The great GPU shortage has prompted Nvidia to restrict the cryptocurrency-mining capability on three additional graphics card models.
“We’re reducing the hash rate of newly manufactured GeForce RTX 3080, 3070, and 3060 Ti graphics cards so they’re less desirable to miners,” Nvidia said on Tuesday.
The company’s “Ethereum hash rate limiter” was originally introduced in February, but only for the RTX 3060, which starts at $399. Nvidia’s goal was to discourage cryptocurrency miners from buying up the product by halving its ability to generate the cryptocurrency Ethereum.
However, the strategy had an obvious loophole: To get around the limiter, miners have been buying up the other models in the RTX 3000 series, which are better at generating cryptocurrencies anyway.
Tuesday’s announcement from Nvidia promises to close the gap. The company plans to start shipping the first RTX 3080, 3070, and 3060 Ti models equipped with an Ethereum hash rate limiter late this month.“We believe this additional step will get more GeForce cards at better prices into the hands of gamers everywhere,” the company said.
It also means the RTX 3090, which starts at $1,499, will be the only desktop graphics card in the lineup to be free of the hashrate limiter.
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Nvidia and its vendor partners are going to label the graphics cards with the identifiers “Lite Hash Rate,” or “LHR,” which can be found on the product box and on the online retail listings. “This reduced hash rate only applies to newly manufactured cards with the LHR identifier and not to cards already purchased,” the company added.
Of course, we’re betting cryptocurrency miners will try to crack the Ethereum hash limiter, which is baked into the GPU’s firmware. In March, Nvidia itself accidentally introduced a workaround to the limiter. But since then, the company hasimproved it, likely making it even harder to bypass.
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As a seasoned expert in the field of graphics cards and cryptocurrency mining, my extensive knowledge and expertise can be demonstrated by analyzing the recent developments in Nvidia's response to the GPU shortage. Let's delve into the key concepts and details presented in the provided article.
Nvidia's Response to GPU Shortage: Nvidia, a prominent player in the graphics card industry, has implemented measures to address the ongoing GPU shortage exacerbated by high demand from cryptocurrency miners. The company has chosen to restrict the cryptocurrency-mining capability on three additional graphics card models: GeForce RTX 3080, 3070, and 3060 Ti.
Ethereum Hash Rate Limiter: Nvidia initially introduced the "Ethereum hash rate limiter" in February, targeting the RTX 3060 graphics card to deter miners. This limiter reduces the hash rate, making the card less appealing to cryptocurrency miners by halving its ability to generate Ethereum. The goal is to prioritize gamers over miners in the allocation of these high-demand GPUs.
Loophole in the Limiter: The initial implementation had a notable loophole. Miners circumvented the hash rate limiter by purchasing other models within the RTX 3000 series, which were more efficient at cryptocurrency mining. This strategic move led to a continuation of the shortage problem.
Expanded Implementation: To address the aforementioned loophole and further discourage miners, Nvidia has expanded the implementation of the Ethereum hash rate limiter to include the RTX 3080, 3070, and 3060 Ti models. The company aims to level the playing field and make these models less attractive for cryptocurrency mining.
Labeling and Identifier: Nvidia, along with its vendor partners, plans to label the affected graphics cards with the identifiers "Lite Hash Rate" or "LHR." These labels will be visible on the product box and online retail listings. It's essential for consumers to identify these labels to ensure they are purchasing cards with the reduced hash rate.
Exclusion of RTX 3090: The RTX 3090, which is positioned as a premium desktop graphics card with a starting price of $1,499, remains unaffected by the hash rate limiter. This exclusion suggests that Nvidia is maintaining a distinction between high-end gaming GPUs and those favored by cryptocurrency miners.
Cracking the Ethereum Hash Limiter: Anticipating the persistent efforts of miners to bypass the hash rate limiter, Nvidia has implemented firmware-based security measures. Although Nvidia accidentally introduced a workaround in March, the company has since improved the limiter to enhance its resilience against such attempts. This ongoing cat-and-mouse game underscores the challenges in curbing cryptocurrency mining on gaming-oriented GPUs.
In summary, Nvidia's strategic move to expand the implementation of the Ethereum hash rate limiter aims to strike a balance between meeting the demand of gamers and addressing the GPU shortage exacerbated by cryptocurrency mining. The labeling of "Lite Hash Rate" serves as a clear identifier for consumers, while ongoing efforts to secure the limiter indicate a commitment to maintaining the effectiveness of these measures in the long term.
