Just before NVIDIA released its new GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card last month, the company announced that the GPU’s cryptocurrency mining capability would be lowered with the launch. A company representative said there will be a secure handshake between the driver, the RTX 3060 chip and the BIOS (firmware) to restrict users from removing the hash rate restriction, specifically when exploiting Ethereum. NVIDIA also said that it would not be possible to return to an older version of the driver to restore the card’s original mining capability.
Miners do not have to wait too long, however, as there were reports last week of the successful removal of the mining restrictions on the Geforce RTX 3060. Although this seems to be wrong, as the alleged screenshots showed a completely different cryptocurrency, confirmations now have Questioning NVIDIA’s irreparable limitation. Several reports once again claim that they can fully exploit Ethereum.
Image: PC Watch
As first reported by PC Watch, the Ethereum mining restrictions can be bypassed without having to change the driver or BIOS.
‘The editors were able to confirm the fact that restrictions could be circumvented through interaction with related parties. The specific method is not introduced here, but it does not require changing the driver or BIOS, and anyone can easily do so with a little effort.”
Apparently, it’s possible to circumvent the hash limit of RTX 3060 by simply using the GeForce 470.05 beta driver that NVIDIA distributed to developers through the Windows Insider program. As ComputerBase and forum posts by users on Guru3D and DC are points out that installing the beta driver automatically unlocks the mining performance for most RTX 3060 GPUs.
Image: ComputerBase
During the announcement of the new mining restriction, NVIDIA also announced a new product range made specifically for the exploitation of Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. CMP, or Cryptocurrency Mining Processor, was launched by the company to specifically address Ethereum mining needs and ensure that the RTX 3060 ends up in the hands of gamers, as intended. But the release of this beta driver – though probably unintentional – jeopardizes the launch of this new product line.