*** Updated for March 2022*** Cudo Miner has finally decided to lower their minimum withdrawal amount to approximately ~$30, instead of the previously required several hundred, as noted in this tweet and this knowledgebase article. As of 18th March 2022, the new minimum withdrawals stand at 0.000767 BTC, 0.0115 ETH, 0.088 XMR, or 20 ALGO. Following this update, we successfully requested a withdrawal (around 0.059 ETH) which was processed in minutes. If we were to operate the laptop used for this review continuously rather than part-time, it could reach the minimum threshold roughly every 4-5 weeks (considering daily mining of about a euro’s worth of ETH through CPU and GPU mining). The original article follows below.
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As our long-time readers are aware, we’ve been discussing mining and mining pools since our inception. While our older mining rig is now retired and has essentially become a collection of glorified paperweights, the landscape has evolved in both desktop mining and ASIC mining, with a plethora of new coins and algorithms emerging today.
Having recently acquired a new laptop with a capable GPU, and being mindful of previous experiences, I decided to try GPU mining again, having heard about Cudo Miner. This UK-based software combines a mining pool with both CPU and desktop mining, so here’s a detailed overview of its functionality, flaws and all.
Initially, you’ll need to create an account, after which you can log into the Cudo web-based console. You’ll need to set up a username and password, and establish a group name, which is essential for adding devices later. A significant word of caution: when you install Cudo Miner, be ready for your antivirus software to react aggressively. Since many antivirus programs classify miners as malware, don’t be surprised if you receive multiple alerts during the installation process.
There’s also an option to whitelist the Cudo Miner app in the Windows Defender firewall. The first time I installed it, I encountered virus alerts on 3 to 4 occasions, each prompting me to enter my antivirus software to create an exception and allow it through. On some machines, the initial connection process was a bit finicky, but there’s a responsive Cudo Miner Telegram channel where I consistently received assistance within minutes.
Once the software is operational, you have the option to enable various third-party miners based on your GPU type and your desire to mine different coins or use the CPU. When you make your selections, it will automatically download the necessary components, so again, anticipate antivirus alerts and adding exceptions.
This software dynamically adjusts the type of coin being mined in real-time, focusing on the most profitable options for your setup. I connected my new computer along with several older laptops, but ultimately uninstalled it from the older devices due to their power consumption, noise, and meager hash rates. Cudo Miner has a downside in that the standard installation leaves many remnants behind, forcing me to utilize Revo Uninstaller (which I have anyway) to completely remove it. So if anyone from Cudo Miner is reading this, I recommend improving your uninstaller to tidy up not only your software but also all the third-party miners it installs. Users shouldn’t have to expend so much effort to remove your application.
Another crucial consideration is the coin selection. There’s no functionality to transfer balances between different coins on the platform, so it’s vital to decide which coin you want to mine from the outset; otherwise, you risk ending up with a mined balance that you may never be able to withdraw due to the relatively high minimums of 0.06 ETH, 0.002 BTC, or 0.17 XMR.
Now that’s out of the way, let’s discuss how the software operates. First, it offers both a CPU miner and a GPU miner, which are vital for your setup. My machine, equipped with a 12-core i7, mines Monero at approximately a 2.6kh/s rate. An older machine would yield a fraction of this, while multiple CPU cores would result in higher rates. On the graphics card front, it supports both Nvidia and AMD GPUs. My 6GB GeForce RTX 2060 typically mines Ethereum at around 22.3mh/s, drawing just under 60 watts; however, if your graphics card has less than 4GB, you won’t be able to mine Ethereum and will be limited to mining Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum Classic, Ravencoin, Vertcoin, or Zcoin.
You can choose how you want to use it. It can run continuously while your PC is on, but be aware that with no throttling options, your computer can sometimes become unresponsive. The interface also allows you to monitor power usage and heat levels (if your device supports sharing this information) so you can keep an eye on these metrics. You can configure it to run at boot, or when your computer is not in use, among other options. For those considering overclocking, you can do so in hopes of achieving a higher hash rate from your graphics card. Proper ventilation is essential here; on my laptop, I noticed a 25-degree Celsius drop in temperature when propped up to allow airflow, reducing temperatures from around 90°C to approximately 65-70°C after mining for a few hours. Also, be prepared for noise, as your fans will be running at full capacity.
Cudo Miner is designed to mine the most efficient coin for your hardware and the network difficulty, meaning that the coin being mined can sometimes change. However, with such high minimum withdrawal amounts—which may have been reasonable during the 2019/2020 crypto price surge—it poses a significant challenge for casual miners in 2021. After weeks of mining, I’ve only managed to accumulate 0.02 ETH, with some Bitcoin as an option, but no way to merge the balances. At this rate, I would likely need to mine full-time for another 2-3 months or casually for nearly a year to reach the minimum withdrawal limit. Nevertheless, if you’re operating a GPU mining rig with multiple cards, have ASICs, or run a mining farm, this situation would be less of a concern.
In conclusion, I have mixed feelings about Cudo Miner. On paper, it seems to be a viable option for individuals interested in mining crypto on their machines, but I observe several issues. The installation process requires users to place a great deal of trust in the software before proceeding and involves adding numerous exceptions to their antivirus. Moreover, the initial setup for mining on certain machines can be cumbersome and often requires assistance from the Telegram channel. The mining itself is satisfactory, except for the high withdrawal minimums, and uninstalling the software (particularly the third-party miners) is a hassle.
However, if you possess a sufficiently powerful machine and are willing to risk potential damage to your CPU, GPU, or other components due to overheating—or if you have a dedicated mining rig, ASICs, or a mining farm—then Cudo Miner provides a worthwhile option for earning crypto through mining.
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