'The Merge' to end cryptocurrency mining on gaming GPUs won't come until 2022 (2024)

'The Merge' to end cryptocurrency mining on gaming GPUs won't come until 2022 (1)

Turns out it may still be some time before the bane of cryptocurrency mining releases its grip on our precious gaming GPU stock. But a definite shift is on the way. A big change is coming from Ethereum, in the form of something called 'The Merge.'

Since May, we've been waiting for Ethereum to shift consensus mechanisms from the energy intensive, GPU hogging proof-of-work model, to a lighter, non-computationally intensive proof-of-stake model. Back then we were promised it would only be a matter of months, but with no such shift having taken place, gaming GPUs are still in high demand for miners.

The current model means that without a trusty graphics card chugging away in the background of every Ethereum interaction, new Ether cannot be generated, and transactions cannot continue to shift.That puts us gamers in an awkward position, particularly those dreaming of bagging a graphics card this holiday season. But with The Merge on the way, all that is about to change.

It sounds like some transcendental event involving the molding of the world's inhabitants into some kind of crypto-hailing singularity, but actually it's just a vital part of Ethereum's roadmap.

'The Merge' to end cryptocurrency mining on gaming GPUs won't come until 2022 (2)

Also known as 'The Docking,' which plays into Ethereum's space ship metaphor, it forms a segment of the cryptocurrency's next stage of evolution into Eth2. An evolution which, as the Ethereum site explains, "refers to a set of interconnected upgrades that will make Ethereum more scalable, more secure, and more sustainable."

What it actually means is that Ethereum's Mainnet system will come together with its Beacon Chain, referred to as "a new engine and a hardened hull," in order to form "one ship, ready to put in some serious lightyears and take on the universe."

Tips and advice

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Currently there are only a few cryptocurrencies around the world that utilise a proof-of-stake model. Cardano, Tezos, and Algorand are among them, and with Ethereum looking to make the move before mid 2022 rolls around, we could be looking at a massive relief on the GPU stock strain.

Until then, I guess we'll have to deal with a the continual lack of GPUs. At least it's a step in the right direction for the second largest cryptocurrency in the world. Still, all these spacecraft metaphors have me a little worried about where they're going with all this—Ethereum-powered space stations sounds like a future I'm not sure I want to be a part of.

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'The Merge' to end cryptocurrency mining on gaming GPUs won't come until 2022 (4)

Katie Wickens

Hardware Writer

Screw sports, Katie would rather watch Intel, AMD and Nvidia go at it. Having been obsessed with computers and graphics for three long decades, she took Game Art and Design up to Masters level at uni, and has been demystifying tech and science—rather sarcastically—for three years since. She can be found admiring AI advancements, scrambling for scintillating Raspberry Pi projects, preaching cybersecurity awareness, sighing over semiconductors, and gawping at the latest GPU upgrades. She's been heading the PCG Steam Deck content hike, while waiting patiently for her chance to upload her consciousness into the cloud.

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The PC market is looking increasingly healthy as GPU shipments rise on the back of surging notebook demandNvidia will soon be showing adverts to calm queue rage for free tier users of GeForce Now

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'The Merge' to end cryptocurrency mining on gaming GPUs won't come until 2022 (2024)

FAQs

Is crypto mining dead in 2024? ›

Addressing the “Crypto Mining is Dead” Sentiment in 2024

As discussed above, the Bitcoin halving will shrink the mining supply considerably. However, many experts believe that the latest halving will negatively impact the smaller and mid-sized miners the most, while large-scale miners remain profitable.

Is graphics card mining dead? ›

The once dominant Ethereum mining via GPUs has ceased, prompting miners to search for alternate cryptocurrencies. The current market reveals a diversification of mining activities, but the dominance of GPU mining remains uncertain amidst the rise of ASIC miners, which are more efficient for certain coins.

Are crypto miners still buying GPUs? ›

Why aren't GPUs used for Bitcoin mining anymore? - Quora. Reasons for the Shift: Efficiency: ASICs are specifically designed for Bitcoin mining, making them far more efficient than GPUs. They achieve significantly higher hash rates at lower power consumption, leading to better profitability.

Is GPU mining worth it 2022? ›

The current state of GPU mining

It's very likely that GPU mining is on its way out and will probably become even less relevant in the coming years. After the Ethereum network transitioned to Proof-of-Stake in 2022, there are almost no relevant cryptocurrencies left that can be mined profitably with a GPU.

Will crypto mining ever end? ›

After all bitcoins are mined, miners will no longer receive block rewards for verifying transactions, but will instead earn transaction fees. It's estimated that all bitcoins will be mined by the year 2140, at which point the last block reward will be released.

Is mining still worth it in 2024? ›

Yes. Crypto mining can be profitable - but there are factors miners need to consider including electricity costs, mining difficulty, and market conditions. All these can significantly impact profitability.

Why is GPU mining ending? ›

After years of planning, development, and delays, ethereum's shift to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism has seeming gone off without a hitch. Ethereum miners have been made redundant, and hopefully, this is the official end of large-scale GPU mining—the bane of PC gamers worldwide—forever.

Why is GPU mining bad? ›

Mining Bitcoin can potentially damage your GPU or PC if you don't take the proper precautions. It involves solving complex mathematical problems using your computer's processing power. This generates a lot of heat, which can cause your GPU or PC to overheat if it's not properly cooled.

Does GPU mining ruin GPU? ›

A GPU could get damaged while mining if it was running above 80°C or even 90°C for a longer period of time. This will indeed shorten the GPU lifetime. But there is a simple and effective way to lower the GPU temperature without affecting the performance.

What is the best GPU for crypto mining? ›

The 5 best GPU graphics cards for cryptocurrency mining
  • ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition Graphics Card.
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Founders Edition.
  • MSI NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Graphics Card.
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X Graphics Card.
Apr 19, 2024

Are old mining GPUs worth it? ›

Again, it's worth noting that all these GPUs were probably used by miners at some point in their life cycle. So, at least according to LTT's testing, it appears that buying a second-hand mining GPU isn't as dangerous and dodgy a proposition as it might appear to be.

What coins can still be GPU mined? ›

Most Profitable Crypto to Mine with GPU (Best Coins to Mine)
  • Bitcoin.
  • Ethereum.
  • Monero.
  • Ravencoin.
  • Bitcoin Gold.
  • Feathercoin.
  • Dogecoin.
  • Litecoin.
Mar 9, 2024

What crypto is most profitable to mine? ›

Historically, Bitcoin (BTC) has been one of the most lucrative cryptocurrencies to mine due to its high market value. However, other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Monero (XMR) have also been profitable for miners, depending on market conditions and mining hardware efficiency.

Does mining reduce GPU life? ›

GPU mining itself won't degrade a GPU. But mining 24/7 with a GPU at 100% workload, with fans constantly running and drawing maximum power, causes GPU components to degrade faster because of the sustained use.

How much can a 6 GPU mining rig make? ›

For example, a rig of six MSI GeForce RTX 3080Ti graphics processing units (GPUs) will be most profitable when mining Ravencoin (RVN) and bring around $170 per month. Zcash (ZEC) can bring in almost the same revenue while mining Clore (CLORE) can earn $158 per month.

What will happen to crypto in 2024? ›

The 2024 Bitcoin halving, anticipated to drive prices up significantly, highlights the importance of Bitcoin in the crypto world. This event may lead to increased adoption, new regulations, and global financial system impacts.

Which coin to mine in 2024? ›

Best Cryptocurrencies to Mine in 2024
  • Buy Bitcoin at WazirX.
  • Buy Dogecoin at WazirX.
  • Buy Litecoin at WazirX.
  • Buy Ethereum Classic at WazirX.
  • Buy Zcash at WazirX.
  • Buy Filecoin at WazirX.
  • Buy Ravencoin at WazirX.
  • Buy Monero at WazirX.
Apr 23, 2024

What year will Bitcoin stop mining? ›

After all 21 million bitcoin are mined, which is estimated to occur around the year 2140, the network will no longer produce new bitcoin. The block subsidy will go to zero but miners will continue to receive transaction fees, which will make up an ever greater portion of the block reward.

Is crypto mining future proof? ›

While the future of cryptocurrency mining hardware holds promise, it also presents several challenges: Regulatory Compliance: As cryptocurrencies gain mainstream acceptance, governments worldwide are enacting regulations that can impact the legality and profitability of mining operations.

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