Gamers and miners want to buy an RTX 3060. But with a trick, Nvidia is now thwarting the miners. Because the new RTX 3060 is not really worthwhile for miners. This is good for gamers looking for new hardware.
Here’s what it’s about: The RTX 3000 graphics cards (GPU) are currently very sought after and everyone wants the new graphics cards. But not only gamers want to buy an RTX 3060, but also people who mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin with graphics cards: the so-called miners.
But Nvidia is now intentionally degrading the GeForce RTX 3060 – at least for miners.
For miners, it should not be worthwhile to buy RTX 3060 graphics cards in the future to mine cryptocurrencies. MeinMMO explains what Nvidia has in mind.
In the title image, you see the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti as a replacement, as there is currently no proper image of the RTX 3060.
Nvidia: “GeForce is made for gaming”
Nvidia explained in an official blog post (via blogs.nvidia.com) that GeForce graphics cards are primarily aimed at gamers. However, NVIDIA graphics cards can be used for many different purposes.
This is what Nvidia does: Nvidia configures the software for the graphics cards in such a way that the software can recognize certain mining algorithms. As soon as the software detects that people want to mine cryptocurrencies, it halves the hash rate. The hash rate is extremely important for mining. In this way, the efficiency is reduced by 50%.
Is Nvidia now uninteresting for miners? To appease the now disappointed miners, Nvidia has introduced a graphics processor series with CMP that is aimed at professional miners. CMP stands for “Cryptocurrency Mining Processor.” These processors are tailored to the needs of miners.
These mining processors forgo video outputs and have a lower peak voltage and frequency, and they rely on a better cooling system. This is better for miners than mining with high-clocked gaming graphics cards.
Will availability get worse because of this? No. Nvidia immediately stated that the new series will not affect availability. So it is written in the official blog post:
They (the mining processors) do not meet the specifications required for a GeForce GPU and therefore have no impact on the availability of GeForce GPUs for gamers.
Nvidia, source: blogs.nvidia.com
Mining graphics cards are good for us gamers
Who is Nvidia’s graphics card aimed at? Nvidia is clearly targeting mid-range gamers with the RTX 3060. This means players who are willing to spend more money on their gaming PC, but on average do not want to spend more than 400 euros on a graphics card.
For many gamers, the RTX 3060 is also likely to be the more exciting product than, for example, the RTX 3080. Because the GeForce RTX 3080 is more expensive and offers 4K performance, which is less interesting for many gamers. In our analysis, we have presented both graphics cards in more detail:
That’s why Nvidia’s decision is right: Nvidia’s step to make the RTX 3060 unattractive for miners is a good decision for many gamers. Because this eliminates another competitor in the currently highly competitive graphics card market.
Currently, there are also hardly any alternatives for gamers looking for a graphics card for Full HD with high FPS or for WQHD (1440p).
Does this affect Germany at all? How strongly Nvidia’s self-sabotage affects the German market is another question. Because in Germany, crypto mining plays a rather minor role. This is mainly due to the high electricity prices.
In the USA or China, however, mining for Ethereum or Bitcoin is more in demand than ever, so in China, some users are buying dozens of gaming laptops because it is currently worthwhile:
How long mining these currencies remains allowed in China is unclear.
Because the largest Asian economy is currently reviewing whether mining in China can be banned. Here, the focus is primarily on high environmental pollution due to high electricity consumption.
Currently, there are hardly any alternatives to the RTX 3060
What Nvidia alternatives are there? Nvidia itself has two more cards on offer, which are however only difficult to obtain. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is hardly available or only at high prices. Thus, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti was sold out after just a few minutes.
The RTX 2060 Super offers similar performance on paper. However, the same applies here that the graphics card is currently hardly obtainable, also because it is officially no longer produced in large quantities.
