What this is: A small but growing niche of “miners” that generate zk-SNARK proofs for networks like Aleo. You’re not hashing SHA-256/Scrypt—you’re proving computations. Rewards and economics differ from classic PoW; do your homework. (aleo.org, developer.aleo.org)
How to use this page
- Start with the device list → read the full review.
- New to home setups? Noise/heat still matter; see Quiet Apartment Mining and Power & Safety (120V vs 240V).
- Networking still counts (low stales/latency): Wi-Fi vs Ethernet.
ZK/Aleo devices (curated)
| Model (link) | Workload | Typical Throughput | Typical Power | Comfort note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldshell AE-BOX II | zkSNARK / Aleo (PoSW prover) | ~54 MH/s (vendor-listed) | ~530 W | Mini-tower; home-friendly if placed/ducted well. (Goldshell Official) |
Context: Aleo uses Proof of Succinct Work (PoSW)—provers produce zk-SNARK proofs; validators finalize blocks. It’s different from BTC/LTC mining and can have different risk/ROI characteristics. (aleo.org, Figment)
Beginner tips for ZK/Aleo at home
- Expect change: ZK hardware & software evolve quickly—firmware and networks update often. Follow official docs and community channels. (developer.aleo.org)
- Learn the basics: If “zk-SNARK” sounds alien, read a plain-English intro first. (Good primers below.)
- Power & noise: Treat units like 500-W class heaters; plan airflow and keep intake/exhaust clear—see Quiet Apartment Mining.
Further reading (authoritative)
- Aleo blog: Proof of Succinct Work (PoSW) overview: https://www.aleo.org/post/proof-of-stake-vs-proof-of-work/ (aleo.org)
- Aleo Dev Docs: Intro to zkSNARK (actors, trusted setup, SRS): https://developer.aleo.org/concepts/advanced/intro_to_zksnark (developer.aleo.org)
- Zcash: What are zk-SNARKs? (approachable explainer): https://z.cash/learn/what-are-zk-snarks/ (Z.Cash)
- Academic primer: “zk-SNARKs: A Gentle Introduction” (PDF): https://www.di.ens.fr/~nitulesc/files/Survey-SNARKs.pdf (di.ens.fr)
- Goldshell AE-BOX II official page/spec: https://www.goldshell.com/product/goldshell-ae-box-ii/ (Goldshell Official)
What’s next
- Browse all reviews: All Reviews
- SHA-256 BTC minis: SHA-256 Reviews
- Scrypt (LTC/DOGE): Scrypt Reviews
- ETChash (ETC): ETChash Reviews