Converting an ASUS GTX 950 Strix to Run on only PCI-E Slot Power.
•February 16, 2026
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Why It Matters
The mod provides a practical method to repurpose older GPUs for test benches and display duties without buying low‑performance slot‑only cards, while highlighting safety, power‑limit and PCIe spec risks that operators must manage. It’s a useful proof‑of‑concept for makers and testers but underscores why the approach isn’t suitable for high‑power modern GPUs.
Summary
YouTuber BuildZoid documents a hardware mod converting an ASUS GTX 950 Strix to run solely from the PCIe slot by raising the shunt resistor for the auxiliary 6‑pin feed and rewiring the card so the 6‑pin, when plugged in, bypasses the higher‑resistance shunt and restores full power. He explains the electrical rationale—NVIDIA cards use shunt resistors to monitor/enforce power limits—walks through removing and replacing the shunt, rewiring the 12V pins, and shows measurements of actual PCIe slot draw versus when the 6‑pin is connected. The video emphasizes careful component placement on the Strix PCB that makes the mod convenient and notes limits of the approach (you shouldn’t attempt it on modern high‑power GPUs). BuildZoid frames the project as a low‑cost way to convert midrange cards into slot‑powered display/test bench GPUs.
Original Description
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/buildzoid
Twitch(mainly gaming streams): https://www.twitch.tv/buildzoid
My FPS game: https://buildzoid.itch.io/hv-shooter
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