The Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group, also known as PCI-SIG, has confirmed that 12VHPWR adapters may eventually cause problems when used with select 8-pin power connectors. The reason is very simple, these generate very high temperature a level of heat that not all 8-pin connectors can withstand.

This is something completely normal, because the PCIe 12VHPWR connectors are finally able to work with power up to 600 watts on 12 rails, which is four times more than an 8-pin PCIe connector can offer, which is the pinnacle 150 watts. PCI-SIG has no problem with this new connector, but it does have a problem with adapters coming to market that allow multiple 8-pin connectors to be used to support a single 12VHPWR.

PCI-SIG released declaration where you commented on this topic:

“PCI-SIG has realized that some implementations of 12VHPWR connectors and assemblies are subject to temperature changes, which could cause security issues under certain conditions. While PCI-SIG specifications provide information necessary for interoperability, they do not attempt to cover all aspects of good design, as they are based on many standard design methods and practices best known in the art. Since the PCI-SIG working groups include many system and connector design experts, they will review the available information on this industry problem and assist with any solutions as needed. PCI-SIG will provide updates on this topic as more details emerge. In the meantime, we encourage members to work closely with their connector suppliers and exercise due diligence when using high performance connections, particularly where there may be safety concerns.”

According to PCI-SIG, some components could melt or even burn due to high temperature changes during use. 12VHPWR adapters with “old” 8-pin connectors, which are not prepared to withstand such high temperatures. This could be especially serious if they are also used in computers that have poorly ventilated chassis where accumulated heat reaches dangerous levels.

These types of adapters that use a few extra 8-pin power connectors apparently do also exceed their safe limits, causing one to end up more saturated than the others and creating congestion that is really unnecessary. In these cases, we find ourselves in a difficult situation, the consequences of which can be catastrophic.

In a quick test, WCCFTech found that connecting two 8-pin cables to a 12VHPWR adapter allows you to supply a total of 600 watts of power. It shouldn’t be, as each of these 8-pin connectors is limited to a maximum of 150 watts, which would leave us with a combined maximum output of 300 watts.

A quality power supply should have no problem working with a 12VHPWR adapter as long as the number of additional 8-pin power cables to be used is at a safe level. However, we are earlier a problem we must take very seriously, because the consequences that a malfunction of this type could have on a PC would be very serious. We’ll see how the situation develops, but everything seems to indicate that eventually the transition to the 12VHPWR standard could happen faster than originally planned.