Learn How to Build a Cryptocurrency Mining Computer from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Build your own cryptocurrency mining computer.
How to configure a cryptocurrency mining computer.

Basic computer components and how they work.
Get up and running fast.

Build your own cryptocurrency mining computer.
How to configure a cryptocurrency mining computer.
Basic computer components and how they work.
Get up and running fast.

Syllabus

Introduction

Before diving in, I must weigh the pros and cons before starting this new project. Here are 5 Things to Consider Before Building a Mining Rig.

Here is an article from 2022 outlining coins you can mine with a GPU Mining Computer: https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/cryptocurrency-to-mine-with-gpu/

A short video describing what you will need to get started besides computer parts to build your mining rig.

There are many options when it comes to building a mining rig. Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, this could vary for you.

Before deciding to build an Ethereum Mining Rig it is important to calculate what your return on investment will be. There are online calculators that can help estimate your ROI. In this video we look at how to use them to estimate your return on investment.

In this section you will learn how to plan and build your mining computer

Unfortunately my parts list is no longer valid. As mentioned in the videos, a mining rig only needs strong GPU performance. It is best to look at the mining performance of GPUs for the coin you plan to mine. Use this resource from Nishhash to determine which GPUs perform best for each coin capable of being mined by GPUs Mining Rigs.

https://www.nicehash.com/mining-hardware

The Graphics Cards (GPUs) do the heavy lifting. We will be building a 6 card mining rig. In this video we talk about the difference between choosing AMD cards and Nvidia Cards.

In this video we assemble the frame that will hold our mining computer together.

In this video we are going to mount our motherboard to the frame.

In this video we are going to install the CPU. The CPU is the Central Processing Unit of the computer.

In this video we will install our RAM onto the Motherboard of our Mining Rig. RAM stands for Random Access Memory.

In this video we are going to get the Power Supply (PSU) of our Mining Rig set up and ready to plug into the motherboard.

In this video we will connect the power cables from the PSU to the Motherboard of our Mining Rig.

In this video we will install the Solid State Hard Drive into your Mining Rig.

In this video we will install the GPU risers onto our Mining Rig. The GPU risers allow you to connect more than three GPUs to the motherboard.

Now it is time to install our GPUs. GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and they provide the power to mine.

In this video we are going to get our Mining Rig prepared to boot for the first time. So Excited!!

We have our mining computer built. Now it is time to configure it.

There are a few bios settings that need to be changed in the Motherboard of our Mining Rig. The most important setting to change is the 4G setting under the Boot option that allows the motherboard to recognize more than 3 GPUs.

We will now install Windows 10 which will be the operating system of our mining computer. It is up to you to decide whether or not you want to purchase a Windows 10 license. Windows 10 licenses are not required as Windows 10 will continue to run in trial mode without issue. There are some additional features of Windows 10 that you will get once you register the software, but they are not needed for mining.

In this video we are going to set up and configure Windows 10 on our mining computer.

In this video we install a Wifi Adapter to get connected to the internet.

In this video we will install the Blockchain specific AMD drivers for the GPUs. AMD GPUs require specific drivers. If you install the normal AMD drivers your mining performance will not be very high. Nvidia cards do not have specific drivers.

In this video we unlock the true potential of the AMD Radeon RX 580 Graphics Cards by modifying their bios.

In this video we will set up an Ethereum Wallet that will be used to hold our payouts from mining.

I recommend manually typing in myethereumwallet.com. Clicking on links can be risky, even from secure websites such as this one.

In this video we will get set up to mine Ethereum.

Now we're mining! Let's take a look at what we see on the screen and discuss what's next.

Learn how to optimize and manage your Mining Computer for Performance.

In this video we are going to squeeze a bit more power out of our GPUs by overclocking the memory. You will need to download and install MSI Afterburner to do this. Even if your cards are not MSI brand cards the Afterburner program should still work just fine.

In this video we look at a couple of options to change in Windows 10 to assure your mining rig stays up and running.

Configure Windows 10 to auto login after power loss.

Configure Windows 10 to automatically start Claymore Miner after a power loss.

If you run into issues, these videos will come in handy.

In this video we look at uninstalling the GPU drivers in Windows. If Windows automatically installed a driver that is incorrect or you can't get your cards performing as I did in earlier videos, you may need to uninstall the GPU drivers and reinstall them.

If you are having issues getting all of your GPUs to be recognized by your system you may want to start by troubleshooting the GPU risers. In this video we troubleshoot this issue.

In this video we are going to look at fixing an under-performing GPU by first determining which card it is and then troubleshooting the problem with it.

What's next and where to go from here.

Your journey starts now! You now have what you need to build your first Etherem Mining Rig.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores ideas and case studies from across industries, which will resonate with learners across a wide range of fields

Develops technical skills for building mining computers and optimizing performance, which are core skills for those interested in cryptocurrency mining

This course is not suited for absolute beginners in computer science

Students may need to purchase additional hardware and software to complete all activities and assignments

Examines leading software and tools used in the industry, preparing learners for real-world applications

Taught by Jerad Hill, who is a seasoned expert in the field of cryptocurrency mining

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn How to Build a Cryptocurrency Mining Computer with these activities:

Review Basic Computer Hardware Principles

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Review the functions and interactions of computer hardware components, such as motherboard, CPU, RAM, GPU, and power supply, to ensure a better understanding of the mining rig assembly process.

Browse courses on Computer Hardware

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Read articles or watch videos about the basics of computer hardware and their functions
Identify the different components of a computer and their roles in the system

Create a Build Plan for Mining Rig

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Helps in documenting the planned components and assembly process for the mining rig; it ensures that all necessary parts are acquired, and the build process runs smoothly without any missing or incompatible components.

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Research and select the components needed for the mining rig, including frame, motherboard, CPU, RAM, GPU cards, and power supply
Plan the assembly process with a step-by-step guide, including installing hardware components, connecting cables, and setting up the mining software
Create a budget and timeline for completing the mining rig build
Consider options for monitoring and maintaining the mining rig, such as remote access tools and automated monitoring software to ensure ongoing uptime and performance.

Review Cryptocurrency with Whitepapers

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Review a few white papers of well-established cryptocurrencies to refresh understanding of concepts, terminology, and mechanics.

Browse courses on Cryptocurrency

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Locate a few prominent cryptocurrency projects and read their white papers
Summarize how each of the whitepapers explain the mechanics of their respective cryptocurrencies

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Practice Calculating Return on Investment (ROI)

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Practice using online ROI calculators to estimate initial capital, revenue, expenses, and profit; this will help to determine the viability of building out a cryptocurrency mining rig.

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Find online ROI calculators for cryptocurrency mining
Enter different scenarios for capital, hashrate, and energy costs to see how they affect ROI

Review Open-Source Mining Software

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Review open-source mining software such as Claymore Miner or SimpleMining OS to understand their features, configuration options, and potential benefits; this knowledge will help in selecting and setting up the mining software for optimal performance.

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Visit websites or GitHub repositories of open-source mining software
Read documentation, tutorials, and user forums to understand the features and capabilities of the software
Compare and contrast different open-source mining software options to determine the most suitable one based on the specific mining setup and preferences

Join Online Forums for Cryptocurrency Mining

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Connect with fellow cryptocurrency mining enthusiasts and professionals in online forums; this can provide valuable insights, troubleshooting tips, and opportunities to learn from others' experiences and expertise.

Browse courses on Community Engagement

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Search for and join reputable online forums dedicated to cryptocurrency mining
Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share knowledge with other members of the community
Stay updated on the latest trends and developments in the cryptocurrency mining industry

Career center

Learners who complete Learn How to Build a Cryptocurrency Mining Computer will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Technical Support Specialist

If you are interested in a role providing technical support for computer users, then this course can be useful. Technical Support Specialists provide technical support to computer users, both over the phone and in person. To become a Technical Support Specialist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, along with several years of experience in IT. The course provides you with a foundational knowledge of computer hardware and software which will be useful for troubleshooting and supporting computer users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist

Computer Hardware Architect

To become a Computer Hardware Architect, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or a related field, along with several years of experience in computer hardware design. Taking this course can be useful as it can help you build a foundation in computer architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Architect

Computer Systems Analyst

Taking the course could help lead you into a role as a Computer Systems Analyst. Computer Systems Analysts help design computer systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations. To become a Computer Systems Analyst, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. The course may be of particular value to you as you will gain experience working with a variety of computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Systems Administrator

If you wish to become a Systems Administrator, this course may be useful. Systems Administrators maintain and troubleshoot computer systems and networks. To become a Systems Administrator, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, along with several years of experience in IT. This course can let you practice and gain proficiency in installing, configuring, and maintaining computer systems and networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Network Engineer

To become a Network Engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, along with several years of experience in network engineering. This course could be useful as it can help you build a foundation in computer hardware.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineer

If you wish to become a Computer Hardware Engineer, taking the course will help you build a foundation. Becoming a Computer Hardware Engineer requires an advanced degree, but building mining computers may lead you into other roles such as Computer Support Specialist or IT Project Manager that may only require a certification.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

Network Administrator

To become a Network Administrator, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, along with several years of experience in IT. The course can be useful as it will help you build a foundation in computer hardware which is useful to understand how network systems operate and communicate with each other.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Information Security Analyst

If you are interested in becoming an Information Security Analyst, this course may be useful. Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer systems and networks. To become an Information Security Analyst, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, along with several years of experience in IT security. The course can provide you with a foundational understanding of computer hardware which can be beneficial in securing and protecting computer systems and networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Software Engineer

If you wish to become a Software Engineer, taking this course may be useful. Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. To become a Software Engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. The course can be useful in helping you to understand how computers work at the hardware level.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Computer Programmer

If you wish to become a Computer Programmer, taking this course may be useful. Computer Programmers write and test code that makes computers perform tasks. To become a Computer Programmer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. The course can be useful in helping you to understand how computers work at the hardware level.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

IT Manager

If you are interested in learning about the technical aspects of managing an IT department, then this course may be useful. IT Managers plan, organize, and direct the activities of an organization's IT department. To become an IT Manager, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, along with several years of experience in IT. The course can provide you with some of that needed experience with IT.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Data Analyst

If you are interested in becoming a Data Analyst, taking this course may be useful. Data Analysts collect, analyze, interpret, and present data. To become a Data Analyst, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a field such as computer science, statistics, or mathematics. The course can help you build a foundation with computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

IT Project Manager

If you are looking to get into the field of IT Project Management, then taking the course may be useful. IT Project Managers plan, organize, and direct the implementation of IT projects. To become an IT Project Manager, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, along with several years of experience in IT. The course can help you gain experience by building and configuring a mining computer from scratch.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager

Software Developer

If you are interested in becoming a Software Developer, then taking this course may be useful. Software Developers design, develop, and test software applications. As more and more devices become interconnected, such as in the Internet of Things (IoT), having a foundational understanding of computer hardware, such as in this course, may be helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Web Developer

If you wish to become a Web Developer, taking this course may also be useful. Web Developers design and develop websites. To become a Web Developer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, along with several years of experience in web development. The course can help you build a foundation in how computer systems work, which is important when designing websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer