Big changes are coming to the long-standing ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) power supply standard. Custom PC has learned that Intel will launch its new single-rail power supply form factor “ATX12VO” later this year, which improves upon the original and its subsequent revisions (i.e., ATX12V 1.0, 1.3, 2.0) in various ways.
For starters, Intel has gotten rid of the 3.3V and 5V rails completely. This means that ATX12VO PSUs will strictly provide 12V of power to all internal hardware components, the conversion of which will be handled by the motherboard. SSDs and hard/optical drives will draw power directly from a new “side-mounted SATA power connector near the SATA data ports.”
The 24-pin ATX connector (long detested by system builders for being thick, stiff, and unwieldy) has been replaced with a simpler, more aesthetically pleasing 10-pin connector. The 8-pin EPS connector is now optional, while the 5VSB (standby) rail has been changed to 12VSB.
Unfortunately, Intel’s new ATX12VO platform will launch exclusively for system builders. That’s because ATX is still the undisputed standard. It’s going to take years to wean hardware manufacturers and users off of it.
Intel’s elaborate, 68-page design guide for ATX12VO can be found here.
Editor’s Note – This appears likely related to something at FSP’s suite that we saw at CES a couple weeks ago – see below.
