ASUS China to Launch Cable-Free GeForce RTX 4070 BTF Edition on September 15

[T0@st]

TPU staffers had a close-up look at cable-free graphics cards during proceedings at Computex 2023—where ASUS was showing off early examples of graphics cards without an external power connector. This new connection standard is called GC_HPWR. Said proprietary connector has been spotted once again, this time on finalized hardware—ASUS appears to be readying Back To The Future (BTF) edition product lines for launch in China. The first retail graphics card to adopt the GC-HPWR connector, as part of the "Advanced BTF" initiative is a custom design based on NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. The ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 ATS BTF 12 GB edition card is set for a local release on September 15—there was no mention of a potential launch outside of the PRC, but we did see this "Megalodon" BTF card at Computex.

ASUS is indicating that it will be updating its China market-exclusive white TX series of GeForce cards with the new connector—marketing imagery has appeared online with a "coming soon" message for RTX 4060, 4060 Ti and 4070 models. A TUF series refresh is apparently in the cards—VideoCardz believes that these models will have a better chance of reaching global markets. The TUF Gaming B760M-BTF WIFI Micro-ATX motherboard, with all connectors positioned on the backside of the board is now visible on an ASUS Hidden Connector Design mini-site, sat next to a compatible A21 case. A TUF Gaming Z790 Concept board is teased in the Advanced tier with a matching GT502 Concept case.




Pictured below are the ASUS TUF Gaming B760M-BTF WIFI (in black) and ASUS TX GAMING B760-BTF WIFI (in white):



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[King Mustard]

The cables coming out of my RTX 3080 Founders Edition look truly ugly.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

It'd be interesting if they made this a part of the PCIe spec, but I dont see that happening if its ASUS.

 

[Outback Bronze]

I do like the concept but not looking forward to the prices.

If this ever becomes mainstream, then maybe prices can be more competitive with current market.

 

[HairyLobsters]

I did not know Asus had a Chinese division.

 

[bonehead123]

I did not know Asus had a Chinese division.

they don't.... but China has an ASsUs division, hehehe

As for the cable-free thing with the power extra connector, that is old news IIRC, as I seem to recall seeing it being discussed at least 1 month ago...

 

[joemama]

So that's a plug that goes in the mobo socket? Does that mean there's gonna be more cables to the mobo to supply the higher power draw?

 

[Wales]

Changing the power cord to use a PCB circuit for power supply is a wonderful idea, but two more connections increase the risk of resistance and short circuit.

 

[holyprof]

One more "form over function" innovation. When you're supplying 300W+ to a GPU, with spikes going much higher than the average power draw, the last thing you should do is introduce one more connector and tiny motherboard traces to conduct that power .
Looks cool though.

 

[Luke357]

So that's a plug that goes in the mobo socket? Does that mean there's gonna be more cables to the mobo to supply the higher power draw?

I read that there should be a 16 pin connector but I don't see one on these pictures.

 

[Operandi]

One more "form over function" innovation. When you're supplying 300W+ to a GPU, with spikes going much higher than the average power draw, the last thing you should do is introduce one more connector and tiny motherboard traces to conduct that power .
Looks cool though.

This is actually one of the few functional innovations in the last 10 years in the PC space as is evident that server GPUs have been getting power like this for years now.

The next logical step would be to redesign the motherboard and case for a dedicated GPU slot with space for the GPU (no sense in slots below the GPU when ever GPU is 2+ slots) and more mounting points to secure the card. It would also be really cool to see the GPU cooling solution reinvented with a front to back GPU and case design that pulls air in through the front of the case and exhausts it out the back instead of the mess of random air getting push wherever with current graphics cards. With the amount of space current cards use a front to back push / pull 92mm fan configuration with a massive heatsink in the middle would be totally doable and be way more efficient use of space.

 

[AusWolf]

The tech is really cool, and I'm excited, but... Megalodon? Mission? Is Asus ever gonna stop printing stupid nonsense on their hardware?

Also, what's so Back To The Future about this?

 

[Mawkzin]

I read that there should be a 16 pin connector but I don't see one on these pictures.

The first mobo is just tha Ape-DIY version, the second mobo is the one with 3 8pin conector on the back.

 

[Luke357]

The first mobo is just tha Ape-DIY version, the second mobo is the one with 3 8pin conector on the back.

I see it now.