Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about CloudRig. Can't find your answer? Reach out to our support team.

Getting Started

What is CloudRig?+

CloudRig is a cloud GPU rental service that gives you a full Windows desktop with a dedicated NVIDIA GPU. You connect from any device using Remote Desktop or a game streaming client, and pay only for the time you use. There is no hardware to buy, maintain, or upgrade.

How is CloudRig different from cloud gaming services?+

Cloud gaming services like GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming limit you to their game libraries and don't give you a full desktop. CloudRig gives you a complete Windows 10 machine with admin access. You can install any software, play any game, run AI workloads, edit video, or do anything you would on a physical PC.

What do I need to get started?+

You need a device with an internet connection (Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad, or Android), the Microsoft Remote Desktop app (free on all platforms), and a CloudRig account with at least $1 in credit. For gaming, we recommend 50 Mbps or faster internet and a streaming client like Parsec or Moonlight.

Which regions are available?+

CloudRig machines are available in multiple data center regions across North America and Europe. During deployment, you can select the region closest to you for the lowest latency. We are actively expanding to additional regions.

Pricing & Billing

How does pricing work?+

CloudRig uses a pay-as-you-go credit system. You add credits to your account starting from $5, then choose a GPU plan. Billing is per-second while your machine is running. When you stop your machine, billing stops instantly. There are no subscriptions, contracts, or hidden fees.

When am I charged?+

You are charged per second only while your machine is in the Running state. Stopped machines do not incur charges. Credits are deducted from your balance in real time. You can monitor your spending from the Billing page in your dashboard.

What payment methods are accepted?+

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) through our secure payment processor. All transactions are encrypted and PCI-compliant.

Can I get a refund?+

Unused credits can be refunded within 14 days of purchase. If you experience downtime or technical issues caused by our infrastructure, affected users receive automatic credit for the downtime. Contact support@cloudrig.space for refund requests.

What happens if I run out of credit?+

If your credit balance reaches zero while a machine is running, the machine will be stopped automatically. Your files and machine state are preserved for 24 hours, giving you time to add more credits and resume. You will receive a low-balance warning before this happens.

Machines & Performance

What GPU options are available?+

We offer four tiers: Starter (RTX 3060, 12 GB VRAM) from ~$0.40/hr, Standard (RTX 3090, 24 GB VRAM) from ~$0.60/hr, Pro (RTX 4090, 24 GB VRAM) from ~$0.90/hr, and Power (RTX A6000, 48 GB VRAM) from ~$1.20/hr. All plans include SSD storage, multiple vCPUs, and full Windows 10 admin access.

How fast does a machine start up?+

Most machines are ready in under 60 seconds. Deployment time can vary slightly depending on region availability and the GPU tier you select. Once running, you receive connection credentials immediately in your dashboard.

Are my files saved when I stop a machine?+

Yes. When you stop a machine, your files, installed software, and desktop state are preserved for 24 hours. When you restart within that window, everything is exactly as you left it. After 24 hours, the machine is recycled and data is deleted. For persistent storage, we recommend backing up important files to an external cloud service.

Can I use multiple monitors?+

Yes. Microsoft Remote Desktop supports multiple monitors natively. In the RDP client settings, enable the multi-monitor option before connecting. The number of virtual displays depends on your GPU tier and the client you use.

What operating system do the machines run?+

All CloudRig machines run Windows 10 with full administrator access. NVIDIA drivers, DirectX, and common runtimes are pre-installed. You have complete freedom to install any additional software you need.

Connection & Streaming

Which streaming client should I use?+

For general productivity, rendering, and AI work, the built-in Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP) client works well and requires zero setup. For gaming or latency-sensitive tasks, we recommend Parsec or Moonlight, which offer lower input lag and higher frame rates. You can also use noVNC in a web browser for quick access from any device.

What internet speed do I need?+

For general desktop use via RDP, 15 Mbps is sufficient. For gaming or high-resolution streaming, we recommend 50 Mbps or faster. A wired Ethernet connection will give you more stable performance than Wi-Fi. Latency matters more than raw bandwidth for gaming, so choose the data center region closest to you.

How can I reduce lag?+

Select the data center region closest to your physical location. Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi. Close other bandwidth-heavy applications. If gaming, use Parsec or Moonlight instead of RDP, as they are optimized for low-latency streaming. Lowering the streaming resolution can also help on slower connections.

Can I use a controller?+

Yes. Parsec and Moonlight both support USB and Bluetooth controller passthrough, including Xbox and PlayStation controllers. RDP does not natively support controller input, so for gaming with a controller, use one of the dedicated streaming clients.

Can I connect from a phone or tablet?+

Yes. The Microsoft Remote Desktop app is available for iOS and Android. Parsec also has mobile apps. For quick access without installing anything, you can use the noVNC web client directly in your mobile browser. Touch controls work, but for the best experience we recommend connecting a keyboard and mouse or controller.

Games & Software

Can I play any game?+

You can install and play any game you own, including titles from Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and other platforms. You have full admin access to Windows, so there are no software restrictions. Simply install your game launcher, sign in, download your games, and play.

Do games with anti-cheat work?+

Most games work without issues. However, some anti-cheat systems (such as certain versions of EasyAntiCheat or Vanguard) may detect the virtual machine environment and block the game. This is a limitation of how those anti-cheat systems work, not a CloudRig restriction. We maintain a compatibility list and are working on solutions for affected titles.

Can I use CloudRig for work, not just gaming?+

Absolutely. CloudRig is used for video editing (DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro), 3D rendering (Blender, Maya), AI and machine learning (PyTorch, TensorFlow), software development, CAD, and more. The Power tier with the RTX A6000 and 48 GB VRAM is specifically designed for professional workloads.

Can I use CloudRig for VR?+

CloudRig is not designed for VR. Virtual reality requires a direct physical connection between the GPU and the headset with extremely low latency, which is not possible over a remote connection. CloudRig is optimized for 2D desktop use, gaming via streaming, and compute workloads.

Technical Issues

My machine won't start. What should I do?+

First, check that you have sufficient credit in your account. Then verify that the region you selected has available capacity by trying a different region. If the issue persists, check the CloudRig status page or contact support@cloudrig.space. Machine deployment failures are rare but can occur during high-demand periods.

I can't connect to my machine.+

Make sure your machine is in the Running state in your dashboard. Double-check the IP address, username, and password shown in your machine details. Ensure your firewall or VPN is not blocking RDP traffic (port 3389). Try restarting the Remote Desktop client. If you still cannot connect, try stopping and restarting the machine from your dashboard.

The streaming quality is poor.+

Poor streaming quality is usually caused by network issues. Switch to a wired connection if possible. Close other applications using bandwidth. Try lowering the resolution or frame rate in your streaming client settings. If using RDP, reduce the color depth and disable visual effects. Ensure you are connected to the nearest data center region.

The GPU is not detected in my machine.+

If your software does not detect the GPU, open Device Manager in Windows and check if the NVIDIA GPU appears under Display Adapters. If it shows a warning icon, try reinstalling the NVIDIA drivers from the official NVIDIA website. In rare cases, a machine restart may be needed. If the GPU is missing entirely, stop and redeploy the machine or contact support.

Still Have Questions?

Our support team is here to help. Check our help center or get in touch directly.

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