TOP-8 motherboards for mining cryptocurrencies on GPU-farms (video cards)

When assembling a mining farm, you must select the appropriate motherboard to support the specified number of video cards. In this article we will talk about the best motherboards that can be used for mining using several video cards.

Over the years, many manufacturers have developed their own solutions for mining cryptocurrency , offering a choice of several options for graphics processors – from six to twenty. Some solutions are based on Intel processors for the LGA1151 socket, others on the newer AMD Ryzen, that is, with an AM4 socket.

There are also several fully integrated solutions on the market that are already equipped with a processor (soldered and cannot be replaced), as well as other options that include a RAM and an SSD disk.

Another important factor is the availability of standard PCIe slots (X16) for direct connection of the video card to the motherboard, or X1 slots for use via adapters, or even USB 3.0 ports for direct connection to adapters.

Finally, depending on the port connecting the video card to different motherboards, there are various power connectors needed to power the video cards.

ASUS B250 Mining Expert: up to 19 graphics processors at an affordable price

Specifications

ASUS B250 Mining Expert was one of the first motherboards released by ASUS and designed exclusively for mining. It is equipped with a LGA1151 socket for Intel processors of the sixth and seventh generations, this board can support up to 19 video cards using 18 PCIe x1 slots and one PCIe x16 slot.

Power is provided by three 24-pin connectors, equipped with three additional 4-pin Molex connectors. Of course, to connect video cards you need to purchase additional adapters, taking into account the density of slots and format.

And all this at a fairly low price of $ 70-80.

pros

• Supports up to 19 GPUs;
• Low price;
• Three 24-pin power connectors.

Minuses

• 4-pin auxiliary connectors Molex;
• Supports only the sixth and seventh generation of Intel processors;
• Adapters are required.

Specifications

Asrock offers an H110 Pro BTC + motherboard designed exclusively for mining. Equipped with LGA1151 connectors for Intel processors of the sixth and seventh generations, this board can support up to 13 video cards using 12 PCIe x1 slots and one PCIe x16 slot. Obviously, to install all the cards you need to buy adapters.

The front panel has a 24-pin connector, equipped with two additional 4-pin Molex connectors. Despite the number of slots, the format is the same as that of the classic ATX card. Its price is quite low and is about $ 70.

pros

• Supports up to 13 GPUs.

Minuses

• 4-pin auxiliary connectors Molex;
• Supports only the sixth and seventh generation of Intel processors;
• Adapters are required.

ASUS H370 Mining Master: USB 3.0 ports for installing 20 graphics processors

Specifications

H370 Mining Master is a motherboard for miners who want to build a mining farm. It can support up to 20 graphics processors. The H370 Mining Master is a worthy successor to the B250 Mining Expert motherboard.

The ability to connect such a large number of GPUs was made possible by the emergence of USB ports instead of the classic PCIe x1. This eliminates the need to purchase PCIe x1 to USB 3.0 converters, since they are already integrated into the motherboard.

Another important novelty is the chipset, not the old B250, designed for the sixth and seventh generation of Intel Core processors, but the H370, which is required to install new Intel Core processors Coffee Lake of the eighth and ninth generation.

The H370 Mining Master also includes a number of diagnostic functions designed to simplify platform management. But on the other hand? High price – from $ 160 to $ 190, and rare availability in stores.

pros

• Supports up to 20 GPUs;
• USB 3.0 ports for connecting graphics processors;
• The power and reset buttons are located on the board itself;
• Three 24-pin power connectors.

Minuses

• High price and inaccessibility for purchase.

ASRock X370 Pro BTC +: for those who use AMD Ryzen as a processor

Specifications

This is a motherboard for mining, which supports eight integrated graphics processors, but most importantly, AMD Ryzen processors.

ASRock X370 Pro BTC + is equipped with the old Ryzen chipset for AMD, X370 processors. The fact that it is not one of the newest is not a problem, because after updating the BIOS on the AMD AM4 platform, you can install both the first and second generation of Ryzen processors, as well as their future releases.

So the socket of this motherboard is AM4. In the list of processors, in addition to the first and second generation Ryzen, there are also the old Bristol Ridge APUs, although the miners will almost certainly be interested in the Ryzen dual-core Athlon 200GE processor, available for about € 35. In fact, it is useful to use this solution for using eight-core AMD Ryzen for mining on CryptoNight Lite, given the good performance with acceptable power consumption.

The card has eight PCIe 3.0 slots. Next to them there are 7 USB 3.0 ports connected to PCIe x1 slots for direct connection to video cards. Of course, the number of PCIe ports that can be used depends on the installed processor. You can install 12-13 video cards in total.

The price is about $ 160, it is represented exclusively in Asian stores, where it is very difficult to find.

pros

• 8 PCIe slots in X16 format;
• 6 USB 3.0 ports for additional PCIe slots;
• Socket AM4;
• 3 x 24 pin power connector.

Minuses

• Molex power supply connectors;
• Non-standard format;
• Hard to acquire;
• Single channel RAM.

Gigabyte H110-D3A Express: for those who have 6 graphics processors and a limited budget

Specifications

Gigabyte offers a super low-cost solution for those who have only six video cards to build and who want to spend as little as possible on building a mining farm. Gigabyte H110-D3A Express is a motherboard equipped with LGA1151 connectors for Intel processors of the sixth and seventh generations with the H110 chipset.

Considering the really low cost – about $ 50-60, its functions are minimal, but at the same time it has everything you need to set up a mining farm with 6 video cards.

It has a classic x16 PCIe slot and five x1 PCIe slots. Obviously, to use all connectors, you must use adapters. Unfortunately, for an auxiliary power supply, you must rely on the classic Molex with 4 additional electrical connectors. However, a compromise on the price is quite acceptable.

pros

• Affordable price;

Minuses

• 4-pin Molex connectors;
• Adapters are required.

Biostar TB350-BTC: for Ryzen and 6 low-cost graphics processors

Specifications

Biostar offers several solutions, including Biostar TB350-BTC, designed for those who want to install up to 6 video cards on a single mining farm with an AMD Ryzen processor. This is perhaps the only alternative to the Asrock model, even though the format and functions in this case are different. It is also obvious that its cost is much lower.

In fact, on this board, besides the AM4 socket and the B350 chipset, there is also a classic PCIe x16 slot and five PCIe x1 slots. Adapters must be used to access all connectors. In this case, you can also use two classic Molex models with an additional 4 connectors for an auxiliary power source. The price can be said to be moderate – just over $ 90.

pros

• Supports AMD Ryzen processors;

Minuses

• 4-pin Molex connectors;
• Adapters are required.

TC IC6S: for 8 GPUs with integrated CPU

Specifications

One of the most exotic and complete solutions is a specially manufactured BTC IC6S board made by Chinese OEM. The motherboard offers eight x16 PCIe slots that do not require the use of additional adapters for connecting video cards.

Another important feature is the presence of an integrated processor (BGA), including a radiator. The Intel Celeron 3855U Skylake dual-core processor is a budget solution.

In order for this configuration to be complete, it is enough to add a bank of RAM SO-DIMM and an SSD disk, or a flash card.

It is important to note that the auxiliary power for PCIe connectors is provided by the PCI-E power supply connectors, which are much safer and more practical than the Molex connectors. The price is also worthy, it is $ 230, although it still needs to add shipping costs and any customs duties.

pros

• Built-in processor and radiator;
• 8 full PCIe slots;
• PCI-E connectors for power;
• Acceptable price.

Minuses

• Delivery from China;
• A small number of ports.

RebTech Blockchain motherboard: a compact and comprehensive all-in-one solution

Specifications

The RebTech Blockchain motherboard is also a complete solution. This is a layout that deserves special attention. This is a complete compact motherboard that supports up to eight graphics processors for mining.

This solution, in addition to the design parameters typical for a video card, comes complete with a processor, RAM, memory on the SSD-drive and everything needed to create a mining farm.

Instead of eight classic PCI-E x1 slots, it directly integrates eight USB 3.0 ports for connecting to video cards. The board has a very compact size, equal to 250 x 100 x 40 mm. Practically the same as a video card with a dual-slot PCI-E and a radiator. It is equipped with a dual-core AMD A6-8500P processor with an integrated graphics processor.

All accompanied by 4 GB of DDR3 RAM at 1600 MHz. Cooling takes place under the effective control of the integrated radiator. As for storage, there is a 120 GB SSD mSata. Also confirmed compatibility with Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, and with Linux in various variations. There is also an on / off switch.

The price in the official store is $ 199.

Minuses

• Compact design;
• USB 3.0 ports instead of PCIe slots;
• Included with the processor, graphics processor and RAM;
• No adapters required;
• Good price.

Minuses

• Restriction in eight graphic processors.

CJ1900A-BTC PLUS YV20

Specifications

Another solution similar to BTC IC6S is the CJ1900A-BTC Plus YV20. This is a two-part motherboard, the first of which is nothing more than the heart of the system, since it includes an Intel Bay Trail-D J1900 processor, a slot for RAM and a drive.

Also present are the main communication ports. The second part of the system consists of a card with eight x16 PCIe slots, which do not require the use of additional adapters for connecting video cards.

In this case, to complete the configuration, it is enough to add a bank of RAM SO-DIMM and a disk for storing information.

Additional power for PCIe slots is provided by PCI-E slots on power supplies, which are much safer and more practical than the classic 4-pin Molex slots. The price is $ 190, although it is necessary to include the cost of delivery and any customs tax.

pros

• Integrated processor and heatsink;
• 8 full PCIe slots;
• PCI-E connectors for power.

Minuses

• Delivery from China;
• Price.

Publication date 07/28/2019
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