Graphics card or ASIC?

6 april 2023 10:53

ASIC only is capable of mining and only mines one algorithm, i.e. it is limited to a small set of coins or to a single coin alone. For example, ASIC for Bitcoin cannot mine Monero. And vice versa. And GPU can not only mine all coins, but can do many things beyond mining: play games, render 3D models, edit videos, and train neural networks.

GPU’s have diversity on their side, but ASICs win in terms of efficiency. For example, one Innosilicon A10 7 GB mines as much as 7 RTX 3080 video cards, but consumes the same amount of electricity as only 5 of them.

The GPU’s are warm and noisy, but the ASICs are even noisier. 10-20 video cards on a balcony is an acceptable and still comfortable level of noise. 1-2 ASICs is comparable to a vacuum cleaner, meaning all your neighbours won't be able to sleep.

ASICs may be more profitable and efficient, but video cards are easier to start with and safer to continue.

Share: