12V-2x6 power connector tested (12VHPWR successor)

continuum · Sep 26, 2023

New 12V-2x6 PSU Connector Tested: Keeps Cool, Even When Improperly Inserted

Thermals on the new connector are significantly lower compared to its 12VHPWR predecessor, even in worst-case scenarios.

www.tomshardware.com

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI-soO7_l_M

Tested over at Hardware Busters.

In both scenarios, Hardware Busters found that the new 12V-2x6 connector had no problems outputting the full 660W of power, with thermal readings that were well below dangerous levels, even when the cable wasn't fully inserted. Ironically, the 12V-2x6 power connector does such a good job transmitting power through its pins, that the thermal output of the connector was 5.5 degrees Celsius lower when operating in a partially inserted state, compared to running the connector properly inserted.

Looks like a significant improvement over the previous 12VHPWR connector.

malor · Sep 26, 2023

So is 12VHPR just going away? I guess you'll have to use adapters if you want to use current cards with next-gen power supplies?

Semi On · Sep 26, 2023

malor said:
So is 12VHPR just going away? I guess you'll have to use adapters if you want to use current cards with next-gen power supplies?

How many of those early PSUs weren't modular? It seems like most of the ones I've seen were in which case you can just swap out the cable, right?

whoisit · Sep 26, 2023

Semi On said:
How many of those early PSUs weren't modular? It seems like most of the ones I've seen were in which case you can just swap out the cable, right?

Assuming that the PSU maker wants to make a modular cable with the appropriate pin out to connect the PSU. The Corsair PSU I'm using was new enough, at the time, that Corsair made a cable with the PCI-E (how they labelled the port on the PSU) pin out for the PSU end and the 12 connector for the video card. The cable is just two of the PCI-E connectors on the PSU side, and the videocard on the other.

A lot of the new PSUs I've seen have a dedicated port for the video card power, at least if you are using the high power connector.

Long way of saying, depends on if they think it's economically feasible.

malor · Sep 26, 2023

Semi On said:
How many of those early PSUs weren't modular? It seems like most of the ones I've seen were in which case you can just swap out the cable, right?

I have no idea. I do know that, if there are sufficient pins of the correct voltage and amperage available on your PSU, you'll have to buy one for your specific supply, as modular units use many different pinouts.

Semi On · Sep 26, 2023

whoisit said:
Long way of saying, depends on if they think it's economically feasible.

That just means you have to charge enough for it to make it worth your time.

pauli · Sep 27, 2023

Custom cable makers do exist. PSUs that don't ship with any cables at all do exist.

And chances are that transitional PSU models will be current models with new cables, which makes selling said cables trivial.

STR3T · Sep 27, 2023

Where are all the fine folks who insisted it was user error the whole time? Please, step forward. (No, I haven't had one melt on me, but I consider that as much luck as anything).

spiralscratch · Sep 27, 2023

STR3T said:
Where are all the fine folks who insisted it was user error the whole time? Please, step forward. (No, I haven't had one melt on me, but I consider that as much luck as anything).

It was user error exacerbated by a design that, while adequate for the needed power requirements, does make it a bit difficult to fully insert (i.e., very tight) and can't cover for such errors. When properly, fully connected there's no danger from original connector.

STR3T · Sep 27, 2023

Not true, after proper insertion and "click" even, there were many reporting (and videos showing) that it could un-insert itself, even w/ the "clip" engaged fully. It was a terrible first design and clearly was not fully vetted during testing for such "high power" as it's own name warned.

spiralscratch · Sep 27, 2023

STR3T said:
Not true, after proper insertion and "click" even, there were many reporting (and videos showing) that it could un-insert itself, even w/ the "clip" engaged fully. It was a terrible first design and clearly was not fully vetted during testing for such "high power" as it's own name warned.

Cite? I've never seen nor heard of that specific connector or similar designs (e.g., mainboard ATX/EPS/12v, GPU 6/8-pin connectors) working themselves loose under normal circumstances when fully, properly inserted (given the connector wasn't somehow damaged/aged/etc.).

STR3T · Sep 27, 2023

Jayz ~5:20 mark or so

There were def. others literally showing it clicked in, then wiggling a bit (as it might during cable management, adding/removing other components in/around the GPU or simply having to bend the 12VHPWR cable itself to fit the case panel properly) and having it come "loose" enough to cause heat build-up.

Recall this one: ~1:45 mark on this one, showing it pulls out a bit after full insertion/click

Menel · Sep 28, 2023

whoisit said:
Assuming that the PSU maker wants to make a modular cable with the appropriate pin out to connect the PSU. The Corsair PSU I'm using was new enough, at the time, that Corsair made a cable with the PCI-E (how they labelled the port on the PSU) pin out for the PSU end and the 12 connector for the video card. The cable is just two of the PCI-E connectors on the PSU side, and the videocard on the other.

A lot of the new PSUs I've seen have a dedicated port for the video card power, at least if you are using the high power connector.

Long way of saying, depends on if they think it's economically feasible.

Don't be confused by that "PCI-E connectors on the PSU side" you can't know that visually.

Take the CPU/EPS 8pin connector. Looks a lot fundamentally, visually like an 8pin PCIE 8pin. One is rated 380W at 12V, the other 150W at 12V.

Most of those "PCI-E connectors on the PSU side" lead to dual PCIE 8pins daisy chained on the GPU side, so the PSU side was already beefed up.

There is plastic ratings.
There is geometry of pins and crimps.
There is metal used mating.
There is wire size.
On and on.

whoisit · Sep 28, 2023

I was just saying that on my PSU the video card power plugs into ports labelled PCI-E, not CPU, MB, or SATA.

12V-2x6 power connector tested (12VHPWR successor)

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