Modders are upgrading Nvidia RTX 5080 cards to 32GB of VRAM

[Alfonso Maruccia]

Hardware Slop?: While repairing a nonworking piece of gaming hardware is a common occurrence, adding extra RAM during the process is still unusual. However, a Chinese modder recently said that this kind of modification has now become widespread among enthusiasts.

In China, specialized modders can add significantly more AI acceleration capabilities while repairing broken Blackwell GPUs. A technician claimed that turning standard GeForce RTX 5080 cards into 32GB monsters is already "a thing" in the country. If confirmed, the news could have some interesting consequences for the high-end GPU market.

The GeForce RTX 5080 was originally introduced in January 2025, sporting a standard VRAM size of 16GB. So far, Nvidia is only providing 32GB with the biggest and baddest Blackwell model (RTX 5090), though the company is rumored to introduce a GeForce RTX 5080 Super model with 24GB of VRAM soon.

According to more recent rumors, the alleged new GeForce model could arrive later than expected. The 24GB card may not arrive until the second quarter of the next year, following a soft launch that's internally scheduled for CES 2026. Even if these claims prove accurate, the new GPU will still have much less VRAM than the high-end GeForce RTX 5090 model.

a gpu repair technician in china claimed 5080 32g has already been a thing.

bilibili 智强显卡工作室https://t.co/X9ygzxd523 pic.twitter.com/Y6TGUbbsvo

– UNIKO's Hardware (@unikoshardware) December 26, 2025

Chinese modders are allegedly working ahead of Nvidia's schedule, though. They are adding 16GB of VRAM to blower-type GPUs, which are designed to eject hot air from the rear. These types of cards are easier to turn into accelerators for AI inferencing and training workloads, expanding the overall computing capacity with multiple cards installed in the same custom server setup.

The Chinese technician who disclosed the new modding/repairing trend said that the GeForce RTX 5080 32GB model is the most popular one. Other blower-style cards from the Blackwell generation (from RTX 5060Ti 16GB to RTX 5070Ti 16GB) are also popular models. The modders are likely exploiting information that emerged from Nvidia's 2022 hacking incident, using custom tools to make repair and upgrade work far easier.

Judging from what I've read in my personal social circles, turning powerful gaming GPUs into yet another AI-focused hardware proposal is not exactly an exciting prospect for everyone. On Reddit, overclocking enthusiasts are highlighting the very sad state of the current RAM market, and the fact that turning even more hardware into "AI nonsense" is not a good modding goal to pursue. In any case, adding 16GB of VRAM to a 16GB GPU is still an interesting type of hardware surgery.

Permalink to story:

Modders are upgrading Nvidia RTX 5080 cards to 32GB of VRAM

 

[Megalomaniac]

So thankful I got my 5090.
The 5080 should have had 24GB of VRAM. At least 20GB.
For them to release that thing with 16GB was a slap in the face.

 

[Liranan]

So thankful I got my 5090.
The 5080 should have had 24GB of VRAM. At least 20GB.
For them to release that thing with 16GB was a slap in the face.

The entire 3XXX series was a slap in the face and yet people bought them up like there was no tomorrow.

 

[RaXelliX]

The entire 3XXX series was a slap in the face and yet people bought them up like there was no tomorrow.

Ampere was at least a step up from horrible Turing.

Lovelace/Blackwell that came after Ampere just increased prices while actually cutting VRAM (3060 12GB vs 4060 and 5060 8GB).

 

[Megalomaniac]

The entire 3XXX series was a slap in the face and yet people bought them up like there was no tomorrow.

I disagree. The 2080Ti and 3090 delivered as promised. The real problem is Nvidia's tactics selling - allowing scammers to ruin our buying experience - when they could so easily do what apple did and force pre-orders and then force verification of ID for sales. Scammers can't beat that. Scalpers can't beat that. AI can't beat that.

Apple singlehandedly killed overnight "lineups" and scalping of iPhone during iPhone 7.

 

[Liranan]

I disagree. The 2080Ti and 3090 delivered as promised. The real problem is Nvidia's tactics selling - allowing scammers to ruin our buying experience - when they could so easily do what apple did and force pre-orders and then force verification of ID for sales. Scammers can't beat that. Scalpers can't beat that. AI can't beat that.

Apple singlehandedly killed overnight "lineups" and scalping of iPhone during iPhone 7.

The 3090 is the only one that has withstood the test of time. Everything below the 3090, including the 3080 has become victim of planned obsolescence. The 3070 with it's 8GB is a disaster and only a 1080p card and even the 3080 now falls below the 6800 due to only having 10GB. These cards should have had 16 but this is NVIDIA being NVIDIA.

 

[LimyG]

Selling the RTX 5080 with 16GB VRAM was really almost insulting. Yes it's enough for any game (as far as I know) but at 4k I would say 16G is the minimum when compared with the GPU processor in the 5080.

16GB was kind of to be expected with the next one down the 5070ti IMO.

When these cards were released the big memory crisis hadn't properly materialized. The 5080 should have sold with 24GB.

Now with the prices of DDR7 I seriously wonder if NV will release a Super 5080 with 24GB, and a token boost in raw GPU power. I've given up on the RTX 5xxx as it stands now.

What I'm curious about is how the RTX 6XXX will be configured. An RTX 6080 with 32GB fast vram, or at the very least 24GB sounds good. But it's a way off. Pointless making solid projections, but I think the only two 5xxx cards that are decent are the undeniably powerful RTX 5090 - but the price puts it out of many folks range.

Secondly the RTX 5070ti seems pretty good now that prices have reached "sensible," levels.
People still complain about NV drivers though, but I wonder how much of that is user error. Can't say as I don't own one.

 

[LimyG]

Sorry for the double post. Curious. Question for any RTX 3080 owner. In real gaming scenario, is the 10GB of Vram starting to limit things?

According to this site, 8GB just doesn't cut it. Understandable, but those extra 2GB on the 3080 could make a significant difference with all but the most demanding games? I have not heard a single "lack of memory article or post anywhere stating that 10GB is now not enough.

Perhaps it scales with the power of the GPU in the 3080 so high settings that need 10GB+ at 4k are always run on much lower settings? Thus not needing in excess of 10GB.

Anyone with an RTX 3080 care to comment? Thank you.