What is ASIC?

Proceso offers an ASIC cryptocurrency mining operation focusing on Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.

But what is ASIC?

The abbreviation stands for Application Specific Integrated Circuits, which are pieces of hardware designed to perform only one activity. Most of the computers are multi-task. For example, on your home computer, laptop, or smartphone you can watch a YouTube video, play a game and chat at the same time. To run multiple programs at the same time, your computer needs hardware that can specifically manage all those tasks. CPUs, or Central Processing Units, usually do this job.

But as it usually happens in our everyday life, to do anything perfectly, we need to concentrate on one single task. This rule also works when we are talking about hardware. Using hardware that is designed to run multiple tasks at once is not the best option if you only want to perform a single task extremely well.

ASICs are designed to specialize in one type of task. Much of the computational work needed to maintain the transactions, connections and account security of a blockchain network is usually limited to a small number of power-intensive tasks.

Mining is not an extremely complicated process. One software program, racks of hardware, electric power and time — and you are all set. That is the reason ASICs have become very useful for the blockchain.

Bitcoin mining

At the very beginning, when bitcoin mining had just appeared, people could use their basic home computers to make a profit on this cryptocurrency. The logic was simple: you earn if the electricity bill and the cost of your computer hardware are less than the value of Bitcoins you received. Today, blockchains are more complex, those good times are gone, CPUs and home electric power supply no longer make such mining profitable.

That is the reason why a lot of efforts have been taken to reduce costs. Mining moved to regions that allow paying less for the electricity (such as rural China, for instance). Another way was by using ASICs.

It’s very important to find a reliable distributor of ASICs. You can’t just come to the store, choose a suitable ASIC and get great quality. Proceso offers high-quality mining hardware, so there is no need to waste time and nerves. Our goal is to do everything in the best way.

ASICs are very popular, and their development is quite active. Every year, new technologies are created and perhaps in a couple of years, ASICs will be no bigger than a standard tablet.