Since cryptocurrency mining has become a popular business, miners have been collecting the best GPUs to increase their production, making it harder to find and buy the GPUs. Fortunately, Nvidia has announced that its upcoming RTX 3060 GPU will include new software drivers that make it less desirable for miners in cryptocurrency, while also introducing a new GPU dedicated to mining.
Nvidia says that RTX 3060 GPUs, which will be released on February 25, will come with software drivers when the GPU uses the Ethereum cryptocurrency mining algorithm. The GPU limits the hash rate (the unit of measure for how fast a GPU processes cryptocurrency), which makes the GPU about 50% less efficient for miners.
Nvidia CMP is the company’s answer for miners, with various upgrades making it more effective for mining cryptocurrency. This is essentially the computing power of a GPU without graphics.
“CMP products that do not do graphics are sold by authorized partners and optimized for the best mining performance and efficiency,” said Nvidia. “They do not meet the specifications required of a GeForce GPU and therefore do not affect the availability of GeForce GPUs for gamers.”
CMP also does not have display outputs and has a lower peak output which improves the mining efficiency.
“With CMP, we can help miners build the most efficient data centers while preserving GeForce RTX GPUs for gamers,” Nvidia said.
Crypto miners, scalpers and just a huge demand have made it incredibly difficult to find 30-series GPUs, such as the highly sought-after RTX 3080, since September last year. When the value of Bitcoin and Etherium soared last October, with Bitcoin reaching $ 20,000 per Bitcoin, Tom’s demand for GPUs increased even further. Nvidia said earlier in January that availability for its 30-series GPUs would remain low for the coming months.
Demand for the RTX 3060, Nvidia’s cheapest 30-series card at $ 329, is likely to continue the trend. Nvidia’s plans for mobile GPUs from the 30 series may convince the problem, but it will cost the cost of buying an entire laptop.
Joseph Knoop is a writer / producer of IGN. Mine his feelings on Twitter.