ASUS unveils innovative GC-HPWR connector for 600W gaming GPUs, eliminating cable clutter

ASUS has revealed a new power connection standard, GC-HPCE, which aims to improve cable management and aesthetics by eliminating supplementary power cables from the graphics card and routing power through the motherboard, with the potential to deliver up to 600 Watts.

Eliminates supplementary power cables from the graphics card and routes power through the motherboard
Capable of delivering up to 600 Watts of power
Conveniently positioned next to the primary PCIe x16 slot on a motherboard

ASUS GPUs may soon feature a new power connection standard called GC-HPCE, as revealed by Twitter user @momomo_us. This connector, showcased at Computex, aims to enhance cable management and aesthetics by eliminating supplementary power cables from the graphics card and routing power through the motherboard. With a capacity to deliver over 600 Watts of power, the GC-HPCE connector matches the capabilities of the 12VHPWR connector. Interestingly, this connector is not entirely new but rather a modified version of a standard commonly used in the server industry. This background suggests that the HPCE connector may address reliability concerns associated with the new 12VHPWR connector.

The GC-HPCE connector consists of four groups of pins, with sixteen dedicated to power delivery and twelve for communication between the motherboard and graphics card. Its size is comparable to a regular PCIe x1 connector and is conveniently positioned next to the primary PCIe x16 slot on a motherboard, allowing for easy installation without the need for an additional locking mechanism.

According to documentation, the GC-HPCE connector has the potential to deliver up to 600 watts, although the actual power limit may vary depending on motherboard manufacturers’ decisions. Currently, the highest models featuring this connector are RTX 4070 GPUs with a TDP of around 200W. Given the increasing power demands of modern Graphics Cards, the adoption of a higher-capacity connector like HPCE holds promise for future GPU advancements.

Asus has been at the forefront of promoting this new power connector, showcasing graphics cards and motherboards with this cable-free power supply solution at events like Computex and Bilibili World 2023 in Shanghai. While Asus leads the charge, it remains to be seen if other companies will adopt this standard for their consumer products. However, with enough incentive and collaboration between companies, there is a possibility of broader adoption in the future.

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Background Information

About ASUS: ASUS, founded in 1989 by Ted Hsu, M.T. Liao, Wayne Hsieh, and T.H. Tung, has become a multinational tech giant known for its diverse hardware products. Spanning laptops, motherboards, graphics cards, and more, ASUS has gained recognition for its innovation and commitment to high-performance computing solutions. The company has a significant presence in gaming technology, producing popular products that cater to enthusiasts and professionals alike. With a focus on delivering and reliable technology, ASUS maintains its position as a important player in the industry.

Technology Explained

GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.