In 2010, Bitcoin mining ceased to be a hobby of crypto enthusiasts. The price and popularity of digital gold made mining really profitable. Miners immediately began looking for ways to increase the capacity of computing equipment. On 06/18/2010 a user ArtForz was the first to launch a mining farm on video cards. Why are GPUs used for mining? The use of graphics adapters has significantly accelerated the pace of cryptocurrency mining.
Even in those days, 4 GPUs were installed on almost every motherboard model, and the hash rate of video cards was ten times higher than on a central processor. Soon, the first pool for collective mining and a cryptocurrency exchange appeared. The world entered the era of industrial mining. But why does crypto mining use GPU? GPUs are used to mine in pools not only by private miners but also by large data centers.
Even special video cards with an enhanced cooling system appeared. However, they couldn’t replace traditional models on the digital mining market. So, why are GPUs used for mining cryptocurrency? What are the pros and cons of GPU mining? Today, we’ll help you to find out!
Why Does Crypto Mining Use GPU?
Why are GPUs used for mining? What aspects to pay attention to? To purchase components for assembling a rig, you need to know the hash rate of video cards. The table of the best GPUs for mining should be studied by you first. The following parameters affect GPU performance.
Memory Capacity
Choosing on the ‘the more the better’ principle isn’t necessary, but in the long term, the best video cards for mining are the ones with maximum memory capacity. Once, it was possible to mine ETH on dual-gig cards, now you need at least 4 GB of video memory. However, the same models with 4 GB and 8 GB memory don’t have much difference in performance.
Bus-Width
GPUs for mining with a 256-bit bus are more efficient than 128-bit ones. The top models have a bus with even higher bandwidth.
Cooling System
GPUs with two or three fans and heat pipes are less prone to wear and tear when used 24/7. You shouldn’t buy video cards with a turbine because of increased noise.
Energy Consumption
AMD R9 GPUs are still almost as powerful as the best mining graphics cards in the newer Rx 500 series, but they consume more power, making them unprofitable.
Overclocking capability depends on a video memory manufacturer. The best GPUs for mining are the ones with Samsung memory. This parameter isn’t listed in the device specifications. The memory can be from SAMSUNG, HUNIX, or another brand in different batches of the same model.
Why does crypto mining use GPU? The market price of a GPU device is of great importance. The lower it is, the shorter the payback period. A top-end video accelerator may be less useful than a budget one due to its overpriced. The price of the RTX 2080 and Radeon VII has wiped out their superior computing speed. If they are of interest to gamers, then miners prefer traditional models.
Why are GPUs Used for Mining Cryptocurrency: Key Pros & Cons
Mining coins isn’t an easy task, but a very exciting activity with great prospects. Why are GPUs used for mining? What are the key advantages and disadvantages of GPU mining? Let’s try to find out! Unlike ASICs, video cards:
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- have a lower noise level, which allows them to be kept in an apartment;
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- can switch between different mining algorithms;
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- have a long warranty period.
In addition, models released two years ago and even earlier are still relevant, which is almost impossible in case of ASICs. If you get tired of mining cryptocurrency, video cards can be used for other purposes.
Cons of GPU Mining
GPU mining also has some cons. But why are GPUs used for mining cryptocurrency if they have disadvantages as well? Let’s find out.
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- Only three popular cryptocurrencies (ETH, ETC, XMR) can be mined on GPU. ASIC miners are taking over new networks. And some developers, fearing a 51% attack, are switching to algorithms such as RandomHash, which are available only to CPUs.
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- Building and launching a mining farm requires not only money, but also professional skills. The mining process must be constantly monitored and the rig periodically stopped for preventive maintenance.
Video cards are quieter than ASIC, but still, not everyone can sleep in the same room with a mining farm. In summer, the equipment overheats and requires additional cooling, which reduces the profitability of mining.
Why does crypto mining use GPU? What do you guys think? Just share your opinion in the comments!
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