Motherboard for Mining: Overview, Features and Feedback

If earlier mining was possible only on central processors, then today they use video cards. It is on the GPU that the profitability of mining is greatly increased, so many users are thinking about buying powerful graphics systems for the production of crypto currency. Thanks to modern powerful video cards, the collection of bitcoins is simple today. But after all, just a powerful video card is not enough, we need a proper motherboard for mining. Ideally, there are boards that allow you to install 4-6 video cards, and the interface must be PCI-E x16 and PCI-EXPRESS x1.

Below we present a small list of popular motherboards for mining from the manufacturer ASRock. It was this company that successfully proved itself and made a name in the community of miners. ASRock can boast of specialized technologies, which are aimed specifically at GPU-mining. Other manufacturers like Asus, MSI and Gigabyte also create similar platforms, which in theory can be used for mining rigs, but their purpose is different. They are not specialized motherboards for mining, and sometimes users face difficulties. Therefore, ideally, ASRock boards should be used.

Features of motherboards under the mining from ASRock

In the model line of this manufacturer, there are many special BTC-boards designed specifically for assembling of mining-rigs based on different processors - from Intel or AMD. There are also boards intended for other purposes, but they are also suitable for mining. However, when choosing such "motherboards", remember that individual PCI-E-slots may not be available due to the location.

The best motherboards for mining should have the following features:

• The possibility of installing cheap dual-core processors (here we do not need powerful and expensive CPUs at all);
• The correct location of the PCI-E;
• The lack of "chips" and technologies designed to improve graphics and performance in games. In the mining, these technologies will be completely unnecessary, and they increase the cost of the motherboard;
• low price.

Specialized BTC-cards from ASRock have special functions, which are extremely useful for mining. For example, they provide power to video cards through the PCI-E slot, they have connectors from the power supply. Also, they do not separate the PCI-E interface with external devices (for example, network and sound cards), so the performance of the mining 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 ensure uninterrupted and stable operation.

Which motherboards for mining are ideal?

When choosing, look first at the name. The board should have a BTC index in its name, which already hints at the fact that it was developed for the crypto currency. Next, you can consider the models from the series PRO and Anniversary.

Unfortunately, the motherboard for 6 graphics cards can only work with Intel processors and connectors 1150 and 1155. So far, there are no boards that could support six video cards and work with connectors for AMD FM2 or a new Intel 1151 connector. However, some manufacturers Offer motherboards for 6 graphics cards, which are capable of working with AMD FM2. But they are very expensive, so for miners do not fit. They are better off spending extra money for the purchase of additional video cards.

The ideal option is a cheap card compatible with a cheap processor, but expensive graphics cards. After all, the efficiency of mining depends on the video card, and not on the CPU.

Board Models

Models of motherboards for 4 cards:

• B150 Combo;
• H170M Pro4S;
• B150M Pro4S;
• H170M Pro4;
• Q170M vPro.

For 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.

Review of motherboards for mining

You can not just go to the store and choose the first board you like. Assembling a farm for obtaining crypto currency requires careful analysis, so it is appropriate to list the best models. In principle, you already know the main criteria that the motherboard should have for mining, so you can choose the melting model yourself. But still the review will be appropriate.

1 st 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 usually exist on other motherboards. For the creation of a farm for bitcoin mining, this model is considered the optimal choice and is popular with many miners.

There are 6 video card slots available. However, there is a drawback: you can install only one video adapter - in the PCE-Express 2.0 slot. Other video cards are connected via extension cords, but today it's not a problem at all.

2nd place: AsRock FM2A58 + BTC

This board allows you to create a farm based on 5 video cards and AMD processor. It is based on AMD A58 chipset, so it is compatible with cheap processors with FM2 socket. There are also 2 full PCI-E x16 interfaces and 3 PCI-E x1 interfaces. For the installation of three video cards you will have to separately buy the risers.

Also in AsRock FM2A58 + BTC there is a 4-pin connector for supplying additional power to video cards, Realtek gigabit LAN card, which provides very high speed of operation in the Network.

3rd place: Asus Z87-PRO

Extremely large mining-base, functioning on the basis of Intel processor from socket LGA 1150. Also it supports cheap processors of the fourth generation. Its feature is the presence of seven slots for video cards: 3 slots PCI Express x16 and 4 slots PCI Express x1.

Features of this board:

• 12-phase power supply system;
• Technology Dual Intelligent Processors 4, aimed at improving system performance, depending on the type of task, including mining;
• Gigabit LAN controller.

All the above motherboards allow creating a mini-farm for mining bitcoins. It will be distinguished by low cost (not counting the cost of video cards) and high efficiency. The choice is yours.

Is mining good today?

Many argue about whether it makes sense to engage in mining, because the cost of electricity is often higher than the profit from this occupation. In part this is true, and the whole reason is in the huge number of mini-farms in the world that perform computational operations. If previously the cost of electricity paid off with interest, then today it is not so, especially in some regions.

Therefore, it is extremely unprofitable to arrange a mining farm with a meter for electricity. But if you do not have a counter or you know how to properly unscrew it, then mining will be more than justified. It remains only to choose the right video card and motherboard.