Question ATX 3.0 VS ATX 3.1

Feb 11, 2024
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The single main reason to get ATX 3.1 over 3.0 i found is this:
ATX 3.0 12VHPWR
ATX 3.1 12V-2×6
Does this affect me if i'm buying an AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX? From my understanding only nvidia gpus had issues with power connectors.

I'm considering buying the be quiet! Straight Power 12 or the be quiet! Power Zone 2
The Straight Power 12 uses ATX 3.0 while the Power Zone 2 has ATX 3.1, however i am concerned that the newer ATX 3.1 Power Zone 2 might be affected from the same problems that come with the dark power pro 13, which are fan noise and explosions. Can anyone give me insight on the situation?
 
Does this affect me if i'm buying an AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX?
No. The only thing you should worry about is if the PSU has the necessary PCIe connectors for the GPU without relying on a daisychain connection, if you intend to stick to AMD's cards. Nvidia's cards will be using the 12V-2x6 connectors moving forward.

You should be fine with an ATX3.0 PSU.
 
Nvidia chose to adopt the 12VHPWR and 12 2x6 standards (which are compatible with each other) AMD has not done so, so you would be using standard PCIe power cables.

Can't really comment on newer PSUs. You either take the risk or wait for reviews. I stick with pretty well reviewed and known PSUs whenever I can.

Straight Power = FSP
Dark Power = Channel Well Technologies
Pure Power = HEC/Compucase

All of the above could change at any time.

Given the design I don't think the Power Zone 2 is made by CWT, so they shouldn't share any problems with the Dark Power series. But I could be wrong if it is indeed an all new platform.
 
Does this affect me if i'm buying an AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX?
No. The only thing you should worry about is if the PSU has the necessary PCIe connectors for the GPU without relying on a daisychain connection, if you intend to stick to AMD's cards. Nvidia's cards will be using the 12V-2x6 connectors moving forward.

You should be fine with an ATX3.0 PSU.
I'm not familiar with the term daisychain.
How do i determine if the PSU has the necessary PCIe connectors for the GPU?
Do i visit the GPU specification page, view which cable connectors it uses and compare this with the PSU specifications to see if both are compatible with each other?
What if i get the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC instead of the non OC, isn't this going to impact my PSU choice since the cable connectors differ? So far i remember the PSU is the unit shipped with cables, not the GPU. But it isn't just the cable that matters, rather the connectors on both the PSU and the GPU, i must be certain the cable will fit both hardware components.
Are there any leaks on the RX 9900 XTX, specifically if this GPU should it launch will adapt the 12v-2x6 standard? Is there any benefit of this adaption over the standard PCIe power connection?
What are reasons against and for the adaption?
 
Nvidia chose to adopt the 12VHPWR and 12 2x6 standards (which are compatible with each other) AMD has not done so, so you would be using standard PCIe power cables.

Can't really comment on newer PSUs. You either take the risk or wait for reviews. I stick with pretty well reviewed and known PSUs whenever I can.

Straight Power = FSP
Dark Power = Channel Well Technologies
Pure Power = HEC/Compucase

All of the above could change at any time.

Given the design I don't think the Power Zone 2 is made by CWT, so they shouldn't share any problems with the Dark Power series. But I could be wrong if it is indeed an all new platform.
In my other thread a user commented if i want to be future proof i should get an ATX 3.1 PSU.
While this sounds somewhat logical, the be quiet power zone 2 appears to be a brand new product, i can't find any user reviews, nothing about explosions and fan noise.
Buying this now could end up as a regret. The straight power 12 uses just ATX 3.0 but there are not many negative reports about that product.
I'm not sure what would be the better option.

Well, is the power zone 2 an all new platform?
 
Cybenetics has rated it, in December, and they are more thorough than 80+, supposedly.


They say it is made by HEC.

As to your other questions, yes it is common to look up the GPU and PSU connectors to make sure you have the right ones.

To see daisy chaining, look at images of the cables if provided.

Otherwise you can figure it out. If there are a limited number of modular ports on the PSU side and it is exceeded by the number of power connectors, you know that some of them come from a single cable. This is quite normal. Just something to be avoided when possible.

If you have the choice of running one cable with two connectors, or running two cables, always run two cables. Even if that means you have connectors laying around.
 
Cybenetics has rated it, in December, and they are more thorough than 80+, supposedly.


They say it is made by HEC.

As to your other questions, yes it is common to look up the GPU and PSU connectors to make sure you have the right ones.

To see daisy chaining, look at images of the cables if provided.

Otherwise you can figure it out. If there are a limited number of modular ports on the PSU side and it is exceeded by the number of power connectors, you know that some of them come from a single cable. This is quite normal. Just something to be avoided when possible.

If you have the choice of running one cable with two connectors, or running two cables, always run two cables. Even if that means you have connectors laying around.
Hows the reputation from HEC/Compucase and FSP?
Asuming CWT isn't in good spotlight considering how many negative reviews can be found around the internet about the dark power pro 13 fan noise and explosions.

I just looked up the cable specs from both the straight power 12 and power zone 2, they are almost identical. I see no benefit in ATX 3.1 over 3.0.

Oh crap... just had to copy paste what you said into translate and now i get what daisy chain means. So i should connect my GPU with separate cables rather than with a single one, if possible? Oh yes you just said exactly that in your next sentence.
So the connectors laying around are just dead ends whom don't cause any disruption to the rest of the cable and the voltage going through it?

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