Got a 30-series or 40-series GPU sitting idle outside of gaming hours? Let's put it to work. This tutorial will walk you through the high-level steps of connecting your machine as a provider Node to a decentralized compute marketplace like Compute Labs.

Step 1: Understand the DePIN Compute Model
Decentralized compute protocols like Compute Labs create a peer-to-peer market for GPU power. As a provider (a "host"), you run a client that securely rents out your GPU's processing power. A central Protocol handles job orchestration and payments, but the work is done directly between peers. This is more efficient than centralized cloud services.

Step 2: Onboarding as a Compute Node
Install the Host Client: You'll typically download a client application for your OS (Windows, Linux). This client manages the connection to the network and sandboxes the compute jobs for security.

Benchmark Your Hardware: Upon first run, the client will benchmark your GPU, CPU, and RAM. This performance data is registered with the protocol so it can match your node with appropriate jobs (e.g., AI training vs. video rendering).

Configure and Connect: You'll link a wallet to receive Rewards and configure your availability. You can set it to run only when your machine is idle, or have it available 24/7.

Go Live: Once configured, your node is live on the marketplace, ready to accept jobs. You don't have to do anything else; the protocol automatically assigns work and deposits your earnings.

Step 3: Staking for Higher Priority (Optional)
Some protocols offer a Staking mechanism. By staking the native token, your node can gain a higher reputation score, making it eligible for more lucrative or consistent jobs. This is a way to signal your long-term commitment to the network's quality.

This is the future of cloud computing—accessible, efficient, and user-owned. To get the specific download links and detailed configuration commands, check out the official community documentation. It’s a comprehensive Guide for getting started.