Atx12vo completely redesigns the power of the pc

The power supply segment (PSU) has had some changes in the last decades with respect to its connectors, new ones have been added to be compatible with new motherboards and components, such as SATA or PCIe connectors, however, what What is to come will be revolutionary with the new ATX12VO platform.

ATX12VO completely redesigns the power of the PC

The power supply market will receive the biggest change since 1995 with Intel's 'ATX12VO' platform, which will launch this year. However, initially it will only be exclusive to custom equipment manufacturers.

The new ATX12VO platform (the 'O' stands for 'only') completely redesigns the power of the PC as we know it. Intel has removed the 3.3V and 5V rails, so the PSU power supply will only supply 12V of power to the motherboard, graphics cards, storage, or other internal peripherals.

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Meanwhile, the 24-pin ATX connector is being replaced by a new 10-pin connector, and the EPS connector that goes near the CPU socket will only be optional. Even the 5VSB (standby) rail, used by devices like USB peripherals to stay powered, will be replaced by 12VSB (although the USB output will remain at 5V).

Instead, the motherboard will handle all 12V voltage conversions to lower voltages. For SATA powered kits such as SSDs, hard drives, and optical drives, which require a 5V input, power will now be drawn from the motherboard, which will have a side mounted SATA power connector near the ports on SATA data.

The reason this new platform is currently only for system builders is because the changes require new PCs to commit to the multi-component ATX or ATX12VO. Rather than trying to manage multiple parallel products for ATX or ATX12VO, it's easier for motherboard companies to commit to large orders for one product, rather than the dozens of models required for the retail channel. Intel certainly remembers the BTX debacle, and it won't like to make the same mistake.

The ultimate goal is an improvement in the overall efficiency of the platform, while reducing the net cost. This cost advantage is probably minimal for a particular PC builder, but not for companies that design pre-assembled PCs for sale. On the other hand, it will make the assembly of the PC more comfortable with fewer cables.

Of course, this will require an investment in a new power supply (PSU) that has these connectors. All the information about ATX12VO can be seen here.

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