Setting up a video card for mining

AMD

Graphics cards have an open source BIOS, so the system can be reflashed and memory timings can be changed. You must save the original version for each GPU before customizing the settings. The reflashing is performed in the ATIFlash program.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Run MSI Afterburner and the miner. Record hash rate and power consumption at factory settings.
2. Start ATIFlash. Load a modified version of BIOS.
3. Select step by step the optimal values of Core Clock, Memory Clock, Power Limit.

It is necessary to strive for maximum hash rate with minimum power consumption and preserving system stability. If the computer hangs, blue screen appears, there is “flickering”, you need to roll back a step.

Intel

The computing ability of the graphics processor is determined by the number of cores, the amount of cache and VRAM, frequency and supported protocols of operation. To start mining on an Intel card, you need to:

1. Enable OpenCL technology for multi-threaded computing. You will have to install the latest version of drivers. In some cases, you may need to download the Intel OpenCL SDK.
2. Assign the maximum memory size for the video adapter in BIOS. The setting is performed in the Share Memory section of the main menu.

Despite the high performance, Intel cards do not support all PoW protocols. GPU is suitable for mining cryptocurrencies using Verthash, CryptoNight algorithms.

Energy efficiency

The main indicator in mining is payback. The potential of the graphics core can be adjusted depending on the algorithm of cryptocurrency mining. It is not uncommon for miners to reduce the frequency and power consumption without reducing the hash rate. The procedure is as follows:

1. Launch the WattTool program. After rebooting the operating system, the GPU parameters return to the factory settings, so they need to be reset.
2. Fix the current hash rate and consumption at default values.
3. Change the Memory parameter. To maximize hashrate, you need to set the Target temperature slider to 65 degrees.
4. Find the optimal core frequency by gradually adjusting the GPU-P6, P7 parameter. The step of change is not more than 50 MHz.
5. Gradually reduce power consumption in steps of 5-10 mW, observing the hash rate and system stability. If there are no errors, you need to reduce Memory. After that, reduce Memory step by step until the optimal values are found.

During testing you should control the temperature. The indicator should not exceed 65 degrees. You can not reduce the power consumption below 800 mW.

Utilities to control the work of the graphics card

Most miners combine graphics processors of manufacturers. Therefore, a universal program MSI Afterburner is often used to control the farm. The utility performs the following functions:

• Controls the frequency and memory of the GPU.
• Configures the mode of operation of fans. It can be set to automatically change the speed taking into account the temperature of the board.
• Informs about the state of the GPU.
• Records video and creates screenshots of the screen.
• Controls a group of GPUs. You can create up to 5 sets of parameter settings.

You can also use GIGABYTE Xtreme and AORUS Graphics Engine to control NVIDIA cards. They are less popular because most miners have different brands of GPUs in their farms. In this case you will have to use AMD MSI Afterburner. Besides, AORUS Graphics Engine BIOS does not automatically apply settings for each graphics card when rebooting.

Overclocking

The developers allow increasing the power and performance of graphics processors up to 40%. When overclocking (forced increase of card parameters), power consumption becomes higher. Therefore, for a mining farm it is better to buy a powerful power supply with the expectation of optimization.

Other settings for mining, in addition to the video card

A standard farm for mining digital currencies is a computer with 4-6 GPUs. You can use a home PC with one card. Before you start mining, you need to choose a cryptocurrency, pool, calculate the payback of the business. The further order of actions is as follows:

1. Register a digital wallet.
2. Download a mining program on the pool’s website.
3. Install the utility and customize the .bat file (starts mining with the specified parameters). To do this, specify the name of the protocol of connection to the pool, coordinates of the main and additional servers, port, wallet address, computer name.

After launching the .bat file, basic data (hashrate, power consumption, number of orbs, card temperature) will appear on the screen.

The user should look at the command line of the miner program at least once a day to promptly respond to failures.

Frequent mistakes of beginners

Beginners often customize the operating system and video card. This leads to the failure of the miner. The most common mistakes of beginners are as follows:

• Incorrect installation of drivers on cards with a reflashed BIOS. To avoid the error, you need to disable automatic Windows updates. You can fix it with AMD/ATI Pixel Clock Patcher.
• Incorrect designation of the miner when specifying GPU. Incorrect filling of parameters in the .bat file. You need to look carefully at the settings: there might be a typo or a missing dot.
• The miner program cannot detect the card. It is necessary to reconnect processors and update drivers.
• OpenCL error -4 (0). To fix it, you need to increase the virtual memory size.

Summary

With a competent configuration of the video card, you can significantly increase the performance of mining. Optimal parameters strongly depend on the algorithm of cryptocurrency mining, because RAM and kernel are used differently. To find the best mode, you need to change both parameters.

Optimal values also depend on the manufacturer and the memory chip used. The miner should strive for energy efficiency of the GPU. To do this, it is necessary to reduce the supply voltage and fan speed. This way, power costs can be reduced and cooling life can be increased.

Frequently Asked Questions