AMD and Intel are reportedly testing 16-pin energy connectors on their next-gen gaming GPUs, that means these new graphics playing cards may lastly ditch the great old school 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe energy sockets of yore. Such a transfer can be an enormous step for the brand new AMD Radeon and Intel Arc playing cards, although. Whereas each corporations have misplaced vital market share to Nvidia lately, additionally they haven’t needed to take care of quite a few guarantee returns for playing cards with melted 16-pin connectors, and the identical can’t be mentioned for Nvidia.
The unique 12VHPWR connector used on the RTX 4090, amongst different Nvidia GPUs, has been a supply of controversy, with wide-ranging stories of smoking graphics playing cards and melting GPU energy connectors. The state of affairs seems to have improved with the introduction of the safer 12V-2×6 connector, although, which is now used on quite a lot of Nvidia GPUs, and can be anticipated for use on the brand new RTX 5090. It’s this latter socket that Intel and AMD are apparently testing proper now.
This newest leak comes from Hungarian tech website Prohardver, as noticed by Wccftech, which claims to have obtained info that each AMD and Intel are evaluating 16-pin energy connectors towards their 8-pin PCIe predecessors on their new graphics playing cards. In response to the positioning, the outcomes aren’t wholly constructive both.
“The 8-pin PCI Categorical energy connector nonetheless behaves extra reliably within the checks,” claims the positioning, including that “there are hardly any issues with it throughout the load checks.” Comparatively, in accordance with the positioning’s sources, whereas the brand new 12V-2×6 connector is extra dependable in these checks than the controversial unique 12VHPWR plug, it’s nonetheless not as dependable as a typical 8-pin PCIe energy socket if the cardboard attracts beneath 300W.
We’ve heard related stories from others within the trade, and Players Nexus has roundup of the 12VHPWR story within the video above. Specifically, the YouTube channel quotes Aris from PSU effectivity certifier Cybenetics as saying that “one of the best ways to scale back issues is to make use of 2x 8pin on the PSU’s modular board as an alternative of a local 12V-2×6 because the former permits for extra cable flexibility and are extra tolerant to abuse usually.”
In consequence, it’s fairly attainable that some future AMD Radeon and Intel Arc graphics playing cards will proceed to make use of PCIe connectors on the low finish, however transfer as much as 16-pin connectors on the larger finish, once they draw greater than 300W. We’ve additionally seen this on some Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 playing cards and beneath. Whereas the Nvidia Founders Version playing cards all have 16-pin connectors, some associate playing cards, such because the Asus Twin RTX 4070, use a single PCIe energy connector as an alternative.
Nonetheless, it’s clear that 16-pin energy connectors are right here to remain in some kind or one other, due to Nvidia’s persistence, in addition to new PSUs coming with 16-pin energy connectors as commonplace, and each Intel and AMD can be beneath stress to undertake them. Let’s face it, that single energy cable makes for a a lot cleaner look in your rig than a number of 8-pin PCIe cables too.
This wouldn’t be the primary time that an AMD Radeon GPU has been paired with a 16-pin socket both. Earlier this yr, ASRock used a 16-pin energy connector on its Creator playing cards primarily based on the Radeon RX 7900 XTX, in addition to the RX 7900 XT.
In case you’re seeking to purchase a brand new GPU within the meantime, take a look at our information to the very best graphics card, the place we take you thru all of our favourite gaming choices at a spread of costs.