I'm trying to run Bitcoin on a weak computer, which client consumes the least resources?

Question

I am running the standard client on a weak computer (Windows environment). It often is slow and unresponsive, and takes a noticeable chunk of the hard drive. I would want to replace it with some alternative client that offers the same functionality (mainly, running as server and supporting the standard Bitcoin API), while also consuming less system resources.

Which Bitcoin client consumes the least system resources and is the best fit for weak computers?

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 09 '12 at 18:28

There is a very useful comparison of the Bitcoin desktop clients here: http://dre.redmartian.org/compare.htm

In order 'lighter' to 'heavier' there are:

electrum

multibit

bitcoind

armory + bitcoind

If you need the full bitcoind RPC API then only bitcoind will do however. In that case trying/ waiting for v0.8 is probably your best option.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 09 '12 at 12:23

1

Bitcoin v0.8 (which hasn't been released yet. But you can build it from source and use it ... with a nearly empty wallet with backups and only a low amount of funds.)

answered Nov 09 '12 at 12:23

Stephen Gornick

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Hmm, could you elaborate a bit on how does this differ from the current version? Does it use less memory, disk space, etc? – ThePiachu Nov 09 '12 at 12:44
2

Somewhat less memory, and somewhat less disk, but mostly far less I/O and CPU usage. – Pieter Wuille Nov 09 '12 at 21:00

I'm trying to run Bitcoin on a weak computer, which client consumes the least resources?

2 Answers2