Nvidia unveils new version of GeForce RTX 4090 FE, Replace 12VHPWR interface with 12V-2×6

NVIDIA has extensively employed the 12VHPWR interface in its latest generation of GeForce RTX 40 series graphics cards. However, over the past few months, numerous reports have emerged of 12VHPWR connectors overheating and melting. Regardless of the specific reasons, the consensus among both gamers and manufacturers is that there is a higher potential risk. Previous reports have suggested that PCI-SIG is preparing an improved connector design called “12V-2×6” to replace the existing 12VHPWR.

Evidently, NVIDIA could not wait, and it was discovered that it has released the GeForce RTX 4070 Founder Edition with the new connector, making it the first graphics card with an improved 12VHPWR power connector design. According to VideoCardz, NVIDIA has extended the new connector to the GeForce RTX 4090 Founder Edition, equipping it with a “12V-2×6” connector.

NVIDIA RTX 4090 FE with shortened sense pins, Source: prackprackprack/Reddit

It makes sense to promptly apply the new connector to the GeForce RTX 4090, given that it is the flagship product, with the highest overall power consumption in the RTX 40 series. Most of the past reports of 12VHPWR connectors overheating and melting have come from this product model.

Most of the 12VHPWR connectors equipped on the current GeForce RTX 40 series products use the CEM 5.0 specification design, with an inner offset of just 0.45mm. These modified versions based on the upcoming CEM 5.1 specification have an inner offset of 1.7mm. Compared to the original design, the new connector shortens the sensing pins (the four data pins that define the wattage). If the 12VHPWR cable is not fully plugged in, the power supply will be limited to prevent overheating and melting caused by excessive power.