One thing to sit up for: Asus has spent years working to eradicate GPU energy cables and its evolving BTF commonplace represents a giant step ahead. He BTF commonplace switches energy supply to a brand new connector situated subsequent to the PCIe slot, requiring appropriate motherboards and graphics playing cards. Nevertheless, a current replace introduces GPUs which might be appropriate with each BTF and conventional motherboards, addressing the most important impediment to the adoption of this new expertise.
Asus revealed extra particulars about its deliberate wi-fi GPU energy connector commonplace at CES final week. In accordance HardwareLuxxThe up to date model of the Again to the Future (BTF) specification now helps unsupported motherboards and will increase the utmost supported energy.
Beforehand, Asus demonstrated BTF-compatible graphics playing cards that changed standard energy connectors with a brand new GC-HPWR gold finger, positioned subsequent to the PCIe x16 gold finger. BTF-compatible motherboards embrace a corresponding HPCE connector, giving customized PC builders one much less cable to fret about.
The unique BTF specification (click on to enlarge)
Curiosity in a wi-fi commonplace elevated after some Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 customers reported burning energy cables. Asus goals to make PC constructing easier and safer by minimizing the variety of cables wanted.
Nevertheless, the primary technology of BTF GPUs required BTF-compatible motherboards, posing challenges for upgrades except the complete PC business adopted the usual. The introduction of BTF 2.0 GPUs mitigates this problem by supporting each GC-HPWR connectors and the extra frequent 12v-2×6 connectors.
BTF 2.0 (click on to enlarge)
The up to date design reintroduces 12v-2×6 connectors on the outer aspect of the graphics card, in entrance of the gold fingers. In the meantime, the GC-HPWR connector is now recessed and not mechanically aligns with the HPCE connector.
Switching to BTF mode includes the usage of a removable GC-HPWR gold finger, which connects the GPU gold finger to the HPCE connector on the motherboard. Though Asus has not but launched any BTF 2.0 graphics playing cards, the brand new design would permit customers to decide on between conventional motherboards and BTF-compatible fashions.
Removable GC-HPWR connector (click on to enlarge)
Moreover, whereas earlier BTF-compatible graphics playing cards may draw as much as 600W from the motherboard, BTF 2.0 raises the restrict to a formidable 1000W. Whereas no shopper GPU at present requires that a lot energy, flagship playing cards have gotten more and more hungry. . For instance, the lately introduced by Nvidia RTX 5090 It has an influence requirement of 575W.
The GC-HPWR and HPCE connectors are usually not the one improvements within the BTF line. Asus accomplice DIY-APE is already engaged on BTF 3.0which goals to create a wi-fi connection between the ability provide, motherboard and GPU.
This next-generation commonplace introduces a brand new connector on the again of the motherboard, able to delivering as much as 1500W to a number of system parts. If broadly adopted, BTF 3.0 would cut back the remaining cables in a pc to these for SATA units and chassis parts.
