Asus details its cable-free GC-HPWR connector for 600W gaming GPUs

GC-HPCE for ASUS GPUs with out commonplace energy connectors

Twitter consumer @momomo_us has unveiled documentation and renders detailing a brand new GC-HPWR/HPCE energy connection commonplace designed to provide extra GPU energy by the motherboard. This connector is able to delivering over 600 Watts of energy, matching the capability of the 12VHPWR connector (most sustained energy).

Initially showcased at Computex, this connector made appearances in prototype motherboards and graphics playing cards, showcasing its potential to enhance cable administration and aesthetics. By eliminating supplementary energy cables from the graphics card and routing energy by the motherboard, it leads to a cleaner look for the graphics card and simplifies cable administration behind the motherboard tray.

What’s intriguing is that this connector is just not a completely new design; fairly, it’s a modified model of the usual generally used within the server trade. This background within the server area means that the consumer-oriented HPCE (High Power Card Edge) connector could keep away from the reliability points related to the brand new 12VHPWR connector.

GC-HPWR, Source: ASUS

The connector is split into 4 teams of pins, with sixteen devoted to energy supply and twelve for communication between the motherboard and the graphics card, notes Tom’s Hardware. The measurement of this connector is corresponding to a daily PCIe x1 connector and is positioned proper beside the first PCIe x16 slot on a motherboard. This placement ensures straightforward set up, because the graphics card will be slotted into each connectors with out the necessity for an extra locking mechanism, because of the x16 slot’s built-in lock.

ASUS RTX 4070 Megalodon GPU wiith GC-HPWR connector, Source: ASUS

The documentation for this connector reveals its functionality to ship as much as 600 watts, though the precise energy restrict could differ relying on motherboard producers’ selections. Thus far, the the very best fashions that includes this connector are RTX 4070 fashions with TDP round 200W. Given the rising energy calls for of contemporary graphics playing cards, the transfer to a higher-capacity connector like HPCE appears promising for future GPU developments.

GC-HPWR, Source: ASUS

At occasions like Computex and Bilibili World 2023 in Shanghai, Asus showcased graphics playing cards and motherboards with this cable-free energy provide resolution, signaling a possible shift within the trade towards this new energy connector.

Asus has been the first advocate of this connector, nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not different corporations will undertake this commonplace for their shopper merchandise. The firm was among the many first to introduce APE motherboard collection with connectors positioned on the opposite aspect. With sufficient incentive and collaboration between all corporations, chances are high this concept will see broader adoption sooner or later.

Source: @momomo_us through Tom’s Hardware