In this comprehensive guide, we'll objectively evaluate and compare seven popular Ethereum ETH mining software options: GMiner, T-Rex, EthMiner, lolMiner, Phoenix Miner, NBMiner, and Team Red Miner. Our detailed testing results will help you choose the most efficient ETH mining software for your setup.
Ethereum Mining Landscape Overview
The skyrocketing Ethereum transaction fees present an unexpected opportunity for developers with idle NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards. By participating in ETH mining, you can convert these unused resources into passive income from gas fee revenues.
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Testing Methodology
1. ETH Mining Software Testing Environment
We configured two distinct mining rigs:
- NVIDIA Setup: 9× Nvidia 1660Ti GPUs
- AMD Setup: 4× AMD 5700 GPUs
Each mining software ran for 3 hours with default settings. To ensure accurate results, we created a dedicated ETH mining pool with significantly reduced share difficulty (64M vs standard 8.72G).
Key Metric: The share count at the end of testing period proved most crucial for evaluation.
2. Hashrate Calculation Methods
We tracked two hashrate metrics:
- Pool-Calculated Hashrate: Actual average from share submissions
- Software-Reported Hashrate: Final value shown in mining interface
Hashrate formula:
(Shares per second) × (Share difficulty) = Hashrate
Example: 2 shares/second × 64M difficulty = 128 MH/s
NVIDIA GPU Mining Results
3. Hardware Configuration
- Motherboard: MSI Z270 A-pro
- Processor: Celeron G3930
- RAM: 12GB
- SSD: 120GB
- PSUs: 2× DeepCool KCAS-1000M 1000W
- GPUs: 9× Nvidia MSI Gaming X GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
- OC Settings: Core -650, Mem 2290, PL 70
- Driver: Nvidia 460.39
- OS: Linux
4. Performance Rankings
| Rank | Software | Pool Hashrate | Reported Hashrate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GMiner 2.43 | 282 MH/s | 285 MH/s | Most efficient |
| 2 | T-Rex 0.19.9 | 280 MH/s | 283 MH/s | Consistent performer |
| 3 | Ethminer 0.19.0 | 275 MH/s | 275 MH/s | 100% accurate reporting |
| 4 | lolMiner 1.20 | 270 MH/s | 272 MH/s | Good alternative |
| 5 | Phoenix Miner | 276.86 MH/s | 284.577 MH/s | Focus on "effective speed" |
| 6 | NBMiner 36.1 | 260 MH/s | 268 MH/s | Inflated reporting |
Key Observations:
- GMiner and T-Rex lead with ~3% dev fee
- Open-source Ethminer shows perfectly accurate reporting
- Phoenix Miner displays three hashrate metrics – only "effective speed" is reliable
- NBMiner showed the largest reporting discrepancy
AMD GPU Mining Results
5. Hardware Configuration
- Motherboard: MSI Z270 A-pro
- Processor: Celeron G3930
- RAM: 4GB
- SSD: 120GB
- PSU: Cougar CMX 1200W
- GPUs: 4× AMD Power Color RX 5700
- OC Settings: Core 1300, Mem 930
- Driver: AMD 20.40
- OS: Linux
6. Performance Rankings
| Rank | Software | Pool Hashrate | Reported Hashrate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team Red Miner 0.8.0 | 225 MH/s | 225 MH/s | Clear AMD leader |
| 2 | Phoenix Miner 5.5c | 214.58 MH/s | 220 MH/s | Reliable effective speed |
| 3 | lolMiner 1.20 | 213 MH/s | 215 MH/s | Solid performance |
| 4 | NBMiner 36.1 | 202 MH/s | 208 MH/s | Trails by ~10% |
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Critical Analysis
7. Testing Confidence & Future Considerations
Our expanded testing (5× more shares than previous tests) achieved ~99% confidence level. However, mining remains a Poisson process with inherent variability. For absolute certainty, testing would require:
- 10 million shares per software
- Approximately 1 month per configuration
Such extended testing becomes impractical due to frequent software updates. Therefore, we recommend:
- Verifying results with your specific hardware
- Monitoring for software updates
- Re-testing after major optimizations
8. Key Takeaways
- NVIDIA Cards: GMiner and T-Rex deliver highest efficiency
- AMD Cards: Team Red Miner dominates with 5% advantage
- Reporting Accuracy: Ethminer and Team Red Miner show perfect correlation
- Caution Needed: Some software (Phoenix, NBMiner) require interpreting specific metrics
Remember: Your actual results may vary based on GPU models, overclock settings, and system configuration.
FAQs
Q: How often should I re-test mining software?
A: After major updates (typically every 2-3 months) or when changing hardware.
Q: Why do some software show higher hashrates than actual?
A: Some include internal calculations that don't reflect accepted shares. Always verify against pool data.
Q: Is open-source software better?
A: Not necessarily. While Ethminer shows perfect accuracy, proprietary options often offer better performance.
Q: How significant are developer fees?
A: Typically 1-3% of mining time. The efficiency gains often outweigh this cost.
Q: Can I mix NVIDIA and AMD cards?
A: Yes, but you'll need to run separate software instances, complicating setup.
Q: When will Ethereum transition to Proof-of-Stake?
A: The timeline keeps shifting, but mining likely remains viable through 2025. Stay updated with Ethereum development.