If earlier mining was possible only on central processors, today they use video cards. It is on the GPU that mining profitability is greatly increasing, so many users are thinking about buying powerful graphic systems for cryptocurrency mining. Thanks to modern powerful graphics cards, collecting bitcoins is simple today. But just a powerful video card is not enough, you still need the right motherboard for mining. Ideally, boards that allow you to install 4-6 graphics cards are suitable, and the interface should be PCI-E x16 and PCI-EXPRESS x1.
Below we provide a small list of popular mining motherboards from the manufacturer ASRock. It was this company that has successfully established itself and made a name in the community of miners. ASRock boasts specialized technologies that are aimed specifically at GPU mining. Other manufacturers such as Asus, MSI and Gigabyte also create similar platforms that, in theory, can be used for mining rigs, but their purpose is different. They are not specialized mining motherboards, and sometimes users encounter difficulties. Therefore, ideally, ASRock boards should be used.
Features of motherboards for mining from ASRock
In the model line of this manufacturer there are many special BTC-boards designed specifically for the assembly of mining rigs based on different processors - from Intel or AMD. There are also boards designed for other purposes, but quite suitable for mining. However, when choosing such "motherboards" it should be remembered that individual PCI-E slots may not be available due to the location.
The best mining motherboards should have the following features:
- the ability to install cheap dual-core processors (we do not need powerful and expensive central processors here);
- the correct location of PCI-E;
- lack of "chips" and technologies designed to improve graphics and performance in games. In mining, these technologies will be completely unnecessary, and they increase the cost of the motherboard;
- low price.
Specialized BTC-boards from ASRock have special functions that are extremely useful for mining. For example, they provide power to video cards through the PCI-E slot, and have connectors from the power supply. Also, they do not share the PCI-E interface with external devices (for example, network and sound cards), so mining performance is increased. Such boards with their basic functionality and the absence of various bells and whistles can be operated at high loads and temperatures, and at the same time they provide uninterrupted and stable operation.
Which mining motherboards are perfect?
When choosing, look first of all at the name. The board should have a BTC index in its name, which already hints that it was developed for cryptocurrency mining. Next, you can consider models from the PRO and Anniversary series.
Unfortunately, a motherboard for mining with 6 video cards can only work with Intel processors and 1150 and 1155 connectors. So far there are no boards that could support six video cards and work with AMD FM2 connectors or the new Intel 1151 socket. However, some manufacturers offer motherboards for mining on 6 video cards that are able to work with AMD FM2. But they are very expensive, so they will not work for miners. They are better off spending the extra money to purchase additional video cards.
The ideal option is a cheap motherboard compatible with a cheap processor, but expensive graphics cards. After all, the effectiveness of mining depends on the video card, and not on the central processor.
Board Models
Models of motherboards for 4 cards:
- B150 Combo;
- H170M Pro4S;
- B150M Pro4S;
- H170M Pro4;
- Q170M vPro.
On 5 cards:
- B150 Pro43.1;
- H170 Pro4D3;
- B150A-X1;
- H170 Pro4S;
- B150 Pro4D3.
On 6 video cards:
- H97 Anniversary;
- H81 Pro-G;
- B85 Anniversary;
- H81 Pro BTC.
Overview of mining motherboards
You can’t just come to the store and choose the first board you like. Assembling a farm to obtain cryptocurrency requires careful analysis, so it is appropriate to list the best models. In principle, you already know the basic criteria that a mining motherboard should have, therefore, you yourself can choose a melting model. But anyway, the review will be appropriate.
1st place: AsRock H81 PRO BTC R2.0
This "motherboard" was developed specifically for mining. It is inexpensive, because there are no unnecessary technologies and functions that are usually found on other motherboards. For creating a farm for mining bitcoins, this model is considered the best choice and is popular with many miners.
There are 6 slots for video cards available. However, there is a drawback: you can fully install only one video adapter - in the PCE-Express 2.0 slot. Other video cards are connected via extension cords, but today this is not a problem at all.
2nd place: AsRock FM2A58 + BTC
This board allows you to create a farm based on 5 graphics cards and an AMD processor. It is based on the AMD A58 chipset, therefore it is compatible with cheap processors with an FM2 socket. There are also 2 full-fledged PCI-E x16 interfaces and 3 PCI-E x1 interfaces. To install three video cards, you will have to buy risers separately.
Also, the AsRock FM2A58 + BTC provides a 4-pin connector for supplying additional power to video cards, a Realtek gigabit LAN card, which provides a very high network speed.
3rd place: Asus Z87-PRO
An extremely large mining base based on Intel processor from the LGA 1150 socket. It also supports cheap fourth-generation processors. Its feature is the presence of seven slots for video cards: 3 PCI Express x16 slots and 4 PCI Express x1 slots.
Features of this board:
- 12-phase power system;
- Dual Intelligent Processors 4 technology, aimed at improving system performance depending on the type of task, including mining;
- Gigabit LAN controller.
All the motherboards proposed above allow you to create a mini-farm for mining bitcoins. It will be distinguished by low cost (not including the cost of video cards) and high efficiency. The choice is yours.
Is mining profitable today?
Many argue about whether it makes sense to mine, because the cost of electricity is often higher than the profit from this lesson. This is partly true, and the whole reason is the huge number of mini-farms in the world that perform computational operations. If earlier the cost of electricity paid off with interest, then today it is not, especially in some regions.
Therefore, it is extremely unprofitable to establish a mining farm with an electricity meter. But if you do not have a counter or you know how to rewind it correctly, then mining will be more than justified. It remains only to choose the right graphics card and motherboard.