The cryptocurrency goldrush looks like it’s losing its lustre

Cryptocurrency mining

It’s going to be alright. We’re going to be alright. According to a post on DigiTimes cryptocurrency mining machine manufacturers are asking to put off planned shipments of mining ASICs due to “lackluster replacement demand for mining machines.” If they’re not getting any reward out of the ASICs, then maybe they’re also turning away from our graphics cards too. Maybe.

Check out our pick of the best graphics cards you can actually buy.

We’re starting to see the prices of graphics cards starting to slowly fall and, while they may never get back to their original levels, the pricing of modern GPUs is becoming far more palatable. You can grab an Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB card for $330 or £270. The price dip is even true for AMD graphics cards too, with new 8GB RX 580s available on Amazon for $328 and £249, depending on where you’re coming from.

On the ASIC side DigiTimes are suggesting that as the mining difficulty is outgrowing the performance of the dedicated mining machines, and the fact the latest Bitmain devices haven’t been performing as hoped, is seeing lower demand for replacement machines from the previously buoyant individual mining players.

Bitmain AntMiner E3

Couple that with prices looking less than rosy on the virtual currency markets at the moment and it looks like cryptocurrency mining might be hitting another dip.

The bad news for us gamers is that part of the slowdown in device demand is being put down to both the big mining outfits and the small fry individual prospectors waiting on new graphics cards from both Nvidia and AMD. That means they’re lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce on any new cards either GPU team puts out.

Hands off our GTX 2080, or GTX 1180, or whatever. I don’t care, just keep your filthy goddamn mining hands off our GPUs!

Either way, tight component supply and rising pricing is going to keep being a theme for gaming hardware over the next few years. DigiTimes are also reporting that, despite GlobalWafers expanding their wafer supply with increased production from their Korea plant in 2020, component pricing is going to keep going up.

Okay, so maybe it’s not going to be alright.