When NVIDIA introduced the RTX 3090 graphics card with the new 12VHPWR power connector, there were reports of melted plugs and connections. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the issue was due to user error – the connectors were not fully plugged in, causing high electrical resistance, leading to overheating and melted plugs.
Intel has developed a new connection design for the 12VHPWR power connector to address this issue as part of its new ATX 3.0 specifications. The new design features four springs instead of the previous three-dimple design, providing a larger contact area for electrical current to flow and reducing the temperature rise of each contact.
The redesign aims to eliminate faulty connections that can cause damage to the graphics card and other components.
The 12VHPWR connector is a critical component of a computer’s PSU, supplying power to high-performance graphics cards. In recent years, high-performance graphics cards have become increasingly power-hungry, requiring more power than traditional 12V rail connectors can provide. Manufacturers have introduced the 12VHPWR connector to cater to the increasing demand for high-power consumption by graphics cards, as it can supply up to 600W of power.
This new design, ATX 3.0 5, is intended to eliminate the issues seen with the previous design and ensure that users can safely and easily connect their graphics cards to their power supplies without the risk of overheating or melting plugs.
It’s an important development in high-performance computing and will likely be welcomed by both users and manufacturers.
Power supply units (PSUs) are often one of the most overlooked components in computer hardware. However, a computer’s performance can suffer without a reliable and efficient PSU, and its hardware may be damaged. One of the critical components of a PSU is the 12VHPWR connector, which is used to power high-performance graphics cards.
However, the 12VHPWR connector has had some issues. One of the most significant issues is faulty connections, which can cause damage to the graphics card and other components. Reports of melted plugs and connections have been widespread, with users attributing the issues to a lack of clearance or not plugging the connectors in fully.
To address these issues, Intel has released updated ATX 3.0 specifications that include a redesign of the 12VHPWR connector. The new connector design uses a 4-spring approach instead of the previous 3-dimple design. This change increases the contact area for electrical current flow within the connector, reducing each contact’s temperature rise and eliminating the reported faulty connections.
The 16-Pin 12VHPWR connector plays a vital role in the newly defined ATX 3.0 specifications by Intel. These new specifications are designed to incorporate the latest Gen 5.0 platform and address the challenges faced by high-end graphics cards that consume a lot of power.
The 12VHPWR connector supplies power to high-end graphics cards such as NVIDIA‘s RTX 4090, which has a power consumption of over 500 watts. The connector’s design ensures the power supply is stable and the graphics card functions correctly.
Some users experienced issues with melted plugs and connections when NVIDIA introduced its new design. Upon investigation, it was found that the issue was due to user error, where the connectors were not being fully plugged in. However, this still presented a significant issue that needed to be addressed.
This redesign of the 12VHPWR connector is a significant step towards ensuring a stable and reliable power supply to high-end graphics cards, preventing any potential damage to the card or the power supply unit. It also reflects the rapid evolution of technology in the graphics card industry, where power consumption and stability are becoming increasingly important factors.
It is worth noting that the redesign of the 12VHPWR connector is not specific to Intel products. The new design is part of the updated ATX 3.0 specifications widely used throughout the computer hardware industry. As such, the new connector design will be used in various products from various manufacturers.
Igor Wallosek’s research on the Igor’s Lab website led to the development of the new method. It was discovered that Intel had two suppliers for the adapter, one with a three-dimple design and the other with a four-spring design. NVIDIA decided to use the four-spring design because it was more accessible and durable compared to the other option.