Cgminer.conf

cgminer.conf is the default configuration file for the cryptocoin miner cgminer. If the file doesn't already exist in the cgminer folder, create it and add settings as needed. The first section below is the minimum needed to get running with a config file.

Using cgminer.conf is the best way to run cgminer. The config file allows you to intelligently set all of your settings with ease. Running cgminer while using a config file allows you to run the binary (cgminer, cgminer.exe) without a batch file or any flags appended to the command line.

The following config is for scrypt based cryptocoin mining, such as Litecoin or MinCoin. These settings are generally tailored to the HD 7950 GPU, and can easily be adjust for any other GPU. For more information on what settings other people have used, see the mining hardware comparison on this wiki and also on the official Litecoin wiki.

{
"pools" : [
	{
		"url" : "stratum+tcp://usa-1.liteguardian.com:3333",
		"user" : "lurkmore.e",
		"pass" : "1"
	},
	{
		"url" : "stratum+tcp://eu-1.liteguardian.com:3333",
		"user" : "lurkmore.e",
		"pass" : "1"
	},

{ "url" : "stratum+tcp://us.litecoinpool.org:3333", "user" : "lurkmore.5", "pass" : "1" }

],

"scrypt" : true,

"kernel-path" : "/usr/local/bin"
}

The above config is the absolute minimum for mining scrypt. With the above settings, cgminer will usually select the best safe configuration.

For mining SHA-256d coins, such as Bitcoin, you could just remove the scrypt flag.

Slightly more advanced options to add to the above config--just add them above or below the "scrypt" line:

"api-allow" : "192.168.1.120",
"api-listen" : true,
"auto-fan" : true,
"gpu-engine" : "1000",
"gpu-memclock" : "1250",
"gpu-powertune" : "0",
"gpu-vddc" : "1.125",
"temp-target" : "70",
"queue" : "0",
"intensity" : "20",
"thread-concurrency" : "24000",
"worksize" : "256",

Tweaking the thread-concurrency flag will help you tune the maximum scrypt hashrate--the flag isn't used in SHA-256d mining. Some GPUs, such as HD 7970s, would likely prefer intensity of 13. For scrypt mining with HD 7950s, worksize is 256 by default, and it might need to be adjusted for other GPUs or coins.

Of course, all settings require modification to match your own hardware and needs. Read the cgminer readme in order to understand what the settings do and to add or remove settings, as needed, for your hardware and the coin your are mining.

Related articles

• cgminer
• Debian Linux cryptocoin mining rig setup guide

External links

• cgminer source and readme - all configuration settings are listed on this page
• cgminer binary downloads