The latest BTF 2.5 connector on the ASUS RTX 5090 is far superior to the 16-pin power connector, ensuring better reliability and lower temperatures.
ASUS's Tony Puts RTX 5090 BTF to a Rigorous Test; The GPU Pulls Nearly 1300W but Didn't Even Touch 40 Degrees Celsius
The BTF connector might be the answer to power-hungry GPUs like the GeForce RTX 5090. Introduced a few years ago, the ASUS BTF products were originally made for a cable-free PC build, but with the introduction of the GC-HPWR connector on the motherboard, GPUs like the RTX 5090 BTF can now easily be powered without a 16-pin power connector.
The GC-HPWR (Graphics Card - High Power) connector, version 2.5, is found on ASUS's latest motherboard models, which can supply up to 1000W, as per the specifications. ASUS's Tony put the ROG Strix RTX 5090 BTF to a rigorous test in one of his recent videos, demonstrating the capabilities of the GC-HPWR. In the beginning, he allowed the GPU to receive nearly 600W, which is the default TDP of the RTX 5090.
Later, he increased the load to nearly 1300W to supply over 1000W to the GPU through the GC-HPWR connector. Surprisingly, the connector didn't break a sweat, and the connector temperature hardly touched 40 degrees Celsius. He went even further, increasing the load to nearly 1900W with 150A of current flowing through the connector, which is three times higher than what a 16-pin connector can handle. Even with such an incredibly high load, the connector hardly exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.
He then added another 1600W ROG power supply to connect a 16-pin power cable to the GPU alongside the GC-HPWR connection. With over 300W supplied to the GPU from each power supply, the GPU was operating with no problems. This debunked the rumor about whether powering the ASUS RTX 5090 BTF GPU with both 16-pin and GC-HPWR connectors simultaneously will cause any damage. However, this dual rail design won't be available on retail products.
Nonetheless, one can see a striking difference between the 16-pin power connector and the GC-HPWR connector on ASUS BTF motherboards. While the RTX 5090 BTF is only compatible with ASUS BTF motherboards, one can also remove the connector from the GPU and power it using a standard 16-pin power cable. This ensures the versatile functionality of the ASUS RTX 5090 BTF, but at the moment, the GC-HPWR appears to be a much safer option.
News Sources: @unikoshardware, Bilibili
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
