Litecoin Mining – Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X Sweet Spot for 730KHash/sec
If you have read about my early testings on the Gigabyte cards for Litecoin mining, you would have noticed that i shared my CGMiner configurations for a hashrate of 700KHash/sec. Previously, i have mentioned that CGMiner version 3.7.2 with the latest drivers would give you a higher hashrate as the R9 cards would be classified properly as 200 series cards. With the updated driver, R9 280X cards would run much cooler and most could reach from around 700KHash/sec to 760KHash/sec.
After some tweaking, I have managed to get the Gigabyte R9 280X to produce around 730KHash/sec per card. Let us look at how to configure the Gigabyte R9 280X for higher hashrate and possibly lower power consumption.
How to optimize Gigabyte R9 280X for Litecoin mining
Undervolting
Since the 280X is a rebranded 7970, it is possible to undervolt the cards using the VBE7 method that i have outlined in the previous tutorial: How to modify video BIOS to undervolt GPU in Linux. My Gigabyte cards run completely stable at 1075mV, so if you are using my undervolting method, simply replace the 1081mV that i have recommended for 7950 with 1075mV.
CGMiner settings
For this test, i am using BAMT version 1.1 with the latest AMD Catalyst drivers installed and CGMiner 3.7.2. You may learn more about setting up BAMT in my tutorial: Litecoin BAMT version 1.1 – Easy USB Linux mining distro.
I get the best result from this CGMiner configuration:
-g 2 -w 256 -I 13 --lookup-gap 2 --thread-concurrency 8192 --gpu-engine 1055 --gpu-memclock 1500
This configuration gets me around 730KHash/sec on each card with a low reject ratio. Some other brands of R9 280X can reach hashrate as high as 760KHash/sec on other configurations. Hopefully, i can post the configuration for all the R9 280X cards out there.
hello,
Did you installed the lastest AMD drivers? how?
Here is the tutorial on how to update your drivers:
//rumorscity.com/2013/12/08/amd-display-driver-update-for-r9-290x-on-bamt-litecoin-miner/
thank you! i really apreciate that!
other thing…
you are running this config
-g 2 -w 256 -I 13 –lookup-gap 2 –thread-concurrency 8192 –gpu-engine 1055 –gpu-memclock 1500
using the comand or in config file?
This is the command line. But by all means, set it in the conf file, so you don’t have to use the command every time.
Thank you!
/subscribe!
You are welcome. Am glad that helped you.
you are just using this ?
-g 2 -w 256 -I 13 –lookup-gap 2 –thread-concurrency 8192 –gpu-engine 1055 –gpu-memclock 1500
the rest are default? just erase them?
I set my commands in the conf file. This is how it looks like:
“intensity” : “13”,
“vectors” : “1”,
“worksize” : “256”,
“kernel” : “scrypt”,
“lookup-gap” : “2”,
“thread-concurrency” : “8192”,
“shaders” : “0”,
“gpu-engine” : “900-1055”,
“gpu-fan” : “75-100”,
“gpu-memclock” : “1500”,
“gpu-memdiff” : “0”,
“gpu-powertune” : “20”,
“gpu-vddc” : “0.000”,
“temp-cutoff” : “90”,
“temp-overheat” : “81”,
“temp-target” : “75”,
“api-mcast-port” : “4028”,
“api-port” : “4028”,
“auto-fan” : true,
“expiry” : “120”,
“gpu-dyninterval”: “7”,
“gpu-platform” : “0”,
“gpu-threads” : “2”,
“log” : “5”,
“no-pool-disable” : true,
“queue” : “1”,
“scan-time” : “30”,
“scrypt” : true,
hello again!
I am having a strange problem using this gpu’s and bamt in some rigs…
When i turn them on, no image is displayed, the rig turns on but dont do nothing… I were almost 1 day with this, after many plug and unplug i manage to put it running. Now i am having the same problem. Do the gpu’s have an order to be plugged?
Try BAMT with another USB port. Sometimes i encounter a similar problem that after i powered down the rig, it won’t do anything after i do a reboot and no display as well. At the same time, once i push the power button, the GPU fan sounded like it’s at max speed.
Power the rig down again, off the power switch at the wall socket as well. Wait for ten seconds, then reboot. It’s back to normal until the next shutdown.
its strange because, i plug 1 gpu and works, i plug other and works, i plug in different positions it wont work, i turn the rest of gpus and dont work. Seams like i need to plug them in a specific order! I will try to change the usb port.
I didn’t have problem with different slots working for different GPU. I know my board GA-H87-D3H PCIEX4 is sharing bandwidth with the PCIEX1 slots. So if i plug any GPU into the PCIEX4 slot, the other two PCIEX1 slots are not usable.
other question…
my rigs freeze many times… First they stop mining, a couple minutes after i cant even “ping” them… Where i can find the logos to try to solve this issue?
thanks
Is the GPU shown as SICK or DEAD when that happens? Most probably is hardware issue. Like overheating perhaps. You can try to lower the clock though.
the temp is 70ºC, it cant be the temp… the fans of gpus continue to work! what kind of logos i can get from bamt?
Sometimes it’s the VRM temperature which is usually much higher than the PCB temperature. I have GPU declaring SICK at around 70 degree. I have added a fan to blow directly at the GPUs which solved my problem.
i got air condition right now, i am gonna test… i’ll keep you informed!
the problem is still there 😀
Hey i was wondering if you can run 5 of these cards, also what motherboard would i need to use to do it? Planning on running 5
Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X for each rig
do you think a MSI Z87-G45 Gaming Socket 1150 Intel Z87 Chipset motherboard would run 5? i bought 9, x16 to x1 risers. thanks
That board can support more than 5 cards. And there are miners who are using it with 5 GPUs. But i only go for 4 GPUs most per mobo as in the long run, it’s better to have a stable rig, and my 1250W PSU is good for 4 GPUs. I would suggest to go for Linux for a lower RAM requirement and more stable OS in the long run in my own opinion.
Alright awesome, ill definitely go for linux but i gotta know how to install it, btw do you install it on like a flash drive? just through usb? how do i get that part of it set up? also ill definitely play around with the settings and under clock it a bit etc, hoping it lasts 12months haha
Yes, i use BAMT from a USB bootable. Here is a tutorial in case you want to set one up //rumorscity.com/2013/12/06/litecoin-bamt-version-1-1-easy-usb-linux-mining-distro/
Also remember to update your drivers if you can’t get a decent hashrate. //rumorscity.com/2013/12/08/amd-display-driver-update-for-r9-290x-on-bamt-litecoin-miner/
ill be getting the 280x does that support it? it says 290x, also i heard you can get around 780Khz with the 280x, my friends got around 40 cards lol. he said 800Khz is quite possible
actually found a card im going to get
R929D5, goes up to 868KHz and its watt usage is 260w’s
Higher hashrate is quite possible. The secret to have a properly calibrated vBIOS. Some R9 280X won’t go higher than 650KHash/sec on stock BIOS. So if your card is experiencing much lower hashrate than others with the same card, it’s worthy to look at your vBIOS.
alright will do, can’t wait til i can get this started haha, ill pick up the cards when i get into canada etc
hey shadow i was wondering, i cant find Lepa 1600W anywhere, is there any other power supply you would recommend if im trying to run the above set up with 5 cards?
I am running 4 cards with the above set up on my 1250W PSU. But if you need a 1600W PSU for 5 cards, i saw one here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B007W5TV6K/rumorscity-20
So wait can the bios undervolting method bybass the voltage lock on the GV-R928XOC-3GD-GA (gigabyte revision 2 280x)? if so im ordering mine today!
I have 4 Gigabyte 280x’s with the F31 BIOS, Catalyst 13.11, APP-SDK 2.9, ADL-SDK 6.0, and cgminer 3.7.2.
-I 13 -g 2 -w 256 –lookup-gap 2 –thread-concurrency 8192 –gpu-engine 1055 –gpu-memclock 1500
I’m running Windows 7 x64 and 8GB of RAM. My motherboard is an MSI 970a-g43.
I can’t get past 660Kh/s and it’s really frustrating. I don’t understand why. I’m wondering if this mobo just sucks.
In another rig I have 4 Sapphire 7970s on an ASRock mobo doing 730Kh/s each, so I know it’s possible.
Any ideas?
Hey dude how much watts does 1 of these cards take, I’m using the same settings as you, i was just wondering
Hey! I’ve been following your advice about undervolting the GPUs, and gained a hefty increase in KH/s. And even more improvement once I managed to find the optimal airflow / spacing for each card. I’m also running BAMT to keep things easily manageable from a remote PC.
I have a question when it comes to stability and troubleshooting though.
I have 4x Gigabyte R9 280x, temps ranging from 69-77 degrees(77 being the “target”).
One card is always running at 0.64-0.69 MH/s before the temp reaches 77 though, while the rest of the cards are stable at 0.72-0.73. It’s not much but it adds up. I can’t for the life of me figure out why this is happening, but I am starting to feel it is motherboard related, since it is always slot 0 on the MB, even when I switch around both risers and GPUs.
Another, much more grave, problem I’m having is that the PC suddenly disconnects.
There can be anywhere from 1-3 days between disconnects. But sadly, up until now, it has always been when I’m away from the miner.
When troubleshooting, I can’t find it in the attached devices list in my router.
I don’t run with a monitor connected(to save power), and trying to plug one in after it disconnects give me no image/no cable errors – so I’m guessing my next step will be to have the monitor on while mining.
At any rate, the cards are cool but the fan speed is still high, so it’s not mining, but the config is still active – due to the minimum 75% fan speed setting.
Is there any way to read off any system logs in BAMT?
If this is beyond your knowledge then I’m sorry for bothering you, but if it is worth a shot at the very least.
Either way, thanks in advance 🙂
hi,
after some testes i get 740kh/s…. with a 6x rig R9 280x gigabyte – GV-R928XOC-3GD-GA, with a gv-R928xoc-3gd i can get 765kh/s for a single card….
this is the test with the fist one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzceoPYN8L8 the first part of the video i show the config file than the result…..
best regards to all
Hello,
I would like if you could help me with stability of gigabyte model of 280x.
I have 2 gigabyte radeon rev2. And I did what you said in this tutorial. I flash bios on card and put it to 1075. But the problem is when i use this :
-g 2 -w 256 -I 13 –lookup-gap 2 –thread-concurrency 8192 –gpu-engine 1055 –gpu-memclock 1500
It runs ok for about 2-10 minutes then driver crashes and then work only one card until cgminer crashes in about 1-2 minutes…
Ok i try lower intensity to 12 and than worked stable. But i don’t want 550 khs…. on -I 13 run 730 khs….
Please help me. What could be the problem? I search on google but can’t find anything. Please help 🙂
Try to increase your voltage a little until it’s stable. Every card runs a bit differently eventhough it’s the same model.
Ok i will try, thanks.
I forgot to ask something…. Now when my cards bios are flashed, can I higher voltage in programs like trixx?
I tried in trixx and its working on 730khs for almost half of a day, but its not logical to change it in trixx since i need to flash cards bios to change the voltage previously, or is it?
Sure. It’s still possible to tinkle with your GPU voltage at Windows using trixx. Linux users have fewer options and can only lower the voltage by flashing a modified BIOS.