A Chinese modder, WestmereX, has created a custom GeForce RTX 3060 that operates solely on PCIe slot power, eliminating the same external power connectors. The card features a single-slot, half-height design, making its overall size comparable to a smartphone. It is equipped with one HDMI port and one DisplayPort, utilizing a blower-style fan to exhaust heat from the case.
The primary technical challenge was the power supply. While a standard RTX 3060 has a TDP of approximately 170W, a PCIe x16 slot provides a maximum of 75W. To achieve this, the creator modified the power detection circuitry to lower the GPU's power limits, allowing the card to boot and run without external power.
The modifications resulted in a significant performance drop. The core clock speed is limited to under 900MHz, compared to the official boost clock of 1777MHz. In 3DMark Time Spy, the custom card scored 4821 points, while a standard RTX 3060 typically scores around 9000 points.
The card's performance now falls below that of older mid-range cards like the GTX 1060 and Radeon RX 580. Thermal issues are also prominent, with hotspot temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Celsius due to the extreme simplification of the cooling system. The creator stated that the actual power consumption is approximately 80W, slightly exceeding the PCIe slot standard.
