Wednesday, February 28th 2018

"Where Are My Graphics Cards?" - 3 Million Sold to Cryptocurrency Miners in 2017

by
Raevenlord
 Discuss (117 Comments)
The title of this piece is both question and answer, though users that keep up with PC-related news knew the answer already. Jon Peddie Research, in a new report, pegs the number of total graphics cards sold to miners at a pretty respectable 3 million units (worth some $776 million). That's some 3 million gamers that could be enjoying video games on their PCs right now, or which would be able to enjoy them at a much lower price that they had to recently pay to have the privilege.

AMD has been the primary benefactor here - its GPU market share went up by 8.1%, while NVIDIA's dropped by 6% and Intel's by 1.9% (the fact that Intel's graphics processing units come embedded in the company's processors helps keep that number stable). As it is, attachment rates of GPUs to systems was over 100% at 136%, the result of miners buying more cards per system in an effort to maximize profits. Jon Peddie thinks that gaming will still be the key player to drive GPU sales, though "augmented by the demand from cryptocurrency miners." The firm also expects demand for GPUs to slacken, coeteris paribus, due to "increasing utilities costs and supply and demand forces that drive up AIB prices." However, for those looking for prices to drop before upgrading their system, the news aren't rosy: the article states that pricing will not drop in the foreseeable future, so owners of GPUs that can actually mine already are being encouraged to mine while not gaming, so as to try and offset the markups in the current GPU offerings.
Overall GPU shipments in the fourth quarter of 2017 actually decreased 1.5% from the previous quarter, though JPR said that was due to normal seasonal activity. But even with miners' help to drive sales, overall GPU market shipments declined 4.8 percent - the only actual positive trend in that market were the actual discrete desktop GPUs.
Some key highlights JPR calls attention to are as follows:
  • AMD's overall unit shipments increased 8.08% quarter-to-quarter, Intel's total shipments decreased -1.98% from last quarter, and Nvidia's decreased -6.00%.
  • The attach rate of GPUs (includes integrated and discrete GPUs) to PCs for the quarter was 134% which was down -10.06% from last quarter.
  • Discrete GPUs were in 36.88% of PCs, which is down -2.67%.
  • The overall PC market increased 5.93% quarter-to-quarter, and decreased -0.15% year-to-year.
  • Desktop graphics add-in boards (AIBs) that use discrete GPUs decreased -4.62% from last quarter.
  • Q4'17 saw no change in tablet shipments from last quarter.
Sources: JPR, via PC Gamer

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117 Comments on "Where Are My Graphics Cards?" - 3 Million Sold to Cryptocurrency Miners in 2017

#76
Xzibit
R-T-BAlso lol @ this "fact." How does electricity usage = internet trafic. Simply a leap of logic there, and not a good one.

With facts like that, you sure have a lot of faith.

I've never denied bitcoin is an energy pig. I've actually said bitcoin needs to die on numerous occasions. Bitcoin is a prototype of what cryptocurrency has/can become, and not a good one either.
Really? Did you miss this part ?
XzibitYou can even toss in Facebook at 1.8 TWH for 2016 which combine with Google your talking about an estimated 70% of the internet traffic going through their services according to Newsweek article.
I could just use my own personally experience and pass it off as journalism but the truth is I didn't care for this topic until members started talking about it and you seam to develop a very defensive stance even taking it personal at times in these thread topics.

Oh, I'm sure your not right...
NewsweekSites and services owned and operated by Facebook and Google—such as WhatsApp, YouTube and Instagram—now account for over 70 percent of all internet traffic, compared to a joint market share of around 50 percent in early 2014.
By all means link to some information
Posted on Reply
#77
yotano211
intelzenwhat is your point? oh right - you had none and the one you had was false (Xzibit showed you) - so now you just keep on trolling :banghead:
The only thing he showed me was the power usage of some things, how is that showing me. I already know that mining takes up a lot of power usage.
I'm not trolling, I'm just mining and selling graphics cards to people. If you like one, I can send you the ebay link, gpu is slightly used.

I offset my "carbon" footprint by driving a Toyota Prius
STOCK PHOTO-Same color
Posted on Reply
#78
R-T-B
XzibitReally? Did you miss this part ?
Since you edited it in, yes I did.

EDIT: You didn't edit it in... You just wrote it in an odd way. That final line makes it sound very much like you are saying because google uses 70% of the internet, so does bitcoin, a clear logical fail.
XzibitI could just use my own personally experience and pass it off as journalism but the truth is I didn't care for this topic until members started talking about it and you seam to develop a very defensive stance even taking it personal at times in these thread topics.
Your misinterpreting a guy who enjoys debate for taking something personal. I can assure you nothing of the sort is happening here... unless someone blatantly insults fellow users as "scum" but that's a bit more direct and intentionally personal to a community of people I love, frankly.
XzibitOh, I'm sure your not right...
Really? Because with your edit, I'm pretty sure you are correct. Google uses 70% of internet traffic pretty surely (I thought you were arguing bitcoin did, which I'm pretty sure you weren't now. But honestly, the way you wrote it is quite confusing).

So with me not being right about thinking your right, that means your wrong?

Help. :confused:
Posted on Reply
#79
intelzen
yotano211The only thing he showed me was the power usage of some things, how is that showing me. I already know that mining takes up a lot of power usage.
I'm not trolling, I'm just mining and selling graphics cards to people. If you like one, I can send you the ebay link, gpu is slightly used.

I offset my "carbon" footprint by driving a Toyota Prius
STOCK PHOTO-Same color
nothing but respect for your Prius, tough I drive suv diesel (as worse for nature as V8 gasoline) my self and I do mine with my gtx 1080 (well I did when I could get >2,5$/day)! but I know it is bad, I know I am doing wrong only for my pleasure and greed. That is why I do not troll forums like you and R-T-B with crooked logic and wrong facts (like - "umm I do not have any facts or data, but I think youtube vidoes do a CO2 footprint - so that is why my actions somewehow is less wrong, right?") :banghead:.
Seriously Xzibit gives you fats that none of you can denny, but still it is not enough so you two and you presented 0 facts (yes I know it is not "factz") so you just spam/troll.
Posted on Reply
#80
R-T-B
intelzen"umm I do not have any facts or data, but I think youtube vidoes do a CO2 footprint - so that is why my actions somewehow is less wrong, right?"
My point was that both consume power for a useless cause.

I jokingly referenced a need to know numbers. Nowhere did I state I seriously think it compares.
intelzenspam/troll.
I think you need to learn the definition of these words.

No, I can't deny his facts. I just don't see how they give him or you a right to tell others what to do with their paid for electricity.
intelzenbut I know it is bad, I know I am doing wrong only for my pleasure and greed.
Good for you. I can only state that I do not feel that way.

If you want a link for my mining numbers, in the meantime:

www.techpowerup.com/240951/confessions-of-a-crypto-miner-efficiency
Posted on Reply
#81
Xzibit
R-T-BSince you edited it in, yes I did.

EDIT: You didn't edit it in... You just wrote it in an odd way. That final line makes it sound very much like you are saying because google uses 70% of the internet, so does bitcoin, a clear logical fail.

Really? Because with your edit, I'm pretty sure you are correct. Google uses 70% of internet traffic pretty surely (I thought you were arguing bitcoin did, which I'm pretty sure you weren't now. But honestly, the way you wrote it is quite confusing).

So with me not being right about thinking your right, that means your wrong?

Help. :confused:
Yes confusing. I'll edit it. Hopefully it will make sense.
R-T-BYour misinterpreting a guy who enjoys debate for taking something personal. I can assure you nothing of the sort is happening here... unless someone blatantly insults fellow users as "scum" but that's a bit more direct and intentionally personal to a community of people I love, frankly.
That's the thing your try'n to debate the act. You have to take a side for that. You done it, doing it and writing about it. Clearly your invested in it.

I have no issue if people like it, do it. that's their thing.

I'm just presenting quotes and links (some with facts) on the conversation that first sparked my interest.
R-T-BNo, I can't deny his facts. I just don't see how they give him or you a right to tell others what to do with their paid for electricity.
I don't recall ever telling someone one what they should do. Link it, if I have.

Now that you mention it. I kind of want to tell people not to buy a Prius but I wont.
Posted on Reply
#82
R-T-B
XzibitThat's the thing your try'n to debate the act.
A lot of it is actually playing devils advocate to the people who refer to miners as "scum," it's not so much as vested interest as you assume.
XzibitYou done it, doing it and writing about it.
Not always with a positive tone, you may note. ;)

I do it to learn. I honestly think mining needs to go away eventually (hopefully soon), but blockchain does not. I also won't shed tears when it does, as these GPUs I bought are usable for plenty else.

You may note in my posts I'm pro-crypto regulation. Part of that pro-regulation includes actually dealing with things like the Iceland (and elsewhere) energy problem.

I know, that's not really what I was arguing earlier. Devils advocate at play.
Posted on Reply
#83
_JP_
R-T-BYou wouldn't wear it down in any meaningful way. That's really a myth.
If I'm conservative in clocking and set the cooling to all it can do, sure. I don't have hardware in open air, it's a regular desktop chassis. Galloping all the time takes its toll.
Posted on Reply
#84
R-T-B
_JP_If I'm conservative in clocking and set the cooling to all it can do, sure. I don't have hardware in open air, it's a regular desktop chassis. Galloping all the time takes its toll.
Fair point.
Posted on Reply
#85
intelzen
R-T-BNo, I can't deny his facts. I just don't see how they give him or you a right to tell others what to do with their paid for electricity.
I never said that. as I said in my last post - I am not some nature hippie that thinks he is and does better. You do with your electricity bill what you like - you can burn a 500w heater outside your house 24/7 if you like, but you must admit it (to your self at least) - it is wrong and even if youtube videos would magically burn even more watts - you should stop your stupidity regardless if we reduce youtube or not! and least you could do - not spread your false logic in forums !
R-T-Bspam/troll.
I think you need to learn the definition of these words."
You are the definition of it - you have time to spam messages here (repeat same BS in different words and to reply on every message even if you do not have nothing new or relevant, or factual to add), you disregard many facts that have been presented to you, and Nothing can and will change your mind. I call those people Trolls.

again (I must repeat my self) - I have nothing against you making buck out of situation and I have nothing against you being dumb and stubborn - I just think dumb people should not spread false BS in forums as much as you do! or they need to be called out for it and that is why I did waste time on your stupidity.
Posted on Reply
#86
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
intelzenYou are the definition of it - you have time to spam messages here (repeat same BS in different words and to reply on every message even if you do not have nothing new or relevant, or factual to add), you disregard many facts that have been presented to you, and Nothing can and will change your mind. I call those people Trolls
On the contrary, based on my observations of his contributions over the numerous years he has been active here, @R-T-B has plenty to add on most subjects. Please note, he and I do not see eye to eye on many topics, yet I value his presence and contribution.

As for his crypto mining contributions, he is very active in all these discussions because he is immersed in it....at the request and direction of the site owner W1zzard. That’s right, he has been charged with gathering as much first hand knowledge as possible on mining for a year, to add to the site’s knowledge base.
Posted on Reply
#87
R-T-B
intelzenit is wrong
I honestly am not sure I agree with that. It may be foolish right now and very much in a beta phase, but "wrong" is a powerful word choice.
Posted on Reply
#88
intelzen
rtwjunkieOn the contrary, based on my observations of his contributions over the numerous years he has been active here, @R-T-B has plenty to add on most subjects. Please note, he and I do not see eye to eye on many topics, yet I value his presence and contribution.

As for his crypto mining contributions, he is very active in all these discussions because he is immersed in it....at the request and direction of the site owner W1zzard. That’s right, he has been charged with gathering as much first hand knowledge as possible on mining for a year, to add to the site’s knowledge base.
I cant comment the first lines of your text - I will assume it is true. But if the 3rd and 4th line are true - then would not you agree that his factual knowledge and reasoning about this matter is little lacking and/or one sided? Maybe he is just little to immersed in positives of mining? And he should and could act more neutral (as being kind a professional here)? Or maybe TPU has some other contributor that will report about negative aspects of mining? in case if TPU as do R-T-B thinks there is none (none negative aspects of mining ?!), then this all will be one sided spamfest where R-T-B is doing "good job" right now.
Posted on Reply
#89
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
Well, R-T-B is actually not as pro mining as you think. Check some of his posts. Even ask him outright. He will tell you. :)
Posted on Reply
#90
Captain_Tom
intelzenthese are factz. But on other side here - a few miner scums that can not even google this and still insists (!!) that they are the good guys here and insists that they are not mining for their greed (disregarding the CO2 footprint), but "support the new technology":banghead:
Haha mining for greed. I really have seen it all - now "gamer scum is greedy for higher resolutions!" Right?


Crypto is for the greater good of the world. If you can't see that, you need to do more research before continuing to make yourself look silly with your childishness.
rtwjunkieWell, R-T-B is actually not as pro mining as you think. Check some of his posts. Even ask him outright. He will tell you. :)
I am honestly not sure what "Pro Mining" even means. The fact is there are just a lot of manchilds around TPU throwing out complete BS left and right. I wouldn't call R-T-B (or even me) "pro miner" simply because we insist on correcting the completely incorrect notions being said here. Just because I correct the misinformed, doesn't mean I am even defending mining or anything.

But then again it seems these days most people like believing what makes them feel good about themselves more than they do the truth.....
Posted on Reply
#91
Casecutter
R-T-BBitcoin issues at the same rate regardless of how many mine
So, you're saying it's not based on how many encrypting/validating of cryptocurrency transactions? They provide you same level of "coin", though they don't need these encrypting and validating transactions actually done?
yotano211Like a digital download of a game.
You pay "currency"... they provide entertainment and you have it on your hard-drive or own rights to it. That is a tangible. What I see cryptocurrency as is paying with your electricity (and hardware) to unearth something that if enough people get them and believe.. "trust" in it's perceived value then it must have some value. Not like Dollars, Yen, Euro's, there is to some degree that such "backers" have gold or other real assets that underwrite the value.
yotano211Crypto mining keeps the network going, its like its own internet.
And again more a self-fulfilling model... People need to be getting-in for the model to keep generating. As to the internet we get access to knowledge, information, while interaction between people in basically real-time to discuss and understand such vast amounts of aggrandizement to anyone who can have un-fettered admittance. Can you have this conversation on a machine through the running cryptocurrency blockchian algorithms?
Posted on Reply
#92
R-T-B
CasecutterSo, you're saying it's not based on how many encrypting/validating of cryptocurrency transactions? They provide you same level of "coin", though they don't need these encrypting and validating transactions actually done?
Coinbase transactions occur at a fixed issuance rate, yes. The network only mints so many btc per block.
Posted on Reply
#93
Casecutter
R-T-BCoinbase transactions occur at a fixed issuance rate, yes. The network only mints so many btc per block.
So no matter the encrypting/validating volume a fixed issuance rate? And, the more people running these blockchian algorithms, they'd still be vying/unearthing for that fixed issuance rate?
Posted on Reply
#94
R-T-B
CasecutterSo no matter the encrypting/validating volume a fixed issuance rate? And, the more people running these blockchian algorithms, they'd still be vying/unearthing for that fixed issuance rate?
Yes.

And yes, as rtwjunkie said mining has a huge negative downside I'm intentionally avoiding to "play the other side" this particular day. I hate the "Proof of Work" model more for the unfathomable demand for MOAR GPUS it creates more than any legitimate climate concern, however. I think CO2 is a problem people hide behind when the reality is, the real problem is basically the insatiable, self-sustaining greed of the mining PoW process.
Posted on Reply
#95
moproblems99
intelzenthese are factz. But on other side here - a few miner scums that can not even google this and still insists (!!) that they are the good guys here and insists that they are not mining for their greed (disregarding the CO2 footprint), but "support the new technology":banghead:
You don't pay my bills. So until you start sending me money...I am going to keep buying cards that do.
Posted on Reply
#96
intelzen
moproblems99You don't pay my bills. So until you start sending me money...I am going to keep buying cards that do.
why are you telling me (quoting me) about this? :confused:. good for you - never said opposite. You have valid point and say as it is, I just did a little hate on dudes that lie, hide behind and spam forums with false BS something like following: "I mine not because of money, but because I support the new technology", "youtube produces more CO2 than mining - lets reduce that first then we can talk about if mining produces CO2 at all", "gamers produces as much CO2 as 24/7 mining rigs" and "cryptos are very, very, very needed right now - so we are kind a good guys here".
Posted on Reply
#97
moproblems99
intelzenso we are kind a good guys here
Well, to be honest, miners do keep these terribly violent and disturbing videos games out people's hands. Hard telling how many lives mining has truly saved...
Posted on Reply
#98
Xzibit





Thats just a scary forecast.
Posted on Reply
#99
BiggieShady
moproblems99Well, to be honest, miners do keep these terribly violent and disturbing videos games out people's hands. Hard telling how many lives mining has truly saved...
Ha, doesn't work that way ... folks you refer to always find a way to express their violent tendencies, and games are least dangerous ...
... so conclusively miners are actually cause of all the violence because they deny bad people their virtual violence simulators :laugh:
Posted on Reply
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