{"id":3631,"date":"2021-11-08T12:12:50","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T12:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2miners.com\/blog\/?p=3631"},"modified":"2022-08-19T09:57:41","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T09:57:41","slug":"what-to-mine-when-ethereum-goes-pos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2miners.com\/blog\/what-to-mine-when-ethereum-goes-pos\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Mine when Ethereum Goes POS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ethereum has decided to disable mining in favor of staking long ago. In other words, the plan is to get rid of mining rigs with video cards and give rewards to users that simply store their cryptocurrency on special wallets connected to the main network 24\/7. It seems that Ethereum developers have never been more serious about these plans, and ETH might shift from PoW to PoS already in 2022. Let’s see what miners could do and how they should use their equipment when it happens.<\/p>\n

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Why Does Everyone Mine Ethereum?<\/h2>\n

Nowadays the vast majority of miners mine Ethereum because it’s the most profitable cryptocurrency on most GPUs. You can see it for yourself by using the 2CryptoCalc mining profitability calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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This cryptocurrency takes a lot of space on GPU memory: the ETH DAG file<\/a> is already over 4.5 GB and it requires 8MB more every 3\u20134 days. Still, most beginners with one GPU try to mine it and then get frustrated by high fees as they get their rewards. The 2Miners pool created a unique payout system that lets you get your rewards daily and without fees. Read more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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GPU Mining Algorithms<\/h2>\n

Let’s divide the most popular mining algorithms into two groups: cold \u2744\ufe0f and hot \ud83d\udd25. Read more about it in the article titled “Beginning Miner\u2019s Guide and GPU Overclocking on Different Algorithms”<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cold Algorithms<\/h3>\n

Cold algorithms mostly use GPU memory, and that is why we increase memory clock (MC) and decrease core clock (CC) or leave it as is. The main characteristics of such algorithms are low power consumption, low core temperature, and high memory temperature.<\/p>\n

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Cold algorithms are: <\/em>Ethash<\/a> (Ethereum), Etchash<\/a> (Ethereum Classic), Autolykos2<\/a> (Ergo).<\/p>\n

Some also distinguish neutral algorithms that require you to increase only core clock. All Cuckoo algorithms are neutral: CuckooCortex<\/a> (Cortex), CuckooCycle<\/a> (Aeternity), Cuckatoo32<\/a> (Grin).<\/p>\n

Hot Algorithms<\/h3>\n

Hot algorithms use both core and memory, and that is why we increase core clock (CC) and memory clock (MC). The main characteristics of such algorithms are high power consumption, high core temperature, and high memory temperature.<\/p>\n

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Hot mining algorithms are:<\/em> KAWPOW<\/a> (Ravencoin), FiroPow<\/a> (FIRO), BeamHashV3<\/a> (BEAM), Equihash 144.5<\/a> (Bitcoin Gold). <\/p>\n

Comparing Mining Algorithms<\/h3>\n

We compared mining algorithms in the table below. We chose Nvidia 3080Ti overclocking settings as an example. The table shows GPU hash rate, core temp, memory temp, and power consumption. If you want to learn how to overclock any GPU, read: “How To Overclock Nvidia and AMD Graphics Cards on Different Algorithms”<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Note that depending on the algorithm power consumption changes as well. This might be important to consider when choosing which coin to mine. Say, the calculator shows that Ethereum Classic (ETC) and Ravencoin (RVN) are the same in terms of mining profitability for your video card. Then you should choose ETC. You will save 25% on power compared to RVN.<\/p>\n

The algorithms in the table above are the main competitors of Ether’s algorithm (Ethash). Hot algorithms are highlighted in orange, cold algorithms \u2013 in blue. Let’s take a closer look at the main coins of these algorithms, their mining profitability, and other features.<\/p>\n

Ravencoin Mining<\/h2>\n

In 2021 Ravencoin (RVN) became the second most popular coin among GPU miners due to the increase in its exchange rate, its simplicity, and low hardware requirements. Not so long ago you could mine RVN on 3GB GPUs, now you need 4GB which is also good compared to most competitors.<\/p>\n

\"ravencoin-mining\"<\/p>\n

High rig stability, presence on most exchanges, and a relatively stable exchange rate made this currency popular among miners.<\/p>\n

Due to the “simplicity” of the algorithm, the top latest-generation graphics cards (with 8GB+ of RAM) can’t operate at full capacity and use all advantages they have, especially high-speed memory. So the following cold algorithms that are designed to use memory are usually more profitable on such GPUs: CuckooCortex, Etchash, Autolykos2, CuckooCycly, Cuckatoo32.<\/p>\n

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Ravencoin\u2019s mining indicators:<\/p>\n