AMD and Intel may follow Nvidia’s footsteps with their next-gen graphics cards. The new 12V-2×6 power connector could become the de facto standard for Radeon and Arc GPUs.
According to Prohardver, AMD and Intel are both testing the new 12V-2×6 power connector, which is a revision of the 12VHPWR design. Both brands are said to have prototypes featuring the new port as well as the good old 8-pin. The reason both are on the table rather than a straight swap is because the latter still shows more reliability during tests.
Currently, Nvidia is the only GPU manufacturer using the 12V-2×6 connector, as it offers much higher power transmission without requiring more cables. As a reminder, a single one of these can deliver up to 600W of power in addition to the 75W provided by the PCIe slot. For comparison, the 8-pin is rated for 150W, even though it can handle much more when allowed.
The large headroom left on the 8-pin makes it much more reliable, thus perfect for DIY machines built by novice users. On the contrary, the 12VHPWR has been plagued with burning issues, causing damage to expensive hardware due to simple beginner errors or cheap cables. 12V-2×6 is already a revised connector that takes these issues into consideration, but AMD and Intel are going a step further with another updated version that should further mitigate risks.
I would rather see them working on a standard design for power through the motherboard, like what Asus has done with its BFT boards and GPUs. Of course, 600W going through the motherboard could cause some ugly problems if things go awry, but it would be easier for novice builders as they would no longer need to double-check the 12V-2×6 header for proper connection.
In any case, nothing is set in stone yet, as these are said to be simple prototypes. Even Nvidia, with its aggressive push towards the 12VHPWR standard, allowed board partners to use the 8-pin on RTX 3000 cards. It’s likely 8-pin hasn’t yet said its final word, particularly if rumours about AMD and Intel’s focus on mid-range GPUs contain truth, as they’ll require less power.
