A groundbreaking tweak to the GeForce RTX 4090 laptop GPU has captured attention by elevating its performance to rival the RTX 5090 through a straightforward modification. This impressive feat demonstrates how hardware enthusiasts can push the boundaries of technology with a few calculated changes.
Redditor’s Ingenious Shunt Mod Unlocks GPU Potential
Harnessing the power of shunt modding, a Reddit user known as u/thatavidreadertrue has dramatically enhanced the performance of their RTX 4090 laptop GPU. This technique involves adding a shunt resistor to trick the GPU into drawing more power than it would typically allow. By stacking a 1m Ohm resistor on top of the existing 5m Ohm resistor, the total resistance was reduced to approximately 0.83m Ohm. This modification made the GPU perceive a much lower power consumption, resulting in an actual power draw close to 240W, significantly boosting its capabilities.
Managing Heat with Enhanced Cooling Solutions
With the increased power consumption comes the challenge of managing additional heat. The user tackled this by repasting the GPU with liquid metal and using Honeywell PTM 7950, a high-performance thermal interface material. Additionally, the VRM thermal pads were upgraded with Upisren UX Pro Ultra to ensure effective heat dissipation. These steps were crucial, especially since the cooling system of the Zephyrus M16 was not designed for such high power levels.
Remarkable Performance Gains
The results of this innovation are nothing short of remarkable. Benchmarks reveal that the modified GPU outperforms its original configuration by as much as 35.5%, with an over 20% improvement in most 3D Mark tests. Such modifications showcase the potential for significant performance gains with relatively simple adjustments. However, this path is fraught with risk, including potential overheating and voiding the warranty. Enthusiasts should proceed with caution and implement necessary cooling measures if attempting similar modifications.
