Which graphics cards are profitable for mining in 2026: a review of modern GPUs

The question of which graphics cards are currently used for mining remains relevant for everyone planning to enter the cryptocurrency business. The GPU market for mining continues to develop, offering both the latest solutions of 2025 and proven equipment from previous generations. Choosing the right graphics card directly impacts profitability and payback periods.

Ranking of mining graphics cards by profitability: what to choose

The modern GPU market offers a wide range of options for different budgets. When selecting equipment, you should focus on three key indicators: hash rate (performance), power consumption, and current price. The better the ratio between these parameters, the higher the mining profitability.

Which graphics cards do professionals mine on? The answer depends on the specific cryptocurrency and regional energy supply conditions. Currently, operations with Ethereum Classic, Kaspa, Ravencoin, and Bitcoin through specialized pools are the most profitable.

New cards of 2025: where to mine with maximum profit

NVIDIA RTX 5090: flagship solution

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card is the leading model in the new GPU lineup. This card features 32 GB of GDDR7 video memory and a 512-bit bus, providing exceptional performance.

Technical specifications:

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 216 MH/s, Kaspa — 2.0 GH/s
• Power consumption: 570–575 W
• Price: around $2000

Where exactly is the RTX 5090 mined? This model is ideal for large-scale professional farms with well-designed cooling infrastructure. High performance requires adequate power supply and effective heat dissipation.

NVIDIA RTX 5080: balance of power and efficiency

The RTX 5080 offers an optimal balance between performance and power consumption. With 16 GB of GDDR7 video memory, this card provides stable earnings at reasonable electricity costs.

Main features:

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 130 MH/s, Kaspa — 1.3–1.4 GH/s
• Power consumption: 355–360 W
• Price: about $1000

Which graphics cards should a mid-level investor start mining on? The RTX 5080 is considered the most balanced choice, allowing to reduce costs without significantly decreasing profits.

AMD RX 9070 XT and RX 9070: market competition

AMD RDNA 4 series graphics cards offer an interesting alternative. The RX 9070 XT demonstrates high hash rates at an acceptable price:

RX 9070 XT:

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 215 MH/s, Kaspa — 1.07 GH/s
• Power consumption: 300–304 W
• Price: about $600

RX 9070 (basic version):

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 180 MH/s, Kaspa — 0.90 GH/s
• Power consumption: 215–220 W
• Price: about $550

AMD models are notable for their excellent price-to-performance ratio. Which graphics cards do beginner small farm developers mine on? Exactly on AMD RDNA 4 cards, thanks to their affordable price and stable earnings.

Proven equipment: how to mine on previous generation cards

Despite the appearance of new models, older graphics cards remain profitable investments due to their accessible secondhand prices.

NVIDIA RTX 4090: unmatched power

Released in 2022, this card is still considered one of the best for professional mining. With 24 GB of memory and a 384-bit bus, the RTX 4090 provides:

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 127 MH/s, Kaspa — 2.0 GH/s
• Power consumption: 440–450 W
• New price: $1500–1600; used: $1200

NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 3080: mid-range

Where do miners use mid-priced graphics cards? On the RTX 4070 Ti, which combines decent performance with relatively low power consumption:

RTX 4070 Ti (2023):

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 65 MH/s, Kaspa — 1.10 GH/s
• Power consumption: 280–285 W
• Price: new $750–800; used $500

RTX 3080 (2020):

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 95–100 MH/s, Kaspa — 0.8–0.9 GH/s
• Power consumption: 310–320 W
• Used price: about $400

These graphics cards remain attractive for secondhand purchase due to good performance and relatively low cost.

Budget segment: RTX 3060 Ti and AMD RX series

Which graphics cards do most beginners start mining on? Budget models like RTX 3060 Ti and AMD Radeon RX 6000 series:

NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti (2020):

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 60 MH/s, Kaspa — 0.5 GH/s
• Power consumption: 190–200 W
• Used price: $200–250

AMD RX 6800 XT (2020):

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 65 MH/s, Kaspa — 0.75 GH/s
• Power consumption: 290–300 W
• Used price: $300–350

AMD RX 6600 XT (2021):

• Hash rate: Ethereum Classic — 32 MH/s, Kaspa — 0.38 GH/s
• Power consumption: 155–160 W
• New price: ~$200; used: $150–170

Budget graphics cards are suitable for assembling small rigs without significant capital investments.

Comparison of graphics cards by efficiency: which ones to pay attention to

Graphics card efficiency is measured not only by absolute performance but also by the power consumption ratio. Modern profit calculators help quickly determine which GPU will generate more income considering local electricity rates.

Efficiency table (hash rate per watt):

• RTX 5090: 0.38 MH/s per watt (Ethereum Classic)
• RX 9070 XT: 0.72 MH/s per watt
• RTX 4090: 0.29 MH/s per watt
• RX 6600 XT: 0.21 MH/s per watt

Which graphics cards do the most experienced miners use? They choose equipment based on energy efficiency rather than just raw power. AMD RX 9070 XT shows the best results in this category.

Basics of mining: which graphics cards to use

What to know about hash rate and cryptocurrencies

On which graphics cards and which cryptocurrencies do miners mine? The choice depends on the algorithm used by each coin. After Ethereum migrated to Proof-of-Stake in September 2022, most GPU miners switched to Ethereum Classic, Kaspa, and Ravencoin.

Types of mining setups

Mining can be done in several ways:

1. Solo mining — using a single graphics card without pool connection. Suitable for testing and experiments.

2. Mining rig — a setup combining multiple GPUs to increase hash rate. On which graphics cards are rigs assembled? On any compatible models from the same manufacturer or their combinations.

3. Mining farm — large-scale operation with dozens or hundreds of graphics cards, housed in a dedicated room with professional cooling.

4. Pool mining — combining computational power with other miners to increase earnings stability.

Software and tools

To start mining, you need programs like Bitminer or BFGMiner, which connect your computing power to the network. Then, you need to create a crypto wallet to receive rewards.

How to calculate profit and payback periods

Payback depends on several factors:

• Equipment cost
• Current cryptocurrency rates
• Electricity tariffs in your region
• Network difficulty and competition from other miners

Calculation tools:

Whattomine platform allows you to input your GPU parameters, select an algorithm, and set electricity costs to get a profitability forecast. The service also shows the most profitable cryptocurrencies for your hardware in real time.

NiceHash profit calculator offers similar functions and helps compare the profitability of different GPU models.

Based on these calculations, you can determine:

• Daily income
• Monthly profit after electricity expenses
• Payback period (usually from 2-3 months up to several years depending on equipment)

New opportunities: alternative cryptocurrencies for GPU mining

After Ethereum moved to Proof-of-Stake, miners have explored many alternative cryptocurrencies. Currently, mining on graphics cards includes:

• Ethereum Classic (ETC) — Ethash algorithm, popular among GPU miners
• Kaspa (KAS) — rapidly growing cryptocurrency with a memory-intensive algorithm
• Ravencoin (RVN) — project with an active mining community
• Bitcoin via pools — SHA-256 algorithm, requiring powerful hardware
• Beam (BEAM) and Ergo (ERG) — alternative options with less competition

Experts note that after Ethereum’s migration, top profitable coins change regularly. Therefore, regular monitoring of profit calculators is necessary to optimize earnings.

Where to buy graphics cards: new and secondhand

New equipment

Advantages:

• Warranty coverage
• Ability to return if defective
• Maximum performance

Disadvantages:

• High prices
• Long payback periods

New graphics cards can be purchased from official dealers or specialized computer stores.

Secondhand market

Advantages:

• Significantly lower cost
• Ability to build a powerful rig on a small budget
• Faster payback periods

Disadvantages:

• No warranty
• Risk of defective equipment
• Possible repair costs

Used graphics cards are easy to find on classified platforms like Avito, as well as on marketplaces like OZON.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which graphics cards are suitable for beginners to start mining?
It is recommended to start with budget models like RTX 3060 Ti or AMD RX 6600 XT, which offer a good balance between initial investment and income.

What hash rate is considered sufficient for profitability?
The minimum profitable hash rate depends on your electricity costs. On expensive electricity, more powerful equipment is required.

What will happen to GPU mining in the near future?
It is expected that interest in GPU mining will continue to grow due to the emergence of new cryptocurrencies that do not require specialized ASIC devices.

What temperature should a graphics card have during mining?
Optimal temperature is 60–75°C. Above 80°C, performance may decrease and the lifespan of the equipment may shorten.

Why are profit calculators needed?
Profit calculators help account for all variables (currency rates, network difficulty, electricity tariffs) and provide an up-to-date earnings forecast before investing in hardware.