Cryptocurrency mining remains a compelling way to earn digital assets, especially for those interested in passive income through hardware investment. With fluctuating market conditions, evolving network difficulty, and technological advancements, many beginners and experienced miners alike ask: how much can a mining rig earn in a day? This guide dives into realistic daily outputs for both Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC), covering key factors like hash rate, power consumption, network difficulty, and profitability trends—without outdated or promotional content.
Understanding Ethereum Mining Output
Ethereum mining, though transitioning toward proof-of-stake with ETH 2.0, was historically based on GPU-based proof-of-work. While full transition has occurred, understanding past and residual mining metrics helps evaluate older data and similar proof-of-work blockchains.
How Much Can 1G of GPU Memory Mine Per Day?
It's important to clarify that mining performance isn't measured by GPU memory (VRAM) alone, but by hash rate (MH/s). However, VRAM does play a critical role—Ethereum’s DAG file size determines compatibility. As of recent network updates, the DAG size exceeded 4GB, effectively phasing out most 4GB GPUs from efficient ETH mining.
Still, legacy estimates suggest:
- A mining setup with around 100 MH/s could yield approximately 0.7 ETH per day under early network conditions.
- Modern high-end GPUs like the RTX 3090 (with 24GB VRAM) typically deliver 80–120 MH/s, depending on optimization.
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Daily Earnings Based on Hash Rate
Hash rate directly correlates with mining rewards. Here are updated benchmarks:
- 40 MH/s: Approximately 0.0018 ETH/day
- 350 MH/s: Around 0.015–0.018 ETH/day
- 720 MH/s: Roughly 0.01893 ETH/day, depending on pool efficiency and network congestion
These values assume stable network difficulty and participation. Keep in mind that Ethereum’s shift to staking means these figures now apply mainly to Ethereum Classic (ETC) or other PoW chains.
Example: RX 580 8GB Mining Rig
A popular mid-tier rig configuration includes:
- 8x RX 580 8GB GPUs
- Total hash rate: ~210 MH/s
- Power draw: ~1200W
- Estimated daily output: 0.021 ETH/day before fees
After deducting 6% pool and management fees, net output drops to about 0.0197 ETH/day per rig.
Over two years (730 days), one rig could generate roughly 14.4 ETH, assuming constant difficulty and no hardware failure.
What About Bitcoin Mining?
Bitcoin uses SHA-256 hashing and ASIC miners dominate the network. Unlike Ethereum, Bitcoin mining is still fully operational under proof-of-work.
Bitcoin Block Reward and Daily Supply
Bitcoin adjusts its mining difficulty every 2,016 blocks (~14 days) to maintain a 10-minute block time. The current block reward is 6.25 BTC per block (as of the last halving in 2024; prior was 12.5 BTC).
With 144 blocks mined daily (24 hours × 6 blocks/hour), the total new BTC supply per day is:
144 blocks × 6.25 BTC = 900 BTC/day
Add average transaction fees (~0.1 BTC/block), and total daily miner revenue reaches approximately 914.4 BTC across all miners globally.
Individual Miner Output
For individual ASIC miners, daily earnings depend on:
- Device hash rate (e.g., Antminer S19: 110 TH/s)
- Power efficiency (J/TH)
- Pool fees
- Network difficulty
Example:
- An ASIC miner with 10 TH/s contributes a tiny fraction of the total network hashrate (~300 EH/s).
- At current difficulty, such a device earns roughly 0.0006 BTC/day, or about $25–35, depending on BTC price.
Larger operations with hundreds of units scale accordingly but face significant electricity and cooling costs.
Factors Affecting Daily Mining Profits
Mining profitability isn’t static. Several variables impact real-world returns:
1. Network Difficulty
As more miners join, difficulty increases, reducing individual rewards. Both Bitcoin and Ethereum adjust difficulty dynamically:
- Bitcoin: Every 2,016 blocks
- Ethereum (pre-merge): Every block
2. Electricity Costs
Power consumption is the largest ongoing expense. For example:
- A 1200W rig running 24/7 consumes 28.8 kWh/day
- At $0.10/kWh, electricity cost = **$2.88/day**
If daily earnings are only $3–$5, profit margins shrink rapidly.
3. Hardware Depreciation
GPUs and ASICs degrade over time. High temperatures and continuous load reduce lifespan, affecting long-term ROI.
4. Market Volatility
Crypto prices swing dramatically. Earning 0.02 ETH/day is valuable at $3,000/ETH but less so at $1,500.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can a single mining rig make you rich overnight?
A: No. Mining is a long-term investment requiring scale, low electricity costs, and market timing. Most individual rigs break even over 12–24 months—if at all.
Q: Is GPU mining still profitable after Ethereum’s merge?
A: Not for ETH itself. However, some altcoins like Ravencoin (RVN) or Ergo (ERG) remain GPU-mineable. Profitability varies widely.
Q: How do I calculate my mining profits?
A: Use online calculators that factor in hash rate, power usage, electricity cost, pool fees, and current coin price. Always verify results across multiple platforms.
Q: What happens when Bitcoin undergoes another halving?
A: The block reward will drop from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC (expected in 2028). This cuts miner income in half unless price rises proportionally.
Q: Are there alternatives to physical mining?
A: Yes—cloud mining and staking. Staking ETH post-merge allows earning rewards without hardware, though it requires locking up capital.
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Final Thoughts on Mining Viability
While mining once offered lucrative returns with basic hardware, today’s landscape demands professional-grade setups and strategic planning. For most individuals, mining is no longer a shortcut to wealth, but rather a niche activity best suited for those with:
- Access to cheap electricity (< $0.06/kWh)
- Technical expertise in system optimization
- Long-term outlook on crypto adoption
Additionally, environmental concerns and regulatory scrutiny are increasing pressure on energy-intensive mining operations.
That said, understanding mining fundamentals empowers better investment decisions—whether you're evaluating cloud contracts, staking options, or building your own rig.
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