Facing higher consumption on modern graphics cards, Intel is forming a revision to the ATX specifications which will see the ATX 3.0 spec have allocations for new 16-pin connectors specifically for high-power 12-volt devices for technically known as 12VPHWR. This needs arises from newer GPUs demanding more power from the 12v supply and with modern cards easily breaching 375W from two PCIe 8-pin connectors, manufacturers that spread this out further with 3×8-pin or more are creating a cabling issue.
Intel addresses this by specifying higher-rated 16-pin power connectors that aim to operate at wattage steppings of 150w, 300w, 450w and 600W. The pins will be configured with internal sensing so devices will be able to report what they area so PSUs can dynamically manage power based on the input device.
The 12VHPWR standard provides power in sustained mode and max power mode. With the wire sensing, PSUs will be able to identify what device they can power on. If a cable isn’t able to supply the amount of power as indicated by the plug rating, it will default to the lowest value or if no sense is installed, to the lowest value of the standard which is 150w.
