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Two things: (GPU) cryptomining is extremely unpopular with PC gamers, especially those who DIY build PCs, because the demand for GPUs for mining is substantiall
by rcxdude 5y ago
Two things: (GPU) cryptomining is extremely unpopular with PC gamers, especially those who DIY build PCs, because the demand for GPUs for mining is substantially worsening the general GPU shortage, pushing prices even higher. NVIDIA has made a lot of noise about how they are on the 'side of gamers' (such as with their Low Hash Rate cards which have a software lock designed to reduce mining efficiency which held for about a year or so), but in general seems to have been happy in practice to make as much money as they can off of it. So NVIDIA has a marketing interest in downplaying the impact of cryptomining on the shortage while selling as much as they can into the high demand and high prices at the moment. (And tech journalists communicating to these gamers do read these reports and tell the consumers about this stuff)
Secondly, from an investors point of view, GPU cryptomining demand is seen as a lot more volatile than PC gaming demand. A crypto crash or the planned ethereum switch to proof of stake could reduce this demand substantially. If a larger fraction of NVIDIA's sales (and thus revenue) is due to cryptomining, it's less likely to be similar next year (not only because cryptomining might buy less new cards, but also because they might flood the market with used cards, reducing demand for new cards from PC gamers, which happened during the last big crypto crash). This is the main reason the SEC is not happy about it. When reporting to investors NVIDIA also has an incentive to downplay crypto-related demand.