Intel and AMD are testing a new 12V-2×6 power connector that could appear on next-generation consumer GPUs.
Intel and AMD may follow NVIDIA and utilize 12V-2×6 power connector interface in future next-generation GPUs
Now, we’re all familiar with how the debut of the 12VHPWR power connector plagued the market due to widespread “burn-in” issues that were noticeable with NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace GPUs. Not only did this connector create a whole new debacle, but it also resulted in significant financial savings for AIB partners who were forced to submit to RMA service simply because the power connector was incorrect. NVIDIA is already moving away from 12VHPWR, as the next-gen RTX 50 “Blackwell” series will feature an advanced 12V-2×6 power connector, and it looks like Intel and AMD are planning to do the same.
Hungarian media Prohardver reports that Intel and AMD are testing 12V-2×6 power connectors with manufacturing partners, but it is inconclusive whether this standard will debut in the companies’ upcoming GPU releases. The reluctance to switch to 12V-2×6 is because neither Intel nor AMD have had issues with traditional 8-pin and 6-pin power connectors, and neither company has seen any benefit from switching to 12V-2×6 during testing. This is because it seemed that way.
For those who don’t know, the 12V-2×6 connector is said to be capable of delivering up to 600W of power, and it actually knows the voltage via a standard feature “sense pin” used to monitor the voltage. It is said to be much better than 12VHPWR because it can. Check if the connector is inserted correctly. If not inserted correctly, the PD output will also be limited to avoid burn-in issues. These are considered a more reliable option, especially for GPUs with higher TDPs, and it didn’t take long for NVIDIA to switch to 12V-2×6 in their upcoming GPUs.
These connectors are likely to be implemented in Intel’s Arc Battlemage and AMD’s Radeon RX 8000 GPUs. AMD did not rule out the possibility of using a 16-pin connector on GPUs, but rather said that it would see how the new connector progresses and whether it will be safer to use in the future. The company leveraged a similar interface with its Radeon PRO lineup, and so did Intel.
Again, I’m not too sure if AMD and Intel will include 12V-2×6 in their upcoming GPUs, but given that NVIDIA made this move, I think it’s likely that they will have to compete to keep the market competitive. Other companies will likely join this trend.
