I always cringe at writings like this when I read them....
Nvidia clearly cares more about an image or "The Illusion" that they present to the non-thinkers that have a hard time reflecting past the end of their nose....
The GPU eco-system is so much more complex than this simple writing touches on and I have a nasty habit of pointing out writings that have a slant that's overly pro-OEM as being non-sense and not very factually sound...
So lets take this offered concept that Nvidia is looking out for the PC owner and reflect on a few thoughts.
1) Making an attempt to firmware lock the 3060's is a misdirection effort by Nvidia to dress up a select group of consumers as the boogie man...
- Note, I list attempt to firmware as past firmware limits set on cards by Nvidia in the past took a week or so for Cracked drivers to work around such limits.
- If it was a real effort, all products in the 3000 Series would have the attempt made vs. a token 3060.
- Again, nothing more than to deflect negative energy to a select consumer.
2) Building a mining only GPU hurts the overall GPU eco-system... Now stay with me here as the GPU eco-system is more complex that the first exchange of Nvidia taking money for a GPU and why this Mining only GPU is meant to screw the Nvidia GPU eco-system for the small PC consumer...
- Show of hands that found the RTX 2000 Series cards to be overly priced and inflated by NVidia? Just look at stocking resellers that still have 2000 Series stock of 2080 & Ti's. The pricing for those GPU's has always be obscene. BUT In an Eco-system where high end cards are generally only bought by high end Geeks or miners (The fake boogie man) these things are generally just out of reach for the standard PC person... I have a 2080Ti thats lovely at a fraction of the price due to a healthy eco-system that doesn't center on Nvidia...
- The role many High end consumers play as they always buy the latest and greatest for WHATEVER REASON is the play ground of the after market - A Discounted second life - for these high end cards moves them into the ranges some of us standard PC geeks can afford. (I got my upgrade this way)
- repurposed cards are a very green ideal. Second life on PC products is a helpful way to open up performance options for some and keep land fills less busy <--- BUT Nvidia doesn't get a part of the repurposed life of this market <-- Hint at the truth of things...
- Making a GPU that's miner driven kills any eco-system that card would have had for a repurposed second life. Miners and High end geeks always upgrade so they are going to keep buying the new products that perform for them. BUT the aftermarket circle of the standard PC person will be killed off as these cards have no value for multiple ideals. Forcing back money into the pie that Nvidia gets a bite on.
- While you hear a large amount of nonsense about mining cards that are resold the truth is that smart miners treat cards at lower power levels most times as they are trying to extend ROI. my 208Ti was an aftermarket mining card .
3) The illusion that limited GPU stock is a direct effect of a select group of consumers vs. a marketing plan is laughable...
- Stocking distributors for 2000 Series still have some limited stock and stocking distributors buy stock at Nvidia pricing to them. They aren't going to be buying massive levels of stock of new 3000 series products until the 2000 series is hard out of stock as they have their own OEM eco-system they have to manage.
- They sprinkle stock to get some high end cards out and those with the most motivation get cards and if Nvidia or Stocking Distributors cared they would manage that better. Another hint the story is pushing a narrative for the OEM to call select consumers the boogie man!!!!
- Real stock of 3000 series will be limited until they finish their clearing of 2000 series stock IMO as we can see that's how you move product. Drive an itch for upgrade - Limit stock and those with no self control or patience buy 2000 series stock.
So the key points I was trying to communicate:
- Nvidia is in the business of making money and supporting their resell partners. Its bad for business to have your stocking distributors holding old stock that they can't sell...
- Nvidia is driven to care only about consumers of the pie they get a bite on and will misdirect the emotions of the weak minded to a false boogie man!!!
- Building a Mining only GPU isn't about supporting standard PC type people like me but about killing a resell market of higher end cards and is not very green IMO...
Just my thoughts on why Nvidia isn't being very truthful and shame on those selling a line of BS to the sheep