Between the “melting” problems with the 12VHPWR connector for PCIe 5.0 graphics playing cards, and the current “war on cables” push for eliminating or hiding connections to a PC’s energy provide, we’ve seen loads of current improvement within the extremely particular space of GPU energy connections. Now one other new choice has been revealed by a proficient Twitter leaker. The GC-HPCE, a variation on an present motherboard half, might let graphics playing cards draw energy straight from a motherboard-based connection, delivering as much as 900 complete watts.
We’ve seen this sort of connection earlier than, properly prematurely of the Momomo_US Twitter post that’s making the rounds (by way of Tom’s {Hardware}). It appears to be like like Asus was utilizing a preliminary model of the GC-HPCE when it confirmed off a “cable free” GPU-motherboard connection at Computex in Could, which have since been slated for manufacturing. Briefly, the brand new connection is a complement to the principle PCIe 5.0 port, spaced a few inches again on the motherboard. The GPU plugs into each the principle PCIe port and the GC-HPCE energy connection on the similar time, with the latter delivering electrical energy by way of a traditional energy provide cable plugged into the rear facet of the motherboard.
The benefits are apparent. With a rear connection on the motherboard, you’ll be able to scale back cables within the major desktop chamber, bettering each airflow and aesthetics. However apparently this design has some rather more sensible enhancements. A complete connection lifetime of 200 cycles is an enormous enchancment over the 12-cycle score of the 12VHPWR, so it must be far much less inclined to break from inserting and eradicating graphics playing cards. (As long as you allow the precise energy rail on the rear of the motherboard alone, I suppose.) But it surely’s additionally rated for extra powah: The 28-pin connection is rated for as much as 900 watts, presumably delivered by a number of rear-mounted energy provide cables.
A number of competing requirements are at all times a headache. However I can see this one gaining some critical traction, particularly since Asus is seemingly behind it sufficient that it’s already constructing {hardware}. With increasingly more highly effective GPUs exceeding even the bounds of PCIe 5.0 electrical draw designs, to not point out the flexibility to cover energy cables extra simply, it could be a boon to any graphics card maker to help the GC-HPCE connection. The draw back is that you’d want each a motherboard and a GPU which are suitable (although present energy provides ought to work simply high quality, probably with adapters).
Nonetheless, because the transition to PCIe 5.0 is progressing slooooooowly, the requirements and expectations stay in flux. Who is aware of what is going to change into commonplace by subsequent yr’s Computex?
