As the popularity of digital currencies increases, the price of graphics processing units (GPUs) continues to skyrocket due to an increased demand from digital currency miners. Individuals looking to purchase newer graphics cards from Nvidia might find the task frustratingly difficult. GPUs are constantly sold out thanks to miners and those capitalizing on the growing demand.

Critics state that Nvidia has an obligation to sell to gamers, not groups looking to make a profit through digital currency mining. However, some retailers are complacent in this trend. For example, sites like Newegg went as far as to sell bundles of graphics cards in packs of six.

It would seem that Nvidia is now ‘parotting’ the sentiment of disgruntled consumers.

“All of our activities around our GeForce-products are directed towards our main target group,” said a Nvidia spokesman in a statement to ComputerBase. “To ensure GeForce-Gamers continuously have access to GeForce-graphics cards even in the current situation, we recommend our trading partners to take according measures to ensure they can provide the needs of gamers per usual.”

Canadian clampdown

Despite Nvidia’s statements, the company has not put forth any formal requirements for retailers. Thus far, retailers are free to view the company’s statements as merely a suggestion.

However, it would appear that several retailers across the world are following Nvidia’s statement. Many restrict the sale of graphics cards.

In Canada, companies like Canada Computers & Electronics joined this trend by only allowing individuals to purchase a maximum of two graphics cards per customer.

Nvidia satisfying critics

Nvidia’s approach is seen as a half-measure by some. Critics note the company has yet to take any meaningful action since their statement. Additionally, mining farms typically purchase graphics cards in bulk, meaning they are rarely made available to consumers.

TSMC — the world's largest chip factory — is all about crypto all of a sudden.

Bitmain is buying ~20k 16nm wafers a month. That's more than Nvidia. pic.twitter.com/ivZOqXvJXu — James Wang (@jwangARK) January 19, 2018

Even production of GPUs is made difficult by the popularity of digital currency mining. Prominent mining farm operators like Bitmain Technologies, for example, purchase more components than Nvidia from the world’s largest chip factory, TMSC.

However, on the other side of the issue, digital currency enthusiasts say that companies like Nvidia are under no obligation to restrict the sale of their products to miners, sparking argument within the community.

Image credit: Nvidia

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