Nvidia crypto mining GPUs hacked to restore locked-away VRAM — software mod unlocks 64GB of VRAM on $250 CMP 170HX
CMP Unlocker enables previously disabled VRAM on Nvidia's five-year-old CMP 170HX cryptocurrency mining graphics card.
Nvidia's Cryptocurrency Mining Processor (CMP) series, originally released five years ago, is now being modded to overcome the memory shortage and high prices for modern graphics cards. CMP Unlocker, a software-based solution, has restored the previously locked memory on the CMP 170HX, increasing its memory capacity up to 8 times – from 8GB to 64GB, and from 10GB to 40GB.
This hack works by leveraging the GA100 silicon found in the CMP 170HX, which features six HBM2e memory stacks. The CMP 170HX, which is the flagship SKU of Nvidia's CMP series, is created from defective or binned GA100 silicon that did not meet the high-quality standards for Nvidia's A100 accelerator. This software exploit bypasses Nvidia's Falcon security microprocessor, allowing users to unlock the full memory capacity of the CMP 170HX.
The increased memory capacity and restored processing power make the CMP 170HX an attractive option for AI users, as it offers the same memory capacity as Nvidia's A100 accelerator, but at a fraction of the cost.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
