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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →AMD’s August 2017 beta blockchain driver helped Radeon RX Vega cards deliver strong Ethereum mining results in contemporary tests, but the exact gain depended on the settings and test method. HotHardware reported a memory-overclocked RX Vega 56 at 36.48 MH/s; its power figures were measured for the whole test system, not the graphics card alone. These results are historical: Ethereum mainnet mining ended with the September 2022 move to proof of stake.
What did the AMD blockchain driver change?
HotHardware tested AMD’s Radeon Software Crimson ReLive Edition Beta for Blockchain Compute against its earlier RX Vega Ethereum setup in an article published August 15, 2017. The report described gains at stock speeds, but its hashrate graph is an image and the article text does not provide every stock-rate value. There is therefore no reliable written stock-rate delta to quote. HotHardware did report that a memory-overclocked Vega 56 reached 36.48 MH/s. HotHardware’s original test.
That distinction matters: the beta was aimed at blockchain compute, and the headline result was not a guaranteed improvement for every card, setting, or mining algorithm. AMD’s caveat, quoted by HotHardware, was that the driver was “provided as a beta level support driver” and would not receive further updates, upgrades, or bug fixes.
What were the RX Vega 56 and Vega 64 results?
The figures below come from separate historical tests. HotHardware reported total-system power; ComputerBase reported card power. Their results use different settings and measurement boundaries, so the rows should not be treated as a single head-to-head experiment.
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| Source and test | Card and settings | Ethereum hashrate | Power measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| HotHardware, 2017 | RX Vega 56, stock | Stock rate not stated in article text; the graph is an image | 288 W total-system power |
| HotHardware, 2017 | RX Vega 56, memory at 1900 MHz | 36.48 MH/s | 290 W total-system power |
| HotHardware, 2017 | RX Vega 64, stock | Stock rate not stated in article text; the graph is an image | 360 W total-system power |
| HotHardware, 2017 | RX Vega 64, memory at 2 GHz | Rate not stated in article text | 361 W total-system power |
| ComputerBase, 2017 | RX Vega 56, listed stock settings, blockchain driver | 31.4 MH/s | 216 W card power; 6.9 W/MH/s |
| ComputerBase, 2017 | RX Vega 56, tuned settings | 36.6 MH/s | 312 W card power |
| ComputerBase, 2017 | RX Vega 64, tuned settings | 37.7 MH/s | 244 W card power |
ComputerBase’s separate 2017 benchmarks show why a single “best Vega” answer is misleading. Under its reported tuned settings, Vega 64 reached a higher hashrate than Vega 56, while its stock-setting Vega 56 result was lower than its tuned result. The tests differ in clocking and power tuning; they do not establish that one model is categorically superior across settings. ComputerBase’s 2017 Vega mining test.
Why the power numbers cannot be compared directly
HotHardware’s wattages include the rest of the test computer. ComputerBase’s wattages refer to the graphics card. A 288 W whole-system reading and a 216 W card reading are not conflicting estimates of the same quantity, and subtracting one from the other would not produce a valid efficiency comparison.
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Settings also matter: memory frequency, core clock, power target, undervolting, miner software, and thermal stability can all affect throughput and consumption. The sources do not provide a common controlled setup that would make a direct efficiency ranking between these HotHardware and ComputerBase figures valid.
Did the driver always improve mining performance?
No. Results varied with algorithm and driver version. In a February 2018 ComputerBase comparison of Vega 64 Ethereum performance, Adrenalin 18.1.1 produced 36.1 MH/s, compared with 35.7 MH/s on the blockchain driver. For its Monero and Zcash results, the blockchain driver performed better. That comparison is evidence against treating “blockchain driver” as a universal performance upgrade. ComputerBase’s 2018 multi-algorithm comparison.
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Was the later Linux driver the same release?
No. AMD’s Linux AMDGPU-Pro 17.40 release notes, dated December 15, 2017, describe large-page support for blockchain compute workloads and list Radeon RX Vega compatibility. This later Linux release is distinct from the Windows beta driver in HotHardware’s August story. AMD’s AMDGPU-Pro 17.40 Linux release notes.
Phoronix subsequently tested that Linux path using Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS, Linux 4.10, AMDGPU-PRO 17.40, manually installed bundled ROCm OpenCL packages, and the kernel parameter amdgpu.vm_fragment_size=9 for 2 MB fragments. Those conditions describe a separate Linux benchmark, not a reproduction of HotHardware’s test. Phoronix’s Linux Ethereum and OpenCL test.
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- 【Compact Size & Wide Compatibility】: Measuring 240x135x45mm (9.45x5.31x1.77 inches), this dual-fan RX 580 fits perfectly into standard ATX Mid-Towers, Micro-ATX (M-ATX), ideal for compact desktop PC upgrades and space-saving gaming builds.
- 【Optimized Gaming Performance】: With 2048 Stream Processors and a 1206 MHz core clock, this card delivers solid frame rates in popular titles like Fortnite, GTA V, Apex Legends, and Valorant. It’s the ideal budget-friendly GPU for entry-level to mid-range gaming rigs.
- 【Advanced Thermal Management】: Engineered with a dual-fan cooling system and high-efficiency heat pipes to ensure stable performance under heavy loads. The intelligent fan control keeps your system quiet during light office work and provides maximum airflow during intense gaming sessions.
- 【Ready for Content Creation】: Supports DirectX 12, Vulkan, and OpenGL 4.6, making it more than just a gaming card. It provides hardware acceleration for video editing in Premiere Pro, 3D rendering in Blender, and smooth streaming for aspiring creators.
Can you still mine Ethereum with a GPU?
No—not on Ethereum mainnet. The Ethereum Foundation said that after the Merge, mining would no longer be possible on the network; Ethereum completed the transition to proof of stake in September 2022. Ethereum.org’s current documentation likewise states that mining has been switched off. The RX Vega figures explain a 2017 hardware story, not a present-day way to earn Ethereum through mainnet mining. Ethereum Foundation’s Mainnet Merge announcement; Ethereum.org’s mining documentation.
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