Claymore’s Dual Ethereum Miner has long been a top choice for GPU-based cryptocurrency mining, especially for those looking to maximize returns through dual mining. Version 15.0 continues this legacy by supporting both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs across Windows and Linux platforms. This powerful miner allows users to simultaneously mine Ethereum (ETH) and a secondary coin such as Decred (DCR), Siacoin (SIA), or Lbry (LBRY), optimizing hardware utilization and profitability.
Whether you're running a small home rig or managing a large-scale mining farm, this guide will help you configure, troubleshoot, and optimize performance using Claymore’s v15.0. We’ll cover common issues, driver compatibility, hash rates, and best practices to ensure smooth operation.
Key Features of Claymore's v15.0
- Dual Mining Support: Mine ETH + DCR, ETH + SIA, or ETH + LBRY simultaneously.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on both Windows and Linux systems.
- AMD & NVIDIA GPU Support: Fully compatible with a wide range of graphics cards from both manufacturers.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Adjust intensities and view current hashrates using hotkeys (
+
,-
,s
). - Stratum Protocol Support: Connects directly to major pools including EthPool, DwarfPool, Nanopool, and SiaMining.
This version builds on previous iterations with improved stability, bug fixes, and enhanced memory management—critical for maintaining high uptime and efficiency.
Optimizing Driver Versions for Stability
One of the most frequently reported issues involves NVIDIA driver compatibility, particularly with GTX 10-series cards like the GTX 1070 and GTX 1080.
Critical Driver Recommendations
- Avoid NVIDIA Driver 368.81
Multiple users reported crashes, DAG creation hangs, and "unspecified launch failure" errors when using this version. Claymore himself confirmed that ETH mining is not stable on 368.81 due to bugs in NVIDIA’s WDDM 2.1 implementation. - Recommended: Use NVIDIA Driver 369.09 or Later
This version resolves many memory access issues and enables full compatibility with Pascal architecture cards under Windows 10. Users are advised to uninstall older drivers completely before installing 369.09+ via Windows Update or manually from NVIDIA’s website.
💡 Pro Tip: Let Windows 10 automatically install the correct driver after uninstalling the old one—this often ensures proper WDDM 2.1 compliance.
👉 Discover how top miners optimize their rigs for maximum efficiency.
Common Errors & Troubleshooting
Even with proper setup, users may encounter runtime errors. Below are the most common ones and their solutions.
Error: GpuMiner cu_k1 failed 4
or unspecified launch failure
This typically occurs during DAG generation and points to:
- Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers.
- Insufficient VRAM allocation.
- Overclocked settings pushing the GPU beyond stable limits.
Solution:
- Update to NVIDIA driver 369.05 or newer.
- Reset GPU clocks to default.
- Ensure your system has at least 2GB of free RAM per GPU.
Error: illegal memory access was encountered
(Error Code 77)
Reported with mixed GPU setups (e.g., HD7990 + GTX 1080 + 980 Ti), this error indicates a memory boundary violation in CUDA kernels.
Root Causes:
- Incompatible OpenCL/CUDA runtime.
- Conflicting GPU architectures sharing the same bus.
- BIOS-level memory timing issues on older AMD cards.
Fixes:
- Reinstall CUDA Toolkit 8.0 (if compiling custom builds).
- Isolate problematic GPUs temporarily to identify the source.
- Disable integrated graphics in BIOS if present.
Missing OpenCL.dll
on Windows 10 Insider Preview
Some users running pre-release versions of Windows 10 experienced missing OpenCL files even with updated drivers.
Resolution:
- Reinstall GPU drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in safe mode.
- Install the latest AMD/NVIDIA certified driver, not beta/preview versions.
- Manually register OpenCL.dll via
regsvr32
if corrupted.
Hashrate Performance by GPU Model
Understanding expected performance helps in planning your mining operation and calculating ROI.
GPU Model | ETH Hashrate | Secondary Coin (DCR/SIA) |
---|---|---|
GTX 980 Ti | ~19.8 MH/s | ~190 MH/s DCR |
GTX 1070 | ~20–22 MH/s | ~230–250 MH/s DCR |
GTX 970 | ~20 MH/s | ~180–190 MH/s DCR |
AMD R9 280X | ~20 MH/s | ~180 MH/s DCR |
AMD RX 480/580 | ~24–27 MH/s | ~300+ MH/s DCR |
⚠️ Note: Actual performance varies based on memory tuning, power limits, and ambient temperature.
For Linux users awaiting official support, Genoil’s Ethminer offers similar results (~20 MH/s on GTX 970). Once Claymore releases the Linux binary, cross-platform benchmarking will provide clearer insights.
Setting Up Dual Mining: Step-by-Step Example
Here’s a working configuration for mining ETH + SIA using SiaMining.com:
EthDcrMiner64.exe -epool us1.ethpool.org:3333 -ewal YOUR_ETHER_ADDRESS.WORKER_NAME -epsw x -dpool stratum+tcp://siamining.com:7777 -dwal YOUR_SIACOIN_ADDRESS.WORKER_NAME -dcoin sia
Replace:
YOUR_ETHER_ADDRESS
→ Your Ethereum wallet address.YOUR_SIACOIN_ADDRESS
→ Your Siacoin receiving address.WORKER_NAME
→ Optional identifier for monitoring.
SiaMining now supports Claymore’s Stratum protocol on port 7777, making integration seamless.
👉 Learn how professional miners boost hashrates safely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does Claymore v15.0 support Kepler-based GPUs like GTX 780?
Yes, Kepler architecture cards (e.g., GTX 780) are supported, but they may require older driver branches and do not perform as efficiently as Maxwell or Pascal GPUs. Ensure you're using CUDA-compatible drivers and sufficient VRAM (at least 3GB recommended).
Q: Can I run this miner on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1?
While basic functionality exists, Windows 10 is strongly recommended, especially for GTX 10-series cards. NVIDIA did not release driver version 369.x for Windows 7 or 8.1, meaning ETH mining on GTX 1070/1080 is unstable or impossible on these OS versions without workarounds.
Q: Is SiaMining stratum officially supported?
Yes. As confirmed by community testing and developer input, SiaMining supports Claymore’s Stratum protocol on port 7777. Use -dcoin sia
and connect to stratum+tcp://siamining.com:7777
.
Q: Why does my rig hang during DAG generation?
This usually stems from:
- Using outdated drivers (especially 368.81).
- Overclocked memory settings causing instability.
- Insufficient PCIe power delivery.
Try resetting GPU clocks, updating drivers, and ensuring solid power supply units (PSUs) with adequate wattage per GPU.
Q: How do I adjust intensity for the second coin?
Use the following keyboard shortcuts while the miner is running:
- Press
+
to increase secondary coin intensity. - Press
-
to decrease it. - Press
s
to display real-time hashrates for both coins.
Q: What should I do if I get “missing OpenCL.dll”?
Reinstall your GPU drivers using DDU in safe mode. Then install the latest certified driver from AMD or NVIDIA. Avoid beta/preview OS builds unless absolutely necessary.
Final Thoughts & Optimization Tips
Claymore’s v15.0 remains a robust solution for dual mining across diverse hardware setups. To get the most out of it:
- Always use certified, up-to-date drivers.
- Monitor temperatures—aim to keep GPUs below 85°C under load.
- Consider switching to Linux for better stability and lower overhead, especially for large farms.
- Regularly check forums and updates for new patches or configuration tweaks.
Mining profitability hinges not just on raw hashrate but also on system stability and energy efficiency. Fine-tuning your setup today can lead to significant gains tomorrow.
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