Which graphics cards to choose for mining in 2026: GPU ranking by performance and profitability

In the modern mining hardware market, graphics cards remain in demand for cryptocurrency extraction. Each year, manufacturers release new GPU models with improved features, but choosing the right one requires understanding technical parameters, costs, and potential profitability. In this article, we will review the current ranking of mining GPUs, compare their performance, and help you select the best option for your needs.

Flagship Models of 2025: Maximum Mining GPU Performance

The latest mining graphics cards are represented by the newest lines from NVIDIA and AMD. These models offer the highest performance but require significant investments and reliable infrastructure.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090: Power Leader

The flagship RTX 5090 embodies the peak of performance in professional GPU lines. Equipped with 32 GB of fast GDDR7 memory and a 512-bit bus, it delivers exceptional hash rates on nearly all popular algorithms. On Ethereum Classic, around 216 MH/s; on Kaspa, about 2.0 GH/s; and on Bitcoin via NiceHash, approximately 5 GH/s.

The nominal power consumption is about 575 W. Under intensive mining, actual consumption remains close to the specified TDP, requiring well-organized cooling systems and stable power supplies. The market price for a new unit is around $2000. RTX 5090 targets professional mining farms where ROI is achieved through scale.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080: Optimal Balance

The RTX 5080 offers a more balanced approach for those seeking powerful yet less costly GPUs. With 16 GB of GDDR7 memory and a 256-bit bus, it still provides a good throughput. Hash rates are approximately 130 MH/s on ETC, 1.3–1.4 GH/s on Kaspa, and about 4.2 GH/s on Bitcoin.

Power consumption is in the range of 355–360 W, significantly lower than RTX 5090. Priced around $1000, this model is attractive for semi-professional farms and experienced miners with good infrastructure. The balance between performance and energy use allows for reasonable payback periods.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: Competitor with Efficiency

AMD’s new RDNA 4 architecture-based RX 9070 XT is positioned as a powerful alternative to NVIDIA. It has 16 GB of GDDR6 and a 256-bit bus, delivering about 215 MH/s on Ethereum Classic and 1.07 GH/s on Kaspa. Power consumption is approximately 300–304 W — relatively economical for such performance levels.

Priced around $600, this GPU is highly competitive in terms of price/performance ratio. Especially effective on algorithms requiring intensive data exchange. It appeals to miners willing to experiment with alternative GPU-PO and AMD drivers.

AMD Radeon RX 9070: Budget Option from AMD

The standard RX 9070 (without XT suffix) offers a compromise between power and efficiency. With roughly the same memory (16 GB GDDR6) and bus (256-bit), hash rate is slightly lower: about 180 MH/s on ETC, 0.90 GH/s on Kaspa. Power consumption is only about 215–220 W.

At around $550, it’s attractive for small home farms or experienced miners ready to sacrifice 15–20% of performance for electricity savings. Over 3–6 months, this savings can offset the lower purchase price.

Reliable Previous-Generation Mining GPUs

Mining cards from earlier generations often remain relevant due to attractive secondary market prices and proven reliability. They are ideal for beginners and small setups.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090: Performance Benchmark (2022)

The RTX 4090 is considered a classic choice for professional mining farms. Released in 2022, it features 24 GB GDDR6X and a 384-bit bus, providing exceptional memory bandwidth. In practice, it reaches about 127 MH/s on ETC, 2.0 GH/s on Kaspa, and 5 GH/s on Bitcoin.

Nominal power consumption is about 450 W; actual mining load stays around 440–450 W. The new card costs $1500–1600, but used ones can be found for around $1200. Despite being 4 years old, its performance remains relevant for large setups. Requires quality cooling and reliable power.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti: Mid-Range (2023)

Released in 2023, the RTX 4070 Ti is a more affordable alternative to flagship models. With 12 GB GDDR6X and a 192-bit bus, it shows around 65 MH/s on ETC, 1.10 GH/s on Kaspa, and 3.5 GH/s on Bitcoin. Power consumption is about 280–285 W.

New price is approximately $750–800; used units can be bought for $500. Ideal for experienced miners with medium budgets wanting to build a farm of 2–4 GPUs. Its versatility (suitable for gaming and creative tasks) makes it a good investment.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080: GPU Mining Era Icon (2020)

Launched in 2020, the RTX 3080 became a symbol of the GPU mining boom. With 10 GB GDDR6X and a 320-bit bus, it delivers about 95–100 MH/s on ETC, 3.5 GH/s on Bitcoin. Power draw is roughly 310–320 W.

New RTX 3080 is nearly impossible to find on the secondary market; used models cost about $400. For this price, it remains an excellent choice for beginners. Its substantial memory bandwidth makes RTX 3080 a reliable, proven option for stable hash rates.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti: Entry to Professional Mining (2020)

The RTX 3060 Ti is one of the most popular budget GPUs. Equipped with 8 GB GDDR6 and a 256-bit bus, it provides about 60 MH/s on ETC, 2.3 GH/s on Bitcoin, with only 190–200 W power consumption.

Used prices are $200–250, making it ideal for beginners and small home farms. Despite limited memory, it remains a stable, energy-efficient solution for initial mining stages.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX: AMD Flagship 2022

The RX 7900 XTX based on RDNA 3 has 24 GB GDDR6 and a 384-bit bus. Its performance reaches about 101 MH/s on ETC, 4 GH/s on Bitcoin, with power consumption of 345–355 W. New costs $800–900; used, $600–700.

Particularly effective on algorithms requiring intensive data exchange. Recommended for large professional farms where high performance justifies relatively high energy use.

AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT: Proven Solution (2020)

The RX 6800 XT is a successful RDNA 2-era card, released in 2020. With 16 GB GDDR6 and a 256-bit bus, it shows about 65 MH/s on ETC, 3.2 GH/s on Bitcoin, consuming 290–300 W. Used prices are $300–350.

Balanced specs make it popular among miners seeking reliable, affordable options. RX 6800 XT remains a good choice for small and medium farms.

AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT: Budget-Friendly (2021)

The RX 6600 XT is a compact, energy-efficient GPU for home farms. With 8 GB GDDR6 and a 128-bit bus, it provides about 32 MH/s on ETC, 2 GH/s on Bitcoin, with minimal power draw of 155–160 W. New costs around $200; used, $150–170.

While performance is modest compared to top-tier models, it’s ideal for beginners and small setups due to low power consumption and affordable price.

Basics of GPU Mining: How Cryptocurrency Mining Works on Graphics Cards

What is cryptocurrency mining?

Mining is a computational process where network nodes solve complex mathematical problems to maintain the blockchain. Solving these problems allows miners to add new blocks and receive cryptocurrency rewards. The GPU is a key component, performing these calculations in parallel much more efficiently than CPUs.

Solo mining vs. pool mining

A miner can operate independently or join a mining pool — a collective of multiple participants sharing computing power. Solo mining requires powerful equipment and yields high rewards for rare block discoveries. Pool mining provides steady, albeit smaller, income through frequent share of found blocks.

Software choices

To run mining on GPUs, specialized software like Bitminer or BFGMiner is needed. These programs connect the GPU to the cryptocurrency network and manage hashing processes. Earned coins are automatically sent to your crypto wallet.

Equipment care

GPUs heat up to 60–80°C during intensive mining. Proper cooling, good ventilation, and quality power supplies are essential for longevity. Many experienced miners invest equally in cooling systems and wiring as in the GPUs themselves.

ROI and Profitability of Mining GPUs

How to calculate ROI?

ROI depends on four factors:

• Equipment cost: new or used GPU
• Hash rate: performance on chosen algorithm
• Cryptocurrency price: higher prices mean faster ROI
• Electricity rates: main expense

Services like Whattomine allow you to input your GPU parameters, select algorithms, and specify local electricity costs. Based on this, the platform estimates daily, monthly, and yearly income, as well as payback period. Similar tools are available via NiceHash profit calculator.

Impact of Ethereum on the mining market

On September 15, 2022, Ethereum transitioned from PoW to PoS, removing miners’ main income source. EMCD head Igor Rylnikov estimates this event triggered a mass switch of GPUs to alternative networks: Ethereum Classic, Ravencoin, Beam, Ergo. As a result, network difficulty increased sharply, and profitability declined. For older GPU models, ROI extended from 6–12 months to 7–8 years.

By late 2022, the secondary market was flooded with used GPUs that no longer generated income. Stanislav Pankov of TTM Academy noted that after Ethereum moved to staking, focus shifted to algorithms that don’t require fast memory, with GPU chip power becoming a key factor.

Which cryptocurrency to mine?

Today, profitable mining on GPUs includes:

• Bitcoin (via NiceHash with SHA-256)
• Ethereum Classic (Ethash)
• Ravencoin (x16r)
• Kaspa (blake3)
• Dogecoin (Scrypt)

The choice depends on your GPU’s hash rate on each algorithm. Whattomine automatically shows which coin is most profitable for your hardware at the moment.