Best overclock settings for RTX 3080 Kaspa

Understanding the Role of RTX 3080 in Kaspa Mining

The RTX 3080 is a powerful GPU commonly used in cryptocurrency mining, especially for algorithms that benefit from high memory bandwidth and compute performance. While Kaspa (KAS) utilizes the kHeavyHash algorithm, which is GPU-mineable, it places significant emphasis on memory speed and efficient memory access rather than raw compute power. This makes the RTX 3080 a strong candidate for mining Kaspa due to its 10 GB or 12 GB GDDR6X memory and high memory bandwidth. However, to maximize efficiency and hash rate, overclocking becomes essential. Proper tuning can improve both hash rate and power efficiency, directly impacting mining profitability.

Core Clock and Memory Clock Adjustments

Optimizing the RTX 3080 for Kaspa mining begins with adjusting the core clock and memory clock settings through software such as MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X1. For the core clock, a moderate underclock is often ideal. Reducing the core clock helps lower power draw and heat output without significantly affecting performance, since kHeavyHash is memory-bound. A typical optimal setting involves:

• Core clock offset: -300 MHz to -500 MHz
• This reduces idle and load power consumption while maintaining stability

For the memory clock, increasing the speed directly impacts hash rate. The GDDR6X memory on the RTX 3080 responds well to overclocking:

• Memory clock offset: +1100 MHz to +1300 MHz
• This range typically yields a hash rate between 42–48 MH/s on kHeavyHash

Ensure memory voltage is stable—most users report success at default voltage, but some BIOS modifications may allow memory voltage increases for further gains, though this increases risk.

Power Limit and Voltage Tuning

Adjusting the power limit and, if accessible, voltage curves, plays a critical role in achieving optimal performance. Most RTX 3080 models allow power limit increases up to 110–120% via Afterburner. For Kaspa mining:

• Set power limit to 110% to allow headroom for memory overclock without throttling
• Avoid exceeding 120% unless cooling is exceptional

For advanced users, modifying the voltage/frequency curve using tools like NVIDIA Inspector or flashing custom VBIOS can unlock further control. Lowering core voltage at low frequencies improves efficiency:

• Undervolt core to 750–800 mV when core is underclocked
• This reduces power draw by 10–15 watts per card

Always test stability after voltage changes. Instability manifests as crashes, low reported hash rates, or driver timeouts.

Thermal Management and Fan Curve Optimization

Efficient thermal management ensures sustained performance. The RTX 3080 runs hot, especially under memory-heavy loads like Kaspa mining. Overclocking the memory increases VRAM temperature, which can lead to throttling if not controlled. To prevent this:

• Customize fan curve to maintain VRAM junction temperature below 95°C
• Set fan speed to 70–80% at 70°C and ramp to 100% at 85°C
• Use thermal pads with high conductivity (e.g., 9 W/mK or higher) if re-pasting

Monitor temperatures using HWInfo64 or GPU-Z to track hotspot and memory junction temps. High memory temperature is a common bottleneck. Improving case airflow or using open-air mining rigs helps dissipate heat more effectively.

Software Configuration and Mining Software Tuning

The choice of mining software affects how well overclocking settings are utilized. For Kaspa, GMiner and lolMiner are popular due to their optimization for kHeavyHash. When configuring:

• Use GMiner v2.8x or later with command line:miner --algo kheavyhash --server kaspapool.com --port 4444 --user YOUR_WALLET
• Enable direct fan control in the miner if supported
• Disable LHR unlock features, as they are irrelevant for kHeavyHash

Ensure Windows is configured for mining:

• Disable Windows Update and automatic driver updates
• Set power plan to 'High Performance'
• Disable Core Isolation Memory Integrity in Windows Security to prevent WDDM timeouts

Run the miner in administrator mode to ensure full GPU access. Test each overclocking profile for at least 30 minutes to verify stability and consistent hash rate.

Troubleshooting Common Overclocking Issues

Even with optimal settings, issues may arise. One common problem is low hash rate despite high memory clock. This often indicates VRAM overheating or insufficient power delivery. Solutions include:

• Reducing memory overclock by 50–100 MHz if temps exceed 95°C
• Checking PCIe power connectors for loose connections
• Ensuring PSU provides stable 12V rail (use a multimeter if needed)

Another issue is driver crashes or display loss. This can stem from aggressive undervolting or high power limits. To fix:

• Reset overclocks and reboot
• Reinstall NVIDIA drivers using DDU in safe mode
• Use TDR settings to increase timeout:Add TdrLevel=0 and TdrDelay=10 in Windows Registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers

If the GPU is not detected, verify BIOS settings for PCIe mode (set to Gen3 if instability occurs) and ensure resizable BAR is enabled in both BIOS and driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the same overclock settings for different RTX 3080 models?While the core architecture is identical, VRAM quality and cooling solutions vary between manufacturers (e.g., ASUS, MSI, EVGA). A setting that works on an MSI Gaming X Trio may not be stable on a Founders Edition due to differences in memory bins and thermal design. Always test and adjust settings per individual card.

Q: Why is my hash rate lower than expected even with high memory clocks?Low hash rates can result from thermal throttling, insufficient power delivery, or background processes consuming GPU resources. Confirm VRAM temperature is under 95°C, power limit is set correctly, and no other applications are using the GPU. Also, ensure your mining pool is responsive and not causing delays.

Q: Is it safe to increase memory voltage on the RTX 3080?Increasing memory voltage can improve overclocking headroom but raises the risk of VRAM degradation or failure over time. Only increase voltage if you have advanced cooling and monitoring. Most users achieve optimal results within safe voltage ranges without modification.

Q: Does resizable BAR improve Kaspa mining performance?Resizable BAR allows the CPU to access the full GPU memory space, which can improve performance in some memory-bound algorithms. For Kaspa, enabling Resizable BAR in BIOS and ensuring driver support may yield a 1–3% increase in hash rate by reducing memory access latency.