mining rig frame recommendation (and other bits)

[cryptonomy]

To those of you who have used mining rig frames... what do y'all expect in terms of best quality and features of mining frames, these days? Can you point me to one?
I am looking to buy a modest sized frame for 5-9 GPUs

I was searching for one on Amazon; saw some low quality ones.
Then I saw this Funplaysmart model that looks like a quality piece: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KKRD98C
Does anybody know if Veddha is associated with or possibly the same company as Funplaysmart? I did not like some of the reviews I read about Veddha.

I have a question about power on the open frame mining rig config. What mechanism is used to turn on the power of the motherboard in a mining frame rig? Can somebody educate me about that detail? Like... Is the circuit on the header permanently shorted to ground so that the state of the power switch on the power supply determines if the motherboard is on or not?

If you know of a model and also a quality retailer with mining rig parts. I'd be grateful to get a pointer. I need PCI risers and other bits.

Thanks!

 

[sepheronx]

I got two of something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Mining-Rig-Frame-Accessories-Tools%EF%BC%8C%EF%BC%88Fans/dp/B09G6ZWJJX/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1FIE8ZX1LA40W&keywords=mining+rigs&qid=1646045120&sprefix=mining+rig%2Caps%2C248&sr=8-3

They are OK. You need to remember that even with the fans blowing the hot air away from the cards, and even if you have a powerful fan blow directly at the cards (like I do) the temps will still suck. Because the cards run hot and the card close to each other will be using hot air blowing onto the components.

I myself have now switched to using strong zip ties and hang the GPU's on my metal rack. So far so good (knock on wood) and I found the temps were better. As well, much easier to assemble and disassemble simply because now the risers are easily accessible and easy to swap out if there is an issue. Or visually see if there is an issue.

Theses taller cases are fine and dandy, but expensive.

And in both cases, you may have to buy longer USB-A 3.0 cables to reach the risers.

 

[cryptonomy]

sepheronx! Thanks for that link! It looks like a good implementation. And the positive experiences of others is appealing.

I see what you are saying about the heat. Maybe I'd need to have a larger fan delivering forced new air to the 120mmn fans. (depending on ambient temp)

Generally, I have no experience with this PCI riser stuff. So I would have not been prepared for needing a longer USB-A 3.0 cables. Thx for that.

My goal is to consolidate three of every component into one MB, one RAM, 3 GPU, and one or two power supplies.
Currently things are running in individual enclosures with the panels removed.

 

[sepheronx]

I'm right now working on a 12 card rig as I got one of those Chinese motherboards with 12 USB 3.0 ports on the board as pcie.

So far it's working. Migrating other cards I have to it to fill up its use.

 

[cryptonomy]

Hey!

That sounds like progress! cool!

Can you share a link to your new MB? Yesterday I bought a TZ590-BTC DUO. It was the only one I could find in a local store.
I'm also hoping the link you provide introduces me to more sources of product. I have not opened it so could choose another.

From what I understand, GPU like 3080 were introduced at a time when the only PCI spec was ver 3. I noticed that my "new" MB supports 8 x PCIe 3.0 slots. Is that somewhat expected? I guess there is no upside to using PCI v4?

 

[sepheronx]

50.67US $ 26% OFF|B250c Btc Mining Motherboard+sata Cable 12xpcie To Usb3.0 Graphics Card Slot Lga1151 Ddr4 Msata Eth Miner Motherboard - Motherboards - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

 

[cryptonomy]

Thx for that!!
OMG that's such a good price. And I have several LGA 1151 CPUs doing absolutely nothing.

It's cool that other vendors are offering a "random" LGA 1151 CPU, too. Like the equivalent of a 2 core Pentium.

What was your delivery time after it was ordered? I see an April 03. For me.

Depending on time frame, Ima gonna return this super expensive TZ590 and the LGA1200 I that I bought to use it.

I might be able to get by until April. Need to do some testing on an old motherboard first.

 

[sepheronx]

I ordered one that was a whole kit (cpu, cooler, SSD, 4gb ram) for like $260 cad which is half the price if I try to get anything else.

Took 2 weeks to arrive to Canada.