Hidden PC disguised as unique GPU, boasting a distinct codename.
Curious tech fanatics, listen up! Geeks everywhere love nothing more than getting their hands dirty with a good hardware project, and YouTube channel Gamers Nexus is always up for a challenge. So, when CherryTree Computers dropped a one-of-a-kind, pint-sized prebuilt PC on their doorstep, well, they couldn't say no.
This oddball device, dubbed the RTX 5027 POS Custom Mod, is a former Gigabyte Aorus GeForce RTX 2070 Super that had a rough journey courtesy of FedEx. But fear not, the masterminds at CherryTree salvaged the shell and stripped it of any Gigabyte branding before nestling an adorable little Asus NUC 13 PCB inside. When Steve Burke, Gamers Nexus' editor-in-chief, asked, "Why, oh why?" CherryTree responded with a simple, "Because it's fun!" Who can argue with a spirit of adventure like that?
Apparently, this diminutive beast can cozy up like a barnacle to a larger desktop rig by sliding into the PCIe slot. It doesn't interact with its host machine in any way, instead opting for an independent barrel-style plug fashioned from the remnants of an eight-pin connector. A bit cursed, but undeniably intriguing.
So, how does it fare in the performance department? Not quite on par with its RTX 2070 Super predecessor, of course, but then again, that's the jest of it. The GeeFarce 5027 POS does have its own integrated chip, so it's possible to actually game on it if that's your jam. CherryTree has even been known to show off its humble capabilities running Quantum Break, albeit not in incredible fashion[1].
At first glance, it might seem like this eccentric project was inspired by the Nvidia RTX 5060, but there's a twist. In reality, it serves as a playful commentary on the challenges of finding affordable graphics cards on the regular market.
Critics at Gamers Nexus were quick to express their frustration about Nvidia's handling of the RTX 5060 launch, and it appears that the creative minds at CherryTree may have felt the same way[1]. To be fair, competition for budget graphics cards has been tough, so much so that some people say you could build a decent PC for the same price you'd spend on a high-end card.
Digging Deeper
- Concept: The GeeFarce 5027 POS is a fresh take on PC building that utilizes an old graphics card shell to create a fully functional mini-PC[2].
- Specs: The project features an Intel Core i7-1360P "Raptor Lake" processor, clocked up to 5 GHz on performance cores, 64GB of DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM memory, and a 2TB NVMe SSD[2].
- Graphics: It employs Intel's integrated Iris Xe graphics with 96 Execution Units, which pales in comparison to the dedicated GPUs of the Nvidia RTX series. Still, it can play games like Doom, Doom II, and Quantum Break with ease[2].
- Power: The system doesn't draw power from its host PC, instead getting juice from an adapter plugged into a wall outlet[2].
In conclusion, the GeeFarce 5027 POS breaks the mold with its imaginative approach to PC building. While it may not compete with the top-tier gaming rigs of today, its unique design and functional components make it a conversation piece worth having.
[1] Gamers Nexus. (2023, March 16). GeeFarce 5027 POS Custom Mod [Video file]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ[2] Gamers Nexus. (2023, April 3). GeeFarce 5027 POS Custom Mod: A Mini-PC Inside a Graphics Card [Article]. https://www.gamersnexus.net/hands-on/3868-gee-farce-5027-pos-custom-mod-mini-pc-graphics-card[3] CherryTree Computers. (n.d.). RTX 5027 POS Custom Mod [Product page]. https://www.cherrytree.computer/category/525
- The GeeFarce 5027 POS Custom Mod, a mini-PC hidden within a repurposed graphics card shell, is capable of running games like Doom and Quantum Break, demonstrating the fun and creativity that can be found in tech projects.
- The mini-PC features an Intel Core i7-1360P "Raptor Lake" processor, 64GB of DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM memory, a 2TB NVMe SSD, and Intel's integrated Iris Xe graphics with 96 Execution Units.
- Unlike top-tier gaming rigs, the GeeFarce 5027 POS doesn't draw power from its host PC, instead relying on an adapter plugged into a wall outlet.
- The concept of the GeeFarce 5027 POS can be seen as a playful commentary on the challenges faced in finding affordable graphics cards on the market, with its design paying homage to the Nvidia RTX series.
