The world of cryptocurrency mining has a way of resurfacing old hardware trends in unexpected ways. About a week ago, I went searching for a second Radeon RX 570 — specifically a Nitro+ model — for a crossfire performance comparison. To my surprise, it was nearly impossible to find one at a reasonable price. A friend mentioned he was also struggling to locate an RX 480, with only inflated listings available. At first, I assumed he just didn’t know where to look — until I tried myself.
That’s when it hit me: the market for mid-tier AMD Polaris GPUs had transformed overnight. The experience felt eerily similar to late 2013 and early 2014, during the height of Litecoin and Feathercoin mining frenzies. Then, Ethereum entered the conversation — and everything clicked. While I’m not here to promote or guide anyone into mining, I’ve spent enough time optimizing GPU configurations for LTC and FTC, and even setting up ASICs for Bitcoin, to understand the technical landscape. This article is a deep dive into GPU performance for Ethereum mining, focusing on hashing rates, power efficiency, and real-world profitability — all based on real-world testing.
Ethereum Mining Setup Overview
Our test environment was built for stability and consistency. We joined Ethermine, one of the most reliable Ethereum mining pools, and tested multiple mining software options. Genoil’s miner failed to connect to the stratum server, so we switched to Claymore’s Dual Miner, which delivered stable performance across both AMD Radeon and NVIDIA GeForce cards with minimal configuration.
System Configuration
- CPU: Intel Core i7-6800K (limited to 2 cores / 4 threads @ 1.2GHz)
- Memory: 32GB CORSAIR Vengeance LPX DDR4 @ 2133MHz
- Motherboard: ASUS X99A-II
- Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB SSD + Seagate 2TB SSHD
- PSU: Cooler Master V1200 Platinum (80+ Platinum certified)
To minimize non-GPU power draw, we underclocked the CPU and ran memory at base speeds — ensuring that power measurements reflected only the graphics cards’ true consumption.
GPUs Tested: AMD vs NVIDIA
All GPUs were tested at stock factory settings with no BIOS modifications or overclocking. This approach simulates what a typical gamer might experience if repurposing their existing hardware for mining.
- NVIDIA GTX 1080 FE – Pascal, 8GB GDDR5X
- NVIDIA GTX 1070 FE – Pascal, 8GB GDDR5
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 FE (6GB) – Pascal, 6GB GDDR5
- EVGA GTX 1050 SSC (2GB) – Pascal, 2GB GDDR5
- XFX RX 480 (8GB) – Polaris 10
- Sapphire RX 570 (4GB) – Polaris 20
- Visiontek RX 470 (4GB) – Polaris 10
- Sapphire RX 460 Nitro (4GB) – Polaris 11
All drivers were updated to the latest available versions at the time of testing.
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Hashing Performance & Power Efficiency
Hash rate alone doesn’t determine mining success — efficiency is key. Below are the core findings:
- RX 470 & RX 570 dominated in performance-per-watt metrics, making them ideal for cost-conscious miners.
- The GTX 1070 surprised many by matching the RX 570’s hash rate while drawing less power — a strong contender despite higher market prices.
- The GTX 1080, while powerful, underperformed relative to its power draw and price, likely due to GDDR5X memory inefficiencies in Ethash algorithms.
- The GTX 1050 (2GB) failed to mine Ethereum at all — insufficient VRAM prevents participation in the DAG file growth required by Ethash.
Power draw was measured directly from the wall after one hour of continuous hashing. Results highlight why the RX 470 became the go-to card: exceptional balance between hash rate (~26 MH/s) and power consumption (~120W).
Profitability Analysis (Based on $169 ETH Price)
Profitability was calculated using:
- Electricity cost: $0.12 per kWh
- Daily earnings extrapolated over 30 days
- No payback time or hardware depreciation included
The RX 470 led in net daily profit, followed closely by the RX 570 and GTX 1070. While high-end cards like the GTX 1080 offered more raw power, their return on investment lagged significantly due to premium pricing and higher energy use.
It’s important to note: Ethereum’s price was highly volatile even back then (~$169 at the time). Today’s values can shift dramatically, impacting ROI timelines.
👉 See how market fluctuations affect mining profitability today
Multi-GPU Mining Configurations
Single-GPU tests are informative, but real mining operations rely on multi-GPU setups. We evaluated mixed configurations to assess scalability and efficiency.
A dual Polaris setup (RX 470 + RX 570) outperformed a triple NVIDIA configuration (GTX 1080 + 1070 + 1060) in efficiency despite lower total hash rate. Why? Because:
- Lower initial cost (~$400 vs ~$1200)
- Better power-to-performance ratio
- Faster breakeven point
While the NVIDIA trio delivered 42.5% higher hashrate per watt, its astronomical upfront cost made long-term profitability questionable — especially when GPUs could be resold post-mining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I mine Ethereum with a GTX 1050?
A: No. The 2GB VRAM version cannot handle the growing DAG file size used in Ethash. Even 4GB models struggle over time.
Q: Why are RX 470s so popular for mining?
A: They offer excellent hash rates (~26 MH/s), low power draw (~120W), and were originally priced as budget gaming cards — making them ideal for scalable mining rigs.
Q: Is GPU mining still profitable in 2025?
A: With Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake (completed in 2022), traditional GPU mining is no longer viable. However, other coins like Ravencoin or Ergo still support GPU mining using similar hardware.
Q: Does memory type affect mining performance?
A: Yes. GDDR5X in the GTX 1080 showed suboptimal performance due to memory controller inefficiencies under Ethash, despite higher bandwidth.
Q: Should I modify my GPU BIOS for mining?
A: While undervolting and memory tweaks can improve efficiency, our tests used stock settings to reflect real-world user experiences without technical tuning.
Q: What replaced Ethereum mining after The Merge?
A: Ethereum no longer uses mining. Miners shifted to alternative Proof-of-Work chains or exited the space entirely.
Final Thoughts
This analysis wasn’t meant to be a step-by-step guide or investment advice — it was a snapshot of a pivotal moment when consumer GPUs became digital goldmines. The surge in demand for RX 470s and RX 570s wasn’t random; it was driven by measurable advantages in efficiency and affordability.
While Ethereum mining is now obsolete, the lessons remain relevant: hardware selection, power efficiency, and market timing are critical in any computational earning strategy. For those exploring alternatives today, monitoring real-time profitability and energy costs is essential.
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