Pick a hardware type
Each type locks you into a different range of coins, costs, and noise levels. Start here.
Hardware type
ASIC — single-purpose, highest hashrate
Purpose-built silicon for one algorithm. Best income per dollar on big chains, but locked to that chain forever.
Price: $3,000–$15,000 new
Examples: Antminer S21, Whatsminer M60, Avalon A1466
Hardware type
GPU — flexible, switch coins
Off-the-shelf graphics cards. Lower per-watt income than ASICs, but you can switch algorithms or resell to gamers.
Price: $300–$2,500 per card
Examples: RTX 4090, RX 7900 XTX, A100 (also rentable for AI)
Hardware type
CPU — only useful for a few coins
Your existing computer's CPU. Realistic income is cents per day. Mostly worth it on Monero-family chains.
Price: $0 (you already own one)
Examples: Ryzen 9 7950X, Threadripper 7980X, EPYC servers