AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Mining profitability comparison for Monero (XMR), Ravencoin (RVN), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Alephium (ALPH)
Verdict: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
For Monero mining, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT is the more efficient choice, delivering roughly 57% more hashrate per watt than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT draws 140W less, cutting electricity costs by about $86/year at $0.07/kWh. Bottom line: if power efficiency is your priority, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT is the stronger pick — but confirm with your real electricity rate and current hardware prices below, since acquisition cost ultimately drives ROI.
Specifications
| Spec | AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Type | ASIC | ASIC |
| Algorithm | ||
| Hashrate (XMR) | 39 MH/s | 48 MH/s |
| Power Draw | 150 W | 290 W |
| Efficiency | GPU (multi-algo) | GPU (multi-algo) |
| Supported Coins | XMR, RVN, ETC, ALPH | XMR, RVN, ETC, ALPH |
| Release Year | N/A | N/A |
Hashrate & Efficiency per Coin
| Coin | AMD XT HR | NVIDIA Ti HR | Power A | Power B | More Efficient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XMR | 39 MH/s | 48 MH/s | 150 W | 290 W | 6800 ✓ |
| RVN | 39 MH/s | 48 MH/s | 150 W | 290 W | 6800 ✓ |
| ETC | 39 MH/s | 48 MH/s | 150 W | 290 W | 6800 ✓ |
| ALPH | 39 MH/s | 48 MH/s | 150 W | 290 W | 6800 ✓ |
Daily Electricity Cost at Different Rates
Electricity cost only (not including coin revenue). Lower is better for any given rate.
| Electricity Rate | AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.04/kWh | $0.14 | $0.28 | -$0.13 (A cheaper) |
| $0.06/kWh | $0.22 | $0.42 | -$0.20 (A cheaper) |
| $0.07/kWh | $0.25 | $0.49 | -$0.24 (A cheaper) |
| $0.1/kWh | $0.36 | $0.70 | -$0.34 (A cheaper) |
| $0.12/kWh | $0.43 | $0.84 | -$0.40 (A cheaper) |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.54 | $1.04 | -$0.50 (A cheaper) |
| $0.2/kWh | $0.72 | $1.39 | -$0.67 (A cheaper) |
Pros & Cons
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
- Best watts-per-MH ratio of any mainstream GPU at KAWPOW
- Low acquisition cost (~$350–$450 secondary market)
- 16 GB GDDR6 — future-proof VRAM for growing DAG files
- Quiet at full load compared to high-end NVIDIA cards
- Lower absolute hashrate than RTX 4090 (39 vs 62 MH/s KAWPOW)
- RDNA2 architecture — older gaming profile affects resale
- AMD firmware tuning requires more effort than NVIDIA for beginners
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
- Strong absolute hashrate at a lower price than RTX 4090
- Wide secondary-market availability globally
- 12 GB GDDR6X VRAM — handles current DAG sizes comfortably
- 290 W power draw — higher than efficiency-tuned AMD options
- Ampere architecture is one generation older than Ada (4000 series)
- Less efficient than RX 6800 XT on KAWPOW per watt
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti more profitable for Monero mining?
Based on hashrate-per-watt efficiency, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT is more efficient for Monero mining. However, actual profitability depends on your electricity cost, hardware acquisition price, and coin price — use the live calculator for exact numbers.
What is the power consumption difference between the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti?
For Monero mining, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT draws 150 W while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti draws 290 W. The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT uses 140 W less power, which at $0.07/kWh saves ~$86 per year in electricity.
Can both the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti mine the same coins?
Yes — both units can mine Monero (XMR) and Ravencoin (RVN) and Ethereum Classic (ETC) and Alephium (ALPH). You can switch between these coins with a simple pool configuration change.
Which unit has a better ROI?
ROI depends on hardware acquisition price, electricity cost, and coin price trajectory. The more efficient unit (better J/TH or hashrate per watt) will generally have a lower operating cost per coin mined, but the absolute ROI timeline is determined by the purchase price. Always model both units in the MiningReturns calculator with your specific electricity rate and current market prices.
More Comparisons
Enter your electricity rate for live earnings estimates on both units.