Asus has unveiled its BTF 2.0 graphics card design featuring an updated GC-HPWR power connector. Unlike the original design, the new BTF 2.0 maintains compatibility with regular motherboards using a clever system. With this, Asus tackles a complaint that some users had regarding the previously locked ecosystem.
Short for Back-To-the-Future, BTF is an innovative design meant to enhance and simplify the PC building process, encompassing motherboards, graphics cards, and PC cases. By relocating all connectors, including power, fan, and front I/O to the rear of the PCB, BTF motherboards deliver a cleaner appearance. Since all cables will be located in a separate compartment, users can simply stuff them there without neatly routing each one. Furthermore, by removing cables from the airpath, hardware temperatures should improve slightly.
On the graphics card side, the BTF design relocated power through a newer GC-HPWR connector, which links directly to the motherboard instead of the PSU. Like the 12v-2×6 feeding Nvidia’s RTX 50 Series, GC-HPWR is rated for up to 600W, removing the need for any external power cables. Thus, when paired with a BTF-compatible motherboard, users get a cohesive and cable-free appearance. As you can guess, this meant that a BTF card exclusively worked on BTF motherboards, locking the platform to Asus’ product lineup. That’s where the BTF 2.0 update comes in.
Instead of positioning the GC-HPWR power pins directly on the PCB like the original design, the BTF 2.0 variant recesses the PCB back a bit just enough to slot a GC-HPWR adapter between the graphics card and motherboard. This adapter allows the user to connect and power the graphics card via the motherboard’s GC-HPWR header, instead of a 12v-2×6 cable. At the same time, those rocking non-BTF motherboards can still use this graphics card simply by removing said adapter and connecting a PSU 12v-2×6 to the card. In other words, Asus offers the best of both worlds without forcing you to choose only one option.
This should encourage more users to try its BTF product series as they can move to another non-BTF platform whenever they wish. That said, BTF 2.0 designs remain more appealing to those willing to go all in with a compatible motherboard and case. The change is mainly to comfort users that their card won’t become a paperweight if they choose to upgrade their motherboard. We should learn more about this updated connector during Computex.
