It has been some time since Satoshi Nakamoto published his Bitcoin white paper. We do not know who Satoshi is yet. However, we certainly know that the star of cryptocurrency is rising & shining.
There was a time when crypto mining was relatively easy, as there were not many miners in the business. However, today it is not a walk in the park as the number of miners has shot up significantly.
The amount of energy and time needed to mine a single coin today is way higher than it was some years ago. The software side of things is as crucial as hardware. So, have a solid OS in your hands to have an efficient mining system.
With multiple choices available, which OS should you choose for your crypto mining operations then? We will answer this question in detail below.
Table of Contents
What to Know Before Selecting an OS for Mining?
Of course, you cannot just around after building your mining rig. It is a PC, meaning it needs an operating system to run.
Before choosing any operating system for mining, it is crucial to pin down criteria. Operating Systems differ in multiple aspects, and without having practical knowledge, you will likely go astray.
First of all, you should be aware that most people use Windows for their mining operations. However, not everyone does that, as other options are available too.
Always check how an OS performs in regular usages, such as starting up going to sleep mode. Operating Systems have special settings to facilitate mining cryptocurrency, offering excellent optimization.
It is not just the OS that matters; the software that comes with it should not be ignored either. The software must be updated regularly to get rid of any bugs and ensure smooth operations. It is instrumental in performing functions like overclocking and undervolting.
Ensuring the compatibility of OS with hardware is critical. If there is any incompatibility, it will harm mining operations and generate inefficiencies of all sorts.
Choose an OS that supports multiple profiles if you want to optimize the performance of both CPU & GPU. Select an OS that supports multiple-currency mining if you plan on mining multiple coins at once.
Popular Mining OS
Should you choose Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, or any other OS? You can try your hands at multiple, and all have their pros and cons. A discussion on them is needed to understand which one will suit you the best.
● Windows 10
Undoubtedly the OG of cryptocurrency mining, Windows OS, is still used by a majority. It is also a great OS for beginners. However, that does not mean it is the simplest of the bunch. The thing that has fueled its popularity is the tradition it entails. Many people know how it works, so they prefer using it to other options.
Pros
The biggest plus going Window’s side is that it is completely free. You do not have to submit any fee and get a license for mining. It is also simple to script on Windows 10 as all you have to do is sign in, and voila!
PowerShell is another powerful feature Window provides alongside some handy scripting languages. For instance, if you mine and play games on the same machine, Windows will halt mining automatically once it detects gameplay. Is it not convenient?
Cons
However, there are some glaring downsides to mining on Windows, too. For instance, the deadly stare of the blue screen announcing a crash haunts miners day in day out. Moreover, if you mine on your PC and delete Windows for mining software, you can no longer use your system for other than mining.
● Linux-based Mining OS
Linux is another popular mining OS that has a lot going for it. In fact, it is better than Windows in multiple areas.
Pros
Using a Linux-based mining OS means all your rigs are connected to your account. So, you can modify any rig at any time from your web application and do not have to go to each rig individually.
Many people are intimidated when they hear the word Linux, but trust me, it is not that complicated. It feels like a breeze once you start using it because it does not require advanced knowledge of Linux.
Cons
An inconvenience that you might face using a Linux-based mining OS is the cost. Although they do not cost an arm and a leg and offer free trials, it is something you should still keep in mind.
You might face a serious issue if you do not secure your account properly. Someone getting access to your account can redirect all of your rigs to their wallet. In the case of Windows, they would get hold of just one rig, not all.
● Ubuntu
Ubuntu is an open-source mining OS that is optimized for mining and offers an excellent opportunity for creative people.
Pros
Its biggest plus is its stability, which far surpasses Windows OS. You do not have to face any unwanted crashes as everything keeps running smoothly even when it receives updates. Moreover, you have the freedom to create your tools in Ubuntu.
Cons
However, it has its own downsides, the biggest being unavailability of mining applications. Their unavailability means you have to download them and all the other stuff yourself. In addition, you need to install mining software yourself.
This requires a learning curve where you have to put in some effort. For a procrastinator, it is a downside. However, for a learner, nothing could be better than this.
Conclusion
So, now you have all the information you need to decide which OS suits your mining needs. Windows OS is an excellent start for beginners, but it has drawbacks. Go for Windows only if you use six GPUs or fewer to avoid crashes. If the number of GPUs is higher than six, going with Linux is a much safer bet.
Keep exploring and change your perspective if it seems viable. You do not have to stay in one place. I am wishing you successful mining!