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How to set up a PC to mine cryptocurrency?

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Investing in cryptocurrency can be an exciting venture. Like physical currencies, cryptos can be used to buy items, but under a complex security network called the blockchain which is distributed across a large number of computers. A big draw to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or the hundreds of others is the potential to attain a return quickly as these markets are often quite volatile and tend to increase (or decrease) rapidly. Most believe the advantages of cryptocurrencies include cheaper and faster money transfer compared to traditional banks and a structure that allows them to exist outside of government control.


What is Cryptocurrency Mining?

Aside from simply purchasing coins on trading platforms, it is also possible to actually create or “mine” cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency mining is a competitive process that verifies and adds new transactions to the blockchain and must be proven mathematically. This is a task that any individual can do with sufficient hardware and software resources, but can become an expensive endeavor.

How To Start Mining Cryptocurrency


Bitcoin currency

Mining crypto can become difficult as it requires the solving of complicated, cryptographic, mathematical equations using advanced computer hardware. If you want to get started with mining cryptocurrency, first you must learn all you can about the process of mining and determine which crypto coin or tokens you want to get established with. Secondly, you should get set up for mining by creating a cryptocurrency wallet, and attaining mining software such as CGMiner, BFGMiner, Multiminer, or even Awesome Miner which are all viable options for software at a reasonable cost.

What hardware do I need?

You will also need mining hardware, this setup up or configuration as a whole is known as your mining “rig”. Hardware required for cryptocurrency is the same as your average PC setup: motherboard, CPU, RAM, and a Power Supply. The real workhorse here and the part that differs from basic computing configurations is the GPUs. That’s right, you will need multiple, powerful GPUs. Much of the hardware needed can be found on our website for an affordable price where they are 100% Asus certified. Check out our article to learn more about the amazing Asus B250 Mining expert motherboard.

Mining motherboard

Types of Crypto-Mining

Once you have set up your computer for mining crypto, you can choose which type of mining you want to do. Here are just a few types of cryptocurrency mining:

  • GPU Mining: Using one or more advanced graphic processing units (GPUs) that allow for considerable mining power; may be expensive depending on how many GPUs you want to use.

  • CPU Mining: The most approachable way to mine crypto. This type of mining uses a computer's central processing unit (CPU) which is cheaper as it uses less mining power than GPU mining. For this reason, CPU mining can be the lowest profit.

  • Mining Pools: Joining or creating a mining team who work together to mine crypto and share the reward. Miners are to pay a small percentage of those rewards as a fee for being a part of the team.

  • Cloud Mining: This option typically requires a contract, and terms are in favor of the company which can be off-putting when trying to make a profit. This company will mine crypto for you and runs its own mining computers so you don’t have to purchase all the top end equipment.

All of these options differ, but all share a similar goal of mining the most crypto for the most efficient amount of money invested. This all depends on how much a person is willing to invest, but typically you will want to get involved in a community or mining pool to learn the most about mining crypto with the least amount of risk.

Blockchain

Conclusion

Now that you have established your crypto wallet, set up the software and hardware on your computer, and decided which crypto you want to mine as well as the type of mining you want to do, it is time to start mining! Always ensure that the hardware is in a cool area as the mass amount of power used to mine can create heat and slow your computer. Also, make sure to check the software used and verify the policies and terms regarding what can run on your computer.

If you need guidance in choosing which Asus parts and accessories would be good options to start crypto mining, ask our team, we are always happy to help.