Overview
The soaring popularity of Ethereum (ETH) continues to fuel miners' profits, making high-hashrate graphics cards a prime target. Today, we examine a real-world scenario where a well-known industry figure ("Xuan Ji") assisted a friend in purchasing an RTX 3070 mining rig with "budget edition" cards priced at ~¥4,500 each.
Key Insight:
While media often conflates mining with Bitcoin (BTC), the current frenzy primarily revolves around ETH. When miners purchase RTX 3060 TI/3070 GPUs directly from distributors, market dynamics skew prices upward—why sell at MSRP when demand allows for 20–30% markups?
Performance Benchmark: RTX 3060 TI vs. 3070
Test Configuration
- CPU: Intel Xeon E-2278G ES (9th Gen)
- Motherboard: ASRock Z370 Pro4
- RAM: Crucial C9 @ 3600MHz (16-19-19-42)
GPUs:
- Galax RTX 3060 TI Metal Master (Non-OC)
- Galax RTX 3070 Metal Master (Non-OC) (Previous test reference)
FURMARK 1080P Stress Test (15 mins)
| Metric | RTX 3060 TI | RTX 3070 | Performance Ratio |
|-----------------|------------|----------|-------------------|
| FPS | 175 | 195 | 90% |
| Temperature (°C)| 68 | 63 | — |
3DMark & Power Draw
GPU-Z Power Consumption:
- 3060 TI: 206W
- 3070: 217.6W
MSRP Value Proposition:
- 3060 TI (¥2,999) delivers ~90% of 3070 (¥3,899) performance for 23% lower cost.
👉 Explore GPU mining efficiency trends
Market Realities & Miner Economics
Pricing Paradox:
- Distributors prioritize profits, often ignoring MSRP.
- Example: RTX 3060 TI sells for ¥3,800+ (vs. ¥2,999 MSRP).
Consumer Impact:
- "Paper launch" shortages force buyers into inflated aftermarkets.
- Rig builders face 40–60% higher upfront costs versus 2021.
FAQ: Mining Rig Essentials
Q1: Is ETH mining still profitable in 2025?
A: While ETH has transitioned to Proof-of-Stake (PoS), other coins (e.g., Ravencoin, Ergo) remain GPU-mineable—though ROI depends on electricity costs.
Q2: Why are RTX 30-series cards overpriced?
A: Post-pandemic supply gaps and secondary-market speculation sustain high prices.
Q3: Should I buy a prebuilt mining rig now?
A: Only if you secure GPUs near MSRP; otherwise, consider cloud mining alternatives.
👉 Compare mining profitability calculators
Conclusion
The RTX 3060 TI emerges as a theoretical value champion—but current market distortions render it a "look but don’t touch" product for most. Until supply stabilizes, the mantra remains: Wait for fair pricing.