Wednesday, August 30th 2023
GC-HCPE Power Connector Can Supply more Than 600 Watts to GPU
Twitter/X user @momomo_us has unveiled official documentation detailing a new GC-HPCE power connection standard to supply additional GPU power throughout motherboard. This connector can deliver over 600 Watts of power, surpassing 12VHPWR connector's capacity. The GC-HPCE power connector features four groups of pins. Sixteen pins are dedicated to power delivery, while the remaining twelve facilitate communication between the motherboard and the graphics card. Its size is comparable to the regular PCIe x1 connector. Positioned in alignment with the primary PCIe x16 slot on a motherboard, the GC-HPCE power connector is situated behind the x16 slot, typically where the motherboard chipset heatsink is found. This strategic placement ensures the graphics card can be easily slotted into both connectors, simplifying installation. The connector's design negates the need for an additional locking mechanism, as the x16 slot's existing lock sufficiently secures the graphics card.
First showcased at Computex, this connector was featured in several prototype motherboards and graphics cards, emphasizing its potential to enhance cable management and aesthetics. By eliminating supplementary power cables from the graphics card and channeling power through the motherboard, the graphics card's appearance remains uncluttered, and cable management behind the motherboard tray becomes more streamlined. Intriguingly, this connector is a familiar design. It's a modified version of the High Power Card Edge (HPCE) standard prevalent in the server industry. While ASUS has been the primary proponent of this connector, it remains to be seen if other companies will adopt this standard for their consumer products. Additionally, routing power throughout the motherboard will require manufacturers to include additional power regulating circuitry, potentially driving motherboard costs up. It is also not an agreed upon industry standard, which could block some future GPU upgrades from happening.
You can check out ASUS'es implementation of the Back-to-Future (BTF) motherboard that supports this connector below.
Sources:
@momomo_us, via Tom's Hardware
First showcased at Computex, this connector was featured in several prototype motherboards and graphics cards, emphasizing its potential to enhance cable management and aesthetics. By eliminating supplementary power cables from the graphics card and channeling power through the motherboard, the graphics card's appearance remains uncluttered, and cable management behind the motherboard tray becomes more streamlined. Intriguingly, this connector is a familiar design. It's a modified version of the High Power Card Edge (HPCE) standard prevalent in the server industry. While ASUS has been the primary proponent of this connector, it remains to be seen if other companies will adopt this standard for their consumer products. Additionally, routing power throughout the motherboard will require manufacturers to include additional power regulating circuitry, potentially driving motherboard costs up. It is also not an agreed upon industry standard, which could block some future GPU upgrades from happening.
72 Comments on GC-HCPE Power Connector Can Supply more Than 600 Watts to GPU
IMO they should just work within the given limits, like in the past. If they want more performance then they should just engineer more efficient cards. Period.
75W Cards: PCI-E (75W)
225W Cards: PCI-E (75W) + 1x 8-Pin (a 150W)
375W Cards: PCI-E (75W) + 2x 8-Pin (a 150W)
525W Cards: PCI-E (75W) + 3x 8-Pin (a 150W)
In computer gear, we actually have seen a move in server space to both 24v and even the occasional 48v equipment. It is still rare, but there is trying to be a push for it. Mostly for the reasons already posted in this thread: more efficiently vrms and less copper usage, and in some cases simply more power capability though usually it is an efficiency reason the servers have it.
Regarding the power spikes maybe you should actually spend 3 minutes of your time and read the sources you yourself are linking. The card is a 500w model and it's spiking on furmark btw, because it's vrms are pretty bad.
ATX Version 3.0 Multi Rail Desktop Platform Power Supply Design Guide
Revision 2.01 February 2023
Problem (@TM), it's there for reasons like you mention: Very low-power, for fairly noise/transient-tolerant Legacy/Industrial signaling.
Spec would need revision to 'tighten' regulation and standardize on much higher ampacity.
it's the segmentation and pricing every time really.
I would prefer to see graphics card manufacturers implement some sort of ubiquitous standard, like CCS Combo 1 connectors. 350kW should be enough for the next one or two, maybe even three GPU generations, the way things seem to be going.
So you're reply is that a 4090 is better than a 3090?!, For real ?!?.
Re read my post, efficiency is not the problem.
It's the cost per sku.
IMHO and others.
Like you said, "you can lower it". Tell that Nvidia. It's just irresponsible behaviour to release such a product in today's day and age. With a small power limit it would be a way more round product. Plus they could shrink the cooler (which is oversized anyways, it was designed for a even more extreme chip). This would also bring the price of the 4090 way down. Win/win for everyone.
To me, this design seems like an excellent step forward as long as the motherboard is designed properly. Based on the example in the photo's, this seems like a MUCH better design than the janky PCIe connector NVidia has used. The industry needs to switch over to this replacement design ASAP!