GPU maker NVIDIA has come up with a new way to deal with the shortage of its hardware in the market, caused by the increased demand from cryptocurrency miners.
“We’ve built GPU GeForce for gamers, and gamers are demanding more. NVIDIA GPUs are programmable, and users are constantly discovering new ways to use them. One of these methods is mining, ”the firm writes.
The GeForce RTX 3060 is slated to launch on February 25, with the company «taking important steps to ensure it falls into the hands of gamers.» So, RTX 3060 drivers will be able to identify the distinctive characteristics of Ethereum mining and in this case limit the hash rate by about 50% .
Especially for miners, NVIDIA announced a product line of new Cryptocurrency Mining Processor (CMP) video cards . It will include GPUs that are not designed for graphics-related tasks and are instead optimized for mining cryptocurrencies. For example, they will not have video output. As a result, such equipment will be completely useless for gamers.
“With CMP, we can help miners create the most efficient data centers while keeping the GeForce RTX GPU available for gamers,” the firm adds.
In light of the current circumstances, NVIDIA also resumed deliveries of the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics cards that were released back in 2016. Before that, the retail price for them reached $ 500, but sellers who received new lots are already selling 1050 Ti from $ 180. This move was another attempt by NVIDIA to bring its products to gamers, since this video card has 4 GB of video memory and is not suitable for efficient mining of Ethereum.
Previously, NVIDIA became a defendant in a lawsuit from investors accusing the company of distorting information about the role of equipment sales to miners in its business.
