How to install and setup Ubuntu with multiple GPU for mining manual

ubuntuminer.md

Distributive - Linux 17.04

Download Ubuntu

I suggest use torrent for download speed

http://releases.ubuntu.com/17.04/ubuntu-17.04-desktop-amd64.iso.torrent

If prepare usb flash for install on Windows

Use Rufus to prepare flash drive from ISO file

https://rufus.akeo.ie

4G Decoding

I enabled 4G Decoding in BIOS and set all GPUs prior to install

It not possible to install Ubuntu 16.04 with this settings, but no problem with 17.04

Install ubuntu

Use default settings for install ubuntu

Not enable updates during install

Enable third party software

If WiFi not connecting

sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf

Add following lines

[device]

wifi.scan-rand-mac-address=0

reboot

Install nvidia packages

sudo apt-get install nvidia-375 nvidia-settings

reboot

Enable overclocking

sudo nvidia-xconfig --enable-all-gpus --allow-empty-initial-configuration

sudo nvidia-xconfig --cool-bits=12

reboot

Set fan speed for all GPUs

nvidia-settings -a GPUFanControlState=1 -a GPUTargetFanSpeed=90

Set clocks for all GPUs

nvidia-settings -a GPUMemoryTransferRateOffset[3]=500

nvidia-settings -a GPUGraphicsClockOffset[3]=150

Monitor power, fan, temp and clocks

nvidia-smi dmon

Disable screen timeout

I had problems with mouse after screen sleep

Also there is no reason to PC sleep when mining

Settings -> Screen & Lock -> Timeout = Never

It also disables sleep and hibernation

Tune cuda settings

These vars is not present in sample Claymore's start script, but probably good idea to add it

GPU_FORCE_64BIT_PTR=1

GPU_MAX_HEAP_SIZE=100

GPU_USE_SYNC_OBJECTS=1

GPU_MAX_ALLOC_PERCENT=100

GPU_SINGLE_ALLOC_PERCENT=100

Auto start overclock

I added overclocking and fan speed to Claymore's start script

Just add three lines before miner command

nvidia-settings -a GPUFanControlState=1 -a GPUTargetFanSpeed=90

nvidia-settings -a GPUMemoryTransferRateOffset[3]=500

nvidia-settings -a GPUGraphicsClockOffset[3]=150

Auto start miner

gnome-session-properties

Add your script to autostart

Fine tuning

Disable animations

sudo apt install unity-tweak-tool

• Disable zoom, animations, effects, transparency, multiple desktops, windows spread, set texture size to 'Fast'.

Install simple theme

In my case Greybird theme was automatically installed after installing xubuntu-desktop. Just check that it used for both GTK theme and window manager using unity-tweak-tool. Any simple theme without transparency will be OK.

Reduce screen resolution

Most of the time you will not watch screen, so not matter if it slightly blurry on reduced resolution.

Replace desktop background with simple color.

All steps above in exchange will free some GPU memory which important for mining.

Blank console

After installing nvidia drivers console become blank. Tried to set CMS to Disabled in BIOS, it remove dmesg warnings, but it not enabled console. Still investigating.

Networking

Disable DNSSEC

Disable IPv6

Set MTU packet size to 1500

Set WiFi region according to your country

sudo nano /etc/default/crda

REGDOMAIN=US

Mouse cursor issue

Mouse cursor will disappear if moved to next monitor (right side of visible area)

To make it visible again install xdotool

sudo apt install xdotool -y

then you can run in terminal (Press Ctrl-Alt-T to open terminal)

xdotool mousemove 50 50

Mouse will appear at point 50 50 on screen