It has been a couple of days since my first GPU mining rig is set up and running, making me a couple of extra dollars every day. In these past couple of days, I have learned a lot, mostly tech stuff how to install different components on a motherboard and to connect to the mining pool.
In today's article, I will share a few photos and notes what helped to get me here.
It all started with ordering details for 12 GPU mining rig from Amazon. It sounds bit insane but I spent about $1,000 just for the core minimum + about $200 additionally for getting these goodies to Tbilisi (transport and cost). As the estimate shipping time for all details from US to Georgia is about 3 weeks (I've received almost all components, except a few) and I had FOMO for crypto mining, I rushed and bought a cheap Radeon graphics card here in Tbilisi to set up and test on one of the free office computers.
Brand new Radeon RX 560 graphics card
The cat seemed very interested in this business. Once I took this card to the computer, I learned the first couple of lessons:
- I don't have a screwdriver to open the case
- Turns out video cards needs an additional power supply, which persisting power block didn't offer out of the box, and I had to use Molex cables to fix this.
The screwdriver was an easy fix - I borrowed one from local Tbilisi restaurant owner - A nice Armenian guy. Molex cables were kind of problem - I spend a good time of afternoon and just in the next days morning find them at Kidobani market in Tbilisi. Bought two of them.
Molex 6-pin connector
I watched a dozen of YouTube videos on how to install them correctly.
Installing graphics card in PC
As I did a lot of testing, I accidentally damaged existing HDD, probably because of static electricity, who knows. At this stage, HDD is still working though and Windows 10 operating system is running smoothly.
Radeon graphic card drivers for Windows
For some reason I tried to install Radeon graphics card drivers for Windows (PC just refused to recognize this new card installed), then I figured out that I should connect the monitor directly to the graphics card and turned out I cannot do it - as the monitor had an older DVI cable. Spent another good time watching YouTube videos to learn I should buy some DVI - VGA converter.
It was time to go back to the Kidobani market.
Again, bought a couple of versions of these adapters, just to be sure
DVI to VGA converter
Now it was time to set it up
Monitor connected to graphics card
Almost there, and then it happened HDD died.
I felt poor. Went home - returned to YouTube video's and learned there is Simple Mining OS which could be run from a USB stick.Spend another couple of hours making a bootable USB stick, returned to the office, plugged in the USB stick, configured boot to launch from USB and... VICTORY. I was connected to mining pools and started mining Ethereum and Siacoin. See: I'm Making $0.98 Per Day By Mining Ethereum and Siacoin, and I want MORE!