Mining video cards (GPU) - what is it and how to choose it?

Video Cards for Mining

Mining video cards – are productive video adapters with which cryptocurrency mining is possible. They are distinguished by high power, good hash rates on various mining algorithms and a powerful cooling system. The most famous manufacturers of mining graphics cards are Nvidia with its GeForce and AMD series with Radeon models.

Video card mining – is a powerful, productive video card designed for mining cryptocurrencies, usually altcoins.

It was the high efficiency of computing on video cards that became the key to the success of their application in the mining industry. Video cards significantly bypassed the central processors and mined cryptocurrency more efficiently, which cemented their position in this industry.

What is mining on a graphics card

But before moving on to the rating of video cards for mining, we should understand what the concept of “mining on a video card” generally means. In fact, this is one of the ways to mine coins using the resources of the GPU, that is, the GPU. Naturally, with a single video card, you are unlikely to manage to mine anything, because to get at least the payback on electricity costs, miners use 2-4 video cards. Well, if you decide to also make money on such mining (what an unprecedented audacity on your part), you will need to collect a whole mining farm. Here, the price of the issue is already reaching a completely different level, a couple of thousand rubles you definitely can’t do.

And it’s not just the cost. The payback of the cryptocurrency mining process will largely depend on how much you make the right choice of video card for mining. However, we will not delve into the theory of the process of mining digital currency using video cards, but will immediately move on to our rating of the best video cards for mining.

How to choose a graphics card for mining

If you think that you can choose any video card, buy it, start mining, and immediately start making huge amounts of money, then you are very mistaken. The video card must meet certain parameters, and this is not only the hashrate that it will give out during production. Let’s take a closer look at the parameters that are worth paying attention to, I have arranged all the parameters by importance:

Hashrate – the number of hashes that the video card can check in one second. Naturally, the higher this indicator, the more coins you can get. With solo mining, there will be a higher probability that you will get a block, and in the version with a pool there will simply be more deductions;
Memory capacity – many cryptocurrencies that are currently mined on video cards have protection against mining on special ASIC equipment, including Ethereum. One of such protection methods is an algorithm using a DAG file (a special table) to generate hashes. This table is large and must reside in the memory of the video card. ASIC just doesn’t have that much memory, so it turns out to be completely inefficient. For example, the DAG ether file currently occupies 2.3 GB and every 30,000 blocks it increases. When this amount becomes more than 3 GB, all old video cards with this amount of memory will quit the game. You can find out the size of the DAG file using the calculator;
Memory capacity – many cryptocurrencies that are currently mined on video cards have protection against mining on special ASIC equipment, including Ethereum. One of such protection methods is an algorithm using a DAG file (a special table) to generate hashes. This table is large and must reside in the memory of the video card. ASIC just doesn’t have that much memory, so it turns out to be completely inefficient. For example, the DAG ether file currently occupies 2.3 GB and every 30,000 blocks it increases. When this amount becomes more than 3 GB, all old video cards with this amount of memory will quit the game. You can find out the size of the DAG file using the calculator;
Cooling – the video card must have a good cooling system. Keep in mind that your video card will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and if it works all the time at a temperature of 80-90 degrees, then it will not work for long. Therefore, the case material, the number of fans also matter;
Memory frequency – the better and faster the video card’s memory – the more hashrate you get, so if you have to choose more or less frequency, then it is better to take more. It is also worth paying attention to the type of memory. The DDR5 type will be more energy efficient and faster than earlier versions.

Review of the best graphics cards for mining

The best graphics cards for mining are top models from AMD and Nvidia manufacturing companies, which are described in detail below in the rating of graphics cards for mining.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

Opens our rating of video cards for mining, the flagship model Ti (Titanium) from Nvidia has always been the best in performance at all times. And the high performance of the GPU is the high efficiency of cryptocurrency mining. Cryptocurrencies Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Grin (GRIN), Zcoin (XZC) can be successfully mined on it.

Performance on the Ethash algorithm (hashrate) – 52.5 Mh / s;
Performance on the Zhash algorithm (hashrate) – 96 h / s;
GPU core frequency – 1545 MHz;
The amount of video memory – 11 Gb type GDDR6;
Power Consumption 260 Watts.

Calculation of the effectiveness of mining various cryptocurrencies on the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti:

Mining performance calculation on GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

Calculation of the mining efficiency shows that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti does its job well and efficiently mine a whole range of altcoins, and the best result is achieved with Exosis (EXO).

The cost of the model Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is $ 1280.

AMD Radeon VII

Top-end graphics card for mining from AMD, the famous manufacturer in mining circles. The most powerful of the Radeon family with impressive features, but also high power consumption.

Effectively mine Exosis (EXO), Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Monero (XMR).

Performance on the Ethash algorithm (hashrate) – 78 Mh / s;
Performance on the Zhash algorithm (hashrate) – 54 h / s;
GPU core frequency – 1400 MHz;
The amount of video memory – 16 Gb type HBM2;
Power consumption 300 watts.

Calculation of the effectiveness of mining various cryptocurrencies on AMD Radeon VII:

Mining performance calculation on AMD Radeon VII

The performance calculation shows that AMD Radeon VII shows the best result with Exosis (EXO), but there is a significant lag in other cryptocurrencies. ☝️ Actually, AMD Radeon VII is a video card for mining one altcoin, Exosis (EXO) at the moment.

The cost of AMD Radeon VII is $ 572.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060

The next powerful video card for mining with a powerful video core in our TOP, but it is weaker than the top RTX 2080 Ti. A great solution for a miner with a more limited budget. Effectively mine Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Monero (XMR), Exosis (EXO).

Performance on the Ethash algorithm (hashrate) – 27.6 Mh / s;
Performance on the Zhash algorithm (hashrate) – 54 h / s;
GPU core frequency – 1680 MHz;
The amount of video memory – 6 Gb type GDDR6;
Power Consumption 160 Watts.

Calculation of the effectiveness of mining various cryptocurrencies on Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060:

Mining performance calculation on Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060

The calculation of the mining efficiency shows that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 copes with its task and effectively mines a wide range of altcoins, this time the best result is achieved with Zcoin (XZC).

The cost of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 is $ 394.

AMD Radeon RX Vega 56

A powerful graphics card for mining with excellent characteristics, but at the same time with the traditional Radeon family problem associated with high power consumption and heat dissipation.

You can mine Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Monero (XMR).

Performance on the Ethash algorithm (hashrate) – 36.5 Mh / s;
Performance on the Zhash algorithm (hashrate) – 34 h / s;
GPU core frequency – 1156 MHz;
The amount of video memory – 8 Gb type HBM2;
Power consumption 210 watts.

Calculation of the effectiveness of mining various cryptocurrencies on AMD Radeon RX Vega 56:

Mining performance calculation on AMD Radeon RX Vega 56

The calculation of mining efficiency shows that AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 in this period shows poor efficiency and is only profitable in the case of Ethereum Classic (ETC). For the rest of the altcoins, the situation is deplorable.

The cost of AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 is $ 489.

Nvidia GTX 1060

One of the positions in our ranking of the best graphics cards for mining is the budget Nvidia GTX 1060 model. It compares favorably with its older counterparts in low price and excellent power for a budget product. But it’s worth considering that the model has 3 Gb of video memory will not cope with Ethereum cryptocurrency mining (ETH).

It can be used to mine cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Grin (GRIN), Zcoin (XZC).

Performance on the Ethash algorithm (hashrate) – 22.5 Mh / s;
Performance on the Zhash algorithm (hashrate) – 32 h / s;
GPU core frequency – 1506 MHz;
The amount of video memory – 3/6 Gb type GDDR6;
Power Consumption 120 Watts.

Calculation of the effectiveness of mining various cryptocurrencies on the Nvidia GTX 1060:

Mining performance calculation on Nvidia GTX 1060

The calculation of the mining efficiency shows that the Nvidia GTX 1060 in this period shows high efficiency and is profitable with a large number of cryptocurrencies.

The cost of a video card for mining the Nvidia GTX 1060 is $ 240.

Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti

An excellent graphics card with a powerful GPU, but also with a traditionally high price for the Nvidia Titanium series. However, one should not forget that the high data processing speed of this model is compensated by the high energy consumption. It can be used to mine cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Grin (GRIN), Zcoin (XZC).

Performance on the Ethash algorithm (hashrate) – 49.5 Mh / s;
Performance on the Zhash algorithm (hashrate) – 86 h / s;
GPU core frequency – 1582 MHz;
The amount of video memory – 11 GB GDDR5X;
Power Consumption 250 Watts.

Calculation of the effectiveness of mining various cryptocurrencies on the Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti:

Mining Efficiency Calculation on Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti

The calculation of mining efficiency shows that Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti in this period shows normal efficiency and is most profitable with Ethereum Classic (ETC), but other cryptocurrencies also show good results.

The cost of the Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti graphics card is $ 677.

Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti

This model of a mining graphics card from the manufacturer Nvidia is much cheaper than the older GTX 1080 Ti, but also demonstrates impressive performance of the GPU and video memory speed performed in record-breaking GDDR5X chips. At the same time, miners pointed out problems with software in the early revisions of this model, which caused a hash rate to drop.

It can be used to mine cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Grin (GRIN), Zcoin (XZC).

Performance on the Ethash algorithm (hashrate) – 30.5 Mh / s;
Performance on the Zhash algorithm (hashrate) – 59 h / s;
GPU core frequency – 1607 MHz;
The amount of video memory – 8 GB GDDR5;
Power Consumption 180 Watts.

Calculation of the effectiveness of mining various cryptocurrencies on the Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti:

Mining performance calculation on Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti

Calculation of mining efficiency shows that Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti in this period shows normal efficiency and is most profitable with Zcoin (XZC), but relatively good results are also shown for other cryptocurrencies.

The cost of mining an Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti video card is $ 477.

Nvidia GTX 1070

This video card is a real favorite for miners among the products of the company Nvidia. Powerful, inexpensive and reliable, it has gained well-deserved popularity. ☝️ Also, the Nvidia GTX 1070 is very economical in terms of energy consumption.

It can be used to mine cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Grin (GRIN), Zcoin (XZC).

Performance on the Ethash algorithm (hashrate) – 30 Mh / s;
Performance on the Zhash algorithm (hashrate) – 56 h / s;
GPU core frequency – 1506 MHz;
The amount of video memory – 8 GB GDDR5;
Power Consumption 150 Watts.

Calculation of the effectiveness of mining various cryptocurrencies on the Nvidia GTX 1070:

Mining performance calculation on Nvidia GTX 1070

The calculation of the mining efficiency shows that the Nvidia GTX 1070 in this period shows normal efficiency and is most profitable with Ethereum Classic (ETC), but a positive result is also shown for other cryptocurrencies.

The cost of a video card for mining Nvidia GTX 1070 is $ 405

The best graphics cards for mining (table)

Conclusion

When choosing video cards for mining, which in the future will become an integral part of your mining farm, you should focus not only on profitability indicators, but also their cost. After all, the cost of the same video card can vary significantly depending on where exactly you get it. Even if you can’t calculate the payback period of your video cards on your own, numerous calculators will come to your aid, allowing you to perform all the calculations quickly and completely free of charge.

The advantages of mining on video cards are the ability to create passive income, the ability to mine several crypto assets at once, and the lack of the need to constantly monitor the operation of the equipment. But at the same time, the user will be dependent on the uninterrupted supply of electricity and the Internet. In addition, it will definitely not work to build your own farm for free, and you will need at least $ 2,000 of initial investments, which, with the right approach to business, will pay off in 6 months. And do not forget about the importance of choosing cryptocurrencies for mining, which will allow you not to waste precious time and make crypto mining as efficient as possible.