Re: Building Cheap Miners : My "Secret"

This section is for Dell R815 Hardware configuration and BIOS Settings:

I install an inexpensive ($10) Quadro 600 graphics card in each server because the built-in Server GPU has a limit of 1024x768 resolution which is painful to my eyes. Some of the instructions that follows are necessary for using the Quadro 600. If you use another GPU then you will need to change those steps to reflect the GPU you choose.

Initial Dell R815 Server Hardware steps:

Open Server top and install a 16GB USB stick inside at the front left side where there is an internal USB port.
Install Quadro 600 graphics card.

I remove any RAID card and SAS cables as they are not needed and burn unnecessary power while mining.
Also remove any other PCIe cards as they are also unnecessary.

Initial setup for the Dell R815 Server:

Hook up display to the Embedded Video Controller port as the Quadro 600 is not set to display the BIOS screen until a setting in the BIOS is changed.

Boot server and press F2 to enter BIOS when the screen stating "Press F2 to Enter BIOS" is seen.
You should see that line change to "Entering BIOS" when F2 has been pressed.

Note the BIOS version. All my Dell R815 Servers are on Version 3.2.2
If you have a newer version that should also be fine.

Bios Version 3.2.2 is located here:
https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=jf8yh

BIOS settings should be:

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Under Memory Settings Screen

Code:

System Memory Testing: Enabled

(On each reboot Memory is tested) When you are satisified that memory has been tested enough then change to Disabled

Code:

Redundant Memory: Disabled
Node Interleaving: Disabled

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Under Processor Settings Screen

Code:

HT Assist: Disabled
CPU Virtualization Technology: Enabled
DRAM Prefetcher: Enabled
Hardware Prefetch Training: Enabled
Hardware Prefetcher: Enabled
C1E: Enabled

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Under Integrated Devices Screen

Code:

Embedded Video Controller: Disabled

Note on Reboot the the Embedded Video Controller is disabled so switch the monitor cable to the Quadro 600 (or other GPU) you installed.

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Under Power Management Screen

Code:

Power Management: OS Control

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Now Press to exit the System Setup program
and select Save Changes and Exit

Don't forget that on Reboot the the Embedded Video Controller is disabled so switch the monitor cable to the Quadro 600 (or other GPU) you installed.

On each reboot Memory is tested. When you are satisified that memory has been tested enough then change:
System Memory Testing: Disabled

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