Many years and fried GPUs later, someone has engineered a device that could be the GPU saviour many have been looking for. It’s been a tale told too often of how a PC user installs their new pride and glory GPU, sits down to game, only to wonder what’s cooking as an unusual aroma fills the room. Enter the Ampinel 12V-2×6 from Aqua Computer, a new active management adapter that can monitor temperature, provide active current balancing, and perform emergency shutdowns. While not the first such device to pop up in recent years to have some of these features, it is the first to do so in an all-encompassing approach and has received top praise from famed hardware tester Igor Wallossek.
“The AMPINEL is not simply a measuring servant, it is a fireman, referee and night watchman all in one. It prevents the 12V-2×6 from mutating into the next RMA wave.”
-Igor Wallossek (machine translated)
By using MOSFETs, shunts, and a fast MCU, AMPINEL can provide real-time load balancing via analog and digital means, thus ensuring that pins in the 12HPWR/12V-2×6 connector receive equal power distribution. Snake oil, marketing shenanigans, nope, the AMPINEL actually features technology that many would consider should already be present on graphics cards with these connectors. Components are packed onto a six-layer PCB, each is 70 µm copper, and includes a configurable display. A robust software solution is also provided for close monitoring of 40 measured values and further configuration. The device retains support for the “sense” pins, which are designed to detect improper connector insertion and can also use them to shut down power delivery when other dangerous events occur. An 85 dB buzzer will alarm when something has gone awry.
“In the event of a fault, the eight-stage alarm management ensures maximum safety. In the event of a slight deviation from specified limits, LEDs can flash as a warning, an audible alarm can sound, a pop-up message can be displayed in Windows, or an external speedometer signal can be interrupted via the alarm output.”
-Aqua Computer
“Step-by-step and intelligent: first the LEDs flash and the buzzer beeps, then the software terminates 3D loads, then the computer shuts down in a controlled manner and, if necessary, the card is brutally disconnected from the power supply. A multi-level safety net that is unique in this industry.”
-Igor Wallossek (machine translated)
The Ampinel is not yet available, but pre-orders have begun at $93.58/€79.90 (not including shipping/taxes). A handmade prototype was provided to Igor for review. which fully performed as intended during rigorous testing, thus getting 5 out of 5 stars from Wallossek. Orders are expected to begin shipping sometime in November.