Can someone clarify how two 8-Pin PCIe ports can deliver 600 watts?
Can someone clarify how two 8-Pin PCIe ports can deliver 600 watts?
I have invested two full days attempting to grasp how two 8-pin PCIe connection ports on the ROG Thor 1200P2 Gaming PSU can deliver 600 watts to a GPU.
The cable included with the PSU has one end featuring two 8-pin connectors and the other an 12VHPWR connector labeled "600 watts." This cable seems like an afterthought, as the PSU was designed before such high power requirements existed, simply placed inside the box.
I believe each 8-pin PCIe port can provide 150 watts, so doubling that gives 300 watts total. For 600 watts to flow through the cable, four 8-pin connectors would need to be connected to a 150-watt port.
Some online responses claim the 12VHPWR cable contains additional wires and grounds, allowing it to supply 600 watts. I find this explanation quite surprising—manufacturing power by adding more wires and grounds seems like a clever trick.
If the PSU can indeed output more than 150 watts per 8-pin connection, but no one at ASUS can confirm this, I feel uncertain.
And a follow-up question: Could upgrading to an ATX 3.0 or 3.1 PSU offer advantages regarding the "sense" wires in the latest 12V-2x6 cables?
Of course, I’m not an expert on these topics, but I’m trying to understand.
The power supply end differs from the PCIe 8-pin output, which may be the source of your misunderstanding. It's often necessary to use thicker wire to link a single 8-pin connector on the PSU side with dual 8-pin PCIe connectors on the GPU side. This setup allows PSUs to accommodate multiple PCIe cables. There isn't always enough space for direct connections throughout a system, which is why you see several connectors at the end of most cables.
22 gauge wire is standard in lower-end PSUs, while higher-end models can use up to 16 gauge for greater current handling.
One PCIe connection provides about 150W (around 180W considering three 12V wires), whereas two dual 8-pin PCIe cables from the PSU deliver roughly 600W.
A single 12VHPWR cable supports up to 600W using six 12V wires, and the newer 12-pin version is rated for 675W, supposedly due to an increased pin contact area.
Many premium PSUs feature a PCIe power cable linking to one port on the unit, ending in two 8-pin connectors. This setup allows them to output up to 300W through a single cable. They often achieve this by using thicker cables within the connector that can safely handle higher current loads.
If your PSU lacks the traditional PCIe connectors, it's possible ASUS repurposed an older design and included a 12VHPwr cable with sensor pins arranged to make the GPU believe it receives 600W.
Each of the eight 8-pin PCIe ports on the ROG THOR 1200P2-Gaming offers a specific power output.
They aren't actually 8-pin PCIe ports from the start. If the only GPU cable ASUS provided was a 600W 12VHPwr unit that connects to two of the ports on the PSU, it's logical to think those ports can manage up to 300W. And if they can't, the RMA process will be tough.
Each 8-Pin PCI-E GPU power port can deliver up to 150 watts. The 12VHPWR connector may supply a higher amount, but this is where the confusion lies. Up to 600 watts could be possible if there are four 8-pin connectors at the other end. With only two available, the maximum is around 300 watts. -Wolf sends
Maybe because it doesn't actually provide the expected power output? I've noticed this in several hwbusters reviews. One of them mentions:
https://hwbusters.com/psus/thermaltake-t...su-review/
According to the ATX spec, a 1000W PSU should include a 450W 12VHPWR connector, yet no one has followed this guideline. All manufacturers offer 600W cables since it's simpler to manage inventory with just one type of 12+4 pin connector.
Apologies if I misinterpreted anything. I lack sufficient knowledge about the internal workings of PSUs to give detailed advice.
This likely explains the confusion. Are there any GPUs available with multiple connectors? I'm aware some have three.
I'm not entirely clear on this. The ports are 8-pin and labeled PCIe, but it's unclear why they aren't technically 8-pin PCIe ports. Some people think each port can only handle 150 watts, but the documentation doesn't mention wattage per port, so I'm still confused.
Thanks! As expected, this baby is coming back. Marketing hype. It's been tough to get a clear explanation of what's going on.
As mentioned before, one reviewer said the extra wires and ground doubled the power transmission. I was thinking if that was real, we'd found something similar to the Flux-Capacitor from Back to the Future...
Not surprising either, ASUS technical support confirmed the miracle cable boosted power to 300 watts per port. When I asked further, they said, "You're railroading me. It supplies 600 watts. I'm ending this chat."