New GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs Include Modified 12VHPWR Connector

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Malik Usman

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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A new post on Reddit shows that the top-of-the-line GeForce RTX 4090 from Nvidia now comes with a modified 12VHPWR 16-pin connector. The modified 16-pin connector was previously spotted on the Founders Edition of GeForce RTX 4070 and appears to have been added to higher-end models.

Reddit user u/prackprackprack uploaded a picture of a new GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition. Furthermore, the user compared the GeForce RTX 4090 with an older version, confirming that the new model has the updated 12VHPWR 16-pin connector.

The updated 12VHPWR 16-pin connector includes modified sense pins, which are responsible for transferring data between the graphics card and the PSU.

The four sense pins on the new 16-pin connector come with shorter pins than the old connector. This will ensure that the card does not get power unless the 12VHPWR 16-pin connector is fully inserted.

Shortening to four sense pins is also a part of the upcoming revised version of the 16-pin connector known as 12V-2×6. However, it is still a prototype and is currently in active development.

The retracted sense pins on the new 16-pin connector will ensure the GeForce RTX 4090 connector is fully inserted. Theoretically, this should eliminate user error and imbalanced load on the connectors due to a loose connection, especially for GPUs like the GeForce RTX 4090 that can go up to 450W and above.

Currently, there is no information on which batch of GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition features the updated 12VHPWR 16-pin connector. However, the improvement is limited to Founders Edition cards right now.

As for custom models of the GeForce RTX 4090, none of them come equipped with the modified 16-pin connector. However, AIB partners are expected to follow the same steps for the new graphics card batch.

Once the new 12V-2×6 16-pin is out of development, Nvidia and its AIB partners are expected to use it as the new standard. This would eliminate the use of old PCIe 8-pin connectors found on some lower-end models of the RTX 4000 lineup.

Malik Usman

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