Getting started
New to this?
How it works
Buyers post requests. Sellers list GPUs they scanned on their own PC — hourly rate, specs, and whether they are online. The GPU verifier runs on that machine and reads the hardware; it is not a dropdown on a web form.
- Step 1
Scan on your PC
Install GPU verifier on the machine with the GPU. The scan runs there, not in the browser.
Download GPU verifier → - Step 2
List spare hours
Register the GPU on My GPUs, leave watch on so it shows Available, and list the hours you want to sell.
My GPUs → - Step 3
Match on the feed
Buyer and seller agree in the thread. Payment sits in escrow until the job is done.
The feed →
Buyers
Browse or post a request
Read the feed without an account. When you are ready, post what you need or join a rental listing — check model, rate, and online status first.
Joining a listingGPU owners
Rent out hours on your GPU
Put the GPU verifier on the PC with the card, pair it on My GPUs, then post your rate and how many hours you can spare.
Download GPU verifierRight now
Demo, then testnet
We are still in Demo: balances and escrow are simulated inside IdleChip. Testnet adds real wallet steps on Base Sepolia; mainnet waits until that path is boringly reliable.
FAQRenting spare hours? Install the GPU verifier on the GPU PC, download it here, pair on My GPUs, then list the time you are not using.
- Everyone
The feed
The feed is public. Buyers post Need GPU requests; sellers post Offering GPU listings with an hour pool and a rate. Use the tabs to show one side or both. No account needed to read posts.
Open the feed →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsSign upNew PostAllNeed GPUOffering GPUNeed GPU
Fine-tune Llama, 8h needed on RTX 4090
8h · $1.20/hr · 2 replies
Offering GPU
Idle A100 overnight, 12h available
RTX-class · $0.85/hr
The feed shows compute requests and GPU rental listings together. - Everyone
Sign up
Renting out or buying time, you need a @username for posts, sessions, and My GPUs. On /signup, open Create account (pick a method above) or Sign in if you already have one. Wallet login is not supported yet. Add a payout address on Profile after signup.
Sign up →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsSign upNew Post@usernameAnonymous IDWalletGoogleCreate account · pick one method below
/signup has four create-account tabs plus sign-in. @username
Pick a unique @username (2–32 letters or numbers, no spaces or symbols) and a password (10+ characters). Display name and email are optional. Most people use this.
IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsSign upNew Post@usernameAnonymous IDWalletGoogleCreate account · pick one method below
@vramgoblin••••••••••Most people use the @username tab. Anonymous ID
Click once for the next free
chip0,chip1, …chip9,chipa, … style name. It lasts 14 days in this browser unless you add a password on signup or Profile. Clear cookies and it is gone.IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsSign upNew Post@usernameAnonymous IDWalletGoogleCreate account · pick one method below
Temporary account: 14 days or until cookies are cleared. An optional password makes it permanent.
Assigns the next free ID like
chip0,chip1, …chip9,chipa, …Password (optional)Anonymous ID picks the next free chip* handle (hex suffix). Wallet
Typed wallet addresses are not proof of ownership in this phase. The Wallet tab explains that you should use @username or Google first, then optionally save an address on Profile for display and future payout wiring.
IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsSign upNew Post@usernameAnonymous IDWalletGoogleCreate account · pick one method below
Wallet sign-in is not available yet. Create an @username or use Google, then save a payout address on Profile.The Wallet tab directs you to save an address on Profile after signup. Google
Works when Google OAuth is configured on the server. First-time Google users still pick a unique @username. Google signs you in; it does not hold escrow or pay sellers.
IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsSign upNew Post@usernameAnonymous IDWalletGoogleCreate account · pick one method below
Google remembers your handle for convenience only.
Continue with Google (when configured) Sign in
Returning users switch to Sign in, enter @username and password, and complete 2FA if enabled on the account.
IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsSign upNew PostCreate accountSign in@batch-size-1Returning users sign in with @username and password. - Renting out
GPU scanning setup
The scan runs on the machine with the GPU, not in the browser. Open My GPUs and use the buttons on the page. On localhost with
Open My GPUs →npm run dev, the site and verifier share one PC. On idlechip.com, run one connect command on your GPU machine; it pairs, scans, and registers in one go. Then confirm Local scans, run a test scan, run watch when you want Available, and post a listing.IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew Post1Enable live scanning. This reads GPUs on your machine, or via the paired agent on the live site.Enable live scanningLive updates active
2When Local scans shows your card, pick it from the dropdown and Confirm.NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 · 24 GBConfirmLocal scans
RTX 4090 · scanned just now
24 GB VRAM · driver 551.23
3Register the selected GPU under your @username, the same name you used to sign up.Register selected GPU4Run watch on your GPU PC so My GPUs shows Available to buyers.idlechip-verifier watchRegistered as @yourname · Available on the feed
On My GPUs, run the connect command, confirm Local scans, run a test scan, then run watch for Available status. Connect PC (live site)
Skip this on local dev. On Vercel (or any remote deploy), GPUs are not scanned in the browser. At the top of My GPUs, click Generate pairing code, copy the connect command, and run it on the machine with the GPU (
npx idlechip-verifier scan --url … --code … --register). After connecting, leave the GPU verifier running or use Get the GPU verifier for a background install. The site stores your intent; the GPU verifier doesnvidia-smiand pushes results back.IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostConnect this PC
Generate a one-time code while signed in, then run the command on your machine.
A7K-9M2
npx idlechip-verifier@1.1.1 scan --url https://www.idlechip.com --code A7K-9M2 --register
Expires in 9:42
One connect command pairs, scans, and registers your GPU. Enable scanning
Click Enable live scanning. The page starts a scan loop on this machine (local dev) or sets a flag your paired GPU verifier picks up (live site). You should see cards under Local scans with model, VRAM, driver, and live util when scanning is active. Recent builds sync every few seconds; older versions may update closer to once a minute. If the list stays empty, check that NVIDIA drivers are installed and the GPU verifier is paired on the live site.
IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew Post1Enable live scanning. This reads GPUs on your machine, or via the paired agent on the live site.Enable live scanningLive updates active
Turn scanning on before selecting or registering Select GPU
Use the Select GPU type dropdown above the buttons. Pick the card you want to rent out, then click Confirm. The matching feed on the right uses this choice. Choosing None clears the selection and stops live scanning. Use None only when you want to pause.
IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew Post2When Local scans shows your card, pick it from the dropdown and Confirm.NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 · 24 GBConfirmLocal scans
RTX 4090 · scanned just now
24 GB VRAM · driver 551.23
Confirmation locks the GPU model for registration and buyer matching. Register & availability
Click Register selected GPU . Use the same @username as your account (pre-filled when signed in). That publishes the GPU to the marketplace registry. Then click Run watch on the GPU PC so buyers see Available on Profile and listings. During an active session, keep watch running; attestations for delivered hours come from the GPU verifier while a session is linked.
IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew Post3Register the selected GPU under your @username, the same name you used to sign up.Register selected GPU4Run watch on your GPU PC so My GPUs shows Available to buyers.idlechip-verifier watchRegistered as @yourname · Available on the feed
A registered GPU with watch running appears Available to buyers. Ready to list
When Local scans updates, util and temperature refresh on the card. Profile shows your network status. Next step: create an Offering GPU post or reply to a buyer thread. Both require a registered, online GPU.
IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostMy GPUs
Registered as @yourname · Available on the feed
Disable live scanningStop watchNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Online4 GB VRAM · 15% util · 50°C
Setup is complete when the verifier is paired, registered, and watch is running. - Renting out
List or reply
Publish an offering: New Post → I have a GPU → set total hours in the pool, your rate, how buyers should access the machine (SSH, Docker, Jupyter, or other), and attach scanned specs. A public escrow goes live with the listing; buyers join for a slice of the pool. Or reply to a buyer: open a Need GPU post, attach your registered GPU, and offer hours and price. That attaches a contract invitation on your reply for the buyer to accept.
Create a rental listing →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostNew post
I need a GPURent GPU hoursRTX 4090 · scanned specs attached24 hours pool$0.95 / hrPublic escrow deploys with the listing. Buyers join in slices until the pool fills.
Reply on a buyer post
Need GPU · buyer post
Fine-tune Llama, 8h on RTX 4090
Your reply
Attached GPU · 6h offered · $1.10/hr
Contract invitation · pending
Sellers can publish a pool listing or reply on a buyer thread. - Renting out
Homelab & always-on
If your PC or home server stays on for remote desktop, media, backups, or other background work, the GPU is often idle between your own jobs. Pair the GPU verifier once on that machine, register the card on My GPUs, and list only the hours you can share. While you are away, use the site from your phone to check threads and sessions while the GPU verifier keeps scanning and watch on the home box. Read the Homelab GPU rental article for sleep mode, spare capacity, and access handoff.
Read homelab GPU rental →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostMy GPUs
Registered as @yourname · Available on the feed
Disable live scanningStop watchNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Online4 GB VRAM · 15% util · 50°C
An always-on machine runs the GPU verifier; your phone becomes the control panel. - Buying
Post a request
Buyers open New Post, choose I need a GPU, and set model, hours wanted, and budget. Sellers reply with registered hardware and an offered rate. When a reply looks right, the buyer accepts on that thread. After that, either side can start a session.
Post a GPU request →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostNew post
I need a GPURent GPU hoursRTX 4090 or similar · 8 hours · $1.20 / hrSellers reply with their registered GPU, price, and hours offered.
Buyers publish a request and wait for seller replies. - Buying
Join a listing
On an Offering GPU post, the seller's public escrow is already on the thread. Use Request this GPU to take hours from the remaining pool at the listing rate (or negotiate via replies on tight supply). Multiple buyers can join the same listing until the pool is full.
Browse the feed →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostJoin a rental listing
Offering
Idle RTX 4090 · 12h pool
Public escrow
$0.95/hr · 8h remaining
Request this GPU: 4 hours at the listing rateRenters join escrow on an existing GPU rental listing. - Everyone
Accept terms
Hours and payment lock in after buyer and seller accept on the post thread. On a buyer request, the buyer accepts the host's reply. On a rental listing, acceptance happens when the buyer submits the join form. Until then, hours are not booked and you cannot start a session.
Find a post to open →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostAccept terms
Escrow invitation
6h @ $1.10/hr · $6.60 total
Seller river · Buyer batchjob
Accept termsAccept on the post thread before anyone starts a session. - Everyone
Run the job
After acceptance, either party clicks Start session on the post. While it runs, the seller keeps the GPU verifier watching from My GPUs. Delivered hours accumulate from signed attestations when available (unsigned attestations are for local/dev simulation only). When work finishes, click Stop session on the session page, where you'll see a settlement preview right away.
View sessions on Profile →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostOn the post thread
Contract · accepted
Start sessionSession · running
Stop sessionStart the session from the post; stop it on the session page when work finishes. - Everyone
Link wallets (testnet)
Testnet coming soonTestnet uses Base Sepolia test USDC, not mainnet funds. On Profile, open Wallet, connect MetaMask on Base Sepolia and save your address. Sellers must save a payout wallet before the buyer can fund escrow. Buyers need test USDC from Circle's faucet plus a little ETH for gas.
Open Profile wallet →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostProfile → Wallet
Connect MetaMask on Base Sepolia
Used when you sign fund, withdraw, and payout transactions.
Connect walletEscrow address on Profile
Seller: save payout wallet before buyer can fund. Buyer: must match connected wallet for withdraw.
Save connected walletOn Profile, connect MetaMask and save your escrow address. - Buying
Fund escrow (MetaMask)
Testnet coming soonAfter the session starts, the buyer opens the session page and clicks Fund escrow (USDC). MetaMask asks for two confirmations: first a USDC spending cap (approve), then the deposit transaction to the escrow contract. If approve already succeeded, clicking again runs deposit only.
See deposit step →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostBuyer checklist
→ Fund escrow (6.00 USDC testnet)
On-chain escrow
Status: Not funded yet
Fund escrow (USDC)Step 1/2: approve 6.00 USDC in MetaMask…
MMetaMaskAccount 2Spending cap request
This site wants permission to withdraw your tokens.
Spending cap: 6 USDC
Origin: idlechip.com
CancelConfirmNetwork: Base Sepolia Testnet
Step 1 of 2: approve the test USDC spending cap in MetaMask. Confirm depositComing soon
Second MetaMask popup sends the booked USDC into the on-chain escrow contract. When the transaction confirms, the session page shows Funded: releasing per hour and the seller can run the GPU verifier watch loop.
IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostUSDC already approved. Confirm the deposit only.
On-chain escrow
Signing…Step 2/2: confirm deposit in MetaMask…
MMetaMaskAccount 2Transaction request
You send: −6 USDC
Interacting with: SessionEscrow contract
Network fee: < $0.01 ETH
CancelConfirmNetwork: Base Sepolia Testnet
Step 2 of 2: confirm the deposit to SessionEscrow on Base Sepolia. - Buying
Withdraw unused USDC
Testnet coming soonWhen the job ends early or hours were not fully delivered, the buyer clicks Withdraw unused USDC on the session page (same wallet as Profile). MetaMask confirms one transaction; unreleased test USDC returns to the buyer wallet.
Find your session on Profile →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostEscrow funded on Base Sepolia.
Withdraw unused USDCDeposited
6 USDC
Released
2 USDC
MMetaMaskAccount 2Transaction request
You receive: unused USDC refund
Interacting with: SessionEscrow · withdraw
CancelConfirmNetwork: Base Sepolia Testnet
The buyer withdraws any unreleased test USDC after partial delivery. - Everyone
Settlement
Profile holds your display name, wallet, active sessions, and setup checklist. The delivery meter shows booked vs delivered hours; on testnet, escrow status and USDC amounts live on the session page. See link wallets and fund escrow on testnet.
Open Profile →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostProfile
Session · running
3.2 / 8.0 hours delivered
Would pay
$3.20
Would refund
$4.80
Profile shows settlement totals and wallet status for each session.
Advanced
Tight supply, transfers, and failover
Full pool on a post, unused hours on someone else's join reply, or a seller who stops reporting availability.
- Buying
Tight supply
On a popular Offering GPU post, the public hour pool can run out while join replies still show activity. The main join form may not fit your job. Check the thread � sellers sometimes clarify overflow in replies, and buyers haggle when only scraps of pool time are left. Look at join replies on the same listing, not a different machine.
Browse the feed →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostOffering post with pool nearly full
Offering
A100 overnight · 12h pool
Pool
0.5h left in escrow
Join form disabled. Scroll replies for another buyer's unused hours or negotiate in thread.
Reply: "Can do 2h at $1.40 if pool opens"When the pool is nearly full, buyers negotiate in reply threads. - Buying
Hours from replies
When compute is sparse, open an accepted join reply where the first buyer still has unused booked hours (session not fully delivered). Expand Request remaining hours, pick hours up to the transferable max, and offer a premium $/hr at or above the listing rate. You are buying hours on the same seller GPU, not compute on Buyer A's machine. The listing author must approve before hours move.
Open an offering post →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostJoin reply with unused hours
Buyer A joined
6h booked · 2.5h delivered · session running
3.5h transferable to another buyer
Request remaining hours
2h$1.25/hrSendPremium ≥ listing rate · seller approves · same seller GPU
Buyers can request unused hours from another buyer's join reply. - Renting out
Approve transfers
If you own the offering post, pending requests appear at the top of the post detail as Pending hour transfers. Approve to shrink the original buyer's booked hours and assign a new join slice to the requester at their premium rate. Reject if you decline. Ledger lines show the refund and charge. You still host all compute on your registered GPU.
Open your listings →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostPost detail, seller view
Pending hour transfers
Buyer B wants 2h @ $1.25/hr from Buyer A's unused booking
ApproveRejectThe listing owner approves or rejects each hour-transfer request. - Everyone
Failover
If the verifier stops reporting, the session moves to paused or failed. On the session page, the buyer can pick another matching seller GPU and start a failover session for remaining booked hours. Delivered time on the old session is settled first; the new session continues where the old one left off. You restart the job on the new machine. IdleChip does not migrate workloads automatically.
Find sessions on Profile →IdleChipNew to this?FeedMy GPUsProfileNew PostSession after the seller went offline
Paused · verifier not reporting
2.0h delivered · 4.0h still booked
Continue on another GPU?
RTX 4090 · @river
Failover hereFrom the session page, continue remaining hours on a replacement GPU.
FAQ
Listings, sessions, GPU scans, and simulated escrow.
Why not just arrange GPU time privately?
Informal deals can work for a one-off. They usually do not record agreed hours, price, hardware checks, or what happens if the seller drops offline. IdleChip keeps the listing, reply, session start, and stop on one thread so terms and status stay in one place.
How is this different from a cloud GPU marketplace?
Cloud marketplaces often lease whole machines by the day or month. IdleChip is for shorter runs: a few hours on a named GPU class from an owner renting idle time between their own work. You match to a scanned card on someone's PC, not a datacenter instance type.
Do GPU scans work in the browser if I'm logged in?
The website controls My GPUs, posts, and sessions. The scan runs on the PC that has the GPU (nvidia-smi), not in the browser. On localhost, site and verifier share one machine. On the live site, keep the GPU verifier running on your PC; the page sends commands and the verifier reports stats back.
How do I know the seller really has that GPU?
The seller runs the GPU verifier. It registers the card and keeps watch running while listed. Available status and model data come from the verifier, not a text field on the post.
Do you hold my money?
No. Buyer and seller set hours and rate on the post. During a session, billing follows delivered time. Funds use on-chain escrow; IdleChip tracks sessions and attestations. We are not a custodial wallet holding your balance in our database.
Can buyers run any training job or custom code?
Yes. IdleChip rents metered GPU-hours, not a fixed framework. The host lists how you reach the machine (SSH, Docker, Jupyter, or other notes). After escrow funds, you connect and run your own workload. The host runs idlechip-verifier watch so delivered time is recorded on-chain.
What if the seller goes offline during my job?
If the verifier stops reporting, the session pauses. You can fail over to another listing with a matching GPU for the hours you still have booked. You move your workload to the new host yourself.
Why rent by the hour?
Many jobs are a training run, render, or experiment, not a month-long lease. Hourly booking fits short renter jobs and hosts who only have spare capacity between their own work.
What about when a popular listing is almost full?
When the public hour pool on a post is full, unused hours may still sit on another buyer's join reply. You can request a transfer at a premium; the listing owner approves or rejects. Compute still comes from the same seller GPU under that post's rules.
Can I rent out GPU hours from an always-on home server while I'm away?
Yes. That is a common homelab setup. Keep the GPU verifier running on the PC with the GPU (home server, remote desktop, or workstation that stays on anyway). Rent out only spare GPU-hours you are not using yourself. Open the site from your phone or laptop to manage listings and sessions; scans and availability still come from the machine with the card. See the Homelab GPU rental article for setup tips.
Do I need an account to look around?
No. You can browse the feed and read posts without signing in. Create an account to post, reply, or start a session.