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The first graphics card without power connectors is already on sale
ASUS' first cable-free graphics card is now available for purchase in China. Known as the RTX 4070-O12G-BTF, the card includes a hidden HPCE power connector that replaces the 8-pin/16-pin connectors for additional PCIe card power. Due to compatibility restrictions, you can buy the unusual graphics card only in a kit with a compatible motherboard, or in a kit with a motherboard and a compatible case.
The new RTX 4070 belongs to ASUS' "Back To Future" (BTF) product series - which prioritizes experimental designs that highlight system aesthetics above all else. ASUS thus began testing a new design philosophy with power connectors completely hidden from the front of the system, promoting a cleaner and more minimalist look.
The design of the card, with a large cooler with three fans and a combination of white and blue, was more than obviously inspired by the world of Japanese anime. The biggest feature of the card is certainly the already mentioned missing power cables. Instead, it draws all additional power from a small HPCE connector located just behind the PCIe x16 slot and plugs into the matching HPCE connector on the motherboard.
The RTX 4070 can be shipped with a Tianxuan TX B760-BTF motherboard that supports the latest Intel Alder Lake and Raptor Lake processors. The motherboard also has a similar design, but also includes a 12+1 power system and support for Wi-Fi 6. The board is a standard ATX format and has a black printed circuit board, but most of it is covered with plastic, similar to ASUS ROG series motherboards .
Like the RTX 4070, the B760-BTF has an HPCE connector for powering compatible ASUS graphics cards, located behind the primary x16 slot. The card can be purchased from one of the official ASUS online stores in China, but it is unclear if and when the card will be available elsewhere in the world. The RTX 4070 retails for $700 on its own, but you can also buy it bundled with a compatible motherboard or case. The ASUS GT502 BTF case is designed to work with ASUS' hidden EPS and 24-pin motherboard connectors mounted on the back. A graphics card and motherboard kit is available for around $1,000, and a complete kit with a case is available for around $1,100.
