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Mar 20, 2024

New HPCE Power Connector Can Deliver Over 600W To GPUs Cable

The HPCE connector is capable of delivering over 600W of power to the GPU without any cables running to the card. A new GPU power connector that would eliminate the need for any cables has been

The HPCE connector is capable of delivering over 600W of power to the GPU without any cables running to the card.

A new GPU power connector that would eliminate the need for any cables has been detailed in official documents, according to a new report. The High Power Card Edge (HPCE) power connector is a small slot on the motherboard in line with the primary PCIe x16 slot that is capable of supplying over 600W of power to the graphics card. This technology was first showcased at Computex by Asus back in May with its concept GeForce RTX 4070 Megalodon and TUF Gaming Z790 BTF motherboard.

Asus showcased a new concept for delivering GPU power without running any cables to the graphics card itself. It brought the HPCE connector tech that requires additional hardware on both the GPU end and motherboard end to work. The company demoed the product with a GeForce RTX 4070 Megalodon and TUF Gaming Z790 BTF motherboard. Not only does it make the build easier and cleaner, but it is also more reliable than the new 12VHPWR connector as it is a modified version of the HPCE connector used in the server industry.

RELATED: Inno3D RTX 4070 Twin X2 OC White Stealth Cable Management Launched With Rear-mounted Power Connector

Twitter user @momomo_us has shared what seems to be official documentation for the upcoming HPCE connector. It shows key specifications for the connector that has four groups of pins in a PCIe x1 slot size. Power delivery is handled by 16 pins and communication is handled by 12 pins. The diagrams show it is located on the motherboard in line with the primary PCIe x16 slot where the graphics card would sit. The HPCE connector accepts the GC-HPWR Gold Finger on the graphics card to supply power. It does not need a separate lock as the PCIe x16 slot lock is sufficient to keep the card in place.

HPCE connector design as shared by @momomo_us on Twitter.

The documentation states this power connector is capable of delivering over 600W to the graphics card. It does not specify an upper limit, but 600W is good enough for powering most stock GPUs. However, GPUs with modified firmware and LN2 overclocking can use more than that.

However, the power supplied through this connector needs to come from somewhere. The design showcased by Asus at Computex showed the TUF Gaming Z790 BTF motherboard with connectors on the back. The cables to power the graphics card still need to be plugged into the back of the motherboard to deliver power to the HPCE connector. It allows graphics cards to be installed without any cables, making cable management much easier. The motherboard also came with three 8-pin PCIe power connectors, allowing consumers to choose between the single 16-pin or three-cable connection. This also means standard graphics cards can be used on this motherboard as well.

Currently Available Asus RTX 4070 Offerings

The ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 OC is the most well-rounded offering from ASUS in terms of pricing, performance, and build quality when it comes to an RTX 4070. With excellent, quiet cooling, an above-average boost clock, and a rugged look, it is one of the best RTX 4070 SKUs money can buy.

The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4070 OC is the fastest consumer-grade RTX 4070 GPU money can buy with excellent cooling and design in tow but it also comes with a price tag that not many would like to go with its 3 slot, tri-fan design take on Nvidia's mid-range RTX 4070 GPU.

The Asus Dual GeForce RTX 4070 OC Edition is an excellent entry-level RTX 4070 GPU that gets the job done with a decent overclock, a quiet design, and a price tag that goes neck and neck with Nvidia's own FE offerings MSRP. With 12GB of GDDR6X memory this generation, the Dual RTX 4070 OC is the go-to GPU for many smaller case owners and ITX builders this generation thanks to its more compact design and adequate cooling.

As for availability, it is up to the board partners to start implementing the new HPCE connector in their motherboards and graphics cards. For now, only Asus has unveiled its concepts based on the connector but has stated that TUF Gaming Z790 BTF and the GeForce RTX 4070 Megalodon will come to global markets, even though BTF motherboards have been exclusive to China. Pricing for the new motherboards and GPUs is unavailable at this point, but they will carry a slight premium compared to standard components.

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Vineet is a professional writer who is passionate about gaming and technology. With over 7 years of experience in content creation, 3 of which have been dedicated to gaming and tech writing, he has developed a style that connects with the audience. As a gamer, Vineet has experience playing and reviewing a range of genres across PC/consoles and mobile games. He has worked as a Senior Sub-editor at the top tech and gaming news website in India, curating daily news with heavy research and zero bias.