XMRig AMD is a free, open-source mining program for Windows that works with the CryptoNight algorithm on AMD graphics cards and processors. It is aimed at hobbyists who want to understand how GPU and CPU mining software operates on their own hardware, and at people who come across older mining tools and want to know what they actually do. This is an older branch of the XMRig family, and the project is no longer maintained. Its last code update came on August 31, 2019.
Because the code has not changed in more than six years, treat this download as a legacy tool rather than a current one. Newer drivers, Windows changes and mining algorithms may not be covered by the project. Read the safety section before you run anything, and think through what sustained mining means for your electricity bill and hardware temperatures.
What Is the CryptoNight Algorithm?
CryptoNight is a proof-of-work algorithm, which means miners compete by repeatedly computing hashes until one meets the network's target. The design leans on memory access, so performance depends on how quickly a processor or card can work through large memory blocks, not only on raw compute cycles.
That design was one reason CryptoNight attracted CPU miners and mid-range graphics cards in its heyday. Rather than favoring the largest GPUs, it gave ordinary hardware a realistic chance to contribute to a network.
The family also has variants. CryptoNight-Lite, which this program supports for AEON, uses a lighter memory footprint than the original. Understanding that distinction helps you read a coin's documentation and see whether a given miner really targets it.
Who Is XMRig AMD For?
XMRig AMD suits people who want to learn how mining software works on Windows. A student might use it to see how hashrate, pools and configuration files fit together. A hobbyist with an older AMD card or a spare processor might use it to test a rig in a controlled way.
It is a poor fit for anyone who expects a steady income from mining. Profitability depends on coin prices, network difficulty, electricity costs and the hardware you own, and none of those are controlled by the program.
It is also a weak choice for people who need current support. Because the code has not changed since 2019, any problem with a newer driver or operating system update is likely to go unfixed. Those users are usually better served by an actively documented miner.
Key features
High hashing performance
Windows builds
Failover mining servers
CryptoNight-Lite for AEON
Automatic GPU configuration
NiceHash compatibility
Open-source code
Supported coins
The program is associated with Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR), and it works with the CryptoNight mining algorithm. The CryptoNight-Lite mode is available for AEON. On the hardware side, the program lists NVIDIA cards through CUDA, AMD cards through OpenCL, and CPUs. Because the project no longer receives code updates, confirm that a coin you want to mine is still practical with current network conditions before you commit your hardware to it.
How to install XMRig AMD on Windows
- 1
Get the file from the official source
Download the Windows build only from the official website or from the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/xmrig/xmrig-amd. Avoid mirrors, file-sharing sites and links posted in forums, because mining tools are a common disguise for malware.
- 2
Verify the checksum
Compare the file's SHA-256 hash with the value published on the release page, or check the signature if one is provided. Use the Windows PowerShell command Get-FileHash to calculate the hash. If the values do not match, delete the file and do not run it.
- 3
Extract the archive
Unzip the package into a dedicated folder, such as C:\Miners\xmrig-amd. Keeping it separate makes it easier to manage configuration files and avoids mixing them with other tools.
- 4
Create a configuration file
Use config.xmrig.com to generate, edit or share a configuration for your pool, wallet address and hardware. Enter only your own public wallet address, and double-check the pool address before saving the file.
-
Run and monitor the miner
Launch the program from a Command Prompt window so you can read its output, or double-click the executable for a quick test. Watch the console for hashrate and accepted results, and stop the miner if temperatures climb beyond what your cooling can manage.
System requirements
- Windows, the platform listed for this program; check the Releases page for the build that matches your version of Windows
- An AMD GPU with OpenCL support, an NVIDIA GPU with CUDA support, or a CPU, as listed in the program's hardware support
- Adequate cooling and a stable power supply, since sustained mining keeps hardware under full load for long periods
How to use XMRig AMD
Using XMRig AMD is mostly about preparing a clean configuration and then watching how your hardware responds. Start with a small test run so you can see the output before you leave the miner running unattended.
- Generate a starting configuration at config.xmrig.com, selecting the device types you actually have.
- Enter your own public wallet address in the configuration, and never paste a seed phrase into this file.
- Add the address and port of your chosen mining pool, and double-check the spelling.
- Enter a backup pool in the failover section so the miner can switch if the primary server goes offline.
- Save the file in the same folder as the executable, then start the program from a Command Prompt window.
- Read the startup output to confirm that the graphics cards or processor cores were detected.
- Watch the hashrate for several minutes, and note the temperatures reported by your monitoring tool.
- Adjust one setting at a time, such as thread count or intensity, and compare results before changing anything else.
- Stop the miner with Ctrl+C when you finish, and keep a copy of the working configuration for later.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be read and inspected
- Supports CPU mining as well as GPU mining on several hardware types
- Failover pool support helps keep a rig working through short outages
- Automatic GPU configuration gives newcomers a quick starting point
- Configuration generator at config.xmrig.com simplifies editing and sharing settings
- No code updates since 2019, so the project should be treated as an archive
- Newer drivers, Windows changes and mining algorithms may not be covered
- Antivirus tools frequently flag mining software, which adds setup work and false alarms
- Profitability depends on factors outside the program and can be low for consumer hardware
Is XMRig AMD safe?
XMRig AMD has not been maintained since August 2019, so treat it as a legacy tool and be cautious about running it on a main machine. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and compare the SHA-256 checksum or signature before you run the file. Mining programs are often flagged by antivirus software. If that happens, verify the hash and add a narrow exception for this single file. Never disable your protection entirely. Never enter a seed phrase on third-party websites or into any program that requests one. A miner only needs your public wallet address, so keep your private keys offline and out of configuration files.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/xmrig/xmrig-amd. 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
XMRig AMD is the older, AMD-focused branch of the XMRig family. The current XMRig project covers CPU and GPU mining for RandomX, KawPow and CryptoNight, which makes it a broader choice. BzMiner and GMiner are both GPU miners and are worth comparing if you care about graphics card performance. T-Rex Miner targets NVIDIA cards, and its development has stopped, so it shares the archive concern. Cpuminer Multi suits CPU-only setups that need several algorithms. The ccminer forks, including the KlausT and tpruvot versions, are CUDA miners for NVIDIA cards, while the Verus variant targets ARM and CPU hardware. Choose based on your hardware first, then on whether the project still receives updates.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v2.14.6
- Last update
- 31 Aug 2019
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/xmrig/xmrig-amd
Frequently asked questions
It can be, but only if you get it from the official source and verify the file. The project has had no code updates since August 2019, so treat it with extra caution. Check the SHA-256 checksum, keep your antivirus enabled, and never type a seed phrase into a miner or a website that asks for one.
No. The project has had no code updates since 2019, so it should be considered an archived program. Newer drivers and algorithms may not be supported. If you want active development, look at the current XMRig project or the other miners listed in the alternatives section.
Yes, Windows is the platform listed for this program, and the project publishes builds for it. Because the code is old, confirm that the build runs on your version of Windows. Test it on a non-essential machine first to see how it behaves before you rely on it.
The program is associated with Monero (XMR) and Bitcoin (BTC), and it works with the CryptoNight algorithm. The CryptoNight-Lite mode is available for AEON. Whether a coin is worth mining depends on network difficulty, electricity costs and your hardware, so run your own numbers before you start.
No. The program is free and open source. Your real costs are electricity, hardware wear and the time you spend on configuration. Mining profitability is not guaranteed, and it can turn negative when power costs or coin values change.
Antivirus tools often flag mining software because miners use a lot of CPU and GPU resources, and malware sometimes hides inside them. A flag does not always mean the file is malicious. Verify the checksum first, then add an exception for that single file instead of turning protection off.
Yes, the hardware support for the program includes NVIDIA cards through CUDA, along with AMD cards through OpenCL and CPUs. Despite the name, the program is not limited to AMD hardware. Review the device settings in your configuration before running it on an NVIDIA card.
XMRig AMD is an older project focused on AMD GPUs and CPUs with CryptoNight support, and it has not been updated since 2019. XMRig is the broader project, covering RandomX, KawPow and CryptoNight on CPUs and GPUs. For most new setups, XMRig is the more practical starting point.
Verdict
XMRig AMD is a historical mining tool that still shows how a CPU and GPU miner can handle failover pools, automatic GPU setup and CryptoNight-based coins. It suits hobbyists who want to learn how mining software works on Windows and who accept that the project has not been updated since 2019. It is a poor choice for anyone who needs fixes for newer drivers or algorithms, or who expects mining to pay for the hardware. Before deciding, check the latest release page for any newer build, run a short test on a non-essential machine, and compare the alternatives listed below.