ETH mining for dummies

[Matias]

What is the easiest way to start mining (I don't want cloud mining)?

I have basic computer skills. Not any fancy stuff. I don't have programming skills (except BASIC 30 years ago   ). I have once installed Linux (I don't have linux machine atm), but don't have any experience with Linux.

I would like to try basic ETH mining just as a hobby. I don't have any get rich fast -expectations with it. Jus a hobby.

I think I could buy a used PC and used GPU for this. Is it best to install Ubuntu and mine with that? Or Windows?

I tried this https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases

with my Windows 10 PC, but somehow it always stopped after few minutes to "unable to dowload blockchain, no dowlonad source available" after first dowloading blocks for few minutes without problems.

[bathrobehero]

Before you proceed to try figuring out solomining Eth instead of poolmining it, you should know that even a 6 card rig with modern GPUs will only find a single block in every 32 hours on average. Some variance can really screw with that.

And that is if you have perfect internet connection which is very important when dealing with such short block times as Eth.

[Matias]

^Poolmining is not a problem. I just meant I don't want cloud mining.

[adaseb]

First step

Buy some GPUs


That's the only thing that matters. Buy them on Kijiji or Craiglists before they are sold out everywhere. Don't buy new.

[Vaccomondus]

arock h81 pro btc
1200w psu
4 giga of ram
64 giga ssd(overkill but there is no good 32gb)
6 x risers
6 x 970ti or fury nano/x/390/390x
open frame case

[bathrobehero]

arock h81 pro btc
1200w psu
4 giga of ram
64 giga ssd(overkill but there is no good 32gb)
6 x risers
6 x 970ti or fury nano/x/390/390x
open frame case

I use quality 1300W PSUs but I'd never put 6 x 970 on it only 5 or 4 mixed with 2 x 750 Ti.

[Matias]

Is there a problem with a motherboard as arock h81 pro btc, when only one slot is full size? Or is bandwith enough also with x1 slots?

" 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2: x16 mode)
- 5 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 Slots"

[Kalder]

Is there a problem with a motherboard as arock h81 pro btc, when only one slot is full size? Or is bandwith enough also with x1 slots?

" 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2: x16 mode)
- 5 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 Slots"

It is an excellent board for mining. We just need x1 slot for mining. It is good enough for all kinds of mining so far.