to mine
Sinovate (SIN)X25X
| Cryptocurrency | Algorithm |
|---|---|
| Aion (AION) | Equihash (10,9) |
| BitcoinZ (BTCZ) | Zhash |
| Bitcoin Gold (BTG) | Equihash |
| Beam (BEAM) | BeamHashII |
| Beam II Nicehash | BeamHashII |
| Conflux (CFX) | Octopus |
| Ethash Nicehash | Ethash |
| Ethereum (ETH) | Ethash |
| Ethereum Classic (ETC) | Ethash |
| SnowGem (XSG) | Zhash |
| Swap (XWP) | Cuckaroo29s |
| Ubiq (UBQ) | Ubqhash |
| Veil (VEIL) | X16RT |
| Zcoin (XZC) | MTP |
| Zel (ZEL) | ZelHash |
The coins listed above are just a few that this rig will be able to mine. Following this guide, we’ll provide details on how to mine each one.
Buy the cryptocurrency mining rig hardware
The first order of business is to purchase all the hardware to build the mining rig. The parts list below is an exact list that we have used in one of our many mining rig builds. Let’s get started.
6 GPU mining rig parts list
First off, good luck finding the GTX 1070 GPUs. With the dramatic rise in value of cryptocurrencies, GPU mining has become very popular making the video cards incredibly hard to find. We are recommending video card we commonly use in our 6 GPU builds, but any GTX 1070s will work.
- (1x) 6 GPU+ Capable Motherboard *
- ASUS Prime Z370-A Motherboard
- ASUS Prime Z390-A Motherboard **
- When those are tough to come-by…
- ASUS Prime Z370-E
- (1x) Intel 8th or Generation 1151 Socket CPU (you can use a different one, be sure it comes with a fan and has onboard video)
- (6x) GTX 1070 GPUs – any 1070s will do (you don’t need all six to start, you need at least one). A few options we have used that work great include:
- (1x) 4GB DDR4 Memory (2133 or Greater, 288-pin Desktop RAM)
- (1x) 1200W Platinum-rated PSU (any 1200W Platinum-rated PSU)
- (1x) Powered Mining GPU Riser Cards 6 Pack
- (1x) 240GB+ 3.5″ SATA SSD (any 240GB or larger SATA SSD)
- (1x) USB WiFi Adapter or Ethernet Cable
- (1x) Simple 6 GPU Mining Rig Frame (or just buy a cheap Home Depot wire rack like the one we use).
- (1x) USB Flash Drive (any USB Flash Drive that is 5 GB or larger)
- (1x) 20+ Nylon Cable Ties (also called Zip Ties)
- (3x) PCI-e Y-Splitter – ** may need if not using the Corsair power supply above.
* Each of the motherboards listed work for this build, reliably boot, recognize 6 GPUs and can expand up to 8 GPUs. There are currently some BIOS variants on both the Z390-A and Z390-P which are limiting connecting more than 4 GPUs to the motherboard. We are just learning about these issues and understand that it is a firmware issue. We will update our guide as soon as we have preferred BIOS firmware versions identified. If you are up and running and want to share the BIOS firmware you’re running, we’d love you to let us know as we’re getting conflicting information.
** If you purchase a Z390-P motherboard do note that it does not have an onboard power button like the Z390-A. So, you’ll need to pick-up an inexpensive power switch (a 2-PIN Switch) and connect it to the power on/off switch pins per the manual. They not just inexpensive, they’re also cheap, so you may want to get a 2-pack or more. Also be sure to read the above note about some experiencing a 4 GPU limit on the -P board.
*** The Corsair 1200W power supply recommended comes with cables to support 6 GPUs. If using a different power supply you will need to determine if the cables that it ships with will power all of the graphics cards. Also, certain 1070 Ti cards have an 8-pin plus an additional 6-pin power connection which means you will need at least 3 of these splitters if not more for cards with that power requirement..
You’ll need each item listed above to complete this build with the exception of he WiFi USB adapter which is optional. If you’re going to place the miner close to a router or your home Internet connection get the CAT cable instead. WiFi adapters are cheap though and you might find yourself wanting to move the mining rig due to ambient noise and/or the heat it generates. If an item we have listed is no longer available please let us know so we can refresh the list. We can also offer substitutions if you need a hand. Just contact us, we’re happy to help. Now that you’ve ordered everything you’ve got a bit of waiting time. But, there’s still things we can do even while we’re waiting.
Don’t buy these! Items you’ll want to borrow from another computer
There are a couple of other items that you’ll need to configure the mining rig once it is built. Hopefully you have those around the house or the office already. Those items are a keyboard, mouse and monitor. You won’t need it until after we assemble the mining rig. We are mentioning it now so you can plan ahead. Since we’ll have our hands full debugging other things, we highly recommend going as low tech as possible on these items. To that end, we recommend you use USB 1 or 2 mouse and keyboard. Once the mining rig is up and mining we’ll disconnect these items and monitor and manage the rig remotely.
We did eventually end up purchasing a small, inexpensive and very portable, 10″ monitor that could do 1280×800 resolution. We now use that to connect to a rig when we’re debugging an issue. It’s far easier than dragging out our 26″ monitor!
What’s next? Part 2: Assembling the mining rig
If you’ve made it to this point in the guide, you’re probably waiting for the mining rig’s components to arrive from Amazon or another retailer. If your hardware arrived or if you bought it locally, you’re ready to move on to building your mining rig in Part 2 of this guide.
Last updated February 18, 2021
