NVIDIA CMP 170HX Graphics Card 10 GB

The CMP 170HX 10 GB is an enthusiast-class professional graphics card by NVIDIA, launched on September 1st, 2021. Built on the 7 nm process, and based on the GA100 graphics processor, in its GA100-105A-A1 variant, the card does not support DirectX. Since CMP 170HX 10 GB does not support DirectX 11 or DirectX 12, it might not be able to run all the latest games. The GA100 graphics processor is a large chip with a die area of 826 mm² and 54,200 million transistors. Unlike the fully unlocked DRIVE A100 PROD, which uses the same GPU but has all 6912 shaders enabled, NVIDIA has disabled some shading units on the CMP 170HX 10 GB to reach the product’s target shader count. It features 4480 shading units, 280 texture mapping units, and 128 ROPs. Also included are 280 tensor cores which help improve the speed of machine learning applications. NVIDIA has paired 10 GB HBM2e memory with the CMP 170HX 10 GB, which are connected using a 5120-bit memory interface. The GPU is operating at a frequency of 1140 MHz, which can be boosted up to 1410 MHz, memory is running at 1215 MHz.

Its power draw is rated at 250 W maximum. This device has no display connectivity, as it is not designed to have monitors connected to it. CMP 170HX 10 GB is connected to the rest of the system using a PCI-Express 4.0 x4 interface. Its price at launch was 4299 US Dollars.

Key Features:

1. Purpose-Built for Mining

• • Headless GPU Architecture
    The 70HX omits display outputs, ensuring that the card’s power and resources are dedicated to cryptomining rather than gaming or visual tasks.
  • Mining-Optimized Drivers
    NVIDIA’s mining-focused drivers maintain stable hash rates and reduce overhead commonly associated with standard drivers in gaming GPUs.

2. Consistent Hash Rate Performance

• • High Hash Rate
    Engineered for a stable hash rate that often falls around 50–60+ MH/s (varies by drivers, overclock settings, and coin algorithms), ensuring reliable mining productivity.
  • Large Memory Capacity
    Offers sufficient memory (commonly 10GB or more of GDDR6, though actual specs can differ by partner) to accommodate large DAG files in coins like Ethereum.

3. Reliable Thermal & Power Design

• • Thermal Solutions for 24/7 Use
    Typically features robust cooling (fan/heatsink combos) designed for continuous operation in mining farms or server-like rigs.
  • Moderate Power Draw
    With TDP in the approximate range of 200–250W (subject to model), ensuring that large-scale operations can effectively manage power distribution and heat.

4. Headless Operation & Simplified Setup

• • No Display Outputs
    All GPU resources focus on cryptomining tasks, improving efficiency and stability.
  • Minimal Peripheral Requirements
    Streamlined for plug-and-play usage in mining rigs, data centers, or other specialized cryptomining environments.

5. Scalable Mining Deployments

• • Easy Multi-GPU Integration
    Connect multiple 70HX boards on a mining motherboard or server chassis, scaling up hash rates across large mining operations.
  • Lower Impact on Gaming GPU Availability
    By addressing mining with a specialized product, the CMP line helps reduce demand on mainstream GeForce GPUs.

Applications:

1. Cryptocurrency Mining
   • Ethereum Mining: Focuses on optimizing ETH hash rate, leveraging its GDDR6 memory and optimized driver for stable, round-the-clock operation.
   • Altcoin Mining: Potential for mining other memory-intensive Proof-of-Work coins, though performance may vary.
2. Professional Mining Farms
   • Commercial-Scale Deployment: High-density racks of CMP 70HX cards enable large mining pools to expand quickly and consistently.
   • Centralized Management: Streamlined setup and dedicated drivers reduce maintenance overhead.
3. Dedicated Mining Rigs
   • Enthusiast or Mid-Scale Mining: Hobbyists or smaller operations can incorporate multiple 70HX cards for more stable, specialized hash performance versus gaming GPUs.
4. Crypto Startups & Research
   • Blockchain Prototyping: Undertake blockchain experiments or altcoin-specific trials without diverting resources from standard consumer GPUs.

Why Choose the NVIDIA CMP 70HX?

1. Specialized for Mining
   • Lacks display outputs and other gaming features, allowing the hardware to focus solely on delivering a robust hash rate for cryptocurrencies.
2. Stable Hash Rate & Efficiency
   • Provides a consistent 50–60+ MH/s for Ethereum (approx., subject to configuration), balancing performance and power usage for cost-effective mining.
3. Reduces Pressure on GeForce Line
   • By separating mining from gaming GPUs, CMP products are meant to keep the GeForce range available to gamers and content creators.
4. Optimized Cooling & Driver Setup
   • Manufacturer designs and driver support revolve around stable 24/7 operation, key for professional cryptomining farms.
5. Scalable Multi-Card Deployments
   • Straightforward integration into specialized mining motherboards or data center rigs, expanding hash rates across multiple GPUs easily.