Checklist for Setting up an AMD GPU Mining Rig

Mining is really not worth it unless you’re willing to optimise.
1st tier optimisation: undervolting + sub-60*C temps/cooling
2nd tier opt’s: BIOS mod + overclock

  1. BIOS: Disable onboard GPU
  2. BIOS: Set shared memory to minimum
  3. BIOS: Set power-up after power loss
    https://www.nicehash.com/blog/post/how-to-boot-or-power-up-mining-rig-automatically-after-power-loss
  4. Download and install Windows 10
  5. Create a system backup
  6. Permanently disable Windows 10 forced updates
    https://loggedfixes.com/tech/software/windows/disable-remove-windows-10-update/
  7. Disable Windows Defender Antivirus
  8. Disable Windows 10 User Account Control /UAC/
  9. System Properties -> Advanced system settings -> Advanced -> Settings -> Adjust for best performance
  10. Switch to High performance power plan
  11. Enable automatic login
    https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/automatically-log-in-to-your-windows-10-pc/
  12. Run as Admin: Windows 10 Registry tweaks for mining.bat
    Note: Carefully observe processes and resource usage after setting up W10Privacy. If needed, reverse: Configuration -> Load Settings -> w10privacy.ini
  13. Download GPU drivers
  14. Uninstall OS GPU drivers with DDU
    https://www.nicehash.com/blog/post/how-to-correctly-uninstall-and-install-gpu-drivers
  15. Install GPU drivers with Have disk…
  16. Disable integrated GPU from Device Manager
  17. Increase virtual memory to the sum of all GPUs VRAM + 50% system memory
    https://www.nicehash.com/blog/post/how-to-increase-virtual-memory-on-windows
  18. Create a system backup
  19. Perform undervolting: OvedriveNTool (AMD) for undervolting; Unigine for stress and benchmark; HWiNFO64 for voltage/temp monitoring.
  20. Enable compute mode
    https://www.nicehash.com/blog/post/how-to-enable-compute-mode-on-amd-cards-and-double-your-hash-rate
  21. Install NiceHash
    https://www.nicehash.com/download-center
  22. Undervolt and, optionally, overclock.
  23. https://www.nicehash.com/blog/post/how-to-overclock-or-underclock-gpu-devices-for-more-efficient-mining
  24. Once all settings have been finalized, install NoMachine for remote access.
  25. Reboot and set a static IP address (not DHCP-assigned).
  26. Create a system backup.
  27. Replace the monitor with a 4K dummy HDMI plug.

Sources

  1. #8 taken from this awesome mining guide

See Also (Misc (Re)sources)

  1. Best utilities for stress testing in 2020

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