Somewhat Noob to Bitcoin

[chasingu]

Hello all. I have been looking at bitcoining for quite a while, and have been using the BitcoinPlus website. However, I finallly decided to get the GUI Miner and mine on my Windows Side of my Mac Mini Late 2009 model.

I currently have the fan reved to 3890 RPM, almost 2x Faster then its original speed, 1500RPM.
I also know that the whole point of the Mac Mini, is to disipate the heat.

My question, is I am planning on running the GUI Miner, for CPU Only *Haven't gotten my GPU to work yet*, while Im at school, so roughly 8 hours. Will I have any problem with my machine as I do this? I've left the Miner on for a couple minutes and its already reporting 161 Degrees F.

Thanks in advance.

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[rjk]

Hello all. I have been looking at bitcoining for quite a while, and have been using the BitcoinPlus website. However, I finallly decided to get the GUI Miner and mine on my Windows Side of my Mac Mini Late 2009 model.

I currently have the fan reved to 3890 RPM, almost 2x Faster then its original speed, 1500RPM.
I also know that the whole point of the Mac Mini, is to disipate the heat.

My question, is I am planning on running the GUI Miner, for CPU Only *Haven't gotten my GPU to work yet*, while Im at school, so roughly 8 hours. Will I have any problem with my machine as I do this? I've left the Miner on for a couple minutes and its already reporting 161 Degrees F.

Thanks in advance.

CPU mining might get you a few bitcents per week, it really isn't worth it. It will cost you more in electricity then you will get back.

[chasingu]

Im currently mining in Slush's Pool if that makes any difference.

Im only doing this because my computer sits there and does nothing when Im at school, and I want to put it to work. I will eventually get the GPU to work.

[jake262144]

EDITED::Uh-oh, is your GPU a GeForce 9400M? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Mini#Intel-based_Mac_Mini)

I hate to break your heart but that machine just doesn't belong in the mining universe.

[chasingu]

Nvidia Geforce 9400

Its a CUDA based GPU from what I understand, and in GUI Miner it stalls on Connecting when I try to use it.

[rjk]

Nvidia Geforce 9400

Its a CUDA based GPU from what I understand, and in GUI Miner it stalls on Connecting when I try to use it.

More inefficient hardware. Basically, you are shortening the life of your components by trying this - you need hardware that can run at significantly higher efficiency in order for it to be worthwhile.
If your hardware is more efficient, it can be run cooler, or even underclocked to extend its useable lifespan, while still providing a decent return.

ATI/AMD hardware is several times more efficient than Nvidia for Bitcoin mining. Be sure to check out the Mining Hardware Comparison on the Bitcoin Wiki.

[chasingu]

Im not trying to make a living off of this, just make a few bitcoins. Its not going to be running 24/7. I am part of a pool. I just wanted to know if I would have any heating problems.

[jake262144]

Nor should you. Ventilation is pretty non-existent, you're raising the temperature inside that little box slowly killing the capacitors.

Bitcoin mining is an extremely strenuous process for the hardware, it can be compared to running OCCT or Furmark.
With that machine, making a few bitcoins will take you a month of 24/7 grind, realistically speaking.

If you don't believe me, take a glance at your GPU specs: (http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9400M-G.11949.0.html)
Contrast them with normal (non-mobile) GPU cards at your leisure.

I'm not trying to get you down, I'm pointing out that you're attempting to use your Mac mini far out of spec.
It was never designed for mining and has neither the processing power, cooling, nor endurance required for the task.
To put it simple, it's perfectly inadequate.

[RodeoX]

I can understand wanting to mine just to check it out. However, you will want to consider the possible destruction of your computer into the cost. It is almost certain that you will not be profitable, and it may get expensive. 

[Gabi]

Apple makes high quality products, it will have no problems*

CPU mining is pretty much useless, you will make maybe some bitcents in a week or less...and Nvidia mining is pretty much the same. AMD graphic cards is the way to mine bitcoins

*i'm not serious about that.

[smeege]

I can understand wanting to mine just to check it out. However, you will want to consider the possible destruction of your computer into the cost. It is almost certain that you will not be profitable, and it may get expensive. 

Im new to mining but not hardware and this guy is right.  OP save your money while doing some research, get a decent rig, and then kick some butt

[Epoch]

Listen to the other posters here; you don't want to expose your Mac Mini to the harshness of bitcoin mining. Yes you will make a few bitcents, but you expose your hardware to unecessary (and expensive) risk and will likely its life. The Mini is a very neat machine, but is simply not engineered for this workload.

If want some bitcents to start playing with, just head over to the Bitcoin Faucet for some free ones:

https://freebitcoins.appspot.com/