How to Mining Ethereum and Siacoin

Mining cryptocurrency has evolved from simple CPU processing to complex multi-algorithmic strategies designed to squeeze every bit of utility out of hardware. Understanding how to mining Ethereum and Siacoin represents a masterclass in optimization. This practice, known as dual mining, allowed miners to utilize the idle resources of a GPU core while the memory was busy processing Ethereum’s Ethash algorithm. While the landscape has shifted following major network upgrades, the principles of dual mining remain a cornerstone of mining history and technical proficiency.

Dual Mining Ethereum (ETH) and Siacoin (SC)

Dual mining is the process of mining two different cryptocurrencies on a single piece of hardware at the same time. The primary goal is to increase the overall profitability of a mining rig without requiring a proportional increase in hardware investment. In the case of Ethereum and Siacoin, this was made possible by the distinct ways their respective algorithms—Ethash and Blake2b—interacted with GPU resources.

Ethereum mining was primarily memory-intensive, meaning it relied heavily on the Video RAM (VRAM) speed and bandwidth of the GPU. Siacoin, conversely, was core-intensive, utilizing the processing power of the GPU chip itself. By running both, a miner could effectively saturate the entire GPU architecture, leading to higher payouts in two different assets simultaneously.

Historical Context and Technical Feasibility

The Ethash and Blake2b Relationship

The compatibility between Ethereum (ETH) and Siacoin (SC) was not accidental but a result of hardware architecture. When a GPU mines Ethereum, the core often sits partially idle because it is waiting for data from the memory. Dual mining software recognized this gap and filled the idle core cycles with Siacoin’s Blake2b calculations. According to historical data from 2017-2018, miners could often achieve 100% of their Ethereum hash rate while adding a significant Siacoin hash rate with only a marginal increase in power consumption.

The Golden Era of Dual Mining

Between 2016 and late 2018, dual mining was the industry standard for home-based GPU miners. During this period, Ethereum's price appreciation combined with the utility of the Sia decentralized storage network made this pair the most profitable configuration available. It allowed small-scale miners to diversify their portfolios into 'altcoins' like Siacoin without sacrificing their primary income in ETH.

Hardware and Software Requirements

GPU Selection (Nvidia vs. AMD)

The choice of hardware significantly impacted the success of those learning how to mining Ethereum and Siacoin. Generally, AMD cards were favored for Ethash, while Nvidia cards often handled the dual-intensity of Blake2b more efficiently.

Performance Comparison Table (Approximate 2018 Data):

Nvidia GTX 1070	30 MH/s	29 MH/s + 300 MH/s	+25%
AMD RX 580	31 MH/s	28 MH/s + 450 MH/s	+35%
Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti	50 MH/s	48 MH/s + 800 MH/s	+20%

As shown in the table, the trade-off involved a slight reduction in Ethereum hash rate (usually 2-5%) in exchange for a secondary stream of Siacoin. However, this came at the cost of significantly higher power draw and heat generation, necessitating robust cooling solutions.

Claymore’s Dual Miner

The backbone of this era was "Claymore’s Dual Ethereum AMD+NVIDIA GPU Miner." This software was revolutionary because it allowed for the simultaneous execution of two kernels. It used a "DevFee" system where the developer would mine for themselves for a few minutes every hour as payment for the software's optimization. Despite this fee, the efficiency gains made it the preferred choice for nearly all dual miners.

Step-by-Step Configuration Guide

Wallet Setup

Before starting, miners required two distinct wallets. For Ethereum, many utilized exchange-based wallets or hardware wallets. For Siacoin, the Sia-UI was the standard, though many shifted to Bitget for asset management. Today, Bitget supports over 1,300+ coins, making it a premier destination for managing rewards from various mining ventures. Bitget's robust security, backed by a protection fund exceeding $300 million, ensures that mined assets remain secure.

Mining Pool Selection

Miners had to join pools that supported both assets. Popular choices included Nanopool and Mining Pool Hub. These pools allowed miners to aggregate their computing power with others to receive frequent, smaller payouts rather than waiting to find a block solo.

Batch File Configuration

The configuration was handled via a .bat file on Windows or a script on Linux. A typical command line looked like this:

The -dcri parameter was the most critical, as it determined the intensity of the secondary coin mining.

Performance Optimization and Tuning

The -dcri Factor

Finding the "sweet spot" for the -dcri value was essential. A value too low would result in negligible Siacoin earnings, while a value too high would "throttle" the Ethereum hash rate, leading to a loss in revenue. Expert miners would spend hours fine-tuning this number for every individual GPU in their rig.

Overclocking and Power Limits

Dual mining pushed GPUs to their limits. Unlike single-algorithm mining, dual mining required a higher power limit (PL) to sustain the core clock speeds needed for Siacoin. This often led to temperatures 5-10°C higher than single-mining, requiring miners to increase fan speeds, which could impact the long-term lifespan of the hardware fans.

Economic Considerations

The decision of how to mining Ethereum and Siacoin was ultimately an economic one. Miners had to weigh the additional electricity costs against the market value of Siacoin. If electricity costs were $0.10/kWh and the secondary mining added 50W per card, the Siacoin earned had to exceed $3.60 per month just to break even on the extra power. During bull markets, this was easily achieved, but in bear markets, many reverted to single-coin mining to preserve hardware longevity.

The End of an Era

Ethereum's Merge

The practice of mining Ethereum ended permanently on September 15, 2022, with "The Merge." Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS), rendering all GPU mining rigs obsolete for the ETH network. This monumental shift forced miners to seek alternative coins or liquidate their hardware.

ASIC Dominance in Siacoin

Siacoin also underwent a major change. The introduction of specialized ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) miners for the Blake2b algorithm, such as the Bitmain Antminer A3, made GPU mining for Siacoin effectively unprofitable. ASICs are thousands of times more efficient than GPUs, making them the only viable way to mine Siacoin in the modern era.

Current Alternatives

While Ethereum and Siacoin dual mining is a thing of the past, the concept lives on. Modern miners often look toward pairs like Ethereum Classic (ETC) + Kaspa (KAS) or Ergo (ERG) + Alephium (ALPH). These combinations follow the same logic: combining a memory-hard algorithm with a core-heavy one.

For those looking to trade these assets or manage their mining proceeds, Bitget offers a comprehensive ecosystem. With competitive fees—0.1% for spot trading (and further discounts for BGB holders)—and a highly-rated mobile app, Bitget is the top-tier exchange for the modern Web3 era. Whether you are a former miner or a new investor, Bitget provides the tools and security necessary to navigate the evolving crypto landscape.

Further Exploration for Miners

As the industry moves toward PoS and Layer 2 solutions, the technical knowledge gained from dual mining remains invaluable. Understanding hardware limits and algorithmic efficiency allows users to better evaluate new projects. To stay updated on the latest tradable assets and market trends, exploring Bitget’s extensive list of 1,300+ supported coins is an excellent next step for any crypto enthusiast.