Consumer graphics cards (GPUs) remain a viable way for crypto enthusiasts to gain exposure to blockchain networks while offsetting equipment costs through mining rewards. Compared to expensive application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) miners that dominate networks like Bitcoin, consumer GPUs provide better accessibility for everyday users to participate.
In this definitive guide, I outline the 12 most profitable GPU-mineable cryptocurrencies for 2023 and teach you how to assess profitability based on hardware benchmarks, coin economics, and mining calculators. Let‘s dive in!
1. Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum stands as the most popular GPU-friendly mining coin, but its days using graphics cards are numbered. The network is set to migrate from its current proof-of-work (PoW) consensus to a proof-of-stake (PoS) model by Q3 2023 per recent developer estimates. This transition will eliminate new ETH mining rewards for GPUs.
Ethereum currently uses the Ethash mining algorithm which is optimized for consumer GPUs with at least 4GB of VRAM. Miners compete for a 2 ETH + transaction fees block reward worth $1,680 based on current prices.
To measure profitability, mining calculators like WhatToMine and Minerstat help miners estimate earnings based on factors like:
- Hashrate – Higher GPU performance equals greater rewards
- Power – More efficient GPUs increase profit margins
- Mining Pools – Pool fees range from 0.5% to 2% generally
- Network Difficulty – Rising difficulty reduces output over time
As a benchmark, here is estimated daily ETH mining revenue on popular GPUs before electricity costs:
- Nvidia RTX 4090 – $9.76
- AMD RX 6900 XT – $5.21
- Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti – $3.63
These projections will decline after the PoW transition. But by mining ETH while possible and holding coins, GPU miners stand to benefit financially long-term if adoption continues rising.
2. Ravencoin (RVN)
With Ethereum moving to staking, Ravencoin emerges as the leading PoW coin for GPU miners in 2023. The project focuses on asset transfers via tokenized representations of real-world assets like gold, land deeds, and more.
The network relies on the KAWPOW mining algorithm, which is designed specifically for consumer GPU mining by being inefficiently solved by ASICs. Miners compete for 5,000 RVN block rewards worth about $140 depending on market prices.
Source: GPUMinerPro mining calculator
Based on benchmarks, daily Ravencoin mining revenue projections before electricity expense for common GPUs are:
- Nvidia RTX 3090 – $5.86
- AMD RX 6800 XT – $3.71
- Nvidia RTX 2070 Super – $2.44
Ravencoin has delivered over 150% ROI for miners since launch. As the top full-time GPU mining option after ETH, Ravencoin offers a smart way to put graphics cards to work earning passive income.
3. Ergo (ERG)
Ergo identifies itself as a "proof-of-work cryptocurrency and blockchain designed for…the decentralized finance economy." The innovative Autolykos v2 mining algorithm runs best on GPUs while resisting dominance by ASIC miners to keep decentralization.
On Ergo‘s blockchain, miners receive a reward of 75 ERG per block, currently valued at around $100 depending on market prices. ERG launched its mainnet in 2019 and has posted huge gains of nearly 10x for miners over its lifespan.
Based on sample benchmarks, expected daily Ergo mining earnings before electricity costs are:
- AMD RX 6800 XT – $4.15
- AMD RX 580 – $2.44
- Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti – $2.32
To get started mining ERG yourself, I recommend AMD graphics cards with 8GB+ memory running mining software like TeamRedMiner, NBMiner, or GMiner.
4. Conflux (CFX)
The Conflux ecosystem features a Tree-Graph consensus model that provides security and fast transactions. CFX tokens hold significant long-term value due to partnerships between Conflux and major investment funds like Sequoia China.
Conflux relies on a SHA-256 mining algorithm, allowing usage of ASIC miners or GPU rigs. Miners earn 12.5 CFX per block, worth over $100 in current market pricing. Conflux has posted over 250% returns for miners since launching its mainnet in 2021.
Based on sample projections, daily Conflux earnings per GPU before electricity are:
- Antminer S19 Pro (ASIC) – $16.55
- Nvidia RTX 3080 – $5.36
- AMD RX 5700 XT – $3.88
Conflux runs on dedicated mining pools like Whalesburg, P2pool, Luxor, and Hotbit. Miners can use mining management software to switch between Conflux and other GPU-mineable coins as relative profitability shifts.
5. Ethereum Classic (ETC)
Ethereum Classic represents the original Ethereum blockchain before the network forked after the infamous DAO hack. The core developers behind ETC remain committed to proof-of-work mining indefinitely, giving GPU miners a long-term home.
ETC relies on the Etchash mining algorithm, a modified version of Ethash better suited for commodity GPUs and resistant to ASIC dominance. Miners receive a 3.2 ETC block reward worth about $22 along with transaction fees.
Based on samples, daily ETC mining projections per GPU before electrical costs are:
- Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti – $0.86
- AMD RX 580 – $0.81
- AMD Vega 64 – $0.73
These earnings seem small but add up over time. ETC has delivered over 18,000% returns for miners since launching in 2016. The coin promises to play a lasting role in the broader Ethereum ecosystem as interest continues growing around Web3 and DeFi apps.
6. Flux (FLUX)
Hailed as "the first peer-to-peer cloud computing network," Flux leverages proof-of-work mining to distribute tokens and secure this bandwidth marketplace. The project runs on the ZelHash mining algorithm optimized for GPUs.
Per block, Flux miners earn rewards worth around $125 in current market pricing. While Flux only released its mainnet in 2021, the innovative project has already generated excellent ROI for early node operators and miners.
Based on samples, expected daily Flux mining revenue by GPU before electricity is:
- AMD RX 6900 XT – $3.88
- Nvidia RTX 3070 – $2.80
- AMD RX 570 – $1.23
To mine FLUX, AMD and Nvidia GPUs work great by using leading mining pools like FluxUSA, TheBlockchainPool, and FluxNodes. Popular mining software includes GMiner, TeamRedMiner, and NBMiner.
7. Dogecoin (DOGE)
This meme coin retains a cult following after almost a decade since its launch. Doge uses the Scrypt mining algorithm which can still be profitably handled by consumer GPUs despite appreciation by ASIC miners.
The Dogecoin block reward offers miners 10,000 DOGE per block, worth around $750 depending on the prices of the notoriously volatile DOGE market. Long-time Doge miners have enjoyed a respectable ROI over 5,000%.
Based on samples, anticipated daily Dogecoin mining revenue per GPU before electricity is:
- AMD RX 580 – $1.44
- AMD RX 570 – $1.23
- Nvidia GTX 1080 – $1.10
To optimize your Doge mining operation, I recommend GPUs with at least 3GB of VRAM and mining software like EasyMiner, CGMiner, MultiDoge, or Teamdoge.
8. Beam (BEAM)
Beam provides privacy and scalability using its own customized implementation of the Mimblewimble protocol. Beam‘s cryptocurrency BEAM relies on the BeamHash II mining algorithm.
Per block, Beam miners earn about 40 BEAM tokens, worth nearly $75 in current market pricing. Even during down crypto markets since launch in 2019, Beam has delivered excellent mining returns relative to risk.
Based on projections, daily Beam earnings per GPU before electricity costs approximately are:
- Nvidia RTX 2070 Super – $1.54
- AMD RX 580 – $1.10
- AMD RX 560 – $0.66
To optimize Beam mining, GPUs with 4GB+ memory work fine for hash power needs. Top mining pools are SpacePool, F2Pool, P2Pool, and Woolypooly.
9. Vertcoin (VTC)
This "people‘s coin" focuses on keeping mining decentralized to support network security. It uses the Verthash algorithm specifically designed to resist dominance by corporate ASIC miners.
Each Vertcoin block reward gives miners 25 VTC, worth about $28 depending on market prices. Since launching in 2014, the project has delivered over 150% returns for miners along the way.
Based on estimates, expected daily Vertcoin revenue per GPU before electricity is:
- AMD RX 6800 XT – $1.92
- Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti – $1.47
- AMD RX 570 – $1.05
To optimize VTC mining, AMD and Nvidia cards work very well even including older used models. Prominent Vertcoin mining pools are OrcaPool, Verters, and P2Pool.
10. Firo (FIRO)
Touted as "digital cash you can spend privately, instantly, securely" while paying low fees, Firo is an innovative blockchain project previously known as Zcoin. The network relies on a unique Lyra2REv3 mining algorithm designed for GPUs.
Miners compete over 22.1 FIRO block rewards, valued around $70 depending on market prices. Overall since launching in 2016, FIRO mining has generated a staggering 30,000% ROI for early adopters.
Based on data, expected per-GPU daily FIRO mining income before electricity is:
- AMD RX Vega 64 – $2.91
- AMD RX 5700 XT – $2.32
- Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti – $1.92
I suggest mining FIRO using AMD or Nvidia cards having at least 8GB of VRAM. Top mining pools include Luxor, zpool, and F2pool.
11. Monero (XMR)
This heavyweight privacy coin relies on the RandomX mining algorithm to keep mining decentralized and secure by resisting ASIC dominance. Monero miners earn an average block reward around 1.6 XMR, providing income worth roughly $290 depending on highly volatile XMR pricing.
Since launching in 2014, Monero has generated astronomical returns over 9,000% for earliest believers willing to support the network as miners. Expect estimated Monero daily mining revenue per GPU before electricity of:
- AMD RX 6900 XT – $7.81
- Nvidia RTX 3090 – $6.38
- AMD RX 580 – $3.07
Mining XMR requires powerful graphics cards having at least 8GB of memory. To optimize Monero mining, leading software options include XMRig, TeamRedMiner, and xmrigCC paired with pools like MineXMR, SupportXMR, and MoneroOcean.
12. Raptoreum (RTM)
Raptoreum describes itself as "the world‘s first cryptocurrency to use both Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake to secure its blockchain." The hybrid model ensures strong security while enabling GPU mining and staking rewards.
Raptoreum relies on the GhostRider mining algorithm customized for consumer PC hardware like CPUs and GPUs. Miners earn block rewards about 250 RTM, providing income around $16 depending on market prices.
Based on samples, expected daily Raptoreum mining revenue per GPU before electricity is:
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (CPU) – $1.36
- Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti – $1.05
- AMD RX 570 – $0.73
Raptoreum keeps spec mining hardware requirements low to promote decentralization, allowing everyday users to earn rewards supporting the network.
I hope this guide has shed light on crypto coins you can still realistically mine using GPU rigs as we enter 2023. The estimated mining calculator numbers illustrate how factors like hashrate, power efficiency, mining difficulty, pool fees and coin prices all play into eventual profitability.
Monitoring mining economics using benchmarks and projections helps make smarter decisions about what hardware to use and what coins to support via mining. Although Ethereum‘s transition away from proof-of-work will negatively impact profitability, newer networks like Ravencoin and Ergo present viable long-term options.
Of course every miner‘s situation is unique in terms of things like energy costs, tax rates, hardware access, and personal financial goals. By learning about the most profitable networks and mining wisely, your graphics cards can generate meaningful income to offset costs and hopefully build crypto holdings over time.
As blockchain adoption increases, mining remains an important on-ramp for participating in and securing decentralized networks while earning coin rewards along the way via providing computing power. Instead of collecting dust, put your GPU crypto mining rigs to work in 2023!
