Nowadays, making money from mining cryptocurrency is still a big deal. Lots of folks are jumping into it. But, starting isn’t just about buying pricey parts. You’ve got to put them together into a single machine, also known as a crypto mining rig.
We’re going to cover how to put together a mining rig and what you’ll need for it. This guide is great for beginners and those who’ve been around the block. It’s also key for investors to grasp mining basics. Miners play a huge part in keeping the network safe and spread out. So, stick with us till the end if you’re looking to build a rig.
What's a Crypto Mining Rig, and What Does It Do?
First off, let’s hit the basics. The very first miner was either a person or a group who came up with Bitcoin. In those days, mining was done with a computer’s CPU. But in 2010, the game changed. People began using GPUs, and the first GPU farm kicked off.
Switching to graphics cards for mining shook things up. Miners scrambled to get GPUs, and big-scale mining took off. By 2012, the first ASIC projects popped up. ASICs aren’t too flexible but they’re speedy at what they do.
Most folks started with mining Ethereum over Bitcoin since it was simpler and more rewarding. Currently, the top cryptocurrencies to mine are BTC, XMR, DOGE, and RVN. Ethereum (ETH) was on this list, but it switched to a PoS algorithm not too long ago. This switch means you can’t mine Ethereum the old way anymore.
Now, onto the main event. A mining rig is basically a computer with a motherboard and several graphics cards for calculating blocks. It doesn’t use a normal PC case because it wouldn’t fit all those GPUs. Plus, regular cases might overheat. By using several graphics cards with the same motherboard, CPU, hard drive, and memory, we save cash that can go towards more graphics cards.
A crypto mining rig is a specialized computer setup that includes a motherboard and several graphics cards designed to calculate blocks for cryptocurrency mining. It’s crucial because it plays a significant role in keeping the cryptocurrency network secure and decentralized.
Cryptocurrency mining began with using a computer’s CPU, but shifted to GPUs in 2010 for better efficiency. By 2012, ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) projects emerged, offering even faster mining capabilities. These developments have significantly changed the mining landscape, making it more competitive and specialized.
Miners preferred mining Ethereum over Bitcoin because it was simpler and more rewarding. However, Ethereum has recently switched to a Proof of Stake (PoS) algorithm, making the traditional mining method obsolete for Ethereum.
As of the information provided, the top cryptocurrencies to mine include BTC (Bitcoin), XMR (Monero), DOGE (Dogecoin), and RVN (Ravencoin). Ethereum was previously a top choice but is no longer mineable due to its switch to PoS.
Mining rigs don’t use standard PC cases because they wouldn’t accommodate the multiple GPUs needed for efficient mining, and there’s a risk of overheating. Instead, they use specialized setups that allow for better airflow and cooling, essential for maintaining the performance and longevity of the mining hardware.
