Mining Software

NBMinerGPU Mining Software Guide for Windows Users

A practical guide to NBMiner for Windows: supported algorithms, installation steps, safety checks, pros and cons, and alternatives for GPU miners.

Free (developer fee) Open source Windows: Yes v42.3 Updated 2 Sept 2022
9 min read Last update 2 Sept 2022 github.com/nebutech/nbminer

NBMiner is a GPU mining program for Windows and Linux aimed at people who run graphics cards to mine supported cryptocurrencies. It is best suited to miners who already understand pool settings, wallet addresses and basic rig management, and who want a command-line tool with support for several popular mining algorithms.

The project is open source and free to use, but it includes a developer fee that is taken from mined output. Its development has been stopped, and the most recent code update dates to September 2022. That makes it important to review the release status before committing a rig to it, especially since newer hardware and mining algorithms may not be covered.

02

What Is NBMiner and Who Is It For?

NBMiner is a command-line and configuration-driven GPU miner. It is built for people who connect graphics cards to mining pools and want fine control over algorithms, pool endpoints and hardware settings. It is not a wallet and does not store coins; it only performs the hashing work and sends results to a pool that you specify.

The typical user is someone who has already chosen a coin and a pool and wants a reliable miner that runs on Nvidia or AMD hardware. Beginners can use it, but they should first learn how mining pools, wallet addresses and hashrate work, because mistakes in configuration can lead to lost earnings rather than visible errors.

03

How GPU Mining Works in Practice

A GPU miner repeatedly computes hashes for a given algorithm and submits valid shares to a mining pool. The pool combines the work of many participants and distributes rewards in proportion to the shares each one contributes. Your results depend on your hashrate, power consumption, electricity cost and the difficulty of the network you are mining.

Because difficulty and coin prices change constantly, many miners check profitability before switching coins or algorithms. A miner like NBMiner only does the calculation; choosing the right coin is a separate decision that depends on current market data, which you should verify yourself.

04

Key Concepts Behind Mining Software

Several terms appear often in mining documentation. A hashrate measures how many hashes per second a device can compute. A share is a partial proof of work sent to the pool. A developer fee is a small percentage of mining time directed to the software author, and it is applied differently by each program.

Algorithm names such as Ethash, Etchash and KawPow describe the rules a coin uses to validate work. Miners must match the algorithm in their software to the network they target. Understanding these terms makes it easier to read pool statistics and troubleshoot a rig that is producing fewer shares than expected.

05

Typical Use Cases for a GPU Miner

Some users run a single gaming PC overnight and mine when the machine is idle. Others operate a rig with six or more graphics cards in a dedicated room, where noise, heat and power draw matter more than appearance. NBMiner suits both situations because it runs in the background and can be scripted for repeat launches.

A third group uses mining as a test environment to learn about pool configuration, driver behavior and power tuning. In each case, the most valuable result is a stable, well-documented setup rather than a short burst of high hashrate.

06

Key features

Cross-platform support

NBMiner runs on both Windows and Linux, so the same mining approach can be used on a single desktop or on a multi-GPU rig running a Linux distribution. The official Windows build is the version most home miners will start with.

LHR unlock for Nvidia cards

The program includes an option that targets Nvidia cards limited by LHR (Lite Hash Rate) restrictions when mining Ethereum and Ethereum Classic. Users often look for this feature when they want to recover the performance of LHR-limited GPUs.

Backup mining pools

You can configure a backup pool so that mining continues if the primary pool goes offline or becomes unreachable. This reduces downtime on rigs that run unattended overnight or while the owner is away.

SSL pool connections

NBMiner supports encrypted SSL connections to mining pools. Encrypted traffic makes it harder for third parties on the same network to read or interfere with the data sent between the rig and the pool.

Multiple algorithms

The program can mine several algorithms, including Ethash, Etchash, KawPow, Autolykos, Cuckoo Cycle and Octopus. This range lets a miner switch between coins based on profitability, as long as the chosen coin uses one of the supported algorithms.

Driver memory tweak option

The memory tweak option can automatically install a driver on Windows when it is set and no driver is present. It also helps on rigs where driver installation previously failed, which is useful for miners who manage several machines.
07

Supported coins

NBMiner's documentation mentions Ethereum (ETH), Ravencoin (RVN), Ergo (ERG) and Beam among the networks it can mine. Supported algorithms include Ethash, Etchash, KawPow, Autolykos, Cuckoo Cycle and Octopus. Check the current release notes before mining any coin, because support for specific networks can change between versions.

08

How to install NBMiner on Windows

  1. 1

    Download the official build

    Get the Windows package from the official project page or from the GitHub Releases page linked to the nebutech repository. Avoid third-party mirrors and download sites, since modified executables are a common way to distribute malware disguised as mining tools.

  2. 2

    Verify the file

    Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded archive with the value published by the developer. If a signature is provided, verify it as well. Do not run the file if the checksum does not match.

  3. 3

    Extract the archive

    Unpack the archive into a dedicated folder, such as a folder on a secondary drive, rather than the Downloads directory. Keep the configuration files in the same place so you can find them when you update the software.

  4. 4

    Install or update GPU drivers

    Install a supported Nvidia or AMD driver before starting the miner. The software expects a recent Nvidia driver, and the developer lists specific driver versions that are known to work well. Other versions may cause compatibility problems.

  5. 5

    Create a launch configuration

    Write a batch file or configuration that sets the algorithm, pool address, port, worker name and wallet address. Start with a single GPU to confirm that shares are accepted before scaling to a full rig.

  6. Confirm the run

    Launch the miner from a command prompt so you can read its output. Check that the GPUs are detected, the hashrate appears and the pool reports accepted shares. Only then set the software to run automatically.

09

System requirements

  • Nvidia GPU with a driver version of 410 or later
  • Recommended Nvidia driver for Windows: 512.15, according to the developer
  • Recommended Nvidia driver for Linux: 510.60
  • Windows operating system
  • Linux is supported as a separate platform
10

How to use NBMiner

NBMiner is controlled through a launch command or configuration file, so the setup is more technical than a graphical miner. The main steps are choosing the algorithm, entering the pool address and port, specifying your wallet and worker name, and then starting the program. Test each change with one card before applying it to the whole rig.

  1. Open a command prompt in the folder where the miner is extracted.
  2. Enter the algorithm and the pool address with the port you received from your pool.
  3. Add your wallet address and a worker name, using the format your pool requires.
  4. Enable a backup pool if you want mining to continue during an outage.
  5. Start the miner and watch the output for the GPU list and the hashrate for each card.
  6. Check the pool dashboard to confirm that shares are being accepted.
  7. If you use the memory tweak option on Windows, run the command with administrator rights so the driver can be installed when needed.
  8. Save the final command in a batch file so the rig starts the same way every time.
11

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Free to use, with no purchase price
  • Supports both Windows and Linux
  • Includes backup pool configuration and SSL connections
  • Offers an option aimed at LHR-limited Nvidia cards
  • Covers several mining algorithms in one program
Cons
  • Development has been stopped, so new algorithms and hardware may not be supported
  • Latest code update dates to 2022
  • Developer fee is taken from mining output
  • License is not clearly stated, which matters for commercial users
  • Configuration is technical and not suited to complete beginners
12

Is NBMiner safe?

Download NBMiner only from the official website or the project's GitHub page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running it. Never enter a seed phrase, private key or account password into a third-party website or chat, because no legitimate mining program needs them. Mining software is frequently flagged by antivirus tools, and that is a reason to check the file carefully, not a reason to switch off protection entirely. Keep your antivirus active, add an exclusion only for the specific folder if your tool requires it, and scan the archive before extraction. Because development has stopped, review the release history and consider whether an unmaintained binary is acceptable for your rig.

  • Official source only. Download from github.com/nebutech/nbminer. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
  • Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
  • Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
13

Alternatives

NBMiner competes with several Nvidia-focused miners that target similar algorithms. Its distinguishing features in this group are the cross-platform build and the explicit LHR option for Ethereum-era cards. Programs such as GMiner, lolMiner and Rigel are also actively described in the catalog as GPU miners, and comparing them on current support, algorithm coverage and fee structure is a sensible step before choosing.

If you want ongoing development, check whether the alternatives are still updated. If your hardware is AMD or Intel, some Nvidia-only tools will not be suitable, so confirm device support before switching. Each miner has its own configuration style, so plan time for testing when moving a rig from one program to another.

14

Specifications

Price
Free (developer fee)
Type
Open source
License
Undefined
Latest version
42.3
Last update
2 Sept 2022
Windows support
Yes (official Windows version)
Source code
github.com/nebutech/nbminer
15

Frequently asked questions

NBMiner is free to download and use. The developer takes a fee from mining output rather than charging a purchase price. Review the fee details in the documentation, since the percentage is part of your expected earnings calculation.

No. The project's development has been stopped, and the most recent code update was in September 2022. This means new coins, algorithms or driver changes may not be covered, so evaluate the risk before using it on a production rig.

The hardware listing for the program includes AMD through OpenCL, alongside Nvidia through CUDA and CPU mining. Confirm the current driver and algorithm compatibility for your specific card before relying on it.

The documentation mentions Ethereum, Ravencoin, Ergo and Beam, and the program supports algorithms such as Ethash, Etchash, KawPow, Autolykos, Cuckoo Cycle and Octopus. Always confirm that the coin you choose uses a supported algorithm.

LHR is a restriction some Nvidia cards have to reduce Ethereum mining performance. NBMiner includes an option aimed at removing that limit for Ethereum and Ethereum Classic mining. Results depend on your card and driver version.

It can be, if you download it from the official source and verify the checksum. Avoid unofficial downloads, and never enter a seed phrase or private key into any miner or website. Mining tools are often flagged by antivirus software, so check the file carefully rather than disabling protection.

The ready-made Windows program does not require a development environment. You need a compatible Nvidia driver and a configuration that points to your pool and wallet. Build tools are only relevant if you compile the software from source.

Start the miner from a command prompt and confirm that your GPUs are listed with a reported hashrate. Then check your pool dashboard for accepted shares. If shares are rejected, recheck the wallet address, worker name and algorithm.

16

Verdict

NBMiner suits experienced miners who run Nvidia or mixed GPU rigs, want a free command-line tool with backup pools and SSL connections, and accept that development has stopped. It is a reasonable choice for a controlled test or a stable existing setup, but new miners and anyone needing current algorithm support should compare it with actively maintained alternatives before committing their hardware.

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