CMP 170HX unlock shows secondary-market demand for high-memory AI GPUs

Old crypto-mining hardware is becoming part of the AI memory squeeze. Tom's Hardware reports that CMP Unlocker, a software-based tool, can restore disabled HBM2E capacity on Nvidia's CMP 170HX cards. The cards are based on GA100 silicon, related to the A100 generation, and were sold with only 8GB or 10GB active even though more memory stacks may be physically present. User feedback has confirmed 40GB working in some cases, while larger 64GB or 80GB outcomes depend on the model and silicon condition. The market signal is secondary-market pressure for high-memory accelerators. The article says CMP 170HX cards had been selling around $250, but prices moved above $1,000 after the unlock became public. This does not create new HBM supply, and reliability is uncertain because disabled stacks may be defective. Still, it shows how AI users are arbitraging older HBM-equipped hardware when mainstream high-memory GPUs remain expensive or scarce.