Customizing a 3D-printed GPU fan shroud with a DDR5 slot may not expand your VRAM capacity, but it certainly adds a stylish touch.

3D-Printed GPU with Integrated DDR5 Memory Slot: A Modern Take on 90s Graphics Cards

In a nod to the graphics cards of the 90s, a modder has 3D-printed a fan shroud for a GPU, incorporating a single DDR5 slot. The end result is a white ROG-branded graphics card with a RAM stick on the side, reminiscent of the ATI 3D Rage II graphics card that had an upgradable SGRAM slot.

The shroud design appears to be inspired by Asus' Dual-series graphics cards. It features Asus and ROG branding, and the DDR5 slot sits at an angle, with the left side above the left ROG-fan and the right underneath it. The modder has wired the RAM slot with power to allow RGB-equipped DDR5 memory to light up, adding to the card's aesthetic appeal.

The added RAM stick accompanies the GPU's internal RGB lighting, assuming the RAM stick installed has RGB capabilities. However, it's important to note that this mod does not result in extra memory capacity for the GPU. Today, the closest thing to expandable memory is memory modding, where skilled technicians and modders upgrade modern Nvidia and AMD GPUs with larger capacity memory ICs.

GPUs such as the RX 5600 XT, RTX 2070, and RTX 3070 have been modified with larger capacity memory ICs. However, adding expandable memory slots to a graphics card would add significant complexity to a manufacturer's board design. Cost, complexity, performance requirements, and cooling issues are likely reasons why upgradable GPU memory was abandoned.

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While this 3D-printed mod is a fascinating throwback to the past, it serves as a reminder of the advancements made in technology since the 90s. The graphics cards of today offer impressive performance without the need for upgradable memory slots. Nevertheless, this mod is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the modding community.