Asus continues to develop the BTF (Back To the Future) concept of computer components. Its essence is to minimize or at least hide the maximum number of wires in the PC from the user’s eyes. The manufacturer introduced a new blade connector for video cards, capable of transmitting up to 1000 W of power to the GPU directly through the motherboard.
Image Source: VideoCardz / HardwareLuxx
The Asus BTF concept began with motherboards in which the main power connectors, as well as connectors for connecting various peripherals and additional fans, were moved to the reverse side. Later, the manufacturer introduced a new type of motherboards equipped with a special HPCE power connector for video cards.
The connector, reminiscent of a PCIe x1 slot, is capable of transmitting up to 600 W of power to the GPU through a special blade connector GC-HPWR, which the video card is equipped with instead of the usual 12+4-pin 12VHPWR or 12V-2×6. Power is supplied to the HPCE connector on the motherboard through the 12VHPWR/12V-2×6 connector located on the back of the board.
New connector GC-HPWR. Image source here and below: Asus
A revised version of the GC-HPWR power connector for video cards has become part of the new BTF 2.0 concept. Unlike the previous generation, this connector is removable. In addition, it can be removed inside the video card. In other words, the video card can be equipped not only with this connector, but also with the usual 12+4-pin 12VHPWR/12V-2×6. If the user has a motherboard with a special HPCE connector, power can be provided through the GC-HPWR connector. Otherwise, GC-HPWR can be hidden, and for power supply use the 12VHPWR/12V-2×6 connector, which the video card will also be equipped with.
Concept BTF 1.0
The redesigned GC-HPWR connector features a metal design with increased copper usage, which improves connection, reduces resistance and reduces temperature. Additionally, it is designed to deliver up to 1000W of power to the GPU.
New concept BTF 2.0
The most useful feature of the new GC-HPWR connector is the ability to hide it or completely detach it. This means that potential GeForce RTX 5000 BTF 2.0 graphics cards that have not yet been announced will be compatible with all power connection standards. This also solves the problem of the difficulty of reselling such video cards, since the first generation of accelerators was equipped with a special GC-HPWR connector, which required a motherboard with an HPCE connector to connect power.