Rumors surrounding the upcoming graphics card have sparked significant speculation about its power supply, with some theories suggesting it will draw plenty of energy. A newer theory, though, posits that this powerful GPU might actually feature not one, but two 16-pin power connectors. The introduction of 16-pin cables with the 12VHPWR standard initially led to widespread reports of fires occurring on RTX 4090 graphics cards, prompting a swift switch to the safer 12V-2×6 power standard, also featuring 16 pins.
As AMD reportedly focuses on the mid-range segment with its upcoming RDNA 4 GPU, rumors suggest that Nvidia is poised to dominate the high-end market with its forthcoming Blackwell gaming GPU launch, likely securing a stronghold on the graphics card title. Rumors suggest that this upcoming Nvidia GPU will have a voracious appetite for power, with some leaks indicating an energy draw of over 550W, potentially even exceeding 600W.
While determining the power draw of a 12VHPWR energy cable, it’s worth noting that some graphics cards can also derive a moderate amount of power from their PCIe slot. When enthusiasts start pushing the limits of their RTX 5090 graphics cards by overclocking, the power requirements will inevitably increase, making the extra capacity of two 12VHPWR cables a valuable asset.
After touring MSI’s energy supply manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, China, Tech website Tweak City has further expanded upon its existing knowledge base by formulating a range of thought-provoking hypotheses. While inspecting their latest tour offerings, observers took note of a cutting-edge MSI PCIe 5.0 modular power supply boasting dual 12V-2×6 connectors; upon inquiry about its purpose, MSI allegedly revealed that it was designed to support the next generation of graphics cards.
While MSI may not be the pioneer in offering a power supply unit (PSU) with two 16-pin connectors, it is definitely a prominent player in this field. Thermaltake has already unveiled the Toughpower GF3 1,650W Gold (as pictured), featuring two 12VHPWR connectors that, according to the company, are specifically designed for next-generation PCIe 5.0 graphics cards.
While speculation suggests that the upcoming Nvidia flagship GPU might necessitate dual 16-pin power connectors, it’s essential to acknowledge that this is purely hypothetical information based on rumors, and there remains a significant possibility that the actual design may not require such connectors after all. If some high-end GPUs like NVIDIA’s RTX 3090 necessitate dual 16-pin power connectors, you’d want to carefully review your power supply unit’s specifications to ensure it meets this demanding requirement.
While most modern PC gaming power supplies typically come equipped with a 16-pin energy connector, instances of dual connectors are relatively uncommon. While there are approaches to consider, nonetheless. To convert 8-pin PCIe power connectors to 16-pin ones, you’ll require an adapter; simultaneously, ensure your PSU features a robust 12V rail with sufficient capacity.
Two sixteen-pin energy connectors can potentially consume significant amounts of 12-volt power, which could lead to a high utilization of the 12-volt rail, particularly if it is being heavily loaded by your central processing unit. If you’re planning to install an overclocked RTX 5090 in a Core i9-14900K system, be prepared for the possibility that you’ll need a robust power supply to support your setup.
To uncover more about what to expect from Nvidia’s upcoming flagship gaming GPU, refer to our RTX 5090 article, where we provide an exhaustive summary of everything currently known about the innovative Blackwell processor.
