For those looking to both mine cryptocurrencies and heat their homes, French startup Qarnot has the perfect device: the QC1.
The device is basically a computer optimized for cryptocurrency mining. Like most computers that perform cryptocurrency mining, it generates lots of heat. This is usually a bad thing, and it usually requires some means of keeping the device cool. But Qarnot is instead harnessing the heat for a useful function.
The company previously made cryptocurrency heaters for construction companies to use as they built their properties, but this is their foray into the consumer market.
The QC1 is configured with the following specifications: a dual AMD GPU that includes a Sapphire Nitro and a Radeon RX580, along with 8 GB of video RAM. It is further specifically designed to mine Ether, but users can configure it to mine Litecoin and other popular cryptocurrencies. The computer itself runs Linux and is fully user configurable.
The device is also very easy to install. Users simply plug in both the power and an Ethernet cable, and then input their public cryptocurrency address into a mobile app that accompanies the device. All proceeds of the cryptocurrency mining go directly to the user.
In terms of heating, if the two GPUs built into the device are not sufficient to warm the room, the device also contains traditional heating conductors to provide additional warmth.
The QC1, which has just now become available, has no hard drive or fan, so it is completely noiseless. Qarnot is currently selling the device for around $3,600 (or 2,900 euros). They also accept payments in bitcoin. The company says that it expects to sell hundreds of the devices in the coming year.
Based on the current prices of Ether, the QC1 can mine about $120 (100 euros) worth of the cryptocurrency every month, but the cost to run the device will of course depend on the local price of electricity.
Dil Bole Oberoi
