The race for the best graphics card continues between Nvidia and AMD, as they both work on their next-generation GPUs. However, an interesting point of contention has emerged regarding the power connector designs for these upcoming devices.
According to insider information from sources close to Moore’s Law Is Dead (MLID), Nvidia is considering a mandate for all RTX 50 series graphics cards to use the PCIe 6.0 12VHPWR connector, which was first introduced with the RTX 40 series. This decision is met with skepticism from competitors like AMD.
Nvidia has already been using the 12VHPWR connector for its Founders Edition cards, even for those with lower TDP ratings. However, third-party manufacturers have not consistently followed suit, as some of their RTX 40 series cards still feature the traditional six and eight pin power connectors.
MLID suggests that Nvidia’s motivation behind this mandate is to streamline its supply chain and reduce costs. Additionally, implementing the 12VHPWR connector could pave the way for high TDP cards in the future, should AMD’s RDNA 4 pose a threat.
On the other side, sources at AMD are less enthusiastic about the 12VHPWR connector, considering it an “unnecessary new standard.” While they had considered adopting it for their RDNA 3 graphics cards, the decision ultimately remained unchanged.
Even Intel seems to be aligned with AMD’s perspective, as their test boards for the upcoming Battlemage series use the traditional six and eight pin connectors.
While Nvidia’s decision to implement the 12VHPWR connector in the RTX 50 series seems unlikely to change, it could pose a challenge for consumers with older power supply units that do not support this connector. This highlights the importance of having a compatible power supply when upgrading to these new GPUs.
As the battle between Nvidia and AMD intensifies, it will be intriguing to see how this power connector controversy plays out and whether it will have any impact on the performance and popularity of the next-generation graphics cards.
FAQ Section:
Q: What is the controversy surrounding power connector designs for upcoming Nvidia and AMD graphics cards?
A: Nvidia is considering mandating the use of the PCIe 6.0 12VHPWR connector for its RTX 50 series graphics cards, while AMD is skeptical about the necessity of this new standard.
Q: What is the motivation behind Nvidia’s decision to implement the 12VHPWR connector?
A: It is believed that Nvidia aims to streamline its supply chain and reduce costs. Additionally, this connector could allow for high TDP cards in the future, considering potential competition from AMD’s RDNA 4.
Q: Do third-party manufacturers consistently use the 12VHPWR connector for their graphics cards?
A: No, some third-party manufacturers still utilize the traditional six and eight pin power connectors for their RTX 40 series cards.
Q: What is AMD’s perspective on the 12VHPWR connector?
A: AMD considers it an “unnecessary new standard” and has not adopted it for their RDNA 3 graphics cards. Even Intel’s upcoming Battlemage series test boards use the traditional connectors.
Q: What should consumers consider regarding the power connector controversy?
A: Consumers need to ensure that their power supply units are compatible with the 12VHPWR connector before upgrading to the RTX 50 series graphics cards.
Definitions:
– PCIe 6.0 12VHPWR connector: A power connector design introduced by Nvidia, which may become a standard for their next-generation graphics cards. It aims to streamline the supply chain and potentially accommodate high TDP cards in the future.
– TDP: Thermal Design Power, a measure of the maximum amount of heat generated by a computer component.
– RDNA: Radeon DNA, an architecture developed by AMD for their graphics cards.
Suggested related links:
– Nvidia website
– AMD website
The source of the article is from the blog scimag.news