5 Best GPUs for Mining in 2024

·

GPU mining once promised an accessible path to cryptocurrency profits—imagine earning passive income while your graphics card powered through games or sat idle. But the landscape has drastically shifted. With Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake and the rise of ASIC-dominated networks, GPU mining in 2024 is no longer the lucrative venture it once was. Still, a few high-performance GPUs remain marginally profitable under ideal conditions.

This article explores the top GPUs for mining in 2024, evaluates their real-world profitability, and provides crucial insights for anyone considering whether GPU mining is still worth pursuing. We’ll also cover key factors like electricity costs, coin availability, and long-term return on investment.

The Current State of GPU Mining

Just a few years ago, GPU mining fueled a global shortage of graphics cards. Gamers and miners competed for stock, driving prices sky-high—especially during Ethereum’s mining boom. But everything changed in 2022 when Ethereum completed its shift to Proof-of-Stake, eliminating the need for energy-intensive mining.

👉 Discover how modern crypto platforms are reshaping digital asset opportunities.

Today, very few major cryptocurrencies support GPU mining, and most that do offer minimal returns. While niche coins like Ravencoin, Ethereum Classic, and Conflux still rely on GPU-friendly algorithms, their market caps and block rewards are too small to generate meaningful income for most users.

Additionally, ASIC miners dominate Bitcoin and other top-tier networks, making GPU-based competition futile. Even with free electricity, a consumer-grade GPU cannot match the hash rate efficiency of dedicated hardware.

For most people, GPU mining is no longer financially viable—especially when factoring in:

However, there’s a silver lining: used mining GPUs are now more affordable than ever, making them attractive for budget-conscious gamers—provided they inspect for damage carefully.

Top GPUs for Mining in 2024: Performance & Profitability

The following list ranks the best GPUs currently capable of generating some mining profit. All data is based on March 2024 estimates and assumes an electricity cost of $0.10/kWh—a relatively low rate. Actual returns may vary depending on network difficulty, coin prices, and local energy costs.

1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 – Best Overall for Mining

The RTX 4090 stands as the most powerful consumer GPU available, built on NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace architecture with 24 GB of GDDR6X memory. It dominates both gaming and compute tasks, including mining.

Despite its prowess, daily earnings remain slim—just $0.84 per day after electricity costs. At this rate, it would take roughly 7 years to recoup the initial investment. Only in regions with near-zero electricity costs or during sudden crypto rallies could this card turn a timely profit.

Still, if you're committed to mining, the RTX 4090 offers the highest return potential among consumer GPUs.

2. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 – High Power, Low Returns

The RTX 4080 packs 16 GB of fast memory and excellent efficiency but struggles to justify its price tag for miners. At $0.45/day, breaking even would take over 6 years.

While it handles AAA gaming titles effortlessly, its mining utility is limited. Unless coin values surge dramatically, this GPU makes more sense as a gaming or creative workstation component than a mining tool.

3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti – Minimal Profitability

With a hefty $850 price point and only marginal returns, the RTX 3080 Ti is not a smart investment for miners. Under average conditions, it actually operates at a **loss of $0.29 per day** due to power consumption.

Only those with access to nearly free electricity might see tiny gains—around $0.05/day—making this card more suitable for gaming than mining.

4. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti – Legacy Flagship

Once the king of GPUs, the RTX 3090 Ti now lags behind newer models in efficiency. Despite its 24 GB VRAM and strong performance in AI and rendering tasks, it earns just $0.14 per day from mining.

Its high power draw erodes margins, making it less competitive than even older, cheaper cards under current conditions.

5. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super – Balanced Option

Priced lower than many competitors, the RTX 4070 Ti Super offers decent value with 16 GB of memory and solid efficiency. It mines at $0.40/day, putting it behind the RTX 4080 but ahead of most older models.

For hobbyists or part-time miners using existing hardware, this card delivers reasonable performance without excessive power demands.

👉 Explore secure and efficient ways to manage your digital assets today.

6. AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX – AMD’s Top Contender

The RX 7900 XTX is AMD’s flagship gaming GPU with 24 GB of memory and strong compute capabilities. It outperforms several NVIDIA cards in raw hashing power for certain algorithms.

Under optimal conditions, it generates $0.71/day**, one of the better returns on this list. If powered for free, profits could reach **$1.35/day, though that scenario is rare.

Still, even at peak performance, ROI timelines stretch into multiple years—far beyond typical hardware lifespans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is GPU mining profitable in 2024?

No, not realistically. Even the most powerful GPU—the RTX 4090—earns only about $0.84 per day** after electricity costs. Factoring in the card’s $2,200 price tag, it would take over 6 years** to break even—assuming constant profitability and no hardware failure.

Can you still mine any profitable coins with a GPU?

A few coins remain mineable with GPUs, including:

However, none offer substantial returns. Most are small-cap projects with limited growth potential and declining miner support.

Is it worth buying a used GPU for mining?

Only if you already plan to use it for gaming or other tasks. Used mining GPUs can be found at discounts, but they often suffer from thermal stress and reduced lifespan due to continuous operation at full load.

Buying one solely for mining remains unprofitable.

What affects GPU mining profitability?

Key factors include:

Lower electricity rates improve margins, but rarely enough to make mining viable at scale.

Can I mine Bitcoin with a GPU?

Technically yes—but practically no. Bitcoin mining is dominated by specialized ASICs that are thousands of times more efficient than GPUs. A single modern ASIC can outperform an entire rig of high-end GPUs.

Instead of direct mining, some users rent out their GPU hash power via platforms like NiceHash—but earnings remain minimal.

Should I consider cloud mining instead?

Cloud mining services often promise easy profits but come with significant risks: hidden fees, scams, and lack of transparency. Many operate as Ponzi schemes.

For most users, purchasing crypto directly through regulated exchanges is safer and more cost-effective than cloud or hardware-based mining.

Final Verdict: Is GPU Mining Worth It?

Short answer: No.

In 2024, GPU mining is largely obsolete for profit-driven purposes. The combination of dwindling mineable coins, rising hardware costs, and energy expenses makes return on investment extremely poor—even for top-tier cards like the RTX 4090 or RX 7900 XTX.

👉 Stay ahead in crypto with tools designed for smart investors.

Unless you have access to nearly free electricity or are mining as a hobby using existing equipment, investing in GPUs purely for mining is not advisable.

That said, if you’re building a PC for gaming or creative work and plan to dabble in mining during idle hours, pairing a powerful GPU with efficient software could yield minor side income—though don’t expect life-changing returns.

For serious crypto earnings, consider staking, yield farming, or trading on secure platforms instead.

Core Keywords: