It's the first time I have seen such a hybrid PCIe interface on a desktop GPU, but it gets the job done, which makes it a successful design for budget compact form-factor PCs.
ZOTAC Divides the PCIe Interface Into Two: Uses x8+x8 Hybrid PCIe Interface for its GeForce RTX 5060 Ti
ZOTAC Magnus isn't just the smallest mini PC with a desktop GeForce RTX 5060 Ti GPU, but it is probably the first one to utilize a hybrid PCIe interface that does two jobs at the same time. Getting a desktop-variant GPU into a 2.65 Litre chassis was already remarkable, but what's more surprising is that ZOTAC managed to totally eliminate the need for an external GPU power connector.
As revealed by HKEPC's disassembly of the ZOTAC Magnus, it was revealed that the mini PC is indeed using the desktop RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB variant, but something appeared strange. It's the PCIe gold finger, which was divided into two parts. The first part is reportedly used for establishing the connection with the motherboard, and the second is used for powering the GPU. The GPU-Z tool reveals that it's a hybrid "PCIe x8 5.0 + x8 5.0" configuration that takes care of both tasks.
The motherboard PCB features a power source at the bottom that reportedly routes the 19V input directly to the GPU through the secondary x8 interface. The GPU is now left with a PCIe 5.0 x8 connection, which is still enough for unlocking the GPU's full speed, while the second PCIe x8 connector is able to draw the required 180 W, letting the GPU run at its full potential. The benchmarks look satisfactory as well, but the design is definitely something that could benefit more such compact mini PCs with budget and mid-range GPUs.
While ZOTAC does have another Magnus edition with a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, it's quite huge in size in comparison with the EN275060TC hosting the RTX 5060 Ti. Moreover, the RTX 5070 Ti needs a dedicated 12V-2x6 connector, which the PCIe x8 connector can't replace. Of course, we have solutions such as ASUS's BTF High Power Connector, but it still can't achieve such a hybrid and convenient design as the ZOTAC Magnus.
Looks like GPUs with single 8-pin PCIe connectors can utilize the PCIe x8 + x8 design, considering the power limit doesn't go beyond 200 W. The ZOTAC Magnus allows power adjustments of up to +11%, which can help in achieving some good overclocking results, but considering the GPU wasn't able to operate at 180W for a longer time, the current cooling solution in the Magnus isn't sufficient for overclocking.
News Sources: HKEPC, @unikoshardware
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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