user14373: I have just learnt about Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining. Is it really important to buy Bitcoin mining hardware like BFGMiner to earn Bitcoins ? Can't we just download the software and join a pool?

user85: No, you can't. Your existing hardware is general purpose and is so inefficient at mining Bitcoins that the value of the Bitcoins you mined would be a tiny fraction of the cost of the electricity it would use. Think of existing miners as aircraft carriers and your computer as a bow and arrow, at least when it comes to mining Bitcoins.

14373: <p>I have just learnt about Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining. Is it really important to buy Bitcoin mining hardware like BFGMiner to earn Bitcoins ? Can't we just download the software and join a pool?</p>
 85: <p>No, you can't. Your existing hardware is general purpose and is so inefficient at mining Bitcoins that the value of the Bitcoins you mined would be a tiny fraction of the cost of the electricity it would use. Think of existing miners as aircraft carriers and your computer as a bow and arrow, at least when it comes to mining Bitcoins.</p>
