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Last year, Intel introduced new computer power supplies, the AVX12VO using only 12 volts. The company would like to switch to them with the next generation of CPUs, Alder Lake.
It has been some time since we had information about a new type of power supply that Intel is now promoting, ATX12VO technology, which standardizes power supplies containing only a branch for 12V voltage, from which the board itself would make other necessary voltages as needed. their VRM circuits. The main purpose of this technology is to reduce the “overhead” that ATX power supplies add to the consumption in a state where the load on the PC is only small.
Last year, the first boards of the LGA 1200 platform appeared, which were built for these sources – this type of source is not compatible with boards for traditional ATX sources. But there have been very few such attempts, so it can be said that the technology has not yet spread. According to current reports, Intel wants to change this and push for next-generation boards socketem LGA 1700 a procesory Alder Lake already used the ATX12VO power supply type more often, which could then start a gradual transition. However, it is said that this does not arouse enthusiasm among the manufacturers.
More: The ATX12VO power supply standard is officially here, the first boards and power supplies
VideoCardz has now published a piece of an internal document, probably from Intel, on what is needed to release ATX12VO-powered desktop boards for Alder Lake-S processors so that they are actually available on the market at the time of the processors’ launch. By the way, this could be in November, according to last whisperers.
This snippet addresses things that may not be of much interest to us, such as the need for resource manufacturers to take about four months to start mass-producing ATX12VO resources. This probably does not include the development itself, only the start of production of the already finished type so that there will be enough of these resources on the shelves when the CPU and boards are released. Board manufacturers then need about four to five months. The document concludes that companies in both of these areas need to complete preparations for products using AVX12VO technology by the end of May. This is interesting because it probably proves the report on the November release of the desktop Alder Lake: those five months after the end of May would mean readiness during November.
However, according to VideoCardz, it also seems that Intel has not been able to convince the source and board manufacturer of this previous plan so far. It is said that companies tend to oppose the transition to another source technology. They probably don’t like the complications it would run for the smooth running of the business. Intel is said to be pushing for a larger ATX12VO expansion in the upcoming generation of Alder Lake processors and is trying to achieve it, but apparently it does not have much support in that.
According to VideoCardz, therefore, even with Alder Lake, there will probably not be a large number, if any, of boards built for ATX12VO power supplies on the open market, ie in the range of boards intended for builders of component computers and typical gaming PCs. It is likely that large OEM PC manufacturers such as Acer, HP, Dell, Asus and so on will switch to this technology. In any case, they often use or used to use their own proprietary types of resources and have the boards made to measure. At the same time, due to various energy efficiency certifications, these manufacturers have an incentive to move to this standard.
However, retail or “DIY” boards will probably be almost exclusively of the ATX type, at least the more expensive ones aimed at enthusiasts and players. It is said that it is possible that the ATX12VO could appear on cheap boards for Alder Lake (for example, in the category of those with lowend chipset H610), but the question is whether it will not be only for those designed for OEM computers. These models might not even be available in stores very often.
The ATX12VO power supply standard is officially here, ASRock introduces the first compatible Z490 board (Photo Gallery)
Better efficiency versus compatibility
This reluctance to promote new ATX12VO power supplies and produce new boards for them could create a vicious circle for the technology and cause it not to assert itself in the DIY sector and the market will be preserved on the old type of ATX power supplies. Which is positive in terms of the fact that previously purchased resources can be used in the long run. But if it is true that the ATX12VO could reduce energy losses and inefficiencies in resources, then we would lose this advantage by staying on the ATX.
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FSP500-30AKB, the first ATX12VO power supply (Source: KitGuru) Source: KitGuru
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FSP500-30AKB, the first ATX12VO power supply (photo gallery)
Source: VideoCardz
