Why only 2 of the 4 signal pins are used in the 12VHPWR cable?
You may see that all 4 signal wires are used in the original Nvidia 12VHPWR adapter cable, but only 2 signal wires are used in our cable.
In fact, the original Nvidia 12VHPWR adapter cable is also using only 2 of the signal pins.
If you remove the sleeving of the cable, you will see there are 2 signal wires hanging in the middle without connecting to anything. They put them there for decoration only.
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/127ac00d28a66e00/plug_1c3mzkx.jpg)
So, there is completely no difference. All ATX 2.0 8pin to 12VHPWR 16pin cables are only using 2 signal wires (S3:sense0/S4:sense1) to enable the 600w mode.
The other 2 signal wires (S1/S2) are not usable with ATX 2.0 power supplies (those PSUs that everyone is using at this moment).
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/127ac00d28a66e00/edeh1dwvssrdcx8g_2bmn59.jpg)
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/127ac00d28a66e00/pcie-gen5-power-cable-5_1sxqo93.png)
But if you are using an ATX 3.0 PSU with 12vhpwr port, then you can use a 12VHPWR to 12VHPWR (16pin to 16pin) cable and all 4 signal wires are used.
In fact, the original Nvidia 12VHPWR adapter cable is also using only 2 of the signal pins.
If you remove the sleeving of the cable, you will see there are 2 signal wires hanging in the middle without connecting to anything. They put them there for decoration only.
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/127ac00d28a66e00/plug_1c3mzkx.jpg)
So, there is completely no difference. All ATX 2.0 8pin to 12VHPWR 16pin cables are only using 2 signal wires (S3:sense0/S4:sense1) to enable the 600w mode.
The other 2 signal wires (S1/S2) are not usable with ATX 2.0 power supplies (those PSUs that everyone is using at this moment).
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/127ac00d28a66e00/edeh1dwvssrdcx8g_2bmn59.jpg)
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/127ac00d28a66e00/pcie-gen5-power-cable-5_1sxqo93.png)
But if you are using an ATX 3.0 PSU with 12vhpwr port, then you can use a 12VHPWR to 12VHPWR (16pin to 16pin) cable and all 4 signal wires are used.
Updated on: 26/10/2022
Thank you!