New GPU Power Connector Can Deliver More Than 600 Watts without Cables

[Tsing]

@momomo_us has shared what appears to be official documentation for HPCE, a new power connector that is capable of delivering more than 600 watts of power to graphics cards without cables. The schematics provided suggest that the connector is very similar to PCIe, with one diagram showing how the connector sits relative to the primary PCIe x16 slot when used on a motherboard. One page notes that this connector is already widely used in server products, meaning that this connector technically isn't new, but consumers should be able to find it in upcoming products that include ASUS' GeForce RTX 4070 BTF GPU.

See full article...

 

[Grimlakin]

Isn't this just a different (perhaps older) power connection method to everything off the motherboard standard that Intel was working to introduce?

 

[Peter_Brosdahl]

Not sure about that but it is tied to the multiple stories we've had about ASUS over the last six+ months. The catch here is that it really just moves the connector for the PSU to the other side of the motherboard so you need to have a case/chassis that allows access to it. Beyond that, everyone would need to agree to a standard and do it. Additionally, though, 600W through a single port/adapter is not going to get rid of the issues we already have with 12VHPWR if not designed and implemented properly. I'm not saying this can't be a good thing but just that there is more to consider with it.

 

[LeRoy_Blanchard]

Not sure about that but it is tied to the multiple stories we've had about ASUS over the last six+ months. The catch here is that it really just moves the connector for the PSU to the other side of the motherboard so you need to have a case/chassis that allows access to it. Beyond that, everyone would need to agree to a standard and do it. Additionally, though, 600W through a single port/adapter is not going to get rid of the issues we already have with 12VHPWR if not designed and implemented properly. I'm not saying this can't be a good thing but just that there is more to consider with it.

Based on the pictures it doesn't seem that rear access will be needed. The power delivery for that connector could be on the front of the motherboard PCB next to the ATX 24-pin and the EPS12V connectors.

At least based on this particular picture.



Unless the documentation somewhere said the power delivery connector will be on the rear.

 

[Brian_B]

Unless the documentation somewhere said the power delivery connector will be on the rear.

I would imagine that, depending on Mobo manufacturer, they could use traces on the PCB to deliver that power from an otherwise normally mounted auxillary PSU connection - or they could cheap out, and put the standard HPWR connector on the back of the motherboard and just poke some really short shunts up through the PCI extension bus... that would be the easiest and cheapest to implement on the part of the manufacturer, but that would require some special rear access in the case and motherboard tray.

 

[MadMummy76]

OK, but how does the power get to the MB? The same power cable that used to go directly to the GPU. Then at that point you are not simplifying but adding another point of contact / failure.

 

[Peter_Brosdahl]

Based on the pictures it doesn't seem that rear access will be needed. The power delivery for that connector could be on the front of the motherboard PCB next to the ATX 24-pin and the EPS12V connectors.

At least based on this particular picture.

View attachment 2656

Unless the documentation somewhere said the power delivery connector will be on the rear.

Yeah, I don't believe this diagram shows the whole setup. It's just where the GPU is plugging in.

Here's the first leaked images of this design that ASUS showed off in a tour. The power for this connector is through a port on the backside of the mobo. The whole, "look ma, no cables" is a bit misleading. Unless I'm mistaken, it's not pulling through the PCB, it's just being rerouted.

ASUS Has Created an RTX 40 Series GPU That Uses a Proprietary PCB Connector Instead of Standard Power Connectors

ASUS has created a new graphics card design that uses a proprietary PCB connector for power delivery instead of connecting to a power supply.

www.thefpsreview.com

 

[LeRoy_Blanchard]

That's not really a good example. They put a lot of other stuff on the back of that same motherboard. Most likely trying to display some sort of "no cables at all" visible on the front of the PCB.

If you look at the rear of that motherboard you can clearly see the 12VHPRW connector on the back isn't even directly behind/under this new connector but off to the side next to some other PCIE connectors and along the same edge as the ATX 24-pin connector as well as USB (maybe). While it also has SATA and other connectors on the back side of this motherboard.

ASUS was just trying to show off a completely cable-less build design.

The connector can be placed nearly anywhere on the motherboard, front or back.

 

[Peter_Brosdahl]

Well, at the moment, until something goes into full production and becomes available we're stuck between concept diagrams and concept products. I do support the idea but need to see the final product before making any real judgement on it.

 

[DrezKill]

...it is tied to the multiple stories we've had about ASUS over the last six+ months

Yeah when I saw this article, it reminded me of this: https://www.thefpsreview.com/2023/0...nnector-instead-of-standard-power-connectors/
Oh then I saw that you already linked this article above.

You know, back in the 2000s I always wondered why extra juice was delivered through cables to the graphics cards instead of through updated motherboard connectors. I figured in a matter of years things would go in that direction, but nope, around 20 years later and still using cables. It really doesn't matter to me what they end up doing, continuing to use cables or moving the power delivery to the motherboard via some new connector. @MadMummy76 is right though, how is that extra power getting to the motherboard to be delivered to the card in the first place? Like @Peter_Brosdahl said, there's more going on with this shiznit, and we need to see a final product before we can assess its usefulness. Motherboard makers and GPU makers will both have to standardize on a connector.