News Not all RTX 40-series Super GPUs use the new 12V-2x6 connector — new images of 16-pin "H++" power connector emerge

[Admin]

Naked images of the 12V-2x6 and 12VHPWR power connectors reveal that each 16-pin iteration has its own identification stamped onto the connector itself, giving 16-pin GPU owners an easy way to identify which connector they have.

Not all RTX 40-series Super GPUs use the new 12V-2x6 connector — new images of 16-pin "H++" power connector emerge : Read more

 

[Gururu]

Remind me again why they aren't using the standard 2x 8 pin configuration?

 

[bolweval]

Remind me again why they aren't using the standard 2x 8 pin configuration?

I wouldn't mind the new connector if it was trouble free, less cable clutter is a good thing, makes for a cleaner build IMO..

 

[Amdlova]

Nice now they copy intel with the 14+++ 10+++ and 7+++ your connector have ++++++ are better lol

Just go back to the other connector works fine...

 

[TechyInAZ]

Remind me again why they aren't using the standard 2x 8 pin configuration?

Nvidia regulations. Nvidia won't let them.

The only exception is with the mid-range 40 series cards like the 4070 and lower.

 

[Notton]

Yeah, basically nvidia wanted a smaller PCB and cleaner look. AIBs don't get a choice.

Although, let's not forget PCI-SIG approved this connector.
Personally, I like Asus' slot connector for a clean look... too bad it's proprietary.

 

[CorrOzi0n_s0cZ]

There is a discrepancy in this article regarding the claim that only RTX 4090's were caught in the crossfire of the 12VHPWR connector melting issues, when there were actually quite a few 4080's documented that also suffered this same fate.

What's most astounding to me about this whole fiasco is that everyone seems to forget that the 12VHPWR standard was the result of combined efforts from NVIDIA / Intel / AMD and PCI-SIG, of which the latter also had to certify the standard as a safe and worthy alternative to the standard 8 pin connectors everyone knows and has loved for so long before the 12VHPWR standard was ever released to the public. However, while Intel hasn't bothered getting into the middle of the whole drama surrounding the new connector I find it comical that AMD tried to use the reported cases of the connector melting as marketing material to push RDNA3 sales when they were involved in the design of the connector which is a really slimy move on their part.

From my personal account, as a launch day RTX 4090 owner using a 2x8 pin direct to PSU to 12VHPWR connector I've had no issues myself in 12V voltage dropping over time or any melting on the connector leads to speak of after checking just last month when upgrading other components in my build, take from that what you will.

 

[Sleepy_Hollowed]

Terrible electrical engineering on nvidia’s part.

 

[TechyInAZ]

There is a discrepancy in this article regarding the claim that only RTX 4090's were caught in the crossfire of the 12VHPWR connector melting issues, when there were actually quite a few 4080's documented that also suffered this same fate.

What's most astounding to me about this whole fiasco is that everyone seems to forget that the 12VHPWR standard was the result of combined efforts from NVIDIA / Intel / AMD and PCI-SIG, of which the latter also had to certify the standard as a safe and worthy alternative to the standard 8 pin connectors everyone knows and has loved for so long before the 12VHPWR standard was ever released to the public. However, while Intel hasn't bothered getting into the middle of the whole drama surrounding the new connector I find it comical that AMD tried to use the reported cases of the connector melting as marketing material to push RDNA3 sales when they were involved in the design of the connector which is a really slimy move on their part.

From my personal account, as a launch day RTX 4090 owner using a 2x8 pin direct to PSU to 12VHPWR connector I've had no issues myself in 12V voltage dropping over time or any melting on the connector leads to speak of after checking just last month when upgrading other components in my build, take from that what you will.

Can you link me the RTX 4080 melting issues? That would be awesome!

I'm actually the one who wrote the article. But, we havent gotten around to updating my profile on the Forums yet to disclose it.

 

[TJ Hooker]

The new connector received several modifications to boost its durability and a minor power boost from 600W to 675W. The biggest change of the revised connector is its 16 connecting pins which have been trimmed down and been made more conductive compared to its predecessor. Hardware Busters found that these two changes alone significantly improved the 12V-2x6's thermal operation, which should make the connector virtually immune to any sort of melting.

The power limit didn't change going from 12VHPWR to 12V-2x6. They're both up to 55A/600W.

Also, there aren't any specific changes to the power pin conductor material or structure with the new connector. The linked article is based on a HW Busters video where Arris discusses a new cable plug connector (not board header) that's supposedly more conductive. However, whatever changes made for the cable plug he's looking at wouldn't be inherent to the spec change, because the new spec did not include any changes to the cable plug connector. From Arris' related article:

'The “Cable Plus [sic]" side of the connector has not changed and is compatible with the new PCB header connector definition.'

ATX v3.1 & PCIe CEM 5.1 are official! - Hardware Busters

Hardware Busters - ATX v3.1 & PCIe CEM 5.1 are official! - PSUs

hwbusters.com

 

[Order 66]

I know that AIBs are at Nvidia's mercy, but I think that there should have been orders of magnitudes more testing before the original 12VHPWR was certified to be safe.

 

[artk2219]

There is a discrepancy in this article regarding the claim that only RTX 4090's were caught in the crossfire of the 12VHPWR connector melting issues, when there were actually quite a few 4080's documented that also suffered this same fate.

What's most astounding to me about this whole fiasco is that everyone seems to forget that the 12VHPWR standard was the result of combined efforts from NVIDIA / Intel / AMD and PCI-SIG, of which the latter also had to certify the standard as a safe and worthy alternative to the standard 8 pin connectors everyone knows and has loved for so long before the 12VHPWR standard was ever released to the public. However, while Intel hasn't bothered getting into the middle of the whole drama surrounding the new connector I find it comical that AMD tried to use the reported cases of the connector melting as marketing material to push RDNA3 sales when they were involved in the design of the connector which is a really slimy move on their part.

From my personal account, as a launch day RTX 4090 owner using a 2x8 pin direct to PSU to 12VHPWR connector I've had no issues myself in 12V voltage dropping over time or any melting on the connector leads to speak of after checking just last month when upgrading other components in my build, take from that what you will.

While it is a bit underhanded to call out your competitor for something that you were also involved in making, I don't think any of the others would have done any different. That said, im sure everyone loved having Nvidia basically beta test this standard for everyone else.

 

[kiniku]

I have an MSI 4090 and an ATX 3.0 PSU. I love the clean single cable and never had a problem with both on my daily driver gaming PC. This issue was way overhyped by tech sites like this and by harnessing the GPU price compliant whining chorus when the 4000 series launched.