GPUs used for cryptocurrency mining lose 10% of their performance every year

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Consumers are being warned not to buy used graphics cards from an influx of cryptocurrency miners looking to sell, with one manufacturer claiming that the practice significantly damages GPU performance.

Despite an increase in the number of cryptocurrency miners selling their used graphics cards, GPU maker Palit Microsystems has warned against purchasing graphics cards that have been used for mining.

Speaking to Benchmark.pl (thanks, PC Gamer), the company explains that the cards used for cryptocurrency are used at much higher temperatures than normal, resulting in “problems with the cooling systems.” and “accelerated oxidation of solder joints, which can lead to GPU or memory chip failure”.

Palit Microsystems also refers to findings from independent testing, which suggest “graphics cards after one year of operation in excavators. [cryptocurrency mining rigs] may have approximately 10% less performance than new identical models.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. Credit: Nvidia

The article further describes the purchase of graphics cards from cryptocurrency miners as a “lottery” in which buyers can lose money.

These warnings follow a rush for cryptocurrency miners trying to sell their often-extensive collections of graphics cards, following crackdowns in China, especially in areas where miners took advantage of low energy costs.

Along with an increase in used GPU sales, there are other signs that it has worked. Earlier this month, it was reported that GPU power for the Ethereum network had dropped 19% in just one month.

Supply issues in the industry have led to widespread GPU shortages across the world, which have been exacerbated by demand from cryptocurrency miners – in the first quarter of 2021 alone, crypto miners have bought about 700,000 graphics cards.

While it can be tempting to see so many graphics cards readily available, it’s probably best to wait for a chance to officially buy – last month Nvidia predicted that more RTX 3060s will reach consumers soon.

In other news, Sonic The Hedgehog made a crossover appearance in Two Point Hospital.

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