Intel Introduces New ATX PSU Specifications

[btarunr]

Intel has published the most significant update to industry power supply specifications since the initial ATX 2.0 specs were introduced in 2003. Updated ATX 3.0 specifications unlock the full power and potential of next-generation hardware and upcoming components built for technologies like PCIe Gen 5.0. Intel has also revised its ATX12VO spec to provide the PC industry with an updated blueprint for designing power supply units (PSUs) and motherboards that reduce power draw at idle, helping customers lower electrical demand.

"Power supplies based on ATX 3.0 and ATX12VO 2.0 will ensure anyone looking to get the most stable and cost optimized performance possible with highest power efficiency out of their desktop PCs will be able to do so - both now and in the future, " said Stephen Eastman, Intel platform power specialist.



Key new additions to the ATX 3.0 / ATX12VO 2.0 specifications include:

• A new 12VHPWR connector will power most, if not all, future PCIe 5.0 desktop Add-in cards (e.g., graphics cards). This new connector provides up to 600 watts directly to any PCIe 5.0 Add-in/graphics card. It also includes sideband signals that will allow the power supply to communicate the power limit it can provide to any PCIe 5.0 graphic card.
• New guidelines reflect the PCIe CEM Gen 5 power excursion limit for PCIe 5.0 add-in cards that was published in November 2021. Updated specifications include new DC output voltage regulation that will be necessary for managing new power excursion requirements.
• ATX12VO 2.0 also adds the I_PSU% feature to desktop platforms - delivering an Intel-driven innovation previously available on mobile and server platforms. This feature provides benefits to small form-factor (SFF) systems that can't employ larger power supplies. It also provides cost efficiencies for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as they are better able to right-size PSU selection to meet system requirements.

With ATX 3.0 and ATX12VO 2.0 specs, compliant PSUs coming to market will be essential for desktop users that want to get the best possible performance from their next-gen PCIe 5.0 desktop graphics cards. These next-gen cards are going to be bigger and more powerful than before. Users will be able to maximize their system performance by having the proper power supplies in place.

Beyond system performance, the ATX12VO spec is going to be integral to helping the PC industry meet multiple governmental energy regulations. Recently announced regulations for complete systems - such as the California Energy Commission's Tier 2 appliance efficiency requirements - make it so that OEMs and system integrators (SI) must use extreme low system idle power levels to reduce desktop idle power consumption. The ATX12VO specification is one of Intel's efforts to improve efficiency across OEM/SI systems and products for our industry partners.

The new specifications will have a positive impact for power and performance improvements across all desktop segments - from full-size towers to SFF systems - including a smaller connector, more flexible board designs and improved energy conversions.

MSI recently launched the first ATX12VO-based desktop systems - the Creator P100A and the MPG Trident AS - which are powered by 12th Gen Intel Core processors and an ATX12VO compliant PSU.

Additional products based on the new ATX 3.0 and ATX12VO 2.0 specifications are expected to arrive throughout 2022.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[chodaboy19]

Great news, now they need to work on making the power connectors smaller like that 12-pin GPU one...

 

[mechtech]

Good timing. I was thinking of getting a new psu now just have to wait for some reviews.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Wonder if msi installed one of their aio's that produces goop inside
Not sure I'd try a new psu of theirs after that plus them scalping their own gpu's during mining spike.

Afterburner is all msi is good for.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Great news, now they need to work on making the power connectors smaller like that 12-pin GPU one...

Smaller connectors are actually a bad thing when it comes to electricity, at least at higher amperages.

 

[Punkenjoy]

It's really wishful thinking, but i would have liked if ATX 3.0 would have included a hole in the case and in the motherboard so we could plug the cable under the GPU instead of having those cable hanging around in the case.

too bad ! (also i don't think it's realistic to have a motherboard that can push 600 watt in a slot, but i am not an electrical engineer.)

 

[jimmyxxx]

It's really wishful thinking, but i would have liked if ATX 3.0 would have included a hole in the case and in the motherboard so we could plug the cable under the GPU instead of having those cable hanging around in the case.

too bad ! (also i don't think it's realistic to have a motherboard that can push 600 watt in a slot, but i am not an electrical engineer.)

Interesting idea, I don't know how parasitic currents will affect the motherboard though. I guess there is some case/motherboard layout and variable graphic card lengths that could make this difficult.

 

[Punkenjoy]

Interesting idea, I don't know how parasitic currents will affect the motherboard though. I guess there is some case/motherboard layout and variable graphic card lengths that could make this difficult.

indeed, just the change management would be something. how do you transition, does GFX card would have 2 connector until the other version get outdated.

ATX is key to PC, but it's also something very hard to change.

 

[Sabotaged_Enigma]

ATX12VO is back from dead (abandoned)?
Don't mess with my PC, will you?

 

[ncrs]

Smaller connectors are actually a bad thing when it comes to electricity, at least at higher amperages.

True, but at the same time the main ATX plug due to historical baggage carries voltages that aren't really needed in modern motherboards. That is why ATX12VO is using a smaller plug and yet it has 3 (+1 standby) lines dedicated to 12V, while the 24-pin ATX has only 2 (and the standby line is 5V).

 

[ppn]

All must be converted to micro fit. CPU 8 pin and MB still remain.

 

[dj-electric]

Smaller connectors are actually a bad thing when it comes to electricity, at least at higher amperages.

Who said the cable guages are also getting smaller? They aren't. 18AWG standards for wires remains mostly identical.

The people who will count the money are Molex. The design so far has been highly space inefficient. Good time for improvements

 

[Frank_100]

Figures California would not like my combination space heater/vacuum cleaner/Christmas Tree full tower.

 

[chodaboy19]

Some good info there:

Intel's ATX v3.0 PSU Standard Has More Power for GPUs

There is a new PSU standard from Intel, leading to huge changes in the IT market!

www.tomshardware.com

 

[TheLostSwede]

True, but at the same time the main ATX plug due to historical baggage carries voltages that aren't really needed in modern motherboards. That is why ATX12VO is using a smaller plug and yet it has 3 (+1 standby) lines dedicated to 12V, while the 24-pin ATX has only 2 (and the standby line is 5V).

Sure, in that sense, a smaller connector would make sense, also one that would actually be easier to insert properly as well.

Who said the cable guages are also getting smaller? They aren't. 18AWG standards for wires remains mostly identical.

The people who will count the money are Molex. The design so far has been highly space inefficient. Good time for improvements

Well, look at the SATA power connectors, they have tiny connectors and they're imho poorly designed. It works great if you have hot swappable trays or in notebooks where the power and data connectors are a single interface, but when you have separate data and power connectors, it's really not a sturdy connector.
Drives admittedly don't need high currents, but it's also why a lot of devices can't use the SATA power connectors, as the current draw is too high.

Are you short on space on your ATX motherboard? Admittedly smaller connectors would be great on mini-ITX type boards, but I doubt most people are suffering because the connectors are too big. Not saying things shouldn't improve and we're using a 27 year motherboard and PSU standard, but due to the industry being as complex as it is, it's really hard to change over to new standards, as not everyone will agree, think about backwards compatibility and so on...

 

[dj-electric]

Are you short on space on your ATX motherboard? Admittedly smaller connectors would be great on mini-ITX type boards, but I doubt most people are suffering because the connectors are too big. Not saying things shouldn't improve and we're using a 27 year motherboard and PSU standard, but due to the industry being as complex as it is, it's really hard to change over to new standards, as not everyone will agree, think about backwards compatibility and so on...

Sometimes you just have to "force" change.
A lot has changed in the cable and connector world for current transfer and connectivity. The problem with the current SATA power connectors? many of em. For once, you are not even using its voltage range by pinout anymore. This connector remains mostly to supply 12V today with 5V optional for the drives that need it (mechanical mostly).

I do agree this connector sucks btw, as much as I think the very old 4PIN one do. Im personally a fan of Molex' new Micro-fit 3.0 series, which can carry a lot of amperage and use small connectors. While im not a huge fan of the fact Molex will probably make money off of selling and lisencing it, any improvement is welcomed

ATX and MATX may not see too much from this, but MITX and some custom small form factor specific boards might really, really do.

 

[trsttte]

It's really wishful thinking, but i would have liked if ATX 3.0 would have included a hole in the case and in the motherboard so we could plug the cable under the GPU instead of having those cable hanging around in the case.

too bad ! (also i don't think it's realistic to have a motherboard that can push 600 watt in a slot, but i am not an electrical engineer.)

What do you mean?

Are you short on space on your ATX motherboard? Admittedly smaller connectors would be great on mini-ITX type boards, but I doubt most people are suffering because the connectors are too big. Not saying things shouldn't improve and we're using a 27 year motherboard and PSU standard, but due to the industry being as complex as it is, it's really hard to change over to new standards, as not everyone will agree, think about backwards compatibility and so on...

It's not just about the space though, current connectors are wasteful for no good reason. They don't offer or need to offer a meaningful increase in current capacity, are bulky and require a lot of materials that could easily be reduced, not only without loosing functionality but actually increasing it.

 

[Cutechri]

So... rest in peace GPU upgrades for my build until I do a complete rebuild with an ATX 3.0 PSU then?

 

[aQi]

So this is specifically to provide intelligent power to gfx. Ehm ehm intel gpus

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Not saying things shouldn't improve and we're using a 27 year motherboard and PSU standard, but due to the industry being as complex as it is, it's really hard to change over to new standards, as not everyone will agree, think about backwards compatibility and so on...

27 years and the graphics card is still upside down. This industry may be hard to change, but atleast Intel is making an effort, the same cannot be said of others since it would 'cost too much'. If there was to be large changes, there cant be backward compatibility, otherwise that reliance will not let the industry move forward. Adoption to new standards and designs wont pay off immediately and manufacturers will scream 'we profits now dammit!" and remain stuck with legacy and left in the dust.

 

[trsttte]

So... rest in peace GPU upgrades for my build until I do a complete rebuild with an ATX 3.0 PSU then?

Probably not, I think the extra pins are only required for high power modes, until something like 450W they should be optional or at least there will certainly be solutions available to bypass it (which would not be advisable for the 600w models but who cares about those anyway? as far as I'm concerned they'll be nothing more than a meme)

 

[R-T-B]

ATX12VO is back from dead (abandoned)?
Don't mess with my PC, will you?

It was never abandoned. It's just really an OEM-only thing.

So... rest in peace GPU upgrades for my build until I do a complete rebuild with an ATX 3.0 PSU then?

Adapters always exist.

 

[bonehead123]

1. A press release about PSU specs, but a photo of a complete computer, makes no sense, so wtf ? Yea I know this is about desktop psu's and all that, but why not a photo of them instead....

2. Can someone please enlighten me as to EXACTLY why Intel gets to dictate the standards for PSU's and their related cables/connectors etc... ? Yea I know they have large marketshare, influence yada yada yada, but shouldn't some standards body (IEEE ?) be involved in this decision too ??????

 

[TheOnlyDoor]

So....the only 4000 series GPUs Nvidia will be able to sell will be to those who also buy a $400 to $800 power supply?
I doubt this as I suspect they would lose anywhere from 60 to 90 percent of thier discrete graphic card customer base.
There must be special adapters, cables or both in the works for existing power supplies.

 

[trsttte]

2. Can someone please enlighten me as to EXACTLY why Intel gets to dictate the standards for PSU's and their related cables/connectors etc... ? Yea I know they have large marketshare, influence yada yada yada, but shouldn't some standards body (IEEE ?) be involved in this decision too ??????

... because they were the only ones to care enought to do it?

I also don't know but they published the initial standard and have been responsible for every major update as far as I know. There were other standards (by Intel or not) that were eventually abondoned because they didn't caught on, ATX seems to have been universally accepted, initially probably just because Intel said so but currently because no one wants to bother to do something better ¯\_(ツ)_/¯