Intel wants wider support for ATX12VO power supplies with Alder Lake CPUs

By admin On May 16, 2021

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Intel wants the new ATX12VO standard for power supplies to be more widely supported with its upcoming Alder Lake-S processors. This is according to a document in the hands of tech site VideoCardz.

The VideoCardz document outlines, among other things, the process for ATX12VO adoption by motherboard and power supply manufacturers. Such manufacturers should be working with OEMs and ODMs by the end of this month to have these products ready in time for Alder Lake’s release in the second half of this year. Motherboard manufacturers’ sources confirm Intel’s interest in VideoCardz. At the same time, motherboard and power supply manufacturers themselves would be less interested in producing ATX12VO products.

Part of the document. Image via VideoCardz

According to VideoCardz, it is therefore unlikely that high-end Alder Lake-S motherboards will receive support for the new ATX12VO standard. At the same time, the standard could be used more for lower-position motherboards, for example for use in pre-built PCs from OEMs.

The ATX12VO standard requires, among other things, a motherboard with a 10-pin connection for power, compared to a more standard 24-pin connector. In addition, users need a compatible ATX12VO power supply. This standard stands for ‘ATX 12 Volt Only’, which immediately clarifies the operation. ATX12VO power supplies only contain a 12V rail, where current power supplies also have rails for other voltages, such as 3.3V and 5V. That means that voltages lower or higher than 12V must be converted by the motherboard itself, rather than by the power supply.

This increases the complexity of the motherboard, but at the same time, the new standard should ensure better efficiency. The power consumption of PCs would be lower with ATX12VO power supplies. Especially the idle power consumption should be less. YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips published a test with an ATX12VO power supply and motherboard last year, which confirms the reduced idle consumption.