12V2x6 Connector: Do You Need To Change Your 12VHPWR PSU

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Is the 12VHPWR connector already dead? And does the new revision really overcome the shortcomings of its predecessor?

Story Highlight
  • The 12V2x6 connector offers improved reliability and can deliver well over 600W of power. 
  • 12VHPWR has proven to be risky and should be avoided due to multiple controversies and incidents.
  • It is also backward compatible with power supplies, with 12VHPWR as their default PCIe cable. 

Nvidia introduced a new way of powering their graphics cards with the launch of the 40 series lineup. It claimed to be a step forward as it could deliver double the power of an old PCIe power connector. However, things didn’t go too well and the new power cables became a new controversy. 

But we already have a new replacement named 12V2x6, which is a successor to the old 12VHPWR. Whether it really a true successor or not, only time will tell, for now, we can discuss its differences.

Why A Quick Revision

With graphics cards going power-hungry each generation, they came to a point where the conventional 8-pin PCIe connectors were insufficient. So, Nvidia introduced the new 12VHPWR connector that was capable of delivering 600W while being a single connector on the GPU side. The solution was quite thoughtful, but it backfired quickly due to poor implementation. 

12VHPWR Cable Melted (Image credit: Reddit)
12VHPWR Cable Melted (Image credit: Reddit)

Soon after getting into the hands of the consumers, reports emerged all over the internet that the new connectors weren’t as robust as they should have been. And are rather melting down, resulting in damaging the graphics card as well as the connector itself. To address the situation, many aftermarket connectors were launched to tackle the situation. However, the risk remained there as is. This is why a revision was much needed to fix the flaws for good.

The 12V2x6 Connector

The all-new 12V2x6 connector is a revision to the not-so-old 12VHPWR connector that made quite a show all around when it first launched. This new 16-pin connector mitigates the flaws of the previous power connector. The new connector also incorporates new measurements for the sensing pins as well as the power terminals. If we go into the details, the sensing pins are now 1.5 mm shorter while the power terminals are extended by around 0.25 mm.   

Terminal Size Comparison (Image credit: Hardware Busters)
Terminal Size Comparison (Image credit: Hardware Busters)

What this does is that when the sensing pins are not in full contact, the power on the pins would be zero watts. This was not the case with the old 12VHPWR connector. Moreover, the new connector can also maintain safe temperatures even when it is not properly plugged into the graphics card. This can be seen in the testing done by Hardware Busters, as the temperature stayed well under 50C even during peak power draw.

All these additions help it become a more reliable way of powering GPUs, as opposed to the old 12VHPWR connector. 

Compatibility Concerns

MSI MAG A1000GL PCIE5 - 11 - Dual Color 12VHPWR Connector Cable
12V2x6 connector (Image By Tech4Gamers)

For example, the 12VHPWR connector isn’t compatible with older power supplies, so it could be assumed that the new revision might require a new power supply as well. However, it’s quite the opposite here because the 12V2x6 connector is backward compatible with power supplies that originally featured the 12VHPWR connector right out of the box. 

So, it is safe to say that you do not have to update your whole power supply immediately. You can deal with the majority risk by simply swapping the 12VHPWR connector with the 12V2x6 one if you do not have plans to upgrade to the upcoming flagship graphics card.

A Step In The Right Direction

The newest standard is already being implemented by the graphics cards and power supply manufacturers in their current as well as upcoming product lineups. Fortunately, though, it doesn’t require a full power supply change too, which is a relief for many as they can be quite expensive on the higher-end side. 

Now, that the new power standard has matured enough, and the serious concerns are addressed, we might see AMD moving over to this new standard as well. As previously, they dropped the idea because of the risks involved and chose to wait to be sure about everything.

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