Cableless GPU design supports backward compatibility and up to 1,000W

[Daniel Sims]

Something to look forward to: Asus has spent years working to eliminate GPU power cables, and its evolving BTF standard represents a major step forward. The BTF standard shifts power delivery to a new connector located next to the PCIe slot, requiring compatible motherboards and graphics cards. A recent update, however, introduces GPUs that are compatible with both BTF and traditional motherboards, addressing the biggest obstacle to adopting this new technology.

Asus revealed more details about its planned cableless GPU power connector standard at CES last week. According to HardwareLuxx, the updated version of the Back to the Future (BTF) specification now supports non-compliant motherboards and increases the maximum supported wattage.

Previously, Asus demonstrated BTF-compatible graphics cards that replaced conventional power connectors with a new GC-HPWR gold finger, positioned alongside the PCIe x16 gold finger. BTF-compliant motherboards include a corresponding HPCE connector, giving custom PC builders one less cable to worry about.

The original BTF specification (click to enlarge)

Interest in a cableless standard surged after some Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 users reported burning power cables. Asus aims to make PC builds simpler and safer by minimizing the number of required cables.

However, the first generation of BTF GPUs required BTF-compatible motherboards, which posed challenges for upgrades unless the entire PC industry adopted the standard. The introduction of BTF 2.0 GPUs mitigates this issue by supporting both GC-HPWR connectors and the more common 12v-2x6 connectors.

BTF 2.0 (click to enlarge)

The updated design reintroduces 12v-2x6 connectors on the outward-facing side of the graphics card, opposite the gold fingers. Meanwhile, the GC-HPWR connector is now recessed and no longer automatically aligns with the HPCE connector.

Switching to BTF mode involves using a detachable GC-HPWR gold finger, which connects the GPU's gold finger to the motherboard's HPCE connector. Although Asus hasn't yet released any BTF 2.0 graphics cards, the new design would allow users to choose between traditional motherboards and BTF-compatible models.

Detachable GC-HPWR connector (click to enlarge)

Moreover, while earlier BTF-compatible graphics cards could draw up to 600W from the motherboard, BTF 2.0 raises the limit to an impressive 1,000W. Although no consumer GPUs currently require this much power, flagship cards are getting hungrier. For instance, Nvidia's recently announced RTX 5090 has a power requirement of 575W.

The GC-HPWR and HPCE connectors are not the only innovations in the BTF lineup. Asus partner DIY-APE is already working on BTF 3.0, which aims to create a cableless connection between the power supply unit, motherboard, and GPU.

This next-generation standard introduces a new connector on the backside of the motherboard, capable of delivering up to 1,500W to multiple system components. If widely adopted, BTF 3.0 would reduce the remaining cables in a PC build to those for SATA devices and chassis components.

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Cableless GPU design supports backward compatibility and up to 1,000W

 

[Inthenstus]

Looking forward to version 3. Once this is more widely adopted I’ll be onboard. I like the idea of not needing cables, but I hate the idea of paying a premium for emerging technologies, especially if the newer versions aren’t backwards compatible.

 

[mcnabney]

This is a silly idea. The AIB companies can produce SKUs that have the power connections on the underside of the card (further down from the PCIE connector). We already have motherboards with all of the their power and IO on the back of the boards. Moving the GPU power connector(s) to the bottom edge will allow a completely hidden wire setup.
The added complexity of engineering a 7-8 layer PCB board that can handle that much power running through it would be a waste when all you need to do is sell some GPUs with relocated power taps.

 

[GTvon]

This is a silly idea. The AIB companies can produce SKUs that have the power connections on the underside of the card (further down from the PCIE connector). We already have motherboards with all of the their power and IO on the back of the boards. Moving the GPU power connector(s) to the bottom edge will allow a completely hidden wire setup.
The added complexity of engineering a 7-8 layer PCB board that can handle that much power running through it would be a waste when all you need to do is sell some GPUs with relocated power taps.

PCB is a printed circuit board. PCB board is a printed circuit board board.

 

[OortCloud]

When ASUS get an entirely new team in and completely rewrite all their software and drivers I might consider it (oh and have some real customer support).

 

[Anton Longshot]

LOL @ 1000 watts.
Electricity's expensive: a 1000W gaming rig would bankrupt me.

 

[hahahanoobs]

Up to 1000W sounds niche af. I'll pass on this desperate marketing.

And, um, how is this wireless? Is power delivered through the air from the PSU to the card? Or is power delivered via 24-pin? Or has the location of external PCIe power connectors just moved from the card to the board?

 

[Deathdealers747]

Sounds promising. Looking forward to the future outcomes of this!

 

[mbk34]

I like the idea of simplified connections and I like the idea of better airflow with fewer cables but I'd never buy a 1000W GPU even if I could justify it. AMD would do better spending their time designing GPUs that use less power.

 

[TooQik]

The one thing that cables allow for is flexibility in component placement.

If you "hard wire" your entire motherboard you limit the layout possibilities - your motherboard, PSU and GPU would all be required to be mounted in the same spot for every build. PC case designs would all become very similar to accommodate this.

Forget vertically mounted GPUs. Forget top/front/side mounted PSUs. Of course someone would design new cables to allow for this type of modification, but then we're right back to where we started.

 

[GTvon]

The one thing that cables allow for is flexibility in component placement.

If you "hard wire" your entire motherboard you limit the layout possibilities - your motherboard, PSU and GPU would all be required to be mounted in the same spot for every build. PC case designs would all become very similar to accommodate this.

Forget vertically mounted GPUs. Forget top/front/side mounted PSUs. Of course someone would design new cables to allow for this type of modification, but then we're right back to where we started.

They are not talking about integrating a power supply into the motherboard. The motherboard will still have to be powered by a PSU with cables attached. And using the built-in sockets is one option but you can still use the plugs and cables to the back side of your GPU if that's the route you want to go.

 

[Inthenstus]

I like the idea of simplified connections and I like the idea of better airflow with fewer cables but I'd never buy a 1000W GPU even if I could justify it. AMD would do better spending their time designing GPUs that use less power.

AMD? You mean NVIDIA? They’re crossing 600W with the 5090..

 

[TooQik]

They are not talking about integrating a power supply into the motherboard. The motherboard will still have to be powered by a PSU with cables attached. And using the built-in sockets is one option but you can still use the plugs and cables to the back side of your GPU if that's the route you want to go.

The article states "Asus partner DIY-APE is already working on BTF 3.0, which aims to create a cableless connection between the power supply unit, motherboard, and GPU.", this is what my comments regarding directly connecting the PSU to the motherboard were based on.

 

[GTvon]

The article states "Asus partner DIY-APE is already working on BTF 3.0, which aims to create a cableless connection between the power supply unit, motherboard, and GPU.", this is what my comments regarding directly connecting the PSU to the motherboard were based on.

Read my reply again if you missed what I meant. You are still free to use cables if that's your thing.

 

[TooQik]

Read my reply again if you missed what I meant. You are still free to use cables if that's your thing.

I get what you're saying for this particular article, but if you read the second Techspot article and check out the pictures of what BTF 3.0 is doing in regards to attaching the PSU directly to the motherboard, then you will understand the point I'm making about flexibility, component arrangements being limited, and PC case designs.

 

[erickmendes]

Now we can fry the psu, gpu AND motherboard too all on a go. Sweet!