Recent sightings of several NVIDIA PCB prototypes, including iterations for the RTX 5090 and RTX 4090, have revealed impressive configurations featuring up to four 16-pin connectors.
NVIDIA Pushes Power Limits: New PCB Prototypes Boast Up To Four 16-Pin Connectors
The GeForce RTX 5090 is recognized as the most demanding graphics card currently available, with a thermal design power (TDP) rated at a staggering 575W and actual consumption peaking at 600W on certain aftermarket (AIB) models. However, the prototypes under internal testing at NVIDIA take power consumption to an entirely new level, as unveiled through Chiphell Forums.
The forums provided a glimpse into multiple PCB prototypes from NVIDIA. One standout is the AD102 “Ada Lovelace”prototype, presumably linked to the RTX 4090 series. This powerful card features four 16-pin connectors paired with a remarkable 45-phase power delivery system. Each of these connectors can draw up to 600W, aggregating to a staggering potential of 2400W for the entire board. To date, commercial variants with more than two connectors have not been introduced; the designs with two 16-pin connectors were limited to a select few high-end extreme overclocking (XOC) models.
It’s crucial to mention that even a single “12VHPWR”connector has been associated with melting issues, raising concerns about the reliability and thermal management of configurations featuring four of these connectors.
In addition to the AD102 prototype, several other designs were revealed, including the GA102 “Ampere”board featuring four 8-pin connectors, the GA104 with three 8-pin connectors, and the GA107 housing a single 8-pin connector. Alongside these, older models from NVIDIA’s Turing “RTX 20″and Pascal “GTX 10″series were also presented, providing insights into the various testing strategies employed by NVIDIA to finalize retail boards across different generations.
Interestingly, there are indications of a prototype PCB equipped with the flagship GB202 GPU (RTX 5090) also showcasing four 16-pin connectors. Although there is speculation that some future XOC models may feature a configuration with dual 16-pin connectors, a design incorporating three or more of these power connectors is unlikely to be released.
It is important to note that these are prototype designs. GPU manufacturers like NVIDIA routinely develop multiple PCB and cooler prototypes for evaluation purposes. As highlighted in their official Founders Edition design video, NVIDIA has also been experimenting with new PCB and cooling technologies for both its RTX 40 and RTX 50 series GPUs.
The extensive testing process aids in determining which GPU specifications will ultimately make it to market, taking into account crucial factors such as cost, performance, and energy efficiency.
For more detailed insights, check the following sources: Chiphell Forums #1, Chiphell Forums #2, HXL.
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