PCIe 5.0 high power connector for next generation graphics cards to deliver up to 600W to GPUs

The first images of the upcoming high power connector for PCIe 5.0 compatible graphics cards were photographed by Igor’s Lab. Designed for next-generation graphics cards, the power connector diagrams show it will deliver up to 600W of power directly to GPUs.

High-power connector compatible with next-generation PCIe 5.0 graphics cards delivers up to 600W to GPUs

According to Igor Wallossek, existing power distribution systems are becoming obsolete as GPUs become more power hungry. This generation has seen most graphics cards from NVIDIA and AMD feature 8-pin triple connector interfaces. While NVIDIA went for a 12-pin Microfit solution for its own Founders Edition variants, AIBs were reluctant to use the new power standard, but the workaround prepared them for the real deal and this is the next PCI slot. Express 12VHPWR.

AMD officially releases GPUFORT source code to deter competitor NVIDIA and its CUDA application

We’ll get the PCIe Gen 5.0 platforms from Intel next month, and AMD is also set to jump on the bandwagon in 2022. Intel may also be launching its ARC lineup on the new PCI Gen 5.0 standard, which means we’ll definitely see. PCIe Gen 5.0 action in the graphics card segment as well. There have been rumors that flagships from NVIDIA and AMD will offer up to 2.5 to 3 times the performance, but that also means that the power consumption will also increase significantly.

As such, there would be a demand for a new power connector and this is where the specially designed 12V high power connector comes in in conjunction with the PCIe 5.0 interface. The new standard would provide 55A continuous power through a 12V rail that would deliver up to 600W of power to the graphics card. The connector has an interesting form factor where it looks like a slightly larger version of the MicroFit connector with 12 pins, but it also has 4 additional pins at the bottom. It’s also less spaced than the traditional power connector, measuring 3.0mm versus 4.2mm, but overall, fitting 16 pins means it ends up being bigger, but that’s one connector to do the work of three 8-pin connectors (600W vs. 450W).

High Power 12V PCIe Gen 5.0 Slot Plans (Image Credits: Igor’s Lab):

Additional details for the new power connector are released by Amphenol IC (via Olrak). You can see that the connector is designed for 600W power and is PCIe Gen 5.0 compliant and not designed for older PCIe Gen 2 or Gen 3 cards.

Amphenol ICC introduces the Gen 5 connector system, Minitek Pwr PCIe. This new 12VHPWR PCI Express CEM 5.0 auxiliary hybrid connector and cable set support 600W GPU cards. The 12VHPWR connector is not designed to fit older PCI Express 2×3 and 2×4 12V auxiliary power connectors. The power pins of the 12VHPWR connector have a pitch of 3.00mm, while the contacts of an older 2×3 and 2×4 connector rest on a larger pitch of 4.20mm. The new PCIe connector system (CEM5) is designed for power supply applications with rated current up to 9.5A / pin (12 pins hot) and the 4 signal pins supporting signal transmission.

• Nominal current up to 9.5 A per contact with the 12 supply contacts and the 4 signal contacts
• Fully insulated terminals
• Positive lock on the housing with bottom thumb lock operation
• Low level contact resistance: 6mΩ max.

Videocardz was able to confirm the new PCIe Gen 5.0 connector a few days ago and also reported that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti could be the first graphics card to use it as the Green Team prepares for the launch of its line. Ada Lovelace of GeForce RTX GPUs for late 2022.