Mining Hardware Guide

Choosing the right hardware is crucial for profitable ETC mining. This guide covers GPU and ASIC options, their tradeoffs, and key factors to consider.

ETCHash Algorithm

Ethereum Classic uses the ETCHash algorithm, a memory-intensive proof-of-work system. Key characteristics:

• Requires minimum 4GB GPU VRAM (8GB+ recommended)
• Compatible with ETHash hardware (former Ethereum miners)
• Supported by both GPUs and ASICs
• DAG file grows over time, affecting older hardware

GPUs vs ASICs

GPU Mining

Recommended GPUs

For ETC mining, consider these factors when selecting GPUs:

• VRAM: 8GB minimum recommended (6GB+ currently works)
• Memory type: GDDR6X and HBM2 are most efficient
• Power efficiency: Hash per watt matters for profitability
• Availability: New vs used market options

NVIDIA Options

• RTX 3060 Ti / 3070: Excellent efficiency, widely available
• RTX 3080: High hashrate, good for larger operations
• RTX 4070/4080: Newer gen, very efficient but higher cost
• GTX 1660 Super: Budget option, still profitable with cheap power

AMD Options

• RX 6600/6600 XT: Excellent efficiency and value
• RX 6700 XT: Good hashrate, reasonable power draw
• RX 6800/6900: High performance, higher power consumption
• RX 580 8GB: Older but can still be profitable used

Used GPU Market

Buying used can offer good value, but verify:

• Card was not heavily degraded from mining abuse
• All fans and cooling work properly
• No obvious physical damage
• Test before purchasing if possible

ASIC Mining

ASIC miners are purpose-built machines offering higher efficiency but less flexibility.

ASIC Considerations

• Noise: Industrial-level fans, unsuitable for homes
• Power: Require dedicated circuits (often 240V)
• Heat: Generate significant heat requiring ventilation
• Resale: Limited secondary market compared to GPUs
• ROI period: Typically longer than GPUs

Popular ETCHash ASICs

Several manufacturers produce ETCHash-compatible ASICs:

Note: ASIC availability and pricing change frequently. Research current market conditions before purchasing.

Power Supply Requirements

Adequate power infrastructure is critical:

For GPU Mining

• 80+ Gold or Platinum rated PSUs for efficiency
• Plan for 80% load maximum (don't run at full capacity)
• Multiple PSUs may be needed for larger rigs
• Quality matters—cheap PSUs can fail or cause fires

Power Calculation

Calculate total power needs:

• GPU TDP × number of cards
• Add 100-200W for motherboard, CPU, etc.
• Multiply by 1.2 for safety margin

Cooling Requirements

Mining hardware generates significant heat:

• Room ventilation: Exhaust hot air outside or to another area
• Intake air: Ensure fresh, cool air reaches the equipment
• Ambient temperature: Lower is better; consider basement locations
• GPU spacing: Allow gaps between cards for airflow

Temperature Targets

• GPU core: Under 70°C optimal, 80°C maximum
• GPU memory: Under 90°C for GDDR6X cards
• ASICs: Follow manufacturer specifications

Efficiency Optimization

Undervolting

Reducing GPU voltage can significantly improve efficiency:

• Reduces power consumption 10-30%
• Lowers temperatures
• Extends hardware lifespan
• May require stability testing

Memory Overclocking

ETCHash benefits from memory speed:

• Increase memory clock for higher hashrate
• Monitor for stability and rejected shares
• Watch memory temperatures closely
• Start conservative, increase gradually

Building a Mining Rig

Components Needed

• Motherboard: Multiple PCIe slots for GPUs
• CPU: Basic processor is sufficient
• RAM: 8GB typically enough
• Storage: Small SSD for OS
• Frame: Open-air frame for cooling
• Risers: PCIe risers to connect GPUs
• PSU: Adequate power supply(s)

Operating System

• Windows: Familiar, good driver support
• Linux: More stable, lower overhead
• Mining OS: Specialized distributions (HiveOS, etc.)

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Before purchasing, calculate:

1. Hardware cost: Total investment needed
2. Expected hashrate: Combined output of your setup
3. Power consumption: Total watts at the wall
4. Electricity cost: Your rate per kWh
5. Expected earnings: Use mining calculators
6. ROI period: Time to recoup investment

Factor in potential ETC price changes and network difficulty increases.

Summary

• GPUs offer flexibility; ASICs offer efficiency
• Minimum 4GB VRAM required, 8GB+ recommended
• Power and cooling infrastructure are critical
• Undervolting improves efficiency significantly
• Calculate profitability before purchasing