Best GPUs for Cryptocurrency Mining? (Top Picks)

Performance Metrics That Matter

1. Hash rate determines how many calculations a GPU can perform per second when solving cryptographic puzzles. Higher hash rates directly correlate with increased mining efficiency and potential revenue.

2. Power consumption must be measured in watts per megahash (W/MH) to assess energy efficiency. A card delivering 60 MH/s at 120W is more economical than one achieving 55 MH/s at 140W.

3. Memory bandwidth influences how quickly data moves between the GPU core and VRAM. Mining algorithms like Ethash rely heavily on fast memory access, making bandwidth a decisive factor.

4. VRAM capacity affects compatibility with evolving DAG file sizes. As Ethereum Classic and other Ethash-based coins increase DAG requirements, cards with less than 6GB face obsolescence faster.

5. Thermal design impacts long-term stability. GPUs running at sustained 85°C+ under load suffer accelerated capacitor degradation, leading to higher failure rates over months of continuous operation.

NVIDIA Options Still in Circulation

1. The RTX 3060 Ti remains widely deployed due to its 60 MH/s Ethash performance and relatively low 200W TDP. Its 8GB GDDR6 memory handles current DAG sizes without throttling.

2. The RTX 3090 delivers 110–115 MH/s on Ethash but consumes 350W and requires robust cooling. Its 24GB VRAM ensures viability for at least two more years across most memory-hard algorithms.

3. The GTX 1660 Super offers entry-level viability at 22 MH/s and 75W draw, appealing to hobbyists operating on tight power budgets or in regions with high electricity costs.

4. NVIDIA’s LHR (Lite Hash Rate) firmware locks remain active on many RTX 30-series cards unless bypassed via BIOS modding or third-party drivers—limiting raw output by up to 50% on certain models.

AMD Cards Dominating Efficiency Charts

1. The Radeon RX 6700 XT achieves 45–48 MH/s on Ethash while drawing only 120W, giving it one of the best MH/W ratios among consumer-grade GPUs.

2. The RX 6800 clocks 55–58 MH/s and pairs 16GB of GDDR6 with a 250W TDP, making it a preferred choice for miners prioritizing longevity over peak wattage.

3. The older RX 580 8GB continues to circulate in budget builds, delivering 28–30 MH/s at 150W—its affordability and widespread availability sustain its relevance despite aging architecture.

4. AMD’s ADL architecture introduced tighter memory controllers that reduce latency during DAG reads, contributing to measurable gains in real-world mining throughput versus RDNA2 predecessors.

Cooling and Power Delivery Realities

1. Blower-style coolers remain favored in multi-GPU rigs because they exhaust heat directly outside the chassis, preventing thermal stacking between adjacent cards.

2. Dual-slot designs often conflict with PCIe slot spacing on mining motherboards, forcing users to install every other slot or risk physical interference.

3. PSU selection demands attention to +12V rail amperage. A six-GPU rig using RTX 3060 Tis requires at minimum a 1000W unit with ≥83A on the +12V line to avoid brownouts during hash bursts.

4. Undervolting reduces heat and power draw without proportional hash loss—many RX 6700 XT units maintain 44 MH/s at 150W after voltage tuning, extending component life significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do GPU mining profits still justify hardware investment?A: Profitability depends entirely on local electricity cost, coin difficulty, and market price—not hardware alone. A $300 RX 6700 XT may break even in 90 days at $0.06/kWh but take over 200 days at $0.14/kWh.

Q: Can I mine Bitcoin with a GPU?A: No. Bitcoin uses SHA-256, an algorithm optimized exclusively for ASICs. GPU mining of Bitcoin has been unprofitable since 2013.

Q: Are used mining GPUs reliable?A: Many used cards show signs of thermal stress including capacitor bulging, solder joint fatigue, and VRAM timing errors. Burn-in testing for 48+ hours is mandatory before deployment.

Q: Does overclocking improve mining returns?A: Overclocking rarely increases net profit. Gains in hash rate are usually offset by higher power draw and accelerated wear. Most stable gains come from undervolting instead.