AMD’s upcoming Radeon RX 7800 XT and Radeon RX 7700 XT graphics cards have generated a great deal of excitement among gamers as they prepare to compete for a place in the coveted list of top-tier graphics cards. While these GPUs were initially planned to feature the innovative 16-pin (12VHPWR) power connector, AMD ultimately decided to abandon this idea, opting instead for the more standard 8-pin PCIe power connectors.
Scott Herkelman, senior vice president and general manager of the Graphics Business Unit at AMD, revealed in a recent interview with Club386 that the company had indeed considered implementing the 16-pin power connector for the Radeon RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT. However, after careful consideration, AMD made a purposeful decision to remove it, taking responsibility for any potential issues that may have arisen. Herkelman emphasized the importance of not blaming end users for problems, stating that AMD believes in owning and addressing any issues that may arise.
AMD’s cautious approach stands in contrast to its competitor, Nvidia, which has experienced difficulties with the 16-pin power connector on their GeForce RTX 4090, resulting in connector meltdowns. Despite efforts to improve the connector’s safety through revisions rolled out by PCI-SIG, AMD remains unconvinced about its usability for their latest RDNA 3-based Radeon graphics cards.
The Radeon RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT boast power draws of 245W and 263W, respectively. As a result, a pair of 8-pin PCIe power connectors provides more than sufficient power for these GPUs. However, Herkelman assured enthusiasts that AMD would consider incorporating the 16-pin power connector into future designs once the issues surrounding it have been resolved and there is confidence in its reliability for end users.
It seems that AMD’s decision to forgo the 16-pin power connector for now reflects their commitment to delivering reliable and efficient graphics cards. While enthusiasts may have to wait until the next generation of Radeon GPUs to see the inclusion of the 16-pin power connector, AMD’s cautious approach ensures a focus on user experience and product quality.
FAQ
Q: Why did AMD remove the 16-pin power connector from its RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT GPUs?
A: AMD made a purposeful decision to remove the 16-pin power connector due to potential issues and taking responsibility for any problems that may arise.
Q: How does AMD’s approach differ from Nvidia’s regarding the 16-pin power connector?
A: Unlike Nvidia, AMD has taken a cautious approach and refrained from implementing the 16-pin power connector for their RDNA 3 Radeon graphics cards.
Q: Will AMD ever consider using the 16-pin power connector for its graphics cards?
A: Yes, according to Scott Herkelman, AMD is open to the idea of using the 16-pin power connector once the issues surrounding it have been resolved and there is confidence in its reliability for end users. However, this may not be until the RDNA 4 generation.