Following the news of LHRv2 crack, it took only two weeks for LHRv3 to be cracked as well.
Earlier this month, the developers of NiceHash have confirmed they successfully cracked the LHR (Lite Hash Rate) algorithm implemented by NVIDIA for its GeForce RTX 30 graphics cards in order to limit cryptocurrency mining potential. The LHRv1 and LHRv2 models are now fully unlocked through software, with no requirement for special hardware whatsoever.
What was remaining of the LHR-RTX saga were two GeForce cards: RTX 3050 8GB and RTX 3080 12GB. Those models had a new version of the algorithm that was not cracked yet. Turns out that wasn’t really a big problem, as the updated algorithm has just been cracked in 90%, reports Tom’s Hardware.
NiceHash QuickMiner v0.5.4.2 RC requires NVIDIA 512.15 driver or newer to work. Tom’s Hardware came up with a chart listing all RTX 3060+ models with their corresponding hash rate performance as it is now:
This LHRv3 unlock probably arrives too late to matter. Most cryptocurrencies related to GPU mining have lost a significant part of their value, to the point where it is simply not profitable to mine, or the return of investment will take much more time. Hopefully, no one will be buying the entry-level RTX 3050 cards just because of the new of LHRv3 unlock. This model is still one of the most overcharged NVIDIA cards right when they are needed the most.