Single-Slot RTX 3060 Performs Worse Than GTX 1060
A modified, single-slot GeForce RTX 3060 GPU draws power only from the PCIe slot, severely limiting its performance to below that of older budget cards.
An unusual GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card has been spotted in a Bilibili video. The compact, single-slot design lacks any external power connector, drawing all its power from the PCIe slot.
According to the video posted by @unikoshardware, this results in severe performance limitations. The card's reported 3DMark Time Spy score is approximately half that of a standard RTX 3060.
Design and Power Modifications
The card features a navy blue, low-profile design with a blower-style cooler. It is roughly the size of a smartphone and offers only two display outputs: one HDMI and one DisplayPort. The most notable feature is the complete absence of a standard 6-pin or 8-pin power connector.
The video uploader, cited by Wccftech, suggests the card's maker used a shunt mod. This modification alters the power-sensing resistor near the PCIe interface. It tricks the GPU into operating within the PCIe slot's 75-watt power budget, a significant reduction from the RTX 3060's typical 170-watt design power. While monitoring software like GPU-Z may report higher power draws, these readings are inaccurate due to the modified circuitry.
Severe Performance Throttling
The power restriction has a dramatic impact on performance. The card's core clock struggles to sustain speeds above 900 MHz, far below its potential boost clock of around 1777 MHz. In the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark, it scored only 4821 points.
For comparison, standard RTX 3060 models typically score 9000 points or more in the same test. The modified card's score is lower than those achieved by much older budget GPUs.
| GPU Model | Approximate 3DMark Time Spy Score |
|---|---|
| Modified RTX 3060 | 4821 |
| Standard RTX 3060 | 9000+ |
| GeForce GTX 1060 | Higher than 4821 |
| Radeon RX 580 | Higher than 4821 |
Thermal and Use Case Considerations
Cooling is another major issue. The compact blower cooler was reportedly insufficient, with the GPU hotspot reaching temperatures over 90 degrees Celsius during testing. The combination of restricted power delivery and inadequate cooling leads to significant thermal throttling.
Despite its poor performance, the card might find a niche. It could serve as a last-resort upgrade for ultra-compact form-factor PCs where space is extremely limited and no external GPU power cables are available. The card remains a curious example of extreme design compromise for the sake of size.
