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What Was the Transition from CPU to GPU to ASIC Mining?

CPU mining was the original method, but its low hash rate made it quickly obsolete as network difficulty rose. GPUs offered a significant leap in parallel processing power, making them much more efficient for mining.

The final shift to ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) occurred because they are custom-built for a single hashing algorithm, providing massive efficiency gains over general-purpose hardware like CPUs and GPUs. This evolution was driven by the continuous need for higher hash rates to remain profitable.

What Is the Difference between ASIC and GPU Mining Hardware?
How Does the Cost of Mining Hardware (ASICs) Factor into the Incentive to Act Honestly?
How Would the Adoption of a Different Hash Algorithm like SHA-3 Have Impacted the Development of ASIC Miners and the Mining Industry?
What Is the Difference between ASICs and GPUs in Terms of Mining Hash Rate Efficiency?