The 12VHPWR connector utilized in a few of Nvidia’s greatest graphics playing cards works properly for most individuals — however not for everybody. There have been studies of the connector melting contained in the case, rendering the GPU unusable.
Nvidia appears to have discovered from this expertise, although. Because it seems, the Founders Version of the RTX 4070 is now not utilizing 12VHPWR. Will the change be the treatment to those issues?
As noticed by Igor’s Lab, the brand new connector appears to be like much like the 12VHPWR, however there are some delicate adjustments. Whereas tough to identify at a fast look, a more in-depth inspection reveals that the distinction lies within the 4 sense pins positioned under the 12-pin port. The earlier model had a 0.45mm offset, however the brand new connector spec (CEM 5.1) includes a 1.7mm inward offset. The pins are merely shorter.
PCI-SIG refers back to the new connector because the 12V-2×6. It conforms with the ATX 3.1 customary and it may now be discovered within the RTX 4070 Founders Version, in addition to some playing cards made by Nvidia’s board companions, such because the MSI RTX 4070 Gaming X Trio. Within the case of MSI, the connector is known as 12VHPWR H+, however Wccftech studies that an H++ variant can be someplace on the market.
It’s a bit unusual to see the discrepancy in connectors. Which is the brand new design, is it the H+ or the H++? Nobody is aware of, however regardless of the dearth of a standardized spec, the connector is already being mass-produced by Astron.
Irrespective of the identify, this new connector may doubtlessly resolve the issues some RTX 4090 have been coping with since final 12 months. For a fast refresher, there have been circumstances of the connector melting both on the GPU or the PSU aspect. In worst-case situations, the melting occurred on either side. It seems that the playing cards grew to become vulnerable to this downside if the connector was not seated correctly, however due to the dimensions of the GPU and cable itself, it’s usually onerous to suit it contained in the case with out bending it — which solely exacerbates the issue.
With that mentioned, this problem doesn’t appear to have an effect on Nvidia’s much less top-tier playing cards. The RTX 4080 makes use of the identical connector, as does the RTX 4070 Ti, however all of the studies talked about points with the RTX 4090. No marvel — it’s probably the most power-hungry card of all of them. In idea, all RTX 40-series GPUs are at some danger if not related correctly, although, so ensure to not bend the cable once you’re putting in the cardboard.
Counting on a whole lack of consumer error is a dangerous enterprise when a $1,600 graphics card is concerned, particularly one as massive because the RTX 4090. Though it’s too late to vary something in these present GPUs, it’s good to see Nvidia is taking steps to enhance the connector in its newer releases.
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