Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 18.32
shows a peripheral-to-SATA power connector adapter.
PCI Express Auxiliary Graphics Power Connectors
AlthoughtheATX12V2.xspecificationincludesanew24-pinmainpowerconnectorwith
more power for devices such as video cards, the design was intended to power a video
card drawing up to 75 watts maximum through the PCIe x16 slot. That is adequate for
most video cards, but high-end gaming or workstation cards usually need quite a bit more
power.Toaccommodategraphicscardsneedingmorethan75watts,thePCI-SIG(Special
Interest Group) introduced two standards for supplying additional power to a video card
via additional graphics power connectors:
•
PCI Express x16 Graphics 150W-ATX Specification
—Published in October 2004,
this standard defines a 6-pin (2×3) auxiliary power connector capable of delivering an
additional 75W to a graphics card directly from the power supply, for a total of 150W
to the card.
•
PCI Express 225 W/300 W High Power Card Electromechanical Specifica-
tion
—Published in March 2008, this standard defines an 8-pin (2×4) auxiliary power
connector capable of supplying an additional 150W of power, for a total of either 225
watts (75+150) or 300 watts (75+150+75) of available power.
Cards requiring even more power can use multiple connectors, as seen in
Table 18.21
.
Table 18.21 Graphics Card Auxiliary Power Connector Configurations
