1.GPU - XFX Radeon RX 480 8GB @ NewEgg $209 after $20 Rebate

2.MB - Asrock H81 Pro Btc @ NewEgg $65

3.PSU - EVGA SuperNOVA 1200 P2 Platinum @ NewEgg $230

4.RAM - GSkill 4GB @ NewEgg $27

5.CPU - Intel Celeron G1840 Processor @ Amazon.com $44

6.HDD - SanDisk 32GB Cruzer Ultra @ Amazon.com $14

7.USB Raisers v6c @ Ebay.com $5 each

I recently assembled this part list for another miner, hope you find it useful, all the price are in USD. Take the part list and buy the component when you can get it cheaper, it will be <1800 pounds for sure.

Hope this helps

• Ryzen 5 1600 + Gigabyte B450-DS3H $120 at Microcenter
  
• 32GB (2x16GB) RAM ~$130
  
• Cache: 256GB NVMe drive ~$45
  
• Capacity: 1TB SSD w/DRAM ~$110
  
• used Broadcom 57810 10gb NIC ~$25
  
• USB stick for ESXi ~$8
  
• PCIe x1 video card ~$40 (you only need 1 for initial config because that mobo will boot ESXi headless)
  
• 80+ Bronze PSU ~$45
  
• optional dirt cheap case ~$20
  
• 10gb DAC cable ~$15
  
• 4 port 10gb switch ~$145
  
  Estimated Total $1736 +tax and shipping
  
  There're a few areas you could scrimp to get to $1500. This is basically my build, but I went with 4 nodes, a bigger switch, and a cheap 4 pack of longer cables (10gtek's 4 packs have a decent discount). If the price of the Intel 660p has your attention for multiple capacity drives, I suggest an x470 or x570 mobo that can do x4x4x4x4 bifurcation on the x16 slot and then use a quad m.2 board without a PCIe switch for them (ones from ASUS and ASrock are ~$100 which can negate any cost savings). There are boards with a PCIe switch that will work with the above board, but they're very expensive.
  
  If you get a MikroTik switch, use RouterOS because SwOS apparently has bugs beyond what I experienced. If you get one of their PoE switches, be careful with non-PoE devices. Mine was working fine, but I triggered a bug in SwOS and it toasted some gear; I need to have a conversation with MikroTik and the seller to see what can be done about what got toasted.

Running distros from USB flash drives is something I love. Reasons:

• Harder to accidentally affect other systems you may have on your internal drive.
  
  
• Try out as many (fully installed) distros and DE's as you wish. I run multiple Arch and Debian installs, Fedora, and Solus Linux.
  
  
• Experiment on real hardware instead of VM's. Pros and cons to both approaches.
  
  
• Reasonably fast, and surprisingly so.
  
  
• Reliable in my long experience. I've only had one failure that could be attributed to a failing flash drive, but I am unsure.
  
  
• Serve as rescue tools, and to demo or share with others. Makes them believers...
  
  Here's the flash drives I have the longest experience with:
  
  
• Sandisk Extreme USB 3.0 32GB $29 Very good performance. https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Extreme-Flash-Drive-SDCZ80-032G-GAM46/dp/B00KT7DXIU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1512006619&sr=8-5&keywords=sandisk+extreme+32gb
  
  
• Sandisk Ultra USB 3.0 32GB $12 (lesser performing but costs half as much) https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-Transfer-Speeds-s-SDCZ48-032G-UAM46/dp/B00KYK2AKO/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1512006699&sr=1-3&keywords=sandisk+ultra+usb+3.0+32gb

1. Work laptop. HP Elitebook 850 G3.
   
   
2. Not shown. Left at work :/. Fisher Space Pen with clip.
   
   
3. Stand in for Space Pen, Pilot G2 .07.
   
   
4. Field Notes.
   
   
5. Standard 32GB USB 3.0 flashdrive..
   
   
6. Elk Ridge Ballistic knife. Name engraved gift from being a groomsman at a buddy's wedding.
   
   
7. Fitbit Surge. Large, Black.
   
   
8. Jaybird Bluebuds X. They have newer versions out than this one so if you wanted a pair, I'd recommend upgrading as the newer ones are almost the same as these now.
   
   
9. KeySmart.
   
   
10. The Ridge Wallet.
    
    
11. Samsung Galaxy Note 4. White, 32GB, Verizon.
    
    
12. Spigen Neo Hybrid Note 4 case. Metal Slate in color.
    
    
13. Samsung Note 4 spare battery charger + extra battery.
    
    
14. FlyawayToys fidget spinner. Blue with full ceramic bearings.
    
    
15. Contigo AutoSpout Addison 24oz Water bottle. Smoke in color

Thank you all so much for the advice. I finally pulled the trigger this weekend and upgraded my mac and the difference is incredible. It would normally take up to 5 minutes for my mac to fully turn on and login. Now its under 30 seconds!

For those looking to do the same thing here's what I did:

1. Crucial MX500 1TB SSD drive : https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX500-NAND-SATA-Internal/dp/B077SF8KMG
   
2. NewerTech NuPower Battery: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/BAP15MBU78W/#owctabs
   
3. Sata to USB Cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJZJI84/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
4. A computer tool kit. (I already had one, but any basic kit will do) Heres one I found that seems fine: https://www.amazon.com/Kingsdun-Precision-Screwdriver-Repair-MacBook/dp/B01E9RLF1W/ref=sr_1_28?crid=2GIVKIC5PVMUC&keywords=laptop+screwdriver+kit&qid=1555941998&s=electronics&sprefix=laptop+scre%2Celectronics%2C130&sr=1-28
   
5. Flash drive with at least 8gb space and USB 3.0 for speed: https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-Transfer-Speeds-s-SDCZ48-032G-UAM46/dp/B00KYK2AKO/ref=sxin_2_ac_d_pm?crid=1JNUES6V59YY3&keywords=32gb+flash+drive+3.0&pd_rd_i=B00KYK2AKO&pd_rd_r=e3b71c2f-31f3-48ca-b07c-83203b9d1fe4&pd_rd_w=DdDhT&pd_rd_wg=sef5B&pf_rd_p=eadd3af5-2f5b-4e14-9c3d-ff9268352f18&pf_rd_r=N5T0Q3BEBVJ8CDMW226Q&qid=1555942155&s=electronics&sprefix=32gb+flash+dri%2Celectronics%2C122
   
   ​
   
   

   How to upgrade your Mid-2012 15-Inch MacBook Pro
   

   
   Step 1 - Backup your files
   For me this took the longest, I'm not the most organized person. I also saved my keychain, apple mail logins, stickeys, etc. I was in the middle of projects that I needed to jump right back into after the upgrade.
   
   Step 2 - Create a macOS installer on the USB drive
   Follow this ---> https://9to5mac.com/2018/10/22/how-to-create-macos-mojave-usb-installer-easy-video/
   
   
   Step 3 - Plug the new harddrive in via Sata cable usb
   This is where my first issue came into play. I skipped ahead and swapped out my harddrives only to try and boot up and my system not recognize the new SSD. I first thought I purchased a dud. The truth is you need to format the new drive for the computer to see it. Plug in the new SSD and follow these instructions to erase and format. I chose Mac OS Extended (journaled) https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496
   
   NOTE::: you dont have to use the usb drive, you can install the new SSD first if you want and format from the bootable USB.
   
   
   Step 4 - Install the new SSD
   Follow this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfiGF_pjqvM
   
   When installed, hold Option on your keyboard and then turn on. Select the USB macOS installer and follow instructions. Install onto the new SSD. Should take 20-30 min
   
   ​
   
   Step 5 - The Battery
   
   Follow the instructions in the videos on this page: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/BAP15MBU78W/#owctabs
   Make sure you set aside some time to do this. The install is very fast however its the calibration that takes some time. After you install your new battery, turn the computer on to test, there should be a little charge in it. Shut your computer down and then plug in. Let it fully charge, the light on plug should turn green. Then leave it for another 2 hours. Turn the computer on, unplug, turn all power settings off (follow video) and let the computer run until the battery is completely dead. Then wait a number of hours. This will calibrate your battery with your system.
   
   ​
   
   Then plug in and enjoy your new laptop!

This is the line I am using. Just be sure to get whichever size you want (minimum 4GB) and that you'll need two. I went with one 4GB for the temp and 32GB for the permanent.
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-Transfer-Speeds-s-SDCZ48-032G-UAM46/dp/B00KYK2AKO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491415339&sr=8-1&keywords=sandisk+flash+drive

Possibly. They're USB3 32GB Sandisks. I bought 4 of them on Amazon and within a month 3 failed. So I bought the bigger version and had some of those fail and just rebuilt my array with the good ones and

> I can't detect any heat coming off any of them.

Are they in plastic? Because plastic is a good insulator. Try pulling them out so they're still 'in' electrically and then touching the metal casing.

Just use one of these.


https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-Transfer-Speeds-s-SDCZ48-032G-UAM46/dp/B00KYK2AKO

Canadian actually, but thanks!

Look familiar?

http://www.amazon.ca/SanDisk-Ultra-Transfer-Speeds-SDCZ48-032G-UAM46/dp/B00KYK2AKO/ref=pd_cp_147_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=191HFSRYA7Q9V8YQ21TE

Yeah I definitely think the problem is from the OTG adapter itself, I tried with a new drive today (same model as bevelb but 32GB version) and same results.

Tried linked and normal way of transfer, FAT32 and NTFS but no luck...

This Drive Should do it

NOTE: 3.0 port needed for 3.0 speeds

Would one of these work? [1] or [2] /u/JellyCream