Best OS for mining

HiveOS

Based on the Linux version of Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. It has a suitable interface for setting up a GPU farm to mine cryptocurrencies. HiveOS functionality allows you to manage wallets, optimize mining software, overclock GPUs, monitor hash rate and perform other operations.

You can monitor and manage regs remotely – HiveOS has a web interface for this purpose. The system spends minimum resources, so it works even on AM2/774 sockets with minimum RAM (from 2 GB).

HiveOS can be installed on a flash drive, HDD or SSD – it requires only 8 GB of free space.

The advantages of this OS include:

• Ability to build a farm that combines AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards.
• OS updates are downloaded via the Internet.
• Exchange of system settings via JSON.
• Remote access via web interface or Shellinabox, VNC and SSH.
• HiveOS has a built-in OpenVPN client.
• HiveOS supports up to 19 graphics cards in a single Rig.

It takes about 15-20 minutes to install and optimize the operating system for the farm. Cryptocurrency mining starts automatically after the wallet is connected to the pool. All settings are saved in the Config-file. They are used after a reboot, when mining automatically continues.

RaveOS

This OS was developed specifically for mining digital coins, taking into account the shortcomings of existing platforms and user recommendations. RaveOS works with more than 600 pools and supports about 50 cryptocurrency mining software products.

RaveOS allows you to customize, control and manage ASIC miners and regs. It supports almost all video cards. It quickly installs and identifies devices, exposes the necessary settings and displays detected devices on the dashboard. The operating system can be used for free if the farm consists of three graphics cards.

A referral program is implemented in RaveOS. It brings income for new users.

For smartphones, the OS developers have created a mobile application for remote monitoring of farms from anywhere. This allows to detect overheating or hashrate reduction for taking measures.

EthOS

The best operating system for Ethereum mining, as it was created specifically for this cryptocurrency. It is based on a Linux distribution that has been modernized. Its advantage is the absence of additional settings for ETH mining. This simplifies the task of optimizing the system for all beginners. The software sets the necessary parameters for the farm, and the user specifies the address of the pool. This OS for Ethereum mining is able to provide the work of regs and with other altcoins, among which are Zcash and Monero.

Which operating system is better for mining

It is impossible to unequivocally distinguish the top platform for mining cryptocurrencies. Miners choose it for the software and equipment used (the number of video cards in the farm). The most common are Windows and Linux. The former is easy to use and has the best driver support for graphics cards, and the system is constantly updated.

Ubuntu is popular due to its affordability and good GUI (graphical user interface), but not all miners need this feature. Basic command line skills are required to set up and manage this platform.

The main reason for installing Linux is its stability – the OS hardly crashes at all. It even updates itself in the process without rebooting.

The performance and stability of a cryptocurrency farm depends not only on the type of operating system, but also on the build version. Determining on which OS is better to mine, you need to be guided by advice:

• To avoid problems with trojans, you should not use ready-made builds from unknown sources. You should download the official version from Microsoft’s website or the original image from a torrent.
• Pirated builds contain unnecessary software. The less pre-installed programs, the better the farm works.
• You should not use driver packages when customizing the OS. Download only those that are required for the operation of a particular farm.
• On Windows 7 and 10, when installing video cards, the hashrate does not differ, but “seven” does not require updates. This protects against reboots or hangs.

When using the official version of Windows, there is no need to pay for it. The reminder on the screen about activation does not affect the work. The notification can be ignored.

What OS to put on the mining farm

There is a constant debate between miners on the choice of the best OS. Some use Windows 7, others sit on the “ten”, others choose Linux, and the fourth generally prefer to work with builds like EthOS or RaveOS.

“Seven” almost does not waste the resources of the graphics core, but limits the size of the farm (no more than 5 video cards). Windows 7 is suitable for beginner miners with a small budget.

Windows 10 is ideal for mining crypto coins, but it is difficult to optimize (compared to Windows 7). The main thing is not to download pirated builds. It is better to work on an unactivated official version with limited functionality that does not affect the mining of digital currencies.

Linux and mining builds based on it (HiveOS, RaveOS and others) are more reliable, as they are better protected from viruses. If you need to service dozens or hundreds of GPU regs, it is recommended to take the choice of OS especially seriously. It is better to choose one of the proven solutions with good service: HiveOS or RaveOS.

Summary

You can limit yourself to a Windows operating system for servicing one or several regs. It is easy to customize. You can do it yourself if you have skills or follow instructions and recommendations of experts on forums.

Sometimes it is better to use Linux builds – with some graphics cards this system allows you to achieve better performance. You can even try HiveOS or RaveOS, which are available for free when using a farm of no more than three graphics cards.

Frequently Asked Questions