The question of whether 3GB video cards can mine Ethereum has been a topic of discussion, especially in the wake of Ethereum’s transition from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS). This transition, known as “The Merge,” effectively ended Ethereum mining as it was previously known.
Table of contents
Historical Context
Before the Merge, 3GB cards could mine Ethereum, but their viability diminished over time. The increasing size of the Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) file, which miners need to store in their video card’s memory, posed a challenge. As the DAG file grew beyond 3GB, these cards could no longer effectively participate in mining. It was estimated that 4GB cards would be able to mine until the end of 2025.
Software Solutions
Some miners found ways to extend the lifespan of 3GB cards by using specialized mining software. Claymore and PhoenixMiner were popular choices, but ethminer and bminer were also good options. Finminer could mine Ethereum on GTX 1060 3GB to the last VRAM.
The Merge and its Impact
With Ethereum’s move to PoS, mining is no longer required to validate transactions and create new blocks. This means that the question of whether 3GB cards can mine Ethereum is now largely irrelevant.
Alternative Mining Options
While Ethereum mining is no longer possible, 3GB cards can still be used to mine other cryptocurrencies. ERGO is one such alternative. A 3GB card can achieve about 45-50 MH at 60W.
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