Bitcoin: Very slow sync using bitcoin core on Mac mini m1

Slow Sync Speeds: Understanding Bitcoin on an M1 Mac Mini with 8GB RAM and Large Storage

As a user of the popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin, you are probably well aware of the concept of decentralization and peer-to-peer transactions. However, when it comes to syncing your Bitcoin wallet on your computer or device, there may be issues that can slow down your progress. In this article, we will delve into one such issue: very slow sync speeds using Bitcoin Core on an M1 Mac Mini with 8GB RAM and large storage.

Environmental Cleanup

To begin troubleshooting, let’s first describe the setup:

• 2020 or you are using macOS Monterey (M1) on a newer model Mac Mini.

• Your wallet comes with 8GB of memory and a 256GB internal SSD as the primary storage device.

• You have installed Bitcoin Core version 21.2.3.

Notes

After two weeks, the sync completion rate is satisfactory at 60%. However, the process took much longer than expected:

• The average sync speed for Mac Mini M1 is about 5-7 seconds per block.

• Blocks are transferred from local storage to the cloud at this rate.

Possible Causes

Based on our observations and research, here are some possible reasons for slow sync speeds when using Bitcoin Core Mac Mini M1 with 8GB RAM and large storage capacity:

• Storage fragmentation

  : Over time, your storage device can become fragmented, causing blocks to be stored in different locations on the disk. This can slow sync times as the wallet attempts to read and write data from different parts of the disk.

• Block cache management: Bitcoin Core uses a block cache to improve performance during sync. However, if your storage device is not optimized for caching or if the cache size is too small, block retrieval may take a long time.

Troubleshooting Steps

To optimize your sync experience and reduce slow speeds:

• Update Bitcoin Core: Make sure you are using the latest version of Bitcoin Core (21.2.3 or later).

• Optimize storage: If possible, consider upgrading to a faster storage device, such as an SSD.

• Reduce block cache size: If your storage device is not optimized for caching, try reducing the block cache size in the Bitcoin Core settings.

Conclusion

While syncing Bitcoin to an M1 Mac Mini with 8GB RAM and large storage can be challenging due to slow sync speeds, there are steps you can take to optimize the process. By understanding the possible causes and taking troubleshooting steps, you can improve the overall sync experience and reduce the latency of transferring blocks from local storage to the cloud.

Recommendations

To further improve your Bitcoin sync experience:

• Regularly check the progress of your wallet and adjust its settings if necessary.

• If possible, consider upgrading to a faster storage device.

• Monitor block cache sizes and adjust them according to your needs.