NVIDIA to limit hash rate of GeForce RTX 3060 GPUs, will launch CMP cards for professional mining

Halving that Hash Rate, with the pending launch of GeForce RTX 3060, NVIDIA will be taking an important step to help ensure GeForce GPUs end up in the hands of gamers. They'll be limiting hash rates and release a dedicated GPU series for cryptocurrency mining.

The new cards, if you can call them that will fall under the CMP HX line of products and just constant the GPU and 10GB VRAM; there are no display connectors.  NVIDIA initially announces four CMP HX cards pretty much intended for Ethereum mining at hash rates from 25 MH/s at 125W to 86 MH/s at 320W. CMP HX mining cards will become available in Q1, while the 10GB models will sell in the second quarter. If you look at power consumption, GeForce Ampere GA102 is likely used for the 50HX and 90HX, GA104 and GA106 likely end up on the slower models.

The bad news, Ampere GPUs still end up in mining products, the good news, starting with the 3060 release, hash rates is halved, making miners less prone to purchase them. What then remains is GPU allocation by NVIDIA. 

IMHO it's a good first step, but as long as other products will not be limited, cards like 3070, 3080 will still end up being bought an masse by miners. 

-- NVIDIA -- RTX 3060 software drivers are designed to detect specific attributes of the Ethereum cryptocurrency mining algorithm and limit the hash rate, or cryptocurrency mining efficiency, by around 50 percent. Our GeForce RTX GPUs introduce cutting-edge technologies — such as RTX real-time ray-tracing, DLSS AI-accelerated image upscaling technology, Reflex super-fast response rendering for the best system latency, and many more — tailored to meet the needs of gamers and those who create digital experiences. To address the specific needs of Ethereum mining, we’re announcing the NVIDIA CMP, or, Cryptocurrency Mining Processor, product line for professional mining.

CMP products — which don’t do graphics — are sold through authorized partners and optimized for the best mining performance and efficiency. They don’t meet the specifications required of a GeForce GPU and, thus, don’t impact the availability of GeForce GPUs to gamers.

For instance, CMP lacks display outputs, enabling improved airflow while mining so they can be more densely packed. CMPs also have a lower peak core voltage and frequency, which improves mining power efficiency. Creating tailored products for customers with specific needs delivers the best value for customers. With CMP, we can help miners build the most efficient data centers while preserving GeForce RTX GPUs for gamers. NVIDIA CMP allows a fully open, airflow-optimized bracket and is configured to allow a greater number of GPUs to be controlled by one CPU.