I noticed that in 2025-2026, the GPU mining market has revived again. After Ethereum switched to PoS, many thought GPU mining was dead, but it turned out — quite the opposite. A bunch of new algorithms have appeared, and mining GPUs are back in action.

Let's figure out which models are truly worth paying attention to right now. I’ve filtered out the market noise and highlighted the most interesting options.

The new flagship models of 2025 are the NVIDIA RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. The RTX 5090 is a monster: 32 GB GDDR7, 575 W power consumption, and astronomical hash rates. It gives about 216 MH/s on Ethereum Classic, and 2 GH/s on Kaspa. The price is steep (around $2000), but for professional farms, it’s justified. Of course, a serious cooling system and stable power supply are required.

The RTX 5080 is a more balanced option. 16 GB memory, 360 W, priced around a thousand dollars. Slightly lower performance (130 MH/s on ETC), but the price-to-performance ratio is much better. I think this is the optimal choice for those not willing to overspend for maximum power.

AMD is not lagging behind. The RX 9070 XT shows 215 MH/s on Ethereum Classic with 304 W consumption — simply impressive. It costs $600, and it’s a really good choice for home farms. The RDNA 4 architecture works great on algorithms with large data volumes.

If your budget is smaller, the RX 9070 (without XT) for $550 — also good. 180 MH/s on ETC, only 220 W. Economical and reliable.

Now, about the proven classics. The RTX 4090 from 2022 is still the queen. 24 GB GDDR6X, 127 MH/s on ETC, 5 GH/s on Bitcoin via NiceHash. You can find it on the secondary market for $1200-1500. This is a workhorse that won’t let you down.

The RTX 4070 Ti (2023) — a good mid-range option. 12 GB, 285 W, priced at $500-800. Versatile, suitable for both mining and gaming. 65 MH/s on ETC — not a record, but stable.

For those looking for budget mining GPUs, the RTX 3080 on the secondary market $400 — still alive. 95-100 MH/s, 320 W. Old but solid.

The RTX 3060 Ti for $200-250 used — ideal for beginners. 8 GB, 200 W, 60 MH/s. Low entry barrier, but also lower income.

AMD RX 7900 XTX (2022) — flagship of the previous generation. 24 GB, 355 W, 101 MH/s on ETC. On the secondary market, $600-700. Great choice for large farms.

The RX 6800 XT for $300-350 used — a proven workhorse. 65 MH/s, 300 W. Stable and reliable.

The RX 6600 XT — the most economical. 160 W, 32 MH/s on ETC, priced at $150-200. Perfect for home setups.

Before choosing mining GPUs, be sure to calculate the payback period. Use Whattomine or NiceHash calculator — input your hardware specs, electricity costs in your region, and the system will show how profitable it is. This is critical because profitability depends on electricity prices and the current crypto market rate.

Mining on a GPU isn’t just about running a program. You need to choose between solo mining or pool mining. Pool mining makes sense if your capacity is small — you join with other miners and get more stable income. For this, programs like Bitminer or BFGMiner are used.

Regarding cryptocurrencies, after Ethereum moved to PoS in 2022, the market reshuffled. Miners flocked to Ethereum Classic, Ravencoin, Kaspa, Beam, Ergo. Hash rates increased, difficulty rose, and payback periods lengthened. Some older cards now pay off in 7-8 years — which no longer makes sense.

You can buy mining GPUs in two ways. New — with warranty, but expensive and slow to recoup. Used — cheaper, quick payback, but no warranty and risk of failure. There are plenty of offers on Avito and other marketplaces.

Key advice: don’t chase maximum power. Choose mining GPUs based on your budget, electricity costs, and which crypto you want to mine. For professional farms — RTX 5090 or RX 9070 XT. For mid-level — RTX 4070 Ti or RX 9070. For home setups — RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6600 XT.

In summary: the GPU mining market is alive and evolving. The new 2025 models offer good performance, while older models remain relevant thanks to secondhand prices. The main thing is to accurately calculate the payback period and avoid overpaying for power you won’t use.