Nvidia seems to have taken notice of the issue surrounding melting GPU power connectors and has made a change on its latest graphics cards. According to Igor’s Lab, the recently reported 12V-2×6 power connector is already being implemented on the Nvidia RTX 4070 Founders Edition (FE) cards, although there is still some uncertainty surrounding the exact specifications.
Improved Design to Address Issues
The new 12V-2×6 power connector is a replacement for the problematic 12VHPWR connector, which led to Nvidia initially blaming users for improper cable installation. However, it soon became apparent that the 12VHPWR specification needed improvement. While the physical appearance of the new connector is similar to its predecessor, the sense pins have been repositioned deeper into the socket to establish a more secure connection. Additionally, the latching system has been enhanced to prevent detachment.
Uncertainty Over Connector Specification
Although Nvidia-made RTX 4070 FE cards are already being shipped with more recessed pins that seem to align with the new 12V-2×6 connector definition, it remains unclear whether these cards fully adhere to the 12V-2×6 specification or if they feature an interim version with similar physical characteristics. The release of the new connector was expected to occur in the future, as the PCI-SIG has yet to finalize the revised specification. Therefore, the exact status of the connector used by Nvidia remains uncertain.
Potential Power Modes and Compatibility
If the connector on the Nvidia RTX 4070 FE cards is indeed the authentic 12V-2×6 connector, it will support two new power modes: 150W and 300W, in addition to the existing 450W and 600W modes. However, if it is not the full 12V-2×6 specification, it may still possess some of the mechanical advantages while maintaining broad compatibility. The main hope is that the new connector will not lead to melting issues, ultimately putting an end to the discussions surrounding melting power connectors.
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