The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 has as one of its main features a system to limit cryptocurrency mining, specifically the Ethereum algorithms. Unfortunately, a few weeks after the launch of the GPU, the limiter was already bypassed, with the simple use of a modified driver. This makes NVIDIA go to relaunch the RTX 3060 with a new chip, GA106-302, which thanks to its hardware modifications should make the Ethereum limiter untouchable. A modification that could be extended to other GPUs. Let's see it.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 chip is renewed to better limit mining, and the same could happen with the other RTX 30.
The fact that the RTX 3060 had a limiter for mining should, on paper, serve to discourage miners from buying this GPU, leaving it only for gamers and favoring a somewhat better market situation. Remember that right now we can find this graph at exorbitant prices, just by entering Wallapop we see prices that range between 700 and 800 euros, the work of the scalpers who resell them.
As we say, that limiter is not enough, it is very easy to circumvent and also does not affect all mining algorithms. Therefore, according to an Asian media NVIDIA is preparing a new variant of the GA106-300 chip that uses the RTX 3060, to include the new GA106-302. What is achieved with this is basically that the identifier of the chip is different, and the compromised drivers can no longer be used. Recall that these come from a beta erroneously filtered by NVIDIA.
By the looks of it, the revamped NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 will also include other mechanisms to prevent this type of violation of the mining limitation algorithm, something that in any case will have to be seen when this change is made official.
NVIDIA's other GPUs could also bring a new chip
Be careful, because this might not be the only big change. According to the well-known leaker kopite7kimi, which has a good number of hits among its rumors, the GA102 and GA104 chips could also see this type of modification, introducing a mining limiter in all NVIDIA graphics. This is a decision that would make a lot of sense for the NVIDIA CMP to be the models of choice for miners, leaving the GeForce alone for once.
I've said before, maybe not GA106 only.
For example, we would meet GA102-302 / 202 and GA104-302 / 202. https://t.co/pGghHbikbV
- kopite7kimi (@ kopite7kimi) April 15, 2021
This move would completely divide the market, making mining-friendly models very finite. As soon as all the graphics suitable for mining are sold, only models with activated limiters will be circulating in the market, which will scare the miners and should leave us a much better market, limited in stock, but at least with less scalping and with purchased graphics by the players themselves.
But the big problem with this is that the mining limiter should be improved, as currently it can only against the algorithms to mine Ethereum. Although they are considerably less profitable, there are other currencies that use different algorithms that are not affected by this system.
Do you think NVIDIA will be brave enough to extend its mining limitation to all GeForce GPUs? And, if they do, will it be worth it and will it clean up the market?
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