Pearl is mined with matrix multiplication, the same math AI models run on, so the best GPU for Pearl mining is not necessarily the best card for older hashing coins. This guide covers which Pearl mining GPUs work, what actually drives performance, and how datacenter and consumer cards compare, using only published figures from pools and mining guides.
What matters in a Pearl mining GPU
Pearl’s proof-of-useful-work algorithm has miners run noisy matrix multiplications on the GPU. That shifts what counts:
- Tensor cores. AlphaMine describes tensor cores as structurally required. Newer Nvidia generations have faster tensor cores, which is why they lead the tables.
- Nvidia first. Pearl launched as Nvidia-only. Every pool supports Nvidia cards; support for other brands is patchy (see below).
- Low VRAM needs. AlphaMine documents about 2 GB of VRAM per miner instance. The rest of the rig (CPU, RAM, storage) also barely matters.
- Efficiency. What you keep is output minus power or rental cost, so hashrate per watt matters as much as raw hashrate.
Consumer RTX cards: published hashrates
AlphaMine published these measured rates on the live network in May 2026, using its own miner. Its unit, TH/s, means tera matrix-multiplications per second.
| GPU | Reported hashrate (AlphaMine, May 2026) |
|---|---|
| RTX 4090 | 150 to 160 TH/s |
| RTX 5080 | about 105 TH/s |
| RTX 3090 | about 90 TH/s |
| CMP 100-210 (Volta) | about 70 TH/s |
| RTX 3070 | 50 to 60 TH/s |
| RTX 3060 Ti | 40 to 50 TH/s |
Kryptex Pool lists its own examples: an RTX 5090 at 220 TH/s and four RTX 4090s at 520 TH/s (about 130 TH/s per card, lower than AlphaMine’s 4090 figure). The gap is a good reminder that numbers depend on the miner, drivers and settings.
The pattern is clear even if exact figures vary: the RTX 50 and 40 series lead, the 30 series sits in the middle, and older cards trail. Mining-only cards such as the Volta-based CMP 100-210 and the CMP 170HX also work on some pools.
Datacenter GPUs: H100 and H200
The official Pearl Research pool accepts only H100 and H200 cards and charges a 20% fee. These are the cards Pearl’s design is aimed at, since they already run AI workloads in datacenters. We did not find a published per-card Pearl hashrate for them from a source we could verify, so we leave that out.
Few people own an H100. The usual route is renting one from a cloud provider by the hour, or buying a mining plan through Pearl Research’s own Pearl Compute service. Either way, the cost is rent rather than electricity. Our profitability guide shows how to compare that rent with what the card produces.
Datacenter vs consumer cards
| H100 / H200 | Consumer RTX | |
|---|---|---|
| Official pool | Yes (20% fee) | No |
| Community pools | Support varies | Widely supported |
| How you usually get one | Rent by the hour | Buy, or use one you already own |
| Main cost | Rental price | Electricity and the card itself |
What about AMD and Intel?
Early guides, including Hashrate Index and AlphaMine, described Pearl mining as Nvidia-only. Since then, some community pools such as Kryptex Pool and WoolyPooly list AMD cards (and Kryptex lists Intel Arc) as supported through third-party miners, while AlphaPool still lists AMD as unverified. If you plan to mine on AMD, confirm support with your specific pool first. If you are buying hardware for Pearl, Nvidia is the choice every pool supports.
How to pick your card
- Check that your pool supports the exact model. AlphaPool, for example, publishes a qualified list.
- Find a recent hashrate for it from your pool or miner, not a months-old chart.
- Measure power draw at the wall, or note the hourly rental price.
- Run the numbers with the method in is Pearl mining profitable?
Compare pool fees and minimum payouts in Pearl mining pools compared, then follow how to mine Pearl to get started. Whatever card you use, send payouts to a prl1p address you control. Oyster’s miner mode gives you one fixed payout address for that.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best GPU for Pearl mining?
Among consumer cards, the newest high-end Nvidia RTX cards report the highest Pearl hashrates in published pool figures, with the RTX 5090 and RTX 4090 at the top. Datacenter H100 and H200 cards are the only ones the official Pearl Research pool accepts. The best card for you is the one whose output beats its power or rental cost at your pool.
Can I mine Pearl on an AMD GPU?
Pearl launched as an Nvidia-only coin and Nvidia remains the safest choice. As of September 2026 a few community pools list AMD cards as supported through third-party miners, while others still do not. Check your pool's supported hardware list before relying on an AMD card.
How much VRAM do I need to mine Pearl?
Very little. AlphaMine documents roughly 2 GB of VRAM per miner instance. Tensor cores matter far more than memory size, because Pearl mining is matrix multiplication.
Can I mine Pearl with an RTX 3060 or other older card?
Often, yes. AlphaMine reported about 40 to 50 TH/s for an RTX 3060 Ti in May 2026. Support for older generations varies by pool and miner, so check the pool's list. Older cards earn less per watt, so run the numbers first.
