Skip to main content

This new mining tool could spell bad news for the GPU market

Update: this mining tool has proven to be malware. Please avoid downloading the program.

Nvidia has previously attempted to limit its GeForce graphics cards’ ability to mine cryptocurrency amid a market where crypto enthusiasts have contributed to a worldwide GPU shortage. However, a new tool has appeared to completely remove mining hash rate limits placed on certain Nvidia video cards.

Recommended Videos

The Nvidia RTX LHR v2 Unlocker by Sergey is a tool designed to alter the BIOS of Ampere-based Nvidia graphics cards from the popular RTX 30 range. The mining modification tool will work on workstation RTX GPUs as well.

A cryptocurrency mining rig that uses computer graphic cards.
A cryptocurrency miner attached to a laptop. Getty Images

During 2021, Team Green took steps to deter crypto miners from buying its cards so gamers could get their hands on the company’s coveted GPUs (although the tech giant also rereleased some GPUs with higher hash rates). One such method was the integration of limiters to cap the mining capabilities via light hash rate (LHR) cards. However, in effect, this new tool will allow crypto miners to fully unlock the mining performance for various Nvidia graphics cards.

As reported by VideoCardz and MyDrivers, Sergey’s potentially industry-disruptive software is currently not available yet. It is scheduled to be released on February 28, albeit as a public beta version. On the developer’s GitHub page, it states the utility has been successfully tested on the following GeForce RTX 30-series and RTX A-series cards:

  • RTX 3060 LHR V2 – up to 49 MH/s
  • RTX 3060 Ti LHR – up to 61 MH/s
  • RTX 3070 LHR – up to 57 MH/s
  • RTX 3070 Ti – up to 69 MH/s
  • RTX 3080 LHR – up to 100 MH/s
  • RTX 3080 Ti – up to 115 MH/s
  • RTX A2000 – up to 46 MH/s
  • RTX A4000 – up to 67 MH/s
  • RTX A4500 – not measured
  • RTX A5000 – up to 110 MH/s

The mining limiter put in place by Nvidia in 2021 decreased the hash rate of RTX 30-series graphics cards for those who were mining Ethereum, which was a coin that reached new peaks last year alongside Bitcoin. Naturally, developers found ways to circumvent the aforementioned limiters, but they generally were not able to fully unlock the LHR mining hash rate.

Should the Nvidia RTX LHR v2 Unlocker tool prove to be effective, the GPU market could be considerably affected. If individuals are truly able to extract full mining performance from an Nvidia graphics card, it would naturally increase the value of such products for miners. This would once again inevitably lead to increased prices, which would price out general consumers, namely gamers.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 Series cards.
Nvidia

Still, the GPU market has shown signs of improvement since the start of 2022, which correlates to the significant drop in value for various crypto coins in recent months, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum. As a result, the tool will not generate as much profit as one could make in 2020 and 2021.

Whether the crypto market rebounds or not, ETH mining is all but set to end due to the impending launch of the Proof of Stake mechanism. Granted, you’ll still be able to mine other coins through a GPU, but as pointed out by VideoCardz, non-ETH cryptocurrencies are closely associated with the market performance of Ethereum.

Elsewhere, Tom’s Hardware notes that cryptocurrency mining profitability has taken a nosedive in general. A full-speed RTX 3080 Ti, one of the most powerful cards available on the market, will generate just $3.50 per day at current rates. Due to current prices of around $1,700 for the GPU in question, a miner would have to wait nearly 500 days to simply break even, let alone produce lucrative profit margins.

Zak Islam
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Zak Islam was a freelance writer at Digital Trends covering the latest news in the technology world, particularly the…
RTX 5090 GPU shortage could soon end if Nvidia adopts this strategy
Fans on the RTX 5080.

Nvidia may be close to resolving some of its delay issues and getting the RTX 5090 GPUs ready for consumers in at least a month, with a fortunate workaround.

Online leakers noted on X that the shortage began due to scalpers over-purchasing components, but it could soon end if Nvidia adopts this strategy.

Read more
Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti could displace the RTX 5080 — but I’m worried about it
Two RTX 4070 Ti Super graphics cards sitting next to each other.

Nvidia's RTX 5070 Ti is mere days away. Set to launch on February 20, the GPU marks the beginning of Nvidia's mainstream RTX 50-series. With similar specs to the RTX 5080, the RTX 5070 Ti has every chance to rank high among the best graphics cards -- but it's also going to face a number of obstacles that might impact its success.

Thanks to some leaked benchmarks, we now have a better idea of how the card might perform, and that rough ballpark is really a bit of a mixed bag. Here's why I think the RTX 5070 Ti might have an uphill climb when it first hits the shelves, but also why it might completely displace the RTX 5080.
Promising benchmarks -- well, kind of

Read more
Nvidia’s AI obsession is causing delays in its PC business
Logo on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080.

Component manufacturer, Nvidia appears to be short on GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs for laptops, which were originally set to launch in January.

Reports indicate that the supplier has been so focused on developing AI Chips that other parts of its business have lapsed. This has caused delays in supplying the GeForce RTX 50 Series chips to computing partners.

Read more