Videocards with "Cryptocurrency" keyword, how (or what) exactly?

[TheDarkKnight]

So, I'm looking at some videocards today on a resellers website and I see in the description for the videocard the word "Cryptocurrency". My understanding about using graphics card for the purposes of cryptocurrency mining were that they were simply the best tool for the job by default. By default, I mean that they just "happened" to be a usable tool for cryptocurrency mining that works best. In other words, the manufacturer of videocards (in addition to AMD and/or NVidia) have not done anything specific to exploit or improve the task of cryptocurrency mining. This is my theory of how things began.
But when I seen the keyword "cryptocurrency" attached to a videocard description this morning I also stumbled on motherboards specific to cryptocurrency mining. And after looking at a motherboard (picture) made for cryptocurrency mining it becomes very clear quite fast what set's it apart from a normal everyday motherboard. It's the the addition of a ridiculous number of x1 slots and the ability to use extra power supplies.

However, this isn't so easily understood from looking at a videocard that adds the word "cryptocurrency" to it's product descriptions. I can't see anything that sets them apart as a cryptocurrency hardware product just from looking at the hardware itself.

So, I have to ask what are the specific hardware features either the videocard manufacturer's or AMD/NVidia added to graphic cards that sets them apart as a cryptocurrency miner's dream?

Is it a legitimate use of the word when used to describe the hardware (of graphics cards) or are they just tacking it on now because it might increase sales of their product?

 

[Piroko]

Hello there,

some of those videocards have no display outputs, they were specifically 'slimmed down' to be as cheap as possible. However, most of those slimmed down models were sold in Asia as far as I am aware.

Over here in NA/Europe you are most likely looking at a normal videocard that got the name tacked on by sellers in the hopes that cryptocurrency miners might pick them up for inflated prices. Just be aware to check the display outputs before pressing the buy button.

edit: The actual graphics chip is identical for gaming and crypto, they were indeed just the best tool for the job without modifications.

 

[VirtualLarry]

edit: The actual graphics chip is identical for gaming and crypto, they were indeed just the best tool for the job without modifications.

XFX's mainstream RX 570 cards, have a BIOS A/B switch, and the "alternate" BIOS is optimized for Crypto mining, according to XFX's own web pages.

I've tested this, and found that it is true, I get more MH/s with XFX cards in their "mining BIOS" position, than I do with "OC, Gamer" RX 570 cards, with twice the VRAM.