Cryptocurrency mining has evolved significantly over the years, and while Ethereum (ETH) officially transitioned from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) in September 2022, the tools and techniques developed during the PoW era remain highly relevant for mining other blockchain-based cryptocurrencies. One such powerful tool is Claymore's Dual Ethereum GPU Miner, a widely respected mining software known for its efficiency, flexibility, and advanced features.
This guide dives into the core functionality of Claymore’s miner, focusing on solo mining (ETH/ETC) and dual mining (ETH + DCR or other altcoins), offering practical setup instructions and optimization tips that are still applicable today for coins like Ethereum Classic (ETC), Musicoin (MC), Expanse (EXP), and more.
Why Claymore's Miner Still Matters in 2025
Even though ETH is no longer mineable via GPU, Claymore's Dual Ethereum GPU Miner remains a benchmark in GPU mining software design. Its architecture supports multiple algorithms and dual-mining capabilities, making it ideal for maximizing hardware utilization when mining alternative cryptos.
The miner was originally designed to work with both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs and introduced one of the first stable implementations of dual mining—allowing users to simultaneously mine two different coins using the same hash power. This concept continues to influence modern mining software.
👉 Discover how to optimize your mining performance with next-gen tools.
Core Features of Claymore's Miner
- Supports Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Expanse (EXP), and Musicoin (MC)
- Dual mining capability with Decred (DCR), Siacoin (SC), Lbry (LBC), Pascal, Blake2s, and Keccak
- Built-in overclocking controls starting from version 11.6
- Low developer fee: typically around 1% of mining time
- Highly customizable batch file configurations
- Real-time monitoring through console output
These features make it an excellent reference point for understanding GPU mining workflows—even if you're now applying them to newer platforms or forks.
Keyword Integration
Core keywords naturally integrated throughout this article include:
Claymore's Dual Ethereum GPU Miner, GPU mining, dual mining, solo mining, mining setup, ETH mining, DCR mining, and mining configuration.
How to Set Up Solo Mining (e.g., ETC or Legacy ETH)
Solo mining refers to using your GPU power exclusively for one cryptocurrency. Although ETH is no longer viable, this method works perfectly for ETC and similar PoW chains.
Step-by-Step Configuration
- Download and Extract
Obtain the latest version of Claymore’s miner from a trusted source and extract the ZIP file to a dedicated folder. - Create or Edit
start.bat
Right-click in the folder → New → Text Document → Rename tostart.bat. Right-click → Edit with Notepad. Add GPU Optimization Commands
These commands help stabilize performance across both AMD and NVIDIA cards:setx GPU_FORCE_64BIT_PTR 0 setx GPU_MAX_HEAP_SIZE 100 setx GPU_USE_SYNC_OBJECTS 1 setx GPU_MAX_ALLOC_PERCENT 100 setx GPU_SINGLE_ALLOC_PERCENT 100Enter Mining Command
Below the above lines, add the main execution command:EthDcrMiner64.exe -mode 1 -epool us1-etc.ethermine.org:4444 -ewal YOUR_ETC_WALLET_ADDRESS -eworker rig01-mode 1: Enables solo mining mode-epool: Specifies the primary pool address-ewal: Your wallet address-eworker: Worker name (use alphanumeric only)
✅ Ensure all parameters are on a single line without line breaks unless using the caret (^) symbol for readability.
How to Configure Dual Mining (Primary + Secondary Coin)
Dual mining allows your GPU to split resources between two algorithms—boosting overall profitability by earning secondary income alongside your main coin.
Supported Combinations
- Primary: ETH / ETC / EXP / MC
- Secondary: DCR / SC / LBC / PASC / BLAKE2S / KECCAK
⚠️ Note: You cannot dual-mine two primary coins or two secondary coins—only one from each group.
Setup Instructions
Follow steps 1–3 from the solo mining section, then replace the final command with:
EthDcrMiner64.exe -mode 0 -epool us1-etc.ethermine.org:4444 -ewal YOUR_ETC_WALLET -eworker rig01 -dpool stratum+tcp://dcr.coinmine.pl:2222 -dwal YOUR_DCR_WALLET -dpsw xParameter Breakdown:
-mode 0: Activates dual mining (default if not specified)-dpool: Secondary pool URL (includestratum+tcp://if required)-dwal: Wallet address for secondary coin; append.workernameif needed-dpsw: Password field—usually set tox
For non-DCR secondary coins, add:
-dcoin sc→ Siacoin-dcoin lbc→ Lbry-dcoin pasc→ Pascal
👉 Maximize your dual-mining returns with real-time analytics platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is Claymore's Dual Miner still usable after Ethereum’s PoS transition?
Yes. While you can no longer mine ETH via PoW, the software remains fully functional for Ethereum Classic (ETC), Expanse, Musicoin, and other compatible PoW blockchains.
Q2: Does dual mining reduce primary coin performance?
Generally, yes—expect a 5–15% drop in primary hash rate depending on GPU model and settings. However, the added income from the secondary coin may offset this loss, especially with high-efficiency combinations like ETC + DCR.
Q3: Can I use Claymore with NVIDIA GPUs?
Absolutely. Though initially optimized for AMD, later versions support NVIDIA cards effectively. Always update drivers and monitor stability under load.
Q4: What does the 1% developer fee mean?
It means approximately 1 minute out of every 100 is used to mine for the developer. This is standard across many open-source miners and helps sustain development.
Q5: How do I make long commands more readable in .bat files?
Use the caret (^) at the end of a line to continue on the next line:
EthDcrMiner64.exe ^
-mode 0 ^
-epool pool.example.com:3333 ^
-ewal YOUR_WALLETThis improves readability without breaking execution.
Q6: Where should I get wallets for DCR or SC?
- Decred: Use decred.org/wallets or hardware wallets like Ledger
- Siacoin: Download Sia-UI from sia.tech
Avoid web wallets for large holdings due to security risks.
Optimization Tips & Best Practices
- Always test configurations on a single GPU before scaling.
- Monitor temperatures and power draw—dual mining increases VRAM usage.
- Use reliable pools like Ethermine (ETC), CoinMine (DCR), or Suprnova (SC).
- Regularly check wallet balances and pool statistics.
- Keep backups of working
.batfiles.
Final Thoughts
Claymore's Dual Ethereum GPU Miner laid the foundation for efficient, multi-algorithm GPU mining. Even in 2025, its configuration logic influences current tools and practices. Whether you're exploring legacy systems or optimizing setups for alternative PoW networks, understanding this software provides valuable insight into maximizing mining ROI.
While newer miners have emerged, the principles taught here—batch scripting, parameter tuning, dual-algo balancing—remain essential skills for any serious miner.
👉 Stay ahead of the curve with cutting-edge mining insights and tools.