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Is The Crypto Mining Computer Hardware Different Than A Regular Computer? How and Why

If you want to obtain a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin without buying coins, you can mine them. What is cryptocurrency mining? It is the process of gaining Cryptocurrencies by solving cryptographic equations through high-power computers. You can become a crypto miner if you have a massive computing system with different software and sufficient electricity.

Therefore, mining cryptos like Bitcoin is the process of getting the digital asset without buying it. From mining, you can create new Bitcoins that enter into circulation, adding to the blockchain ledger. (buy car ambient lighting) Cryptocurrencies have become trendy in different sectors, such as the online casino industry. This trend has made casinos like Ignition Crypto Casino, which offer crypto wagering, popular among casino players. Consequently, there is also an increased interest in the crypto mining process.

How do you mine Cryptocurrencies?

Crypto mining is a technical process that requires massive processing power. Essentially, the computer’s processing power is directly proportional to the mining speed. Therefore, if you have a slow computer, you may not produce enough Cryptocurrencies.

You can use a standard computer with a CPU, motherboard, RAM, and storage. However, the most important thing is the graphics processing unit (GPU) or the video card. In this regard, a high-performance GPU is a critical component if you want to mine cryptocurrency.

Computing Capabilities

Cryptocurrency mining is usually done using specialized hardware known as Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). This hardware can handle computer problems and upgrades the processing power. The GPU and ASICs requirements could be heavy on your pocket. It will help if you had a reliable active internet connection for your mining to be successful.

Additionally, mining machines also have unique electricity requirements. For instance, reports suggest that the largest Bitcoin miners were based in China, where electricity is cheaper.

Crypto mining Rig vs. standard PC

A rig is basically a customized PC. It has all the critical elements of a PC, such as storage, RAM, motherboard, and CPU. However, the difference is in the graphics cards. The GPU does the hard work during the crypto mining process. Therefore, you need a powerful GPU like the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 to mine, and you will likely buy more than one.

You can consider a rig a standard PC with one or more high-performance GPUs. Gaming PCs such as the Aleinware X17 are regarded to be powerful but they still don’t have enough power for crypto mining. In this regard, you need to connect several graphic cards to a single system, meaning you need a motherboard to handle that. Moreover, you will need more than one power supply unit if you intend to push things to the extremes.

You also need other mining–specific items to make your rig ready for mining. Some of the things you must consider when building a mining rig include:

  • You should be prepared to spend!
  • Consider power consumption.
  • It is not a regular PC; therefore, you will have a lot of trial and error before you get the perfect combination.

Here are the unique parts of a crypto mining rig:

Motherboard – Asus B250 Mining Expert

This excellent motherboard can handle up to 19 graphic cards connected to it. Stick with the manufacturer’s recommendations about the layouts that work to avoid making expensive mistakes. It does not come cheap, but it is worth every penny. Another popular motherboard is the Monland B250C BTC Mining Motherboard.

CPU – Intel Core i5-6500

Don’t overspend on a CPU for your crypto mining rig because the GPUs do the hard work. Therefore, a quad-core Core i5 is ideal for your crypto mining rig. It also works well with the motherboard mentioned above.

RAM – G.Skill Aegis 16GB (2 x 8 GB)

You should not also overspend on the RAM. The motherboard above supports DDR4 2400, and this RAM fits the bill.

Storage – ScanDisk SSD Plus 1TB

Consider installing multiple 1TB SSDs. Each costs less than $100, and they are perfect for this application. You can also use HDDs, but SSDs are preferable.

PSU – Segotep 850W Full-Modular PSU

The number of graphics cards you install will determine how many PSUs you need. While you might be tempted to choose the cheapest option, remember that they will be pushed hard. Therefore, don’t be afraid to spend more to get the Segotep PSUs because they offer reliable performance.

 PCI-e Riser – FebSmart 16x to 1x Powered Riser 6-pack

Even if you have assembled a PC before, you might not have fit on PCI-E risers. This is where the crypto mining rig differs from your regular PC because you cannot attach the graphics cards directly to the motherboard. You use the risers to connect them indirectly. In this regard, you will need one of these for every graphics card you connect, apart from the card that fits into the x16 PCI-e slot.

Nvidia Graphics card – MSI Ventus 3X GeForce RTX 3090

This is the ideal card for any mining rig. It has a lot of potential for overlocking, stability, and excellent cooling. It is also efficient, meaning it consumes less power, reducing mining costs. Experts also advice that if you are using standard PCs you should go for NVIDIA/AMD GPUs for better results.

Bottom Line

As you can see, a mining rig is not your regular computer. It consumes more electricity and requires greater processing power. Unlike in a PC, where the CPU does the hard work, the GPU is the one that works hard in the rig. Above all, mining rigs are more expensive to assemble than a typical PC.  

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