At the end of October last year, NVIDIA launched an updated version of the RTX 3060 graphics card. Although it is called a new version, the memory is reduced from 12GB to 8GB, and the memory interface bandwidth is also changed from 192 bits to 128 bits. The specifications can be said to have dropped, and actual tests have confirmed that the performance is not as good as the old version. More importantly, the price is not cheaper, so it is not suitable for people who accidentally bought the wrong version or did not buy it when they bought it. Players with 12GB will definitely find it disgusting.
The good news is that there is a solution to this. Paulo Gomes, a foreign YouTube channel who often modifies computer hardware, recently published a video on how to magically modify the 8GB version of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 to 12GB memory. It is confirmed that this method is feasible and the performance has also been greatly improved.
Foreign hardware masters magically modified the RTX 3060 8GB version to 12GB memory, and the Unigine 1080p Extreme test achieved a 22% improvement
When the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 was first launched, it was equipped with 12GB of memory. The new version of the RTX 3060 launched last year had the memory reduced to 8GB, the memory interface bandwidth also became 128 bits, but the CUDA core is exactly the same. This makes it easier for those who play some more performance-hungry games to encounter bottlenecks.We have previously reported on the actual measurement results of 12 games, RTX 3060 8GB performance is up to 17% slower than the 12GB version.
If you have accidentally bought an RTX 3060 8GB, you may consider converting it to the 12GB version. Of course, the premise is that you must have relevant experience or find a professional technician to do it. This process is not that easy:
Most of the PCB of the RTX 3060 8GB is the same as the first generation, which means that it can be equipped with up to 8 memory modules. The RTX 3060 Paulo Gomes chose this time only has 4 modules installed, so there are other empty modules available:
According to Paulo Gomes’ video description, if you want to upgrade from 8GB to 12GB, in addition to adding 2 memory ICs to the PCB version, you also need to modify some transistors and replace the BIOS in order to recognize this new module. In other words, without a 12GB BIOS, this modification will never be possible:
GPUZ information, the left is RTX 3060 8GB, and the right is the modified RTX 3060 12GB:
Paulo Gomes also used Unigine Superposition to conduct performance benchmark tests before and after modification. During the test, the power limit was set at 100% and the same fan speed was used to ensure that the testing methods were the same before and after modification. It can be seen that the RTX 3060 8GB score is 4235 points. After upgrading to 12GB, it instantly increases to 5196 points, a difference of 22% in the 1080p Extreme configuration:
This method is limited to those who have already bought the 8GB version. For players who are considering buying an RTX 3060 graphics card, of course, just choose the 12GB version without any extra effort.
Full video:
Source: KOCPC Chinese