The world of cryptocurrency mining is constantly evolving, and older hardware often faces new challenges. One such case is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3GB, once a popular choice for mining Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC). Recently, miners have reported that their GTX 1060 3GB cards have stopped mining ETH and ETC effectively. But why?
This article explores the root cause behind this issue, explains the technical limitations affecting older GPUs, and offers practical alternatives for what to mine now—helping you maximize your return on aging hardware.
The 3GB DAG Issue: Why Mining Stopped
The primary reason the GTX 1060 3GB can no longer mine ETH or ETC lies in the DAG file size growth.
The DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) is a large dataset generated and stored in your GPU’s video memory (VRAM) during mining. It's essential for solving cryptographic puzzles in Ethash-based blockchains like Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Expanse, and others.
Every 30,000 blocks—approximately every 5 days—the DAG file grows by around 10 MB. This incremental increase is part of the network’s design to resist ASIC dominance and maintain decentralization.
👉 Discover how GPU mining performance evolves with network changes.
For the GTX 1060 3GB, which has exactly 3,072 MB of VRAM, this growth eventually becomes unsustainable. While early predictions suggested the card would stop mining Ethereum around April 2019 and ETC by March 2019, real-world conditions caused earlier failures due to additional memory overhead from system processes.
Today:
- Ethereum DAG size: ~2.79 GB
- Ethereum Classic DAG size: ~2.85 GB
Although these numbers appear under 3 GB, they don’t account for:
- Monitor output (uses 150–200 MB)
- GPU drivers and X-server overhead
- Memory reserved by the operating system
In practice, only about 2.94 GB (or 3,019 MB) is actually available for mining. When combined with inefficiencies in how different miners load the DAG file, many users found themselves unable to continue mining ETC—even before expected dates.
Why Did GTX 1060 3GB Stop Mining Ethereum?
Simply put: insufficient VRAM.
Even though the theoretical DAG size fits within 3 GB, actual usage exceeds capacity when factoring in background processes. For example:
- GPU0 (first card in rig): consumes ~22 MB just for system use
- Other cards: ~9 MB each
- Connected displays: up to 200 MB depending on resolution
As a result, miners begin crashing or failing to initialize. The system returns errors like:
- “Insufficient memory to load DAG”
- “CUDA error” or “out of memory”
- Crashes during epoch transitions
This issue affects all Ethash coins approaching the ~2.9 GB+ DAG threshold. While some optimization can squeeze out extra performance, it's only a temporary fix.
What Is Happening Now: Miner Efficiency Comparison
Several mining software options exist for Ethash algorithms, but not all are equally efficient in memory usage.
A real-world test was conducted using GPU4 on a rig running Linux (Kernel v4.10.17, Driver v396.54), with the following configuration:
- Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 3GB (Samsung memory)
- Overclocking: Core -150, Memory +1700, Power Limit 103
Here’s how popular miners performed in terms of VRAM consumption:
- Claymore: 2,998 MB
- Claymore (-res 0): 2,982 MB
- PhoenixMiner: 2,998 MB
- PhoenixMiner (-res 0): 2,982 MB
- Ethminer: 2,980 MB
- Bminer: 2,980 MB
- Finminer: 2,937 MB ← Most efficient
💡 Key Insight: Finminer uses significantly less VRAM and allows mining ETH closer to the limit. On less stressed GPUs (not GPU0), it may extend usability by weeks or even months.
However, GPU0 typically bears higher system load and may fail to launch with memory-heavy miners like Claymore or PhoenixMiner.
👉 Explore next-gen mining strategies that adapt to hardware limits.
What To Mine With GTX 1060 3GB Now
Don’t retire your GTX 1060 3GB just yet. While it’s no longer viable for ETH or ETC, several profitable alternatives remain.
✅ Option 1: Smaller DAG Ethash Coins
Choose Ethash-based coins with DAG sizes under 2.9 GB:
| Coin | Current DAG Size | Estimated End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Musicoin (MUSIC) | ~2.02 GB | June 2025 |
| Expanse (EXP) | ~1.41 GB | April 2027 |
These networks are lightweight and fully compatible with 3GB cards. Though less profitable than peak ETH days, they offer stable returns with low competition.
Bitcoin Gold (BTG) is another Ethash option with moderate DAG growth and active mining communities.
✅ Option 2: Switch to Cryptonight Algorithms
Forget VRAM constraints entirely by switching to CPU/GPU-friendly algorithms like Cryptonight.
Monero (XMR) is the most prominent Cryptonight coin:
- Not DAG-dependent
- Memory usage minimal (~2–4 MB)
- High privacy focus
- Strong community support
While ASICs exist, many forks (like XMR-Stak-compatible versions) remain accessible to GPUs. Monero’s emphasis on decentralization makes it ideal for small-scale miners.
Other options include:
- Ryo Currency
- Haven Protocol (XHV)
- Masari (MSR)
Use tools like WhatToMine to compare profitability based on your hash rate and power consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I still mine Ethereum with GTX 1060 3GB?
No—not reliably. Due to VRAM constraints and system overhead, most miners fail to initialize the DAG file. Even if it runs temporarily, crashes are frequent. It's no longer practical.
❓ Is there any way to reduce VRAM usage?
Yes. Try:
- Using Finminer or Ethminer
- Disabling display outputs via dummy plugs
- Running headless Linux systems (no GUI)
- Applying
-res 0flags where supported
These tweaks can save ~50–60 MB but won’t solve long-term viability.
❓ What is the best alternative coin to mine?
For longevity: Expanse (EXP) — low DAG growth, supports 3GB cards until at least 2027.
For profitability: Monero (XMR) — no VRAM dependency, consistent rewards.
❓ Will future updates bring back compatibility?
Unlikely. The DAG grows continuously and irreversibly. No software update can reduce its size. Hardware limitations are permanent once exceeded.
❓ Can I use my GTX 1060 for non-mining crypto activities?
Absolutely. Consider staking through supported platforms or using your GPU for decentralized computing projects like Golem or AI training tasks.
Where to Mine: Choosing the Right Pool
When selecting a mining pool, look for:
- Low payout thresholds
- PPLNS or SOLO modes
- Global server coverage
- Transparent fee structure
- Active support channels
While specific pools aren't endorsed here, reliable services typically offer:
- Real-time dashboards
- API access
- Mobile alerts
- NiceHash integration
Ensure compatibility with your chosen miner and coin.
👉 Stay ahead with insights into modern mining ecosystems.
Final Thoughts
The end of Ethereum mining on the GTX 1060 3GB marks a natural phase in the lifecycle of consumer-grade GPUs in crypto mining. As networks evolve, so must our strategies.
Rather than discarding aging hardware, smart miners adapt—switching algorithms, optimizing configurations, and exploring alternative coins.
With careful selection and efficient tools, your GTX 1060 3GB can continue generating value well into the future.
Whether you choose long-lasting Ethash coins like Expanse or transition to memory-light protocols like Monero, opportunities still exist for those willing to adjust.
Stay informed, stay flexible—and keep mining smart.