Why does synchronization take so long?

[kevinpaladin]

Hello bitcoiners!

Recently, I installed bitcoin client in my Ubuntu desktop and the synchronization process started. It started with a good speed but as time went on, the speed gradually reduced and now, it takes approximately about 5 seconds per block.

My question is, what is the possible size of one block? Is it because of the size of each block that it takes that long or is there some other reason for this? 

[Gabi]

Because it verify every single block it download (and more recent blocks have more transactions than older ones, since more ppl use bitcoin) and because the system used do to that is slooooow. They are working on new client with a much much much faster synchronizing system.

On a side note, you do not have to use the standard client with the full blockchain. There are lightweight clients wich do not have to download all the blocks, and thus have no sync problem!

[phatsphere]

Is it because of the size of each block that it takes that long or is there some other reason for this? 

yes, it's the size. you might ask, why increases the size? answer is: www.satoshidice.com & co ...

there are other clients and online wallets, pick your poison

[Gabi]

Size is not a problem, the blockchain currently is only few GB big. It does not justify taking hours to verify it. It take hours and hours because the verify system used is slooooooooooooooooow

[stevegee58]

You can download most of the blockchain using bittorrent which is much faster for initial start-up.

[kevinpaladin]

Oh! Thanks for that guys. But, what really bothers me is that if it is really the size that is its cause, its gonna drink all my bandwidth, coz my internet plan is only for 3 GB this month.

Size is not a problem, the blockchain currently is only few GB big. It does not justify taking hours to verify it. It take hours and hours because the verify system used is slooooooooooooooooow

Hope its so!!

[Gabi]

Get a lightweight client like Electrum

[stevegee58]

Get a lightweight client like Electrum

Don't trust a centralized server with your data.  It defeats the decentralized purpose of BTC.

[Gabi]

Better than to wait 2 days for all the blocks when you only run the client for like ten minutes, also you can't lose money with it.

[stevegee58]

I run the client 24/7 because I'm a miner.