Nvidia claims that the cryptocurrency hash rate limiter on its upcoming GeForce RTX 3060 12GB graphics card is applied in software, not hardware, and is circumvented thanks to a secure handshake between software and hardware It is claimed that it cannot be circumvented.

Specifically, in an updated statement to further clarify the limiter, Nvidia tells PC Gamer that it believes "end users cannot remove the hash limiter from the driver. There is a secure handshake between the driver, RTX 3060 silicon, and BIOS (firmware) that prevents the removal of the hash rate limiter.

Nvidia initially stated that "it is not possible to hack the software to remove the limiter," but this left open the possibility for a bit more speculation as to what an experienced miner could do to circumvent the limiter.

Nvidia is confident that its limiters are up to the challenge.

The limiter is intended to prevent miners from blindly pursuing graphics cards in order to make a killing by scraping cryptocurrencies. The main cryptocurrency of choice for today's enterprising GPU miners is Ethereum, and Nvidia's block is exactly what prevents RTX 3060 graphics cards from being mined.

The new limiter halves the RTX 3060's hash rate if certain parts of the Ethereum mining algorithm are detected.

The hope for Nvidia and warmongering gamers around the world is that the block will remain intact and these cards will be made available to gamers. In that case, miners would use Cryptocurrency Mining Processors (CMPs) that specialize in mining. Alternatively, unblocked high-end RTX 30 series cards will be available.

The RTX 3060 will be the only card with the limiter applied starting with its arrival on February 25, according to Nvidia.

The RTX 3060 is sure to be a popular card, as all Ampere GPUs have been, but even more so thanks to its $329 price tag.

It remains to be seen if the drop in mining demand will result in a large inventory backlog on the day; demand for PC parts is still incredible, and as we have seen in the past with popular cards like the GTX 1060, arguably the least expensive Ampere GPU of the lot will be the most popular by volume It will be. Therefore, my guess is that we will still be scrambling on day one, as we have with other launches over the past five months.

Any move Nvidia can make to keep as many GPUs available for gamers as possible will absolutely be welcomed by many. At the very least, miners are likely to shy away from the first batch of RTX 3060 graphics cards. This is because uncertainty about the hash rates of these cards will not make them considered good mining material, even if Nvidia's unhackable limiters later sink like the Titanic.

But we hope it won't be easily brushed aside, and Nvidia's confidence gives us some small hope for PC building in early 2021.