Modding

Brazilian modder Paulo Gomes and his team, known for their GPU experiments, have doubled the VRAM on a GALAX RTX 2080 SUPER HOF from 8GB to 16GB. Testing in Resident Evil Requiem shows a real gain in scenarios where the card was running out of memory.

According to YouTuber Paolo Gomes, via Videocardz, the team says they couldn't find an earlier example of this exact mod being done on a 2080 SUPER. The process involved desoldering all eight original 1GB Samsung GDDR6 modules and replacing them with 2GB chips, then adjusting the card's memory strap configuration so the GPU would correctly report the new 16GB capacity.

In Resident Evil Requiem, memory allocation on the 16GB card rose to roughly 11GB in a VRAM-heavy section. Frame rates went from around 25 FPS on the stock 8GB card to somewhere between 32 and 34 FPS after the mod, which the team calculates as close to a 28% improvement.

A modder has gone the extra mile and built a full custom liquid-cooled setup for the Steam Machine for fun. Techmagnet posted his work on the PCBuild subreddit, where he showed how he built the waterblock from start to finish, including drilling holes into the Steam Machine's chassis to accommodate a radiator and reservoir.

The process involved disassembling the Steam Machine and measuring the console's PCB that holds the CPU and GPU. The modder then built a custom waterblock designed to cool both the CPU and GPU and worked with the stock mounting holes on the PCB. The Steam Machine's CPU and GPU are both located on the same side of the system's PCB, making it easy to create a single waterblock capable of cooling both chips.

The block was created using a CNC machine using copper featuring two fin-stacks, with each one responsible for cooling either the CPU or GPU. The top of the waterblock was mated to a custom acrylic block featuring two ports.

Keychron has announced ZGM, an open-source gaming mouse firmware project that aims to do for mice what QMK and ZMK did for mechanical keyboards by turning closed hardware into something enthusiasts can actually tinker with. The company plans to launch ZGM in Q1 2027, with its upcoming G6 HE wireless gaming mouse set to be the first product to ship with the firmware.

"Every gaming mouse on the market runs firmware you can't read, can't audit, can't change," Keychron wrote in its announcement on X. "So we built it ourselves." Gaming mice have historically been black boxes, with sensor tuning, polling behaviour, and click processing all locked behind manufacturer firmware that users have no way to inspect or modify.

ZGM is built on Zephyr RTOS, the same real-time operating system that underpins ZMK, a popular open-source keyboard firmware. The architecture is designed to be modular, meaning sensors, buttons, scroll wheels, and lighting drivers are decoupled layers that can be swapped or extended without rewriting the firmware from scratch.

One word that every PC gamer who has spent enough time browsing Reddit threads or YouTube tutorials eventually runs into is "modding." As synonymous as it has become with PC gaming, installing mods is rarely the simple drag-and-drop experience you'd hope for. Nexus Mods' new owner, Victor Foledinho Folmann, has outlined an ambitious plan to fundamentally change how mods are built, shared, and installed on the platform.

"For going on 25 years now, this platform has been modeling mods as files," Folmann wrote. "Mods are not files. Mods are systems. With dependencies, with conflicts, with load orders, with versioning, with environments, all that complexity. Everything that has been making you angry over the years can be attributed to one factor: the platform models your mods as files."

The plan is to fix that at the infrastructure level. Rather than leaving users to manually manage dependencies, resolve conflicts, and spend hours on Reddit hunting for why a Skyrim mod refuses to load, Nexus Mods wants to handle those difficult parts itself. The goal is for a mod to be a repeatable, reliable experience for everyone who installs it, not just the person who made it.

Someone on Bilibili decided their RTX 4060 needed a cooling solution roughly the size of a small radiator, and the result is somehow both ridiculous and kind of beautiful. The build straps a gigantic 2.5kg block of finned aluminum directly onto the card, ditching the stock fans entirely in favor of pure passive cooling.

For scale, that heatsink weighs more than twice as much as the graphics card itself, and it towers over the tiny mini-ITX motherboard the RTX 4060 is socketed into. The fins are spaced wide apart on purpose, giving hot air room to rise and escape without any help from a fan. Even the CPU sitting next to it got the passive treatment, so the whole rig runs in total silence.

The project first surfaced on Chinese platform Bilibili before FanlessTech picked it up, and it made the rounds online. Nobody outside the build seems to have shared official load temps, so treat this one as a proof of concept and a crazy one-off, rather than something to copy this weekend.

The same Reddit modder who turned a PS4 Slim into a working handheld earlier this year is back with round two. Posting under the handle wewillmakeitnow, they built a second version of their DIY console, and this one is noticeably more compact than the original.

The new build, called the PS4P v2, still runs on a cut-down PS4 Slim motherboard, but the modder says this version draws less power, which helps with battery life. It keeps the same 7-inch 1080p OLED screen and pairs it with six 21700 cells rated at 5000mAh each, good for 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the game. It can also run off external power, and it supports HDMI output plus a real PS4 controller if you'd rather hook it up to a TV.

One of the more interesting changes is the cooling setup. The modder mounted a fan pulled from an old GTX 750 graphics card to the back of the unit, with a removable guard over it. Take the guard off for better airflow, or leave it on to shield the fan from dust and knocks. For me, the fan on the back also adds to the industrialist aesthetics of the build, but that can be subjective.

Modders are always looking for ways to improve old hardware while preserving its soul. A new hardware mod has pushed the original 1994 PlayStation well past its factory spec, expanding system RAM from 2MB to 16MB. The project comes from modder TunerTom, working with the PSX.dev Discord community, and was demonstrated on video by Tito Perez of Macho Nacho Productions.

The mod isn't adding new capability so much as unlocking something that was already there. The upgrade activates memory support that Sony originally built for its arcade hardware but never enabled on retail consoles. TunerTom reportedly studied those arcade boards, which used two 8MB memory banks, and found the PS1's CPU could address the same configuration.

The install itself, however, is far from simple. The console detects the upgrade as two separate 8MB banks, and getting there means replacing the four factory 512KB EDO DRAM chips with eight 2MB chips pulled from old PC memory modules. Four chips go in normally, while the other four are stacked on top of them, with custom wiring and trace cuts needed to route the signals correctly.

Windows 11 has some pretty strict hardware requirements that have made it difficult for many to upgrade from Windows 10. TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and a relatively modern CPU are among them, and Microsoft has been firm about them. But a modder going by "Omores" has now decided to call that bluff, getting Windows 11 running on a platform from the early 2000s powered by DDR1 memory.

The system is built around an ASRock ConRoe865PE motherboard with an Intel i865PE chipset, a board regarded as something of a legend among hardware collectors for bridging generations. It allowed users to run Intel Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors while keeping DDR1 memory and AGP graphics. Omores took advantage of exactly that flexibility, pairing the board with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, a 65nm quad-core CPU that gives the platform enough grunt to be genuinely usable.

The GPU situation required the most work. The system uses an ATI Radeon HD 4650 AGP graphics card, and getting AGP acceleration working on Windows 11 meant hunting down Windows 7 64-bit ATI drivers from 2012 and forcing them onto the system with a custom INF file. The effort paid off, with AGP 8X fully functional and H.264 hardware decoding active. The system also boots from a Toshiba SATA SSD.

Okay, as far as custom PCs and mods go, this one from creator modifiedgg is a little out there because it puts a gaming PC and full racing rig inside an actual 1998 Nissan Skyline R34 GTT. Yes, this classic Japanese automobile is renowned for its stylish design and performance and is featured in the latest open-world racing hit, Forza Horizon 6, which is set in Japan.

So yeah, on paper, an ambitious mod and build like this, highlighted by NVIDIA as part of its GeForce Garage build series, makes sense as a Forza Horizon 6 custom PC, but it's still incredibly over-the-top. For example, the actual PC hardware is mounted under the hood in a chassis designed to resemble the 1998 Nissan Skyline R34 GTT engine it replaces.

And that's not all, as you've got premium Moza Racing sim peripherals mounted inside the Skyline, replacing the existing steering wheel and so forth, with multiple AOC monitors, including a super ultrawide display mounted in place of the front windscreen and left and right-side passenger windows.

Last month, security engineer and modder Andy Nguyen (@theflow0 on X) began experimenting with running Linux on the PS5 and successfully ran Grand Theft Auto V: Enhanced Edition on his console under Ubuntu. Since then, Andy has been testing and refining the project privately and has now released PS5-Linux on GitHub, allowing users to turn their console into a functional Linux gaming PC.

According to the official GitHub notes, PS5-Linux uses a patched hypervisor vulnerability to unlock the console's hardware. Once installed, the console acts like a desktop PC with 8 CPU cores running at 3.5 GHz and a GPU clocked at 2.23 GHz. It also supports 4K at 60Hz over HDMI, audio output, and runs Steam games and emulators smoothly.

The tool currently works only with PS5 Phat models on specific firmware versions. Firmware versions 3.00, 3.10, 3.20, and 3.21 are supported without M.2, while 4.00, 4.02, 4.03, 4.50, and 4.51 are supported with M.2. Support for older firmware versions might be added later, but it is not a priority. Firmware 5.xx is also under consideration, but may not perform as well, as Ubuntu would have to run in the GameOS virtual machine rather than have full hardware access.

YouTube creator PhasedTech, who previously modded an Xbox One S console, transforming it into an entry-level PC with a working disc drive and GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, is back. This time, he's modding the larger Xbox Series X console into a fully functional desktop gaming PC with a working disc drive and a beefier GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card.

Although the tower-like chassis of the Xbox Series X resembles some compact PC cases, it's still not large enough to house a mini-ITX motherboard and build a relatively standard compact gaming PC. Instead, PhasedTech sourced an Intel NUC with a Core i7 12700 processor, 32GB of DDR4 memory, and 1TB of NVMe storage to serve as the PC hardware.

From there, combining that with a low-profile GeForce RTX 5060 (specifically this GIGABYTE model) on a base board with custom 3D-printed parts, brackets, and other bits, we see the Xbox Series X transform into a gaming PC.

Capcom's critically acclaimed Resident Evil Requiem has been one of the biggest game releases of the year, and on PC, it has launched in a state that is so polished that it hasn't needed any sort of post-launch updates, hot fixes, or anything, thanks to its rock-solid performance on a wide range of hardware. And to celebrate the launch, modder Czuga has collaborated with Capcom and NVIDIA to create a special custom one-of-a-kind PC.

Essentially, it's Resident Evil Requiem's ruined Raccoon City police station in the form of a gaming PC. Czuga actually received the location's 3D data and designs directly from Capcom and then transformed them into a custom PC using Blender. From there, all the components were 3D printed, hand-painted, and then hand-assembled into the impressive creation you see here.

And yes, sitting in the center of the ruins is a vertically mounted GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition. Other designs touched include green biohazard-inspired lighting for the fans and the CPU cooler. You can check out the build-making process below, in a shot timelapse video showcasing the assembly, painting, and installation of hardware.

Chinese-based tech enthusiast 小宁子 XNZ has put together something pretty impressive, a custom mod that combines the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2 into a single console. With the fun 'Ningtendo PXBOX 5' name, this impressive mod project blends modern 3D printing with traditional wax-casting techniques to create a remarkable system that cools all three consoles with a single triangular cooler.

The Apple Mac Pro also served as an inspiration for the design, as its cylindrical shape and blend of multiple components provided a strong foundation for arranging all three consoles in a single case. Another aspect of this mod that makes it impressive is that all three consoles draw power from a single source, and with the low-power standby options on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, switching back and forth takes only a couple of seconds.

Inside the unit, all three PCBs are attached to one side of a triangle, with Switch 2 using a custom dock to connect and even eject the console. The entertaining video on the whole process is worth a watch, as you get to see a few different failed attempts and just how they managed to create an aluminum cast as a low-cost alternative to ordering a custom CNC-machined cooler.

TINY PS5 Redux is a DIY solution that transforms a large and bulky PlayStation 5 console into a slim and compact device resembling a mini PC. Covering both the launch edition and the slimline redesign, TINY PS5 Redux is a comprehensive mod that includes guides, diagrams, 3D printer files, and detailed instructions on how to assemble your own compact PS5.

Created by Not From Concentrate (NFC), you can watch a detailed breakdown of the creation of the TINY PS5 Redux in the video below. The project wasn't undertaken to make the PS5 console smaller in size, but also to improve cooling and enhance features like WiFi and Bluetooth performance. Compared to the original TINY PS5, the Redux edition is larger, but also more premium and stylish in its overall design.

The cooling is definitely one of the more impressive aspects of the mod, as it incorporates an Alpenföhn Black Ridge CPU cooler with two slim 120mm Noctua fans, along with a heatsink panel that enhances airflow through a push-and-pull system. Cold air is pulled through the back of the system, with three additional 60mm slim Noctua fans exhausting the heat through the side of the unit.

Cooler Master's annual Case Mod World Series 2024 has wrapped, and the winners are impressive, surprising, and outlandish. They showcase the incredible talent possessed by modders in creating custom PC cases.

The competition covered two categories: Scratch Build of the Year, which is all about custom case mods created from the ground up, and Tower Mod of the Year, which sees competitors take existing Cooler Master cases and let their creativity, skill, and imagination run wild.

The Scratch Build winner, "Taiwan Five Timber" by Kuan-Sheng Wu from GsStudio, is a custom build inspired by Taiwan's cultural heritage and incorporates five types of locally sourced timber. It's an impressive-looking build, though we have a soft spot for the runner-up build called "ED-209." Inspired by the classic 1980s film RoboCop, it brings the menacing OCP robot to life with impressive detail.

The Nintendo Switch is undeniably a juggernaut, one of the most successful consoles ever. However, before the Switch's meteoric rise, Nintendo's most successful home console was 2006's Wii - which introduced the world to motion controls as the primary way to interact with a game.

On YouTube, Gaming enthusiast Tech By Matt has posted a deep dive into his latest creation, turning an original Nintendo Wii console into a gaming PC. One that is powerful enough to (ironically) emulate and play Nintendo Switch games like Super Mario Odyssey at a playable frame rate.

For those with a Nintendo Wii, you might recall that it was a pretty small console - too small to fit an ITX motherboard. So Matt decided instead to use the components from a mini PC - the Minisforum UM773 Lite with a Ryzen 7 7735HS APU. The best part is that the original power button turns on the PC, and the GameCube ports still work when you plug in the original GameCube controllers.

'Environment Textures Overhaul' is a new mod for Cyberpunk 2077 that replaces lower-quality textures found throughout the game's vibrant open-world Night City with new high-resolution versions that not only match the look and feel of the originals but are also optimized for ray-tracing.

Available in 4K and 2K variants, the mod pack includes around 170 new textures for road and wall surfaces and works with the popular HD Reworked Project mod. The 'Environment Textures Overhaul' mod does not impact performance; it simply requires more VRAM. It's worth installing and checking out if you're already running the game with high or ultra-equivalent PC settings.

Created by 'nigeez' and available to download on NexusMods, the 2K version weighs around 500 MB, with the 4K textures at around 650 MB, so it's not a hefty download. As a low-impact mod, it doesn't change the actual gameplay; it simply gives the world a little more detail while making everything look crisper. Here are a few side-by-side examples.

NVIDIA's RTX Remix was released into Open Beta this month, giving PC modders some incredibly easy-to-use and powerful tools to remaster and essentially remake classic games with the help of AI and RTX technologies like DLSS and ray-tracing. With the ability to add path tracing to older games (something NVIDIA showcased with its Portal RTX remaster), the result can be like looking at a brand-new game.

However, this level of ray-tracing is incredibly taxing on GPU hardware - to the point where some of the playing certain RTX Remix mods at high resolutions might be limited to graphics cards like the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER and GeForce RTX 4090.

Take this example of Rockstar's iconic Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, given the RTX Remix treatment.

Even though it's about to be replaced by the upcoming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER (yeah, it's a mouthful), the current GeForce RTX 4070 Ti is still a beast of a GPU - able to deliver faster than GeForce RTX 3090 performance. A high-end GPU that often ships with over-the-top triple-fan triple-slot cooling designs - on account of its performance.

What if you could fit a GeForce RTX 4070 Ti (a capable 4K gaming card) inside a Small Form Factor (SFF) PC? It's not an out-of-this-world idea because of how power efficient the Ada Lovelace generation of GPUs has been - the lower the power draw, the lower the heat generated.

And so this mod over on Reddit is impressive. It takes the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti and puts in a single-fan and dual-slot shroud, which makes the 173mm long and 14.5mm thick dimensions small enough to fit inside even the tiniest PC gaming builds.

Valve has issued two DMCA takedowns and brought the hammer down on two popular mod projects in what's widely regarded as a surprise move for the developer, publisher, and Steam platform owner.

Portal 64, a project that ports Valve's iconic first-person puzzle game to an unlike source - the Nintendo 64 - is one, and Team Fortress: Source 2, which updates the classic shooter with the newer Source 2 engine, is the other.

We previously reported on Portal 64, the ambitious and impressive project from programmer James Lambert. Considering the age of N64 hardware, the fact that it works at all is incredible - with the most recent update to the project confirming that a large portion of the game was complete and up and running.