NiceHash Excavator is a free, open-source mining program for Windows that targets NVIDIA graphics cards. It suits experienced miners who want direct control over a GPU rig and are comfortable checking their own settings. Its source code is published on GitHub, so anyone can read how it works.
Before you start, note the project status: there have been no code updates since March 2021, and the latest release is v1.7.1d. This page covers what Excavator does, which graphics cards it supports, how to install the ready-made program, and how it compares with other miners in the catalog. Readers who want automatic overclocking and fan control should also look at NiceHash QuickMiner, which wraps Excavator and handles those tasks for you.
What Is NiceHash Excavator?
Excavator is a GPU mining program developed under the NiceHash name. A graphics card performing mining repeatedly runs hash calculations, and the software tells the card what work to perform and reports the results back to a mining target. The core job is to keep the GPU busy and efficient.
The program is best understood as a tool that sits between your hardware and the network you mine into. It does not manage your wallet or store private keys, so your security depends on the accounts and downloads you choose. Understanding this boundary helps you focus on the right safety steps.
Who Is Excavator For?
Excavator fits people who already understand the basics of mining and want an open-source tool they can examine. A typical reader might own a few desktop NVIDIA cards, perhaps a desktop card with 6GB of memory from the GTX 1000 series, and want to test settings manually. Hobbyists who enjoy tuning their own rigs tend to get the most from it.
It is less suitable for anyone who wants a point-and-click experience. Because the project has not received code updates since March 2021, it also works better as a learning or legacy tool than as the foundation of a new production setup.
How Hashrate and Algorithms Shape Results
Hashrate is the speed at which a device completes hash calculations, and it is the most common measure people use when comparing miners. Higher hashrate does not automatically mean higher earnings, because power draw, electricity prices and the difficulty of the network all change the outcome. Always compare these factors together.
Algorithms define how the work is performed. Different algorithms favor different hardware, so a miner that runs well on one coin may perform poorly on another. When you read reviews of any mining program, look for the algorithms and the hardware generation that the tester actually used.
Key features
Broad NVIDIA GeForce coverage
Pascal and newer CUDA devices
Driver requirement
Open source on GitHub
Free, with Windows and Linux builds
Supported coins
Support in Excavator is defined by hardware rather than by a list of coins. The program covers desktop NVIDIA GeForce cards from the GTX 1000, RTX 2000 and RTX 3000 series, each with at least 6GB of memory. Any CUDA device with compute capability SM 6.0 (Pascal) or higher falls within the stated support. Check your card model and architecture first, because that determines whether the program will run on your rig.
How to install NiceHash Excavator on Windows
- 1
Check your hardware and driver
Confirm that your card is a desktop GTX 1000, RTX 2000 or RTX 3000 series model with at least 6GB of memory. Make sure your NVIDIA display driver is version 457.xx or newer, and update it through NVIDIA before you install the miner.
- 2
Download the release from the official source
Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page for the nicehash/excavator project. The latest listed release is v1.7.1d. Avoid links from ads, forums or file-sharing sites that claim to offer a faster or modified copy.
-
Verify the file and install
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of your download with the value published alongside the release, or check the digital signature if one is provided. Only after the file passes that check should you run the Windows build or installer. If the checksum does not match, delete the file and download it again from the official source.
System requirements
- Windows 10 64-bit
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1000, RTX 2000 or RTX 3000 series desktop graphics card with at least 6GB of memory
- NVIDIA display driver version 457.xx or newer
- CUDA device with SM 6.0 (Pascal) or higher
How to use NiceHash Excavator
Using Excavator well comes down to careful preparation and small, measured changes. Work through the steps below on one card first, then apply the same approach to the rest of your rig.
- Confirm that your GPU model, memory size and NVIDIA driver meet the listed requirements.
- Install the program from a file you have already verified against its checksum.
- Enter the mining target, pool address and account details that your service provides. Never enter a seed phrase into the miner or on any website.
- Start a short test run and watch the hashrate, temperature and any error messages in the output.
- Change one setting at a time, such as intensity or clock values, and record how each change affects stability.
- Keep a log of your runs so you can return to a known stable configuration if a card starts producing errors.
- Stop the miner and reduce settings if temperatures stay high, because sustained heat can shorten hardware life.
Pros & cons
- Free to use
- Open source, with the code available on GitHub
- Clear hardware list with memory and driver thresholds
- Available for both Windows and Linux
- Covers NVIDIA desktop cards from the GTX 1000 series onward
- No code updates since March 2021
- Support is limited to NVIDIA GeForce desktop cards with at least 6GB of memory
- No built-in automation for overclocks or fan control
- Requires manual tuning, which is less convenient for beginners
Is NiceHash Excavator safe?
Excavator is mining software, so handle the download with the same care you would give a wallet. Get it only from the official GitHub repository or its Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running it. Mining programs are often flagged by antivirus tools. If that happens, confirm the file is genuine and add a narrow exception for it rather than turning protection off entirely. Never enter a seed phrase on third-party websites or into any program that asks for one. The project has had no code updates since March 2021, which is well over two years ago, so check the latest version on the official website before you start.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/nicehash/excavator. 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.
Alternatives
Several miners in the catalog overlap with Excavator. GMiner and Rigel also focus on NVIDIA GPUs, which makes them the closest alternatives for a graphics card rig. XMRig takes a broader approach, covering both CPUs and GPUs for algorithms such as RandomX, KawPow and CryptoNight. WildRig Multi is aimed at rarer algorithms, so it suits a different use case. T-Rex and NBMiner are both listed as discontinued, which puts them in the same maintenance category as Excavator. PhoenixMiner has no official website, which makes counterfeit downloads a serious risk. Compare release histories on each project page before committing a rig to any of them.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v1.7.1d
- Last update
- 17 Mar 2021
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/nicehash/excavator
Frequently asked questions
It can be, provided you get the file from the official GitHub repository or its Releases page and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature. Avoid third-party download sites. Because the project has not been updated since March 2021, check the latest version on the official website before installing and keep your seed phrases away from any miner or website.
No. The most recent code update was on March 17, 2021, and the latest release listed is v1.7.1d. That means newer drivers, cards and conditions may not have been tested. Many users treat it as a legacy tool, so review its status and alternatives before building a new setup around it.
Excavator supports NVIDIA GeForce desktop cards from the GTX 1000, RTX 2000 and RTX 3000 series, each with at least 6GB of memory. Any CUDA device with SM 6.0 or higher is included. Its listed support is limited to NVIDIA hardware, so AMD cards are outside the stated scope.
Yes, the program is free to use. It is also open source, so its code is published on GitHub for review. Being free does not mean you can skip verification of the download. Compare the checksum or signature with the official release information before running the Windows build or installer.
NiceHash QuickMiner is a wrapper for Excavator. It handles tasks such as automatic overclocks and fan management, so you do not have to configure them manually. If you prefer a more automated experience, QuickMiner may suit you better. Excavator is the underlying engine that gives you more direct control over the settings.
Antivirus tools often flag mining software because mining programs share behavior patterns with unwanted software. A flag does not automatically mean the file is infected. Verify the checksum against the official release first. If the file is genuine, add a narrow exception rather than disabling your protection entirely.
Verdict
NiceHash Excavator suits experienced miners who own NVIDIA desktop cards with at least 6GB of memory and want an open-source tool they can inspect. Its free price and clear hardware list are appealing. However, the lack of code updates since March 2021 is a decisive factor for many readers. Use it for learning or on hardware you already understand, and make checking the latest version on the official website your first step. Anyone who wants automation may prefer QuickMiner.