PCI-SIG revises power connector specification
Graphics card owners who have the 16-pin (12VHPWR) power connector can now breathe a sigh of relief. PCI-SIG is revising the specification to ensure the connector's longevity and prevent any potential issues.
Mixed feedback on Nvidia's decision
When Nvidia announced the use of the 16-pin power connector on its consumer GeForce RTX 40-series cards, the community had mixed reactions. Some speculated that Nvidia was pushing users towards upgrading to professional Quadro RTX cards.
Concerns about the 12VHPWR connector
Reports of the 12VHPWR connector burning out on the GeForce RTX 4090 raised concerns about the power passing through the tiny 16-pin connector. To address this issue, PCI-SIG is introducing a new 12V-2x6 power connector in the forthcoming CEM 5.1 specification.
New 12V-2x6 power connector
The new 12V-2x6 power connector will replace the existing 12VHPWR connector. It will offer backward compatibility while addressing concerns about power distribution through the 16-pin connector.
According to the draft engineering change notices, the 12V-2x6 connector will provide up to 675W of power. This includes 600W from the connector itself and 75W from the expansion slot. If a graphics card features multiple 12V-2x6 connectors, the maximum power will increase accordingly.
Unique identifiers and specifications
PCI-SIG has introduced unique identifiers to differentiate between the old 12VHPWR and the new 12V-2x6 connectors. Manufacturers will need to specify the H identifier to denote support for 9.2A per pin or higher.
The new 12V-2x6 connector will deliver up to 55A of power for up to 600W on a 12V aux rail. Additional pins will provide up to 75W of power on the expansion slot, with the maximum power set at 675W.
Manufacturers must ensure that their connector's assembly meets the minimum current requirement and maximum temperature. The impact on the maximum current required and the recommended cable bending spacing are currently unknown.
Implications and future changes
The specifications for the 12V-2x6 power connector are expected to remain unchanged. However, it is unclear if the connector will be used in lower-end graphics cards or if there will be mechanical modifications to prevent similar issues.
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