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Definition: miner hardware
The equipment required to mine cryptocurrencies, which is the competitive process of adding new transactions to a blockchain. Bitcoin uses the proof-of-work (PoW) algorithm, which requires the miner to solve a mathematical puzzle, and specialized hardware is used containing custom-designed ASIC chips. These "ASIC rigs" are plugged into the Internet, turned on, configured and left to mine crypto. They also use a huge amount of electricity. See ASIC miner.
Proof-of-Work (PoW) Processing
In order to solve the Bitcoin proof-of-work puzzle, trillions of mathematical transformations, known as hashes, are computed every second. The hash rate of a computer, GPU or ASIC machine determines how successful a user will be in earning the block subsidy by being first to solve the puzzle and win the competition. Today, companies with thousands of machines running 24/7 are mining Bitcoin, and it could take an individual with one machine years to be first to solve the puzzle, if ever. See hash rate.
Regular Computers and GPUs
New cryptocurrencies are coming online constantly, and new cryptos can generally be mined with everyday computers containing stand-alone GPU cards. See GPGPU.
The Bitmain ASIC Miner
Miner Motherboard
Proof-of-Work (PoW) Processing
In order to solve the Bitcoin proof-of-work puzzle, trillions of mathematical transformations, known as hashes, are computed every second. The hash rate of a computer, GPU or ASIC machine determines how successful a user will be in earning the block subsidy by being first to solve the puzzle and win the competition. Today, companies with thousands of machines running 24/7 are mining Bitcoin, and it could take an individual with one machine years to be first to solve the puzzle, if ever. See hash rate.
Regular Computers and GPUs
New cryptocurrencies are coming online constantly, and new cryptos can generally be mined with everyday computers containing stand-alone GPU cards. See GPGPU.
Custom made for solving the proof-of-work puzzle, the Antminer S9 was one of the fastest ASIC miner machines on the market in 2017. ASIC miners such as this use a whole lot more power than an ordinary PC, and this unit requires a stand-alone 1600-watt power supply. (Image courtesy of Bitmain Technologies.)
In 2018, Asus introduced its H370 Mining Master motherboard with support for 20 graphics cards (GPUs) via USB riser cables. (Image courtesy of ASUSTeK Computer Inc.)