NVIDIA Revamps Power Connector Design for RTX 4090 Founders Edition Cards

NVIDIA has reportedly updated its RTX 4090 Founders Edition graphics cards with a newly designed power connector. The novel design, known as the '12VHPWR' connector, aims to mitigate potential power-related issues and promote enhanced performance.

One of the primary changes in this new connector design is the inclusion of shortened sense pins. These pins are designed to restrict the GPU's ability to negotiate for higher wattage with the power supply unless the cable is fully inserted. This mechanism safeguards against situations where high power is forced through a cable that isn't fully seated - a condition that could lead to complications like melting or other damage.

While NVIDIA hasn't officially announced the design change, reports have emerged that the new connector design has been implemented in the RTX 4090 Founders Edition. This card, part of the RTX 40 series, is the first desktop GPU of this generation to feature the 12+4pin design. As a result of these modifications, it's expected that the likelihood of the connector operating in unsupported conditions will significantly decrease.

It should be noted, however, that this might not be the complete implementation of the 12V-2×6 connector design. Initial reports indicate that the '12VHPWR' connector has also been used in the RTX 4070 and RTX 4070 Ti graphics cards.

Keywords: NVIDIA, RTX 4090 Founders Edition, power connector design, 12VHPWR connector, sense pins, GPU, RTX 40 series, RTX 4070, RTX 4070 Ti, power supply.