In the world of cryptocurrency mining, selecting the right hardware can make the difference between profit and loss. While Bitcoin may dominate headlines, alternative coins like Ethereum (ETH) and Litecoin (LTC) have carved out substantial niches—especially for GPU-based miners. As mining grows more competitive, efficiency, power consumption, and cost-effectiveness become critical factors in building a profitable rig.
This deep dive explores real-world performance data from a comprehensive 2017 comparison of mainstream AMD and NVIDIA GPUs in Ethereum mining. Though the landscape has evolved since then, many principles still hold true—especially when repurposing older hardware for smaller-scale or hobbyist mining operations.
Why GPUs Outperform CPUs in Cryptocurrency Mining
At the core of any mining operation is computational power. Unlike CPUs, which are designed for general-purpose tasks with low latency, GPUs excel at parallel processing—handling thousands of threads simultaneously. This makes them vastly more efficient for solving the cryptographic hashing algorithms used in blockchains like Ethereum.
Ethereum relies on the Ethash algorithm, which is intentionally memory-hard to resist ASIC dominance and keep mining accessible to consumer-grade hardware. This gives graphics cards a unique advantage, especially those with high memory bandwidth and large VRAM capacity.
👉 Discover how today’s advanced platforms streamline crypto mining operations.
Test Setup: Balanced Platform for Fair Comparison
To ensure accurate benchmarking, the original test used a consistent platform:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-6800K (limited to dual-core, 1.2GHz to minimize influence)
- RAM: 32GB DDR4-2133
- Motherboard: ASUS X99-A
- Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB SSD + Seagate 2TB HDD
- Power Supply: Not specified, but assumed sufficient for multi-GPU loads
The tested GPUs included:
- NVIDIA: GTX 1050, 1060, 1070, 1080
- AMD: RX 460, 470, 480, 570
Performance was measured in megahashes per second (MH/s)—a standard metric indicating how many million hash calculations a GPU can perform each second.
Performance Breakdown: AMD Dominates Ethereum Mining
NVIDIA Results: Mixed Efficiency
- GTX 1050 (2GB): Delivered nearly zero usable output. With only 2GB of VRAM, it cannot handle Ethash’s growing DAG file size, rendering it useless for modern mining.
- GTX 1060 (6GB): Achieved around 20 MH/s, showing solid mid-tier performance.
- GTX 1070: Surprisingly outperformed the more expensive 1080, hitting approximately 30 MH/s.
- GTX 1080: Slightly behind at about 28–29 MH/s, despite superior specs—highlighting that raw power doesn’t always translate to mining gains.
The underperformance of the GTX 1080 underscores a key point: memory speed (G5X) offers no benefit in memory-bound algorithms like Ethash if other bottlenecks exist.
AMD Results: Consistent and Strong
AMD’s GCN architecture proved highly effective for mining workloads:
- RX 460: Modest results (~18 MH/s), limited by lower specs.
- RX 470: The standout performer, delivering up to 27–28 MH/s with excellent power efficiency.
- RX 480 / RX 570: Delivered similar outputs (~28–30 MH/s), confirming AMD’s scalability across variants.
Notably, AMD cards maintained a predictable performance hierarchy—no anomalies or regressions—making them reliable choices for miners building predictable rigs.
Power Efficiency: Where RX 470 Truly Shines
Raw hashrate isn’t everything. Mining profitability hinges on power consumption and local electricity costs.
Here’s where the AMD RX 470 truly pulled ahead:
- Hashrate: ~28 MH/s
- Power Draw: ~120W (after tuning)
- Efficiency: Over 0.23 MH/s per watt
Compared to the GTX 1080 (~29 MH/s at ~180W), the RX 470 offered nearly identical performance with significantly lower energy demands. This translates directly into higher net profits over time—especially important for long-term miners.
Moreover, used RX 470 units were widely available at low prices post-2018, making them ideal for budget-conscious builders.
👉 Learn how modern tools help optimize your crypto strategy with real-time analytics.
Cost vs. Return: Why RX 470 Was the Sweet Spot
Considering:
- Initial GPU cost
- Electricity expenses
- Daily mining yield
- Coin value (ETH at ~$169 in May 2017)
The RX 470 emerged as the most cost-effective option for beginners and small-scale miners. Even though higher-end cards like the RX 480 or multi-GPU setups achieved greater total hashrates, their return on investment (ROI) was slower due to higher purchase and power costs.
For example:
- A single RX 470 could recoup its cost in under six months during peak profitability.
- Multi-GPU configurations (e.g., GTX 1080 + 1070 + 1060 = ~66 MH/s) offered scale but required complex cooling, motherboard BIOS tweaks, and higher upfront investment—suited more for experienced "long-line" miners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I still mine Ethereum with an RX 470 today?
A: Technically yes—but profitability is extremely low. Ethereum’s shift to Proof-of-Stake (The Merge, September 2022) ended GPU mining on the mainnet. However, some forks like Ethereum Fair or private chains still support Ethash mining.
Q: Why did the GTX 1050 fail completely?
A: The 2GB VRAM variant lacks sufficient video memory to store the growing Ethash DAG file. Once the DAG exceeds available VRAM, performance plummets due to constant swapping—rendering mining impossible.
Q: Is AMD better than NVIDIA for crypto mining?
A: Historically, yes—for coins like Ethereum. AMD’s architecture provided better memory bandwidth and compute density per dollar. However, modern mining trends favor ASICs for Bitcoin and professional farms for remaining PoW coins.
Q: What factors determine mining profitability?
A: Key elements include:
- Hashrate (performance)
- Power consumption (efficiency)
- Electricity cost
- Hardware acquisition price
- Cryptocurrency market value
Q: Can older GPUs be profitable for any current cryptocurrencies?
A: Possibly—with lesser-known or newer Proof-of-Work coins such as Ravencoin (KAWPOW), Ergo, or Firo. These often favor older AMD cards due to algorithm design and lower network difficulty.
Q: How do I check if my GPU can mine a specific coin?
A: Research the coin’s consensus algorithm and minimum VRAM requirements. Use calculators like WhatToMine.com to compare estimated earnings against power costs based on your location.
👉 Access next-generation trading and mining insights through an integrated crypto ecosystem.
Final Verdict: RX 470 Remains a Legend
While the era of profitable home-based GPU mining has largely passed due to network upgrades and market shifts, the AMD RX 470 earned its legendary status during the 2016–2018 crypto boom. It struck a rare balance of performance, efficiency, affordability, and availability—making it the go-to choice for thousands of miners worldwide.
Even today, studying these benchmarks helps understand the fundamentals of hardware selection in decentralized networks. Whether you're exploring retro mining projects or learning about blockchain economics, the lessons from this GPU showdown remain relevant.
As technology evolves, so do opportunities—just as GPUs once challenged CPUs, new paradigms will continue reshaping digital asset creation.
Core Keywords: GPU mining, AMD RX 470, Ethereum mining, GTX 1080 comparison, cryptocurrency mining efficiency, Ethash algorithm, mining profitability, graphics card benchmark