Introduction: The State of GPU Prices and Crypto Mining in 2025
If you’re wondering whether graphics card (GPU) prices have returned to “normal” in 2025 and if mining cryptocurrency can still generate passive income, you’re not alone. With Ethereum’s shift to Proof of Stake (PoS) in 2022 and Bitcoin sticking to ASIC-driven Proof of Work (PoW), the mining landscape has shifted. This post explores how GPU prices have stabilized, whether mining altcoins like Ravencoin is worth it, and a budget-friendly mining rig proposal—including costs, profits, and return on investment (ROI).
Have Display Card Prices Dropped in 2025?
Yes, GPU prices have largely normalized since their 2021–2022 peak, driven by Ethereum’s PoS transition. When ETH mining ended, the demand from miners plummeted, flooding the market with used cards and easing supply shortages. As of March 31, 2025:
- Mid-Range GPUs: Cards like the Nvidia RTX 4060 or AMD RX 7600 sit at $300–$400 MSRP, while used models like the RTX 3060 or GTX 1660 Super go for $150–$200 on eBay.
- Why Not Pre-2020 Levels? Inflation, new tech, and gaming demand keep prices above the $200 baseline of 2019 (e.g., GTX 1660 at $220 then).
- Impact of Crypto: Bitcoin’s ASIC reliance and Ethereum’s PoS mean GPUs aren’t crypto-driven anymore—prices now reflect gaming and production costs.
So, while “normal” isn’t dirt-cheap, GPUs are affordable again, making mining setups more accessible.
Can You Still Mine Crypto for Passive Income in 2025?
Absolutely—mining remains viable for passive income with the right setup. While Ethereum and Bitcoin are off the GPU table, altcoins like Ravencoin (RVN), Ergo (ERG), and Flux (FLUX) use GPU-friendly PoW algorithms. Ravencoin, with its KAWPOW algorithm, is a popular choice due to its low difficulty and steady rewards. Here’s why mining still works:
- Lower GPU Costs: Stabilized prices mean a lower entry barrier.
- Altcoin Opportunities: Coins like RVN offer consistent payouts via mining pools.
- Scalability: Start small and expand as profits roll in.
Profitability hinges on electricity costs, hardware efficiency, and coin prices—more on that below.
Proposed Minimal Ravencoin Mining Rig
Here’s a budget-friendly mining machine to mine Ravencoin in 2025, designed for beginners aiming for passive income.
Components:
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1660 Super (used) – $100–$150
Hashrate: ~22 MH/s, Power: ~80–100W - CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G – $50–$70
- Motherboard: ASRock B450M Pro4 – $70–$90
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 – $20–$30
- SSD: 120GB – $15–$25
- PSU: 450W 80+ Bronze – $40–$60
- Case: Open-air frame – $20–$40
- Optional: Riser + Fan – $15–$20
- OS: Linux (free) or Windows (~$20)
Total Cost: $330–$485 (Average: ~$400)
This rig is minimal yet scalable—add more GPUs later if profits justify it.
How to Start:
- Buy parts (eBay, Newegg, local markets).
- Install mining software (e.g., T-Rex Miner).
- Join a pool (e.g., 2Miners).
- Set up a Ravencoin wallet.
Mining Cost, Profit, and ROI
Let’s break down the financials based on this rig as of March 31, 2025.
Initial Investment:
- Total Cost: $400 (midpoint estimate).
Daily Output:
- Hashrate: 22 MH/s.
- RVN Mined: ~15–20 RVN/day (based on current difficulty ~90K–100K, block reward 2,500 RVN).
- Revenue: At $0.0182/RVN (recent price), ~$0.27–$0.36/day.
- Power Cost: 200W total draw at $0.10/kWh = $0.48/day.
- Net Profit: -$0.12 to -$0.21/day (loss at $0.10/kWh).
Adjusted for Profitability:
- At $0.05/kWh: Power = $0.24/day, Net = $0.03–$0.12/day.
- Annual Profit: $0.03 * 365 = ~$11; $0.12 * 365 = ~$44.
- At $0.03/RVN (potential 2025 growth): $0.45–$0.60/day revenue, Net = $0.21–$0.36/day at $0.05/kWh, Annual = $77–$131.
ROI (Return on Investment):
- At $11/year: ~36 years (not viable).
- At $44/year: ~9 years (still slow).
- At $77–$131/year: ~3–5 years (reasonable if RVN price rises).
For faster ROI, secure electricity below $0.05/kWh or bet on RVN reaching $0.03–$0.05 by late 2025 (speculative but plausible per market trends).
Summary: Is Mining Worth It in 2025?
- GPU Price Drop: Yes, prices are stable, with used cards like the GTX 1660 Super at $100–$150.
- Passive Income: Possible with altcoins like Ravencoin, but profits are slim unless power is cheap or prices rise.
- Rig Cost: $400 for a minimal setup.
- Annual Profit: $11–$131, depending on electricity ($0.05/kWh) and RVN price ($0.0182–$0.03).
- ROI: 3–9 years, or longer without optimization.
Mining can offset costs or build crypto holdings, but it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. If your electricity is cheap and you’re bullish on RVN, this $400 rig could pay off in a few years.
Conclusion
GPU prices have dropped from their crypto-fueled highs, making 2025 a decent time to start mining for passive income. A minimal Ravencoin rig is affordable, but profitability requires low power costs or a price bump in RVN. Ready to mine? Check your electricity rate and current RVN stats on WhatToMine.com before diving in.
I can provide you with a comparison table featuring the Nvidia GTX 1660 alongside other GPUs commonly considered good for mining, based on available data as of March 31, 2025. Since mining profitability and GPU prices fluctuate due to market conditions, cryptocurrency values, and availability, the prices and performance metrics will be approximate and based on historical trends or typical values reported for these cards. I’ll focus on hash rates (for Ethereum’s Ethash algorithm as a benchmark, where applicable), power consumption, and approximate prices. Note that Ethereum mining has shifted to Proof of Stake, so these comparisons may reflect other popular algorithms like KawPow or Equihash where relevant.
Here’s a table comparing the GTX 1660 with other notable mining GPUs:
| GPU Model | Hash Rate (MH/s) | Power Consumption (W) | Approx. Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nvidia GTX 1660 | ~20-22 (Ethash) | ~80-100 | ~$200-250 | Efficient, budget-friendly, 6GB VRAM limits some algorithms. |
| Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti | ~24-26 (Ethash) | ~90-110 | ~$250-300 | Slightly better performance than GTX 1660, still 6GB VRAM. |
| Nvidia RTX 3060 | ~36-40 (Ethash)* | ~120-140 | ~$350-450 | 12GB VRAM, LHR (Lite Hash Rate) versions limit Ethash, unlockable. |
| Nvidia RTX 3070 | ~58-62 (Ethash)* | ~130-150 | ~$500-600 | High hash rate, LHR versions exist, excellent for many algorithms. |
| AMD RX 580 8GB | ~28-31 (Ethash) | ~130-150 | ~$150-200 | Older but reliable, 8GB VRAM good for multiple algorithms, higher power. |
| AMD RX 6700 XT | ~45-48 (Ethash) | ~130-160 | ~$400-500 | Strong performance, 12GB VRAM, good for modern mining algorithms. |
Key Comparisons and Differences:
- GTX 1660 vs. GTX 1660 Ti:
- Difference: The 1660 Ti offers a slightly higher hash rate (~2-4 MH/s more) for a modest price increase (~$50). Both are limited by 6GB VRAM, making them less future-proof for algorithms requiring more memory.
- Best for: Budget miners who prioritize efficiency over raw power.
- GTX 1660 vs. RTX 3060:
- Difference: The RTX 3060 nearly doubles the hash rate and has 12GB VRAM, supporting more algorithms. However, LHR models restrict Ethash mining unless bypassed, and it’s pricier (~$150-200 more).
- Best for: Miners willing to invest more for versatility and higher returns.
- GTX 1660 vs. RTX 3070:
- Difference: The RTX 3070 triples the hash rate, but costs over twice as much and uses more power. LHR versions apply, but it excels in non-Ethash algorithms like KawPow.
- Best for: Serious miners with higher budgets seeking top-tier performance.
- GTX 1660 vs. RX 580 8GB:
- Difference: The RX 580 offers a higher hash rate (~6-9 MH/s more) and 8GB VRAM at a lower price, but consumes significantly more power (~50W more).
- Best for: Miners prioritizing cost over efficiency, especially for used market deals.
- GTX 1660 vs. RX 6700 XT:
- Difference: The RX 6700 XT delivers over twice the hash rate and 12GB VRAM, but at double the price and higher power draw.
- Best for: Miners targeting modern, memory-intensive algorithms with a mid-to-high budget.
Additional Notes:
- Hash Rate: Values are approximate and depend on overclocking, mining software, and algorithm. Ethash is used as a reference, though many miners now target coins like Ravencoin (KawPow) or Ergo (Autolykos2).
- Power Consumption: Lower wattage (like GTX 1660) reduces electricity costs, a key factor in profitability.
- Price: Prices are estimates based on historical retail or second-hand markets as of early 2025. Availability and regional pricing may vary.
- Profitability: Check sites like WhatToMine.com for real-time profitability, as it depends on electricity costs, coin prices, and network difficulty.