Ethereum mining has long been a go-to activity for crypto enthusiasts seeking to earn passive income through GPU-based computational power. While Ethereum has transitioned to a proof-of-stake model, many readers are still interested in the historical context and technical insights of GPU mining—especially regarding hardware performance, energy efficiency, and return on investment. This guide dives deep into the most effective graphics cards used during Ethereum’s proof-of-work era, highlighting top performers, surprising underachievers, and cost-efficient setups.
Whether you're exploring mining for educational purposes or maintaining a legacy rig, understanding which GPUs delivered the best hash rates per watt remains valuable knowledge.
Top Performers: Radeon RX 480 and RX 580
When it comes to Ethereum mining, few cards matched the balance of performance and accessibility like the AMD Radeon RX 480 and its successor, the RX 580. These mid-tier GPUs became fan favorites due to their excellent hash rate-to-price ratio and widespread availability during the 2017–2018 mining boom.
The RX 480 initially launched with an average output of around 24 MH/s, but with proper BIOS tweaks and overclocking using tools like AMD Wattman, miners routinely achieved 25–27 MH/s. More impressively, power consumption could be tuned down to well below 150 watts, making it highly efficient for its time.
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The RX 580 built upon this foundation, offering slightly higher performance—often reaching 29 MH/s—while maintaining similar power draw (around 135 watts) after optimization. Despite consuming more energy out of the box, the RX 580's improved memory bandwidth and core clock made it a worthwhile upgrade for serious miners.
Due to high demand, these cards were frequently sold out across retailers—a testament to their popularity in mining communities.
The Unexpected Underperformer: GeForce GTX 1080
One of the most surprising outcomes in GPU mining tests was the underwhelming performance of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080.
Given that the slightly less powerful GTX 1070 was capable of achieving 27.4 MH/s, expectations were high for the GTX 1080. However, despite having faster clocks and more CUDA cores, it only managed around 20 MH/s—a significant drop in efficiency.
The reason lies in Ethereum’s mining algorithm, Ethash, which favors memory latency over raw processing speed. The GTX 1080 uses GDDR5X memory, which, while faster in theory, introduced timing delays incompatible with Ethash’s memory-hard design. In contrast, the GTX 1070’s standard GDDR5 offered better response times for DAG file access patterns critical in mining.
Interestingly, the GTX 1080 Ti, also equipped with GDDR5X, managed to reach 32 MH/s, showing that raw power could sometimes compensate for architectural mismatches—though at a much higher energy cost.
High Potential, Limited Flexibility: AMD Radeon R9 NANO
On paper, the AMD Radeon R9 NANO looked like a dream for miners. With a hash rate topping 27 MH/s and a sleek compact design, it promised strong performance in a small form factor.
However, real-world usability fell short due to limitations in overclocking potential. Unlike traditional GDDR5-based cards, the R9 NANO uses HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), which AMD locked down tightly—preventing users from modifying memory clocks or voltage settings. This lack of tunability meant miners couldn’t optimize power efficiency beyond factory defaults.
At a power draw of 175 watts and a premium price tag (around 1700 PLN at the time), the return on investment lagged behind more affordable alternatives. For the same cost, one could purchase two RX 480 or RX 580 cards, configure them in a dual-rig setup, and achieve comparable total hash rates while benefiting from lower per-card power consumption through undervolting.
While technically impressive, the R9 NANO proved more of a showcase piece than a practical mining workhorse.
Legacy Hardware: The GTX 900 Series Challenge
Miners looking to repurpose older hardware should approach the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 900 series with caution.
These cards suffer from poor compatibility with modern operating systems like Windows 10 when used for mining. Driver support is limited, and performance often degrades unless running older OS versions such as Windows 7 or specialized Linux-based mining distributions like EthOS.
Even then, power efficiency remains suboptimal. Without access to updated drivers or firmware tweaks, hash rates stay below competitive levels while electricity costs eat into profits. For anyone considering using GTX 900 series GPUs, thorough research into driver optimization and cooling solutions is essential before deployment.
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Core Considerations for GPU Mining (Historical Context)
Although Ethereum no longer relies on GPU mining, evaluating past hardware performance offers valuable lessons in:
- Energy efficiency: Measured in MH/s per watt.
- Cost-to-performance ratio: Initial investment vs. long-term returns.
- Tunability: Ability to overclock/undervolt for better efficiency.
- Market availability: High demand often leads to scarcity and inflated prices.
Cards like the RX 480 and RX 580 succeeded because they excelled in all four areas during their peak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still mine Ethereum with a graphics card today?
A: No. Ethereum completed "The Merge" in September 2022, transitioning from proof-of-work (mining) to proof-of-stake (staking). GPU mining is no longer possible on the main Ethereum network.
Q: Which GPU had the best hash rate per watt during Ethereum mining?
A: The AMD Radeon RX 580 was among the most efficient, delivering up to 29 MH/s at approximately 135 watts after tuning—making it a top choice for energy-conscious miners.
Q: Why did some high-end GPUs perform poorly in mining?
A: Mining performance depends heavily on memory latency and bandwidth rather than raw compute power. GPUs with GDDR5X or restricted memory access (like HBM without overclocking) often underperformed despite high specs.
Q: Are there any cryptocurrencies still mineable with GPUs?
A: Yes. Coins like Ravencoin (RVN), Ergo (ERG), and Monero (XMR) remain GPU-mineable, though profitability varies based on hardware and electricity costs.
Q: What tools helped miners maximize GPU performance?
A: Software like AMD Wattman, MSI Afterburner, and command-line miners such as Claymore’s Dual Miner allowed users to fine-tune voltage, core clocks, and memory timings for optimal efficiency.
Q: Should I buy used mining GPUs today?
A: Proceed with caution. Many mining cards endured extended periods of heavy use and thermal stress. Always check for artifacts, stability issues, and reduced lifespan before purchasing.
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Final Thoughts
While Ethereum mining with graphics cards is now part of blockchain history, analyzing past hardware performance helps us understand the evolution of decentralized networks and the importance of scalable, energy-efficient consensus mechanisms.
For hobbyists, historians, or those entering alternative crypto mining spaces, the lessons learned from cards like the RX 480, RX 580, and GTX 1070 remain relevant. Choosing the right hardware wasn’t just about specs—it was about smart optimization, cost control, and adaptability.
As blockchain technology continues to evolve, staying informed ensures you're prepared for what comes next.
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