Seasonic confirms Nvidia's 12-pin Micro-Fit 3.0 Power Connector
Is 12-pin the future of GPU power?
Published: 24th August 2020 | Source: HardwareLuxx |
Seasonic confirms Nvidia's 12-pin Micro-Fit 3.0 Power Connector
Rumour has it that Nvidia has been working on a new 12-pin GPU power connector for its power-hungry RTX 30 series flagship. Now, Seasonic has confirmed that this connector exists and that it will be available as an adaptor for its power supplies.
This new 12-pin connector will be smaller than today's 8-pin PCIe power connectors. This change will allow graphics card makers to deliver more power over a smaller connector, saving precious PCB space while also reducing the number of cables that are required to power a flagship-level graphics card.
Recently, images of Nvidia's alleged RTX 3090 Founders Edition design have leaked onto the web, revealing a colossal triple shot graphics card which dwarfs anything that Nvidia has previously created. This suggests that the RTX 3090 will run hot, necessitating a lot of power draw.
Seasonic's Micro-Fit 3.0 connectors are designed to fit directly onto the manufacturer's power supplies. At this time it is unknown how widely these cables will be shipped to retailers, or if Nvidia plans to bundle similar adapters with applicable RTX 30 series graphics cards. Seasonic recommends that these cables are used with 850W or higher power supplies.
Please note that these adapters will not be compatible with all power supplies, as different manufacturers use different pinouts on their units. Using adapters like this, which connect directly to your power supply, on the wrong power supply units could potentially destroy your hardware. Always be careful when using PSU adapters.
This new 12-pin connector will be smaller than today's 8-pin PCIe power connectors. This change will allow graphics card makers to deliver more power over a smaller connector, saving precious PCB space while also reducing the number of cables that are required to power a flagship-level graphics card.
Recently, images of Nvidia's alleged RTX 3090 Founders Edition design have leaked onto the web, revealing a colossal triple shot graphics card which dwarfs anything that Nvidia has previously created. This suggests that the RTX 3090 will run hot, necessitating a lot of power draw.
Seasonic's Micro-Fit 3.0 connectors are designed to fit directly onto the manufacturer's power supplies. At this time it is unknown how widely these cables will be shipped to retailers, or if Nvidia plans to bundle similar adapters with applicable RTX 30 series graphics cards. Seasonic recommends that these cables are used with 850W or higher power supplies.
Please note that these adapters will not be compatible with all power supplies, as different manufacturers use different pinouts on their units. Using adapters like this, which connect directly to your power supply, on the wrong power supply units could potentially destroy your hardware. Always be careful when using PSU adapters.
(Images from HardwareLuxx)
In the coming weeks, we expect to learn a lot more about Nvidia's 12-pin Micro-Fit 3.0 power connector, and the industry's plans to utilise this new standard on upcoming graphics cards. Given the existence of this standard, PC gamers should expect the power consumption levels of GPUs to rise in the future. Why else would we need a new power connector? 
You can join the discussion on Seasonic's confirmation of Nvidia's 12-pin Micro-Fit power connector on the OC3D Forums.
Most Recent Comments
Personally don't see any downsides to this, if the industry can really get around it then it would make 8-pin connectors and any combination of multiple 8 and 6-pin connectors redundant, essentially standardising the input for any GPU that uses over 150W with a single smaller connector. Not like we should ever see cards that *need* two of these, because that much power/heat(500W+) would be impossible to dissipate in a gaming GPU form factor.Quote
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Originally Posted by tgrech
Personally don't see any downsides to this, if the industry can really get around it then it would make 8-pin connectors and any combination of multiple 8 and 6-pin connectors redundant, essentially standardising the input for any GPU that uses over 150W with a single smaller connector. Not like we should ever see cards that *need* two of these, because that much power/heat(500W+) would be impossible to dissipate in a gaming GPU form factor.
Would there be gains to cards using two of these even if they didn't need them? Yes, definitely. Would it be worth the costs |
I don't know how people are going to mod these to make them look good, but it won't be with paracord or traditional sleeving. It simply won't go into the pin shanks. Far too small.Quote
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Originally Posted by AlienALX
The down sides are, try fitting 550 paracord into that sucker.
I don't know how people are going to mod these to make them look good, but it won't be with paracord or traditional sleeving. It simply won't go into the pin shanks. Far too small. |
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Originally Posted by AlienALX
The down sides are, try fitting 550 paracord into that sucker.
I don't know how people are going to mod these to make them look good, but it won't be with paracord or traditional sleeving. It simply won't go into the pin shanks. Far too small. |
Space around the terminals is about 2.5mm square
To get the current carrying capacity required for full load (500W) each conductor would need to carry aprx 7A, so the conductors would want to be no less than 18 AWG or 0.75mm2.
18AWG stranded conductors typically have around an outer diameter of 2.1mm including insulation.
Leaving 0.4mm for sleeving and heatshrinkQuote
Then no one will get Paracord in there. End of. You don't need heat shrink, BUT, when you melt the braiding over the pin you do get a lump.
https://i.imgur.com/XkqnLqA.jpg
Like I say, that is going to be a total pig to braid.Quote
https://i.imgur.com/XkqnLqA.jpg
Like I say, that is going to be a total pig to braid.Quote
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