gpu - Is it possible to mount video cards via USB or Thunderbolt or...? - Super User

i need build (cheap) computer might serve to:

1. mine digital currency
2. render 3d animations
3. solve seti problems
4. ...etc

basically using gpu's solve math problems. need little live throughput / cards.

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my question

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is there way to:

1. mount video cards through usb or thunderbolt or other chain-able protocol
2. without writing custom drivers
3. on linux variant

there motherboards support 6 pcie connections, nicer if mount many system resources handle.

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not question

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1. you need power them other way. got it. need external power.
2. usb (and maybe thunderbolt) doesn't have throughput high-vector video throughput. got it. not using these video cards per-se. pcie usb/thunderbolt graphics card

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other, possibly interesting answers

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1. there clustering solution that... (likes gpu's?)
2. there these other processors might better suited... (asic?)

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discoveries made since asking q

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1. cluster of motherboards cheap irrelevant compared price of gpu's, see interesting dissertation project video, alas... raspberry pi's , arduinos don't seem have pcie slots. the hummingboard-pro does, $55. number needs under $25 each cost effective. here others: gateworks price unk, intel galileo mpci, $45 each.

   • samuel cozennat gives gorgeous (but expensive) example using intel nuc's. includes hardware build , provisioning setup. nice, sam! thanks.

2. pci-e can split usb , thunderbolt... knew? here couple limited splitters: amfeltec, c0c0c3. pcie spec indicates theoretically support 32 1x devices.

3. thunderbolt has capability (especially low / non-video data-rates), existing bios / mainboard / driver setups not developed. there existing products target laptops.

what considering, although interesting, not realistic without whole lot of complex low level software , reasonable amount of ram.

consider coin mining. realistic coins mine today using gpu ethereum, dash or zcash. there others these 3 of main ones. require minimum of 2gb ram run not commonly found on single board computers. require active network connection each need connected via wifi or wired. linux os selected due limitations , costs of windows.

coin mining software rely on os drivers , opencl or cuda apis run mining math problems in gpu's must pretty powerful perform adequately minimum cost of $150-250. drivers , api sofware must installed , difficult work using non-standard connection such mpcie let alone how cable mpcie 16x pcie connector on gpu. power big consideration , of gpu cards run on 16x pcie , consume minimum of 80-150 watts each depending on miner , coin being mined. require external power supply gpu's have vga 12v connections.

the best alternative multi-pcie motherboard , pcie risers. can run 6 gpus using standard hardware , software, lots of people have done this. else interesting if have lots of time play believe see roadblocks difficult if not practically impossible overcome in order achieve stated 3 objectives.