Consumers who venture into the world of mining alternative currencies generally need to acquire a few pieces of hardware. One of the more pressing problems is finding ways to connect more than five GPUs to a motherboard. ASUS has come up with a solution, although it remains to be seen how popular it will be in the long run.
The Asus H370 Mining Master Motherboard
People all over the world have shown great interest in mining cryptocurrency. Unlike what most non-cryptocurrency users would think, these ventures focus on mining alternative cryptocurrencies such as Monero, Ethereum, Zcash, and a few others. In order to do so, one has to buy a robust power supply, a motherboard, various graphics cards, and so forth. Even so, limitations exist, as only so many GPUs can be connected to one motherboard at one time.
ASUS’s new motherboard dedicated to cryptocurrency mining may change that. The technology giant recently unveiled its H370 Mining Master motherboard, which will alter the way people mine cryptocurrencies. Unlike any previous creation, this motherboard can support up to 20 different graphics cards. That will still require the use of riser cables, although users can rely on USB cables to plug into the PBC over PCIe. It’s a nice added touch that will certainly be appreciated by a lot of miners.
One of the most common issues with mining cryptocurrencies with GPUs is that PCIe slots frequently disconnect. Troubleshooting this problem can be quite bothersome, as there is no way to properly determine which slot is causing the problem without dismantling everything. This new motherboard will allow for more accurate diagnostics and easier maintenance in general.
One thing to keep in mind is that powering 20 GPUs through one motherboard will require proper caution. Most graphics cards pull close to 200 watts from the wall. Multiplying that by 20 and pushing it through a single motherboard will undoubtedly pose challenges which users will need to take into account. Even so, it is safe to assume ASUS is aware of those challenges.
For the time being, it remains a bit unclear when the H370 motherboard will be introduced to the masses. Additionally, no prices have been announced at this time, although it is safe to say users will pay around $400 for this product. Combined with the cost of 20 GPUs, a decent CPU, and adequate memory, a fully-decked mining rig will cost users close to $8.500 or more. Recovering that investment will be challenging, especially with these volatile prices.
It is not the first time a technology company has dedicated a new product to cryptocurrency mining. It is, however, the first time that a motherboard supports over a dozen GPUs at the same time, although it remains to be seen how this will play out when users put these boards through their paces. An interesting future lies ahead for cryptocurrency miners, as more companies try to introduce consumers to cryptocurrencies in different ways.
