Igor’s Lab has shared diagrams of the new power connector that will supposedly debut with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3090 Ti graphics card. Representing PCI-SIG’s new “High Power Connector” (H+) standard, the connector is a new, non micro-fit design that features a total of 16 pins, four of which are located at the bottom. The new standard can support up to 600 watts of power for next-generation graphics cards.
From Igor:
The new 12VHPWR connector […] does not fit the PCI Express 2×3 and 2×4 Auxiliary Power connectors. The power supply pins of the 12VHPWR connector have a spacing of only 3.0 mm, while the contacts in the older 2×3 connector (6 pin) and 2×4 connector (6+2 pin) have a larger spacing of 4.2 mm. Figure 9-1 shows the unplugged 12VHPWR add-in card connector with through-hole. Twelve large contacts carry the power rail (2×6) and the four smaller contacts below are for the sideband signals.
[…] We now also see why this new plug can supply so much more current without burning out right away. The 12VHPWR power connector provides up to 55A of continuous current to power the add-in card via a 12V power rail with a maximum power of 600W. The specifications to achieve this plug power are quite high.
Igor couldn’t confirm whether this connector will be used in the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti, but the plug will clearly be more convenient than having to align multiple 8-pin connectors. The cables are also said to be much more flexible.
Source: Igor’s Lab