<p>MtGox is an exchange (i.e. a place to sell and buy bitcoins for USD, EUR, GBP, etc.). If you want to get a few coins quickly you can buy them there.</p>

<p>To generate blocks you need to use your computer's processing power (this is called mining). Currently, it is very hard to produce a block by yourself so most people mine in group and split the rewards (pool mining). Check this question for more information: </p>

<p><a href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/1433/how-can-i-start-mining-bitcoin">How can I start mining Bitcoin?</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-01T19:32:31.733Z
2011-12-01T19:32:31.733Z
2017-04-13T12:47:33.283Z
nmat
<p>To generate a block you need to run a Bitcoin network node (such as the standard Bitcoin client) and a miner (mining software) such as <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Poclbm" rel="nofollow">poclbm</a>. The rewards for blocks you generate will be automatically delivered to an address controlled by your node, you do not need any external account.</p>

<p>That's the theory though, in practice what you'll want to connect your miner to a mining pool, and let the pool handle receiving rewards and delivering them to an address of your choice (which could either be controlled by a local client or an eWallet service). And, to do this with any effectiveness you will need suitable hardware such as an ATI graphics card.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-01T19:03:30.070Z
2011-12-01T19:18:05.907Z
2011-12-01T19:18:05.907Z
Meni Rosenfeld
<p>I've read a little about BitCoins and think the idea is very interesting.  I was wondering what is required to generate a block?  I assume there is some software you need.  Do I also need an account somewhere like Mt Gox?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-01T19:27:27.603Z
Generating blocks is usually referred to as "mining", so I believe that this is a duplicate of [How can I start mining Bitcoin?](http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/1433/how-can-i-start-mining-bitcoin) Also see [What exactly is Mining?](http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/148/what-exactly-is-mining) for more info.
D.H.
<mining-theory>
What is required to generate a block?
mpenrow
# What is required to generate a block?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-12-01)

I've read a little about BitCoins and think the idea is very interesting. I was wondering what is required to generate a block? I assume there is some software you need. Do I also need an account somewhere like Mt Gox?

**Tags:** mining-theory

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Generating blocks is usually referred to as "mining", so I believe that this is a duplicate of [How can I start mining Bitcoin?](http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/1433/how-can-i-start-mining-bitcoin) Also see [What exactly is Mining?](http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/148/what-exactly-is-mining) for more info.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2011-12-01. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

MtGox is an exchange (i.e. a place to sell and buy bitcoins for USD, EUR, GBP, etc.). If you want to get a few coins quickly you can buy them there.

To generate blocks you need to use your computer's processing power (this is called mining). Currently, it is very hard to produce a block by yourself so most people mine in group and split the rewards (pool mining). Check this question for more information:

[How can I start mining Bitcoin?](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/1433/how-can-i-start-mining-bitcoin)


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### Answer by username_3 on 2011-12-01. Score: 1

To generate a block you need to run a Bitcoin network node (such as the standard Bitcoin client) and a miner (mining software) such as [poclbm](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Poclbm). The rewards for blocks you generate will be automatically delivered to an address controlled by your node, you do not need any external account.

That's the theory though, in practice what you'll want to connect your miner to a mining pool, and let the pool handle receiving rewards and delivering them to an address of your choice (which could either be controlled by a local client or an eWallet service). And, to do this with any effectiveness you will need suitable hardware such as an ATI graphics card.


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