GeForce RTX 3060 8GB can be modded to support 12GB memory
A collaboration of content creators and technicians brings us another mod of the GeForce RTX GPU.
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB modded to 12GB, Source: Paulo Gomes
A video featuring teams from Paulo Gomes and “harteck” presents a new mod of the RTX 30 graphics card. Unlike with the RTX 3070 GPU being modded to support 16GB VRAM, this mod is a lot more unusual and not something we have seen before.
The RTX 3060 originally launched with 12GB VRAM and that was the only option until the release of RTX 3060 8GB late last year. Both cards share the same CUDA core specs, but there is a major difference in terms of memory. Instead of 12GB GDDR6 config attached to a 192-bit memory bus, the ‘cheaper’ RTX 3060 gets 8GB GDDR6 and a 128-bit memory bus instead. This could become a bottleneck when playing high-fidelity games, and the choosing 12GB VRAM option appears to be a much better choice in 2023.
However, if one ends up with the 8GB version of RTX 3060, there is apparently a way to fix it. Turns out that the card can still be modded back to 12GB memory as long as it is done professionally and there is room for additional memory.
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB modded to 12GB, Source: Paulo Gomes
Most RTX 3060 8GB cards are based on the original PCB design that can host up to 8 memory modules. The RTX 3060 8GB selected for this test only had four modules installed, leaving plenty of room for adding more.
The modification does not end with memory replacement, though. The card needs to be tricked into supporting a 192-bit memory bus by changing the resistors and with the BIOS replacement from the 12GB model. In other words, if there were never 12GB BIOS available, this mod would never have worked otherwise.
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB modded to 12GB GPUZ, Source: Paulo Gomes
Before and after the mod, the graphics card was tested with Unigine Superposition benchmark. The card was set to 100% power limit and to the same fan speed to avoid any potential bottlenecks and to ensure there are no discrepancies between the testing methodology. The modification resulted in a 22% higher score in 1080p Extreme profile.
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB modded to 12GB Unigine Superposition, Source: Paulo Gomes
Such modifications can only be performed by professionals and with professional equipment, users of RTX 3060 8GB should definitely not attempt this at home.
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Many thanks to gabigol for the tip!
