The graphics card arena could be set for a dramatic power supply upheaval. According to well-placed industry sources, Nvidia plans to mandate the controversial 12VHPWR power connector for its entire RTX 50 series lineup.
This starkly contrasts with rival AMD, who reportedly believes the new connector is an unwarranted complication. Here are all the details.
Clash of the GPU titans: Power delivery as a battleground
With next-generation graphics cards on the horizon, the industry is buzzing. Nvidia seems prepared to fully embrace the 12VHPWR connector that debuted on its RTX 40 series despite the negative publicity associated with some earlier melting incidents. Meanwhile, both AMD and potentially Intel appear intent on sticking with the time-tested reliability of conventional power connections.
Nvidia’s gamble: Streamlined design or performance ambitions?
Those close to Nvidia suggest the company’s potential 12VHPWR mandate across its RTX 50 series GPUs centers on cost savings and supply chain management. However, it cannot be overlooked that the connector potentially facilitates the creation of future ultra-high-powered graphics cards should AMD’s upcoming RDNA 4 architecture surprise the market with significant performance leaps.
AMD, Intel Maintain Reservations About 12VHPWR
Sources within AMD describe the 12VHPWR as an “unnecessary new standard.” The company apparently considered including it with their RDNA 3 GPUs but ultimately chose a different path. An AMD insider indicates that this position remains unchanged for future hardware. Intel echoes this sentiment with information suggesting its upcoming “Battlemage” GPUs will utilize familiar 6-pin and/or 8-pin power connections.
PSU upgrades are on the way
Though Nvidia seems unlikely to reverse its direction, rumors of an RTX 50 series fully reliant on the 12VHPWR connector signal are potential woes for PC enthusiasts. Users without powerful, modern power supplies may face unavoidable upgrades if they wish to adopt Nvidia’s next generation of graphics cards. Expect heightened concerns as details on the RTX 50 series continue to emerge.
Featured image credit: Christian Wiediger / Unsplash
