Introduction
The Nvidia GTX 1060 3GB was once a staple for Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC) mining. However, due to the increasing size of the DAG file, these graphics cards can no longer efficiently mine ETH or ETC. This article explores the reasons behind this shift and identifies profitable alternatives for GTX 1060 3GB miners.
Why GTX 1060 3GB Stopped Mining ETH & ETC
The 3GB DAG File Limitation
The Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) file is essential for mining Ethash-based cryptocurrencies like ETH and ETC. As the DAG file grows over time (increasing by ~10MB every 5 days), it eventually exceeds the VRAM capacity of 3GB GPUs.
Current DAG Sizes:
- Ethereum: 2.79GB (epoch #229)
- Ethereum Classic: 2.85GB (epoch #237)
- Critical Threshold: When DAG size approaches 3GB, the remaining VRAM becomes insufficient for mining operations due to system processes (e.g., display output consuming 150–200MB).
Key Dates (Historical Context)
- Ethereum Classic became unminable in March 2019.
- Ethereum mining ceased in April 2019.
What to Mine Instead with GTX 1060 3GB
Ethash-Based Alternatives
| Cryptocurrency | DAG Size (GB) | Expected End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Musicoin | 2.02 | June 2020 |
| Expanse | 1.41 | April 2027 |
| Bitcoin Gold | <3 | TBD |
Note: Finminer is the most efficient miner for squeezing out remaining ETH profitability.
Non-Ethash Options
Monero (XMR):
- Algorithm: Cryptonight (GPU memory-independent).
- Pros: Energy-efficient and profitable.
Other Profitable Coins:
- Use WhatToMine for real-time profitability calculations.
Where to Mine with Nvidia GPUs
👉 2Miners Pool offers:
- Support for 21 cryptocurrencies.
- PPLNS and SOLO modes.
- Global servers and Nicehash compatibility.
FAQ
Q1: Can I still mine ETH with GTX 1060 3GB using workarounds?
A: While Finminer optimizes VRAM usage, long-term ETH mining is impractical due to DAG growth.
Q2: What’s the best miner for GTX 1060 3GB now?
A: For Ethash coins, Finminer or Bminer; for Monero, XMRig or SRBMiner.
Q3: How do I check my GPU’s VRAM usage?
A: Tools like GPU-Z or HiveOS provide real-time monitoring.
Conclusion
The GTX 1060 3GB’s mining era for ETH/ETC has ended, but opportunities remain with smaller-DAG coins or algorithm-switching. Stay updated with tools like WhatToMine and leverage efficient pools like 👉 2Miners for sustained profitability.
Keywords: GTX 1060 3GB mining, Ethereum DAG file, profitable altcoins, Finminer, Monero mining, 2Miners pool.
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