[TUTORIAL] Using Claymore's CryptoNote GPU Miner for Windows

In this tutorial, you'll learn the basics of running Claymore CryptoNote GPU Miner for Windows. Depending on what GPU you're using, you'll either use v9.7 or v11.3.

v11.3 (Newer AMD cards):
https://github.com/nanopool/Claymore-XMR-Miner/releases/tag/v11.3

v9.7 (Older AMD cards):
https://github.com/nanopool/Claymore-XMR-Miner/releases/tag/v9.7

For older AMD cards such as the HD 5xxx or 6xxx series, you'll want to use v9.7. There are a few limitations with this version, such as no support for the CN7 algorithm which is required to mine Monero, but this is the only version of Claymore that will work with these cards. v11.3 supports the CN7 algo, but my HD 5870s will give me an error saying "NO ASM BINARY FOUND FOR GPU 0" every time.

Once you've figured out which version is the one you need, we'll get started on configuring it to mine for you. Download and unzip to a folder that's easy to find. If the miner stops or the computer shuts down, you'll have to go looking for it and nobody likes a scavenger hunt when money is at stake.

Included in the download is a batch file and a config file. You'll have to make a few changes to both of these before you can mine.

The batch file should look something like this:
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 100
NsGpuCNMiner.exe
-o stratum+tcp://your.pool.address.com:port - your main pool
-o stratum+tcp://other.pool.address.com:port - your backup pool
-u "wallet address or username" - your worker
-p "x" - your password for your worker
The config file will look EXACTLY like the above unless you're mining on a pool that uses a username instead of a wallet address. In this case, you'll use just the wallet address. If you don't have one yet, open an account at HitBTC and use the XMR address for your account.

Now for the cool stuff that makes it run better (in most cases). Here's a list of common commands used in the batch file for various features and what they do:

-pow7 1: CN7 algo (not available in v9.7) -nofee 1: Disables the devfee (not necessary in v11.3) -lite 1: CN-lite algo (not necessary in v9.7) -a 1 (or 2, 3, or 4): chooses power mode, which is different for every card. Play around with this one to find out which one works best for you.
Claymore's developers have announced that they will no longer be adding support for older cards, so v9.7 is as new as older cards are gonna get. They have also completely done away with the devfee for all releases from 11.3 onward.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://www.private-locker.com/cryptocurrency/using-claymores-cryptonote-gpu-miner-for-windows/