XmrMiner is a free, open-source command-line miner for NVIDIA graphics cards that targets the CryptoNight algorithm used by Monero. It suits people who already own CUDA-capable GPUs and want a lightweight tool for experimenting with GPU mining on Windows. The project is forked from KlausT's ccminer, so anyone familiar with that family of miners will recognize much of the workflow.
Before you download anything, note the project status: there have been no code updates since March 2018, and the latest version listed is 0.3.0. That makes XmrMiner an older tool that may not match current drivers, GPUs or mining pools. The documentation mentions Windows, but formal verification of Windows support is missing, so treat it as an experimental option rather than a maintained product.
What Is CryptoNight and Why It Matters
CryptoNight is a proof-of-work algorithm that Monero used for years, and XmrMiner is built around it. Proof-of-work means miners repeatedly run a hashing function and submit results that prove work was done. The speed at which a device completes these calculations is called hashrate, and it is the main number people compare when they judge a mining tool.
What makes CryptoNight different from many older algorithms is its memory use. The algorithm is designed to need a fair amount of memory per hash, which is why GPU memory size matters so much for this kind of mining. A card with more usable memory can run the algorithm in a configuration that a smaller card cannot match.
That design is also the reason XmrMiner's memory settings matter. Understanding hashrate and memory use before you start will help you read benchmark numbers you see online with the right context.
Who XmrMiner Is For
XmrMiner suits a narrow group of people: those who own NVIDIA graphics cards, want to experiment with CryptoNight mining, and are comfortable working in a command-line window. It is a poor fit for someone who expects a polished graphical interface or wants a tool that receives regular updates.
A typical use case is a hobbyist with a single desktop GPU who wants to learn how GPU miners behave. That includes how they log hashrate, how they connect to a pool, and how memory limits affect the result. Because the project is open source, the code can also serve as a study example for anyone curious about how ccminer-style miners are built.
Developers who want to extend the software will find C and C++ source code on GitHub, which lowers the barrier for experimenting with changes. For anyone running mining at a larger scale, a newer and actively maintained tool is usually the safer choice.
How a Miner Connects to Pools and Wallets
Most individual miners do not solve blocks alone. Instead, they join a mining pool, a group that combines hashrate and splits rewards according to contributed work. To do this, the miner needs a pool address and a wallet address where payouts are sent. A wallet address is a public identifier rather than a secret key, but it should still be copied carefully, because one wrong character can send rewards to the wrong place.
The miner software handles the connection. It sends its hashes to the pool, reports results and keeps a running count of performance. Those figures are what you see in the console while the miner runs.
Think of the arrangement as a small team on a shared project: each member does part of the work, and the pool tracks every contribution. Keep your private keys, meaning the keys tied to your wallet, away from the mining rig. A miner running in pool mode does not need them.
Key features
NVIDIA GPU mining with CUDA
Focus on the CryptoNight algorithm
Adjustable GPU memory usage
Open-source ccminer heritage
Supported coins
The documentation mentions Monero (XMR) and Bitcoin (BTC). The algorithm the tool is built around is CryptoNight, which is the algorithm Monero uses, so Monero is the natural fit for this miner. Check any coin-specific settings against the documentation before you start a session.
How to install XmrMiner on Windows
- 1
Find the official source
Open the project's GitHub repository at github.com/xmrMiner/xmrMiner and locate the ready-made Windows build. Download only from the official source and avoid repackaged copies on third-party sites.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded archive with the value published by the project. If no checksum or signature is available for the build, do not run it.
- 3
Extract to a dedicated folder
Unpack the archive into a folder you create yourself, ideally with a short path. Keep all miner files together so the configuration files you write later stay in one place.
-
Run a test session
Start the miner from a command prompt with a test configuration and watch the console. Confirm that your NVIDIA GPU is detected and that a hashrate appears before you add any pool details.
System requirements
- NVIDIA GPU with CUDA support
- GPUs with compute capability from 3.0 up to, but not including, 6.0 have a limit on the memory used for mining
- Memory use below 2GB on cards such as the GTX TITAN
- Memory use below 1GB on cards such as the GTX 750 Ti
- Windows and Linux are listed as platforms in the documentation
How to use XmrMiner
Once the miner is installed, the workflow is mostly command-line work. The steps below describe the general process; check the documentation included with the project for exact syntax and parameter names.
- Open a command prompt in the folder where the miner files are stored.
- Check which NVIDIA GPUs are present and note their compute capability, using NVIDIA's own system tools.
- Decide on a memory limit. For GPUs with compute capability between 3.0 and 6.0, keep usage under 2GB on GTX TITAN class cards and under 1GB on GTX 750 Ti class cards.
- Set the launch value with --launch=TxB. For the 2GB limit, the documented formula is T x B x 2 <= 2000, and B must also meet the divisibility rule in the documentation.
- Add your pool address and wallet address exactly as the documentation describes.
- Start the miner and watch the console for errors and hashrate readings.
- Stop the miner, change one setting at a time, and log the results so you can compare runs.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with public code on GitHub
- Built on the established ccminer codebase
- Command-line control over GPU memory usage
- Focused on a single algorithm, CryptoNight
- Lightweight for users who want a single-purpose tool
- No code updates since March 2018
- Windows support has not been formally verified
- Older NVIDIA cards face memory caps
- Limited to NVIDIA hardware
- Command-line workflow can be hard for beginners
Is XmrMiner safe?
Mining software is a frequent target for malware, so treat XmrMiner with care. The project has not received code updates since 2018, which means it has not been maintained for years. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub page, and never from third-party download sites. Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file against the value published by the project before running it. Antivirus tools often flag mining software, sometimes as a false positive, but do not disable your protection entirely. Add an exception only for a file you have verified. Never enter a seed phrase on third-party websites or into any mining tool. Check the latest version on the official website before you install.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/xmrMiner/xmrMiner. 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
XmrMiner belongs to the same family as ccminer, which it forks. The original ccminer by KlausT is its closest relative, and XmrMiner's focus on CryptoNight makes it the narrower tool. XMRig is listed as a CPU and GPU miner supporting RandomX, KawPow and CryptoNight, so it covers more algorithms and hardware types. GMiner and BzMiner are both GPU miners in the same category, and T-Rex Miner is an NVIDIA GPU miner whose development has stopped. Compared with these options, XmrMiner offers less, but its readable source code makes it a useful study base.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- 0.3.0
- Last update
- 30 Mar 2018
- Windows support
- Unverified (Windows mentioned in docs)
- Source code
- github.com/xmrMiner/xmrMiner
Frequently asked questions
XmrMiner can be used safely only if you take basic precautions. Download it from the official GitHub page, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and keep your antivirus active while adding a narrow exception for the verified file. Its lack of updates since 2018 is the main reason for caution.
XmrMiner is a GPU mining program for NVIDIA cards that targets the CryptoNight algorithm used by Monero. People use it to run mining sessions from a Windows command prompt and to learn how GPU memory settings influence the result. It is free and open source, so the code can also be read and studied.
The documentation mentions Windows as a platform, and Linux is also listed. However, Windows support has not been formally verified, and the project has not received code updates since March 2018. Test it with a short session before relying on it, and confirm that your NVIDIA GPU is detected.
XmrMiner is built for NVIDIA GPUs that use CUDA. For cards with compute capability from 3.0 up to, but not including, 6.0, the documentation limits how much memory the algorithm can use. Cards such as the GTX TITAN are capped below 2GB, and cards such as the GTX 750 Ti are capped below 1GB.
The --launch=TxB parameter sets the values that control how much GPU memory the mining algorithm uses. The documentation gives a formula for the 2GB limit: T times B times 2 must be at most 2000, along with a divisibility rule for B. Change one value at a time and check the console to see the effect.
The documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) alongside Monero (XMR), but the tool's algorithm focus is CryptoNight, which is the algorithm Monero uses. Bitcoin mining relies on different algorithms and specialized hardware, so XmrMiner is not a practical choice for it. Check the documentation before attempting any coin beyond Monero.
Verdict
XmrMiner is a narrow, free, open-source CUDA miner for NVIDIA GPUs, best suited to hobbyists and developers who want to study CryptoNight mining. Its lack of updates since 2018 is the deciding factor: for any production use, a maintained alternative is a better bet. If you still want to experiment with XmrMiner for Windows, run it on a non-critical machine, verify the file first, and keep your wallets separate from the rig.