T-Rex Miner's LHR Unlock: A Detailed Performance Analysis

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Introduction

The introduction of NVIDIA's Lite Hash Rate (LHR) technology in 2021 sent ripples through the cryptocurrency mining community. Designed to limit the Ethash mining performance of its GeForce graphics cards, LHR aimed to prioritize GPU availability for gamers. In response, mining software developers have been working on solutions to unlock this potential. This article provides an in-depth, neutral examination of the T-Rex miner's claimed LHR unlock capabilities based on controlled testing scenarios.

We evaluated the software's performance in both single mining and dual mining modes to provide a clear picture of its effectiveness and practical value for miners operating under LHR restrictions.

Understanding NVIDIA's LHR Initiative

In February 2021, NVIDIA announced its initiative to limit the mining capabilities of its graphics cards. The company published a blog post titled "GeForce Is Made for Gaming, CMP Is Made for Mining," introducing the concept of hash rate limitations on their consumer graphics cards.

This initial announcement specifically addressed the GeForce RTX 3060, which would see its mining performance halved for certain algorithms. By May 2021, NVIDIA expanded this limitation to include newly released GeForce RTX 3080, RTX 3070, and RTX 3060 Ti models, marking them with the "Lite Hash Rate" or "LHR" identifier.

Shortly after, NVIDIA released the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti and RTX 3070 Ti models. Although these cards weren't explicitly marked as LHR variants, testing confirmed they indeed contained the same hash rate limitations as their explicitly labeled counterparts.

Test Platform Configuration and Hash Rate Specifications

Testing was conducted indoors at a controlled ambient temperature of 15°C (59°F).

Previous testing established that the maximum achievable hash rate for the RTX 3080 Ti on Ethash and Etchash algorithms without triggering LHR limits was approximately 116 Mh/s. When LHR restrictions were activated, this dropped to about 64 Mh/s—a reduction of roughly 45%.

T-Rex Single Mining Mode Performance

T-Rex is a versatile GPU cryptocurrency mining application first released in June 2018. The software continues active development with support for popular algorithms including Ethash, Kawpow, Octopus, Autolykos2, MTP, Firopow, and Progpow, with a specific focus on NVIDIA graphics cards.

Version 0.24.0 of T-Rex, released in October 2021, introduced the initial LHR unlock capability specifically for dual mining modes. According to documentation, compatible devices could simultaneously mine two cryptocurrencies in three combinations: ETH+ERGO, ETH+RVN, and ETH+CFX.

Before testing the dual mining LHR unlock feature, we evaluated the current version's performance in single mining mode using three algorithms: Ethash (with LHR unlock), Autolykos2, and Kawpow.

Ethash Algorithm Testing

Using GPU parameters set at Power Limit (%): 75, Core Clock (MHz): +0, Memory Clock (MHz): +1000, we configured the batch file with appropriate settings for Ethash mining.

Upon launch, the program estimated an Ethash hash rate between 79-85 Mh/s, which remained consistent throughout the two-hour testing period. Memory controller load, GPU load, and board power consumption charts remained stable with minimal fluctuations.

After 2 hours and 6 minutes of operation, we calculated the actual hash rate based on shares submitted to the pool: 149 shares at a difficulty of 8726 M. This resulted in a calculated hash rate of approximately 171.98 Mh/s for both GPUs, or about 85.9 Mh/s per GPU.

Autolykos2 Algorithm Testing

Using the same GPU settings (PL: 75%, CC: +0, MC: +1000), we tested Autolykos2 performance. The mining rig displayed a stable hash rate of approximately 259 Mh/s. All monitoring charts showed consistent performance without significant fluctuations.

Kawpow Algorithm Testing

For Kawpow testing, we adjusted GPU parameters to Power Limit (%): 80, Core Clock (MHz): +100, Memory Clock (MHz): +1000. The system maintained a stable hash rate between 54-56 Mh/s with consistent performance metrics across all monitoring parameters.

Dual Mining Mode Evaluation

ETH+ERGO Dual Mining Performance

For LHR-labeled graphics cards, the recommended GPU settings were applied: Power Limit (%): 75, Core Clock (MHz): +0, Memory Clock (MHz): +1000.

The program initiated with LHR parameter 30, delivering approximately 35 Mh/s for Ethash and 180 Mh/s for Autolykos2. Over the subsequent two hours, the LHR parameter adjusted to 23 and then 22, with hash rates stabilizing between 26-30 Mh/s for Ethash and 196-202 Mh/s for Autolykos2.

Memory controller load and board power consumption charts showed some instability with minor fluctuations throughout the testing period.

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ETH+RVN Dual Mining Performance

Using the same recommended GPU settings (PL: 75%, CC: +0, MC: +1000), we tested the ETH+RVN combination.

The program started with LHR parameter 30, producing approximately 35 Mh/s for Ethash and 37 Mh/s for Ravencoin. During the two-hour test, the LHR parameter adjusted to 29, with hash rates stabilizing between 34-35 Mh/s for Ethash and 35-37 Mh/s for Ravencoin.

Performance charts showed relatively stable metrics with only minor fluctuations observed.

Test Results and Practical Recommendations

Based on our test results, we projected 24-hour profitability estimates for the dual mining modes using standard mining calculators.

T-Rex provides an interesting solution for addressing LHR limitations on NVIDIA graphics cards. The standard LHR unlock mode in T-Rex 0.24.0 achieved approximately 85 Mh/s—roughly 73% of the maximum unrestricted hash rate.

In ETH+ERGO dual mining mode, we were unable to obtain consistently acceptable hash rate values. Additional testing and parameter adjustments might be necessary to improve profitability. Implementing watchdog programs to restart miners when hash rates drop below certain thresholds could potentially improve stability.

The ETH+RVN dual mining mode demonstrated higher and more stable hash rates. Profitability calculations suggest that in certain market conditions, dual mining ETH+RVN may yield higher returns compared to standard single mining mode.

We recommend extended testing periods for more accurate statistical results: each graphics card should submit over 5,000 shares to the pool for reliable data.

Important note: Our testing used conservative parameter settings. Your results in dual mining mode might achieve higher and more stable performance with optimized configurations. Experiment with overclocking settings and test each graphics card individually to determine optimal parameters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NVIDIA's LHR technology?
LHR (Lite Hash Rate) is a technology implemented by NVIDIA to reduce the cryptocurrency mining efficiency of their GeForce graphics cards. Specifically designed to limit performance on the Ethash algorithm, LHR aims to discourage miners from purchasing gaming-oriented GPUs, thus improving availability for gamers.

How does T-Rex miner address LHR limitations?
T-Rex miner implements software-based solutions that partially bypass LHR restrictions. Through algorithmic optimizations and dual mining capabilities, the software can achieve higher hash rates than would otherwise be possible on LHR-limited cards. The effectiveness varies depending on specific algorithms and mining configurations.

Is dual mining more profitable than single mining with LHR cards?
Dual mining profitability depends on multiple factors including current cryptocurrency values, mining difficulty, and hardware efficiency. Our testing showed that ETH+RVN dual mining could potentially yield higher returns than single mining in some market conditions. However, miners should calculate profitability based on current market conditions and their specific operating costs.

What are the stability implications of using LHR unlock features?
Our testing revealed some instability in certain dual mining modes, particularly with ETH+ERGO combinations. Memory controller load and power consumption showed fluctuations that might affect long-term operation. Extended testing and careful parameter optimization are recommended before deploying unlock solutions in production environments.

How can I optimize my LHR card for maximum mining performance?
Start with conservative settings and gradually increase parameters while monitoring stability. Focus on memory overclocking for Ethash-based algorithms, as this typically yields the best results. Test each card individually since silicon lottery variations can significantly impact optimal settings. Maintain proper cooling to ensure stability during extended mining operations.

Conclusion

The T-Rex miner presents a viable approach to mitigating NVIDIA's LHR restrictions, particularly through its dual mining functionality. While not providing a complete unlock, the software demonstrates meaningful improvements in hash rates compared to limited performance.

The ETH+RVN dual mining mode shows particular promise with relatively stable performance and potentially improved profitability under the right market conditions. However, miners should approach LHR unlock solutions with appropriate expectations—these are optimizations rather than complete removals of NVIDIA's limitations.

As with any mining operation, thorough testing, careful monitoring, and calculated decision-making based on current market conditions remain essential for successful implementation of LHR unlock strategies.