Although the value of coins like Bitcoin may have declined over the past year, the underlying Distributed General Led (DLT) technology still has good long-term prospects. Although cryptocurrencies are currently unregulated, the resounding success of Bitcoin (BTC), as well as Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP) and Litecoin (LTC), means that governments and banks are already considering integrating them into the cryptocurrency system. consumer market. And the reason for this choice is not difficult to understand: crypto currencies are an unprecedented way to speed up financial transactions and reduce costs. Better yet, ordinary people can mine their own currency, although it requires a bit of patience. If you have decided to start and have purchased your own Bitcoin (BTC) Mining Equipment, you must connect to a mining "pool". This allows you to share the resources of your machine on the Internet and receive some of the mining profits in return. There are a number of programs available to help you manage your crypto mining. In this guide, we've explored five of the most popular. If you are an experienced user, you may prefer to install the free Linux operating system and use one of the text-based programs, such as CGminer. If you prefer to keep it simple and stick with Windows 10, it may be more appropriate to exploit clients with a graphical interface like MultiMiner. Before you begin, if you want to be sure that a scanner will work with your device or operating system, the Bitcoin Wiki provides a very helpful list.
(Image credit: CGMiner)
1. CGMiner
A flexible mining program that supports almost all platforms. Highly customizable cross-platform Windows version is difficult to install CGMiner has been around for over six years and is coded in C, which means it is compatible with almost any operating system. It runs through a simple command line interface and supports multiple operating groups and devices. It is primarily designed for use with mining exploration devices, but you can also use any GPU connected to your computer. When used for the first time, CGMiner will ask you to enter the URL, username, and password (if necessary) of your tracking group, and will automatically detect any attached hardware, such as an ASIC device. Although you have to work with CGMiner via the command line, the presentation is very simple to see: mining devices are listed at the top, and you can use simple key commands to change their settings (for example, to enable mining mode). prolix or detect new hardware). In our tests with CGMiner 4.9.2 on Windows 10, we found that Windows Defender and our antivirus software tried to block the download. This may be due to the fact that hackers using their own versions of this program could secretly install CGMiner on someone else's machine in the mine for their advantage. You can configure your system to make an exception for CGMiner if you want, or to use the Linux version.
(Image credit: Bitminter)
2. Bitminster
Another cross-platform program with a user-friendly user interface Pre-installed pool settings Cross-platform (Java) Only works with Bitminter pool. Bitminter mining pool has been around since 2011, and one of the oldest and most trusted services, it is perhaps not surprising that its creator, Geir Hansen, has also produced an excellent client in the mining sector. The Bitminter client has an extremely clear graphical interface and can work equally well with GPUs and external ASIC devices. A simple dial to the left shows your hashrate in MH/s. Just click 'Start Engine' to start the scan. You can monitor the progress at any time by visiting the "Statistics" section, which contains essential information such as the number of pieces of work accepted / rejected by the server, as well as the time spent working. You can reset these values at any time. The Bitminter client also has a text console at the bottom of the window that provides you with updates, for example, when a device is connected or when you are connected to a device. data mining pool. The software has been designed to be used only with the Bitminter Extraction Pool. This means that you will have to create an account through the website. You should also be happy with the location of Bitminter's servers (USA, Canada, and Europe), and the way the company shares mining rewards.
(Image credit: BFGMiner)
3. BFGMiner
A targeted mining client that is a handyman's paradise. Available for Windows and Linux Compatible with FPGA devices Does not work well with GPUs BFGMiner is based on the CGMiner mentioned above, but is designed specifically for ASIC mining rigs. The client is also compatible with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices and can be configured to work with some graphics cards, but it is unlikely to benefit. BFGMiner is limited in purpose, it has more features for you to play around with mining devices, such as overclocking and using a remote interface. It also monitors the temperature of most devices and can be connected to multiple extraction groups. Also, BFGMiner will stop connecting to inaccessible pools, saving you valuable system resources. The interface is text based, but as with CGminer the options are very clearly laid out. You can use the shortcut keys to perform routine tasks, such as monitoring groups, identifying devices, and activating additional features. In addition to a simple text interface and an array of features, BFGMiner is available for Windows and all major Linux versions. BFGminer can also be installed on a Raspberry Pi, as part of the free Minera operating system.
(Image credit: MultiMiner)
4.MultiMiner
BFGMiner simplified for less tech savvy Intuitive graphical interface. Use mining strategies. Easily manage multiple devices MultiMiner is a graphical interface for BFGMiner. As such, it has a lot of powerful features, but it's also much nicer to newcomers. The first time you install and start Multiminer, the application will guide you through the process of entering your pool information, using helpful tooltips to explain potentially unfamiliar terms. Once setup is complete, MultiMiner will automatically search for mining devices and list their details in a useful matrix, such as pool used and average hash power. More importantly, the client will also display their projected daily profit with their current operating hardware. You can use the "Groups" tabs to connect to multiple groups if you want. The "Strategies" section allows you to easily choose the mining mode: for example, you can choose to operate the trade automatically according to the most profitable part or to mine parts with a low difficulty. During installation, the software developer asks you to send 1% of your earnings into your wallet to thank them for creating this great mining exploration software. This is completely voluntary - you can enable/disable it from within the app in the "Benefits" section. Multiminer is cross-platform, but you need to install additional software to run it on macOS and Linux.
(Image credit: EasyMiner)