As cryptocurrency markets experience renewed momentum, interest in GPU mining has surged. Many newcomers are asking: which graphics cards deliver the best hashrate and power efficiency for mining? While data exists online, much of it is outdated or inaccurate due to rapid changes in hardware performance, mining algorithms, and market conditions.
This comprehensive guide provides up-to-date, real-world tested hashrate and power consumption figures for popular NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, focusing on Ethereum (ETH) and Conflux (CFX)—two of the most profitable coins for GPU mining as of current market trends. All data is derived from extensive testing by experienced miners and reflects typical performance under optimized settings.
Understanding GPU Mining Performance
Before diving into specific models, it's important to understand that hashrate and power consumption are not fixed values. They vary significantly based on:
- Mining software (kernel)
- GPU clock speeds and memory tuning
- Power limits and thermal management
- Individual GPU silicon quality ("silicon lottery")
The figures listed below represent average results achieved under realistic, stable mining conditions. High-end tuning may yield better performance but often sacrifices stability and longevity.
Additionally, total system power includes more than just the GPU. The motherboard, CPU, RAM, and storage typically consume an extra 100–200W. Always size your PSU accordingly—add a 20–30% buffer to avoid overloading, especially since many power supplies are overrated.
AMD GPU Ethereum (ETH) Mining Performance
AMD GPUs have long been favored in mining communities for their strong memory bandwidth and efficiency in ETH mining. Below is a ranked list of popular AMD cards based on ETH hashrate per watt.
Top AMD Cards for ETH Mining
- Radeon RX 5500 XT
Hashrate: 27 MH/s | Power: 80W
A budget-friendly option with modest performance, ideal for low-power builds. - Radeon RX 560 XT
Hashrate: 29 MH/s | Power: 95W
Slightly better than the 5500 XT but still limited by memory configuration. - Radeon RX 478/488 & RX 578/588/598
Hashrate: 30 MH/s | Power: 120W
Older Polaris-based cards with similar efficiency; widely available secondhand. - Radeon R9 390 8GB
Hashrate: 30 MH/s | Power: 270W
High power draw makes this card inefficient despite decent hashrate. - Radeon RX 5600 XT
Hashrate: 40 MH/s | Power: 125W
A major step up in performance with excellent efficiency. - Radeon Vega 56
Hashrate: 48 MH/s | Power: 150W
Requires careful tuning but can be competitive when optimized. - Radeon RX 5700 / 5700 XT
Hashrate: 58 MH/s | Power: 125W
One of the best AMD options for ETH mining, balancing speed and efficiency. - Radeon RX 6800 / 6800 XT
Hashrate: 61 MH/s | Power: 125W
Navi-based architecture delivers strong performance with lower power use. - Radeon RX 6900 / 6900 XT
Hashrate: 64 MH/s | Power: 150W
Flagship AMD consumer card with excellent mining throughput. - Radeon VII
Hashrate: 85 MH/s | Power: 200W
High-performance compute card with HBM2 memory; rare and expensive but very powerful.
⚠️ Note: AMD GPUs are generally not recommended for CFX mining due to lower profitability compared to NVIDIA alternatives.
NVIDIA GPU Ethereum (ETH) Mining Performance
NVIDIA’s modern architectures excel in ETH mining, particularly with optimized drivers and memory tuning.
Top NVIDIA Cards for ETH Mining
- GeForce GTX 1070 / 2060
Hashrate: 31 MH/s | Power: ~130W
Older but still functional entry-level options. - GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER / 1660 Ti
Hashrate: 32 MH/s | Power: 72–75W
Extremely power-efficient; great for multi-GPU setups. - GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
Hashrate: 34 MH/s | Power: 130W
Solid mid-tier performer. - P104 (Pascal-based mining card)
Hashrate: 38 MH/s | Power: 135W
Designed for compute, often used in mining rigs. - GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER / 2070 / 2070 SUPER / 2080 / 2080 SUPER
Hashrate: 43 MH/s | Power: 125W
Consistent performance across the RTX 20-series midrange. - GeForce RTX 3060
Hashrate: 48 MH/s | Power: 120W
Includes LHR (Lite Hash Rate) limiter, but still viable with patches. - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti / P102
Hashrate: 48 MH/s | Power: 240W
Powerful but inefficient due to high power draw. - GeForce RTX 2080 Ti / 3060 Ti / 3070
Hashrate: ~62 MH/s | Power: ~125–170W
Excellent balance of performance and efficiency; highly sought after. - GeForce RTX 3080
Hashrate: 97 MH/s | Power: 235W
Top-tier performer before LHR restrictions. - GeForce RTX 3090
Hashrate: 120 MH/s | Power: 290W
The king of consumer GPU mining—massive memory and raw power.
NVIDIA GPU Conflux (CFX) Mining Performance
Conflux Network uses a unique proof-of-work algorithm (Octopus) that favors high-memory-bandwidth GPUs. Only NVIDIA cards with 6GB+ VRAM are practical for CFX mining, with RTX 20-series and newer delivering the best returns.
Top NVIDIA Cards for CFX Mining
- RTX 2060: 40 MH/s @ 125W
- RTX 2060 SUPER: 48 MH/s @ 160W
- RTX 2070 / SUPER: ~53 MH/s @ ~153W
- RTX 2080 / SUPER: ~56–58 MH/s @ ~153W
- RTX 2080 Ti: 78 MH/s @ 210W
- RTX 3060: 44 MH/s @ 125W
- RTX 3060 Ti / RTX 3070: ~46–56 MH/s @ ~165W
- RTX RTX RTX: ~78–98 MH/s @ ~270–320W
💡 Pro Tip: While RTX 3xxx series cards mine ETH more efficiently, RTX 2xxx series often yield higher ROI on CFX depending on coin price and network difficulty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is GPU mining still profitable in current market conditions?
A: Profitability depends on electricity cost, coin prices, and hardware availability. With rising energy costs and increased competition, only well-optimized rigs using efficient GPUs can remain profitable. Always use a mining calculator to estimate returns.
Q: Why are AMD cards not used for CFX mining?
A: The Conflux Octopus algorithm is optimized for NVIDIA’s memory architecture and CUDA cores. AMD cards either don’t support it or perform significantly worse than their NVIDIA counterparts.
Q: What causes variance in reported hashrates?
A: Differences in BIOS settings, memory timings, driver versions, and overclocking profiles all affect performance. Additionally, some GPUs have factory overclocks or better cooling solutions that improve stability under load.
Q: Should I build a mining rig today?
A: Given the volatility of crypto markets and residual supply constraints from past demand surges, new entrants should proceed with caution. Consider used hardware markets and total cost of ownership before investing.
Q: How do I calculate total power consumption?
A: Add the GPU’s power draw (listed above) to approximately 150W for the rest of the system (CPU, motherboard, SSD, etc.). Then choose a PSU rated at least 25% higher than total draw for safety and efficiency.
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Final Thoughts
While GPU mining remains technically feasible, the landscape has evolved dramatically since its early days. With Ethereum’s transition to proof-of-stake and increasing regulatory scrutiny, alternative coins like Conflux offer niche opportunities—but require careful evaluation.
Whether you're upgrading an existing rig or exploring decentralized computing for the first time, understanding real-world hashrate and power metrics is essential. Use this guide as a reference point, but always validate performance under your own conditions.
Remember: Cryptocurrency investments and mining operations carry financial risk. Conduct thorough research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
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