Tech News

Product News

Hardware Tips

Build Guides

How-to Guides

Product Reviews

How-to Guides                                                   

Building a gaming PC means paying attention to every component – including the power supply. In recent years, Intel released new ATX power supply standards (ATX 3.0 and ATX 3.1) to accommodate the increasing power demands of modern hardware. This article breaks down the differences between ATX 3.0 and ATX 3.1 in a beginner-friendly way, focusing on practical implications for PC builders and gamers. We’ll cover what changed in the 12VHPWR (high-power) connector, how transient power excursion limits differ, and what it means for choosing a PSU.

ATX 3.0 is a major update to the long-standing ATX power supply design guide, released by Intel in 2022. It was developed in response to new generations of GPUs and CPUs that can draw significantly more power, with rapid spikes in consumption. ATX 3.0 introduced new guidelines to ensure PSUs can deliver these power spikes reliably, and it also brought in a new high-power connector (the 12VHPWR) for next-gen graphics cards. For PC builders, ATX 3.0 PSUs marked a big step forward from earlier ATX 2.x units, especially if you plan to use high-end GPUs like NVIDIA’s RTX 3000/4000 series.

ATX 3.1, released in 2023, is a refinement of the 3.0 standard. It builds on the same features but includes some tweaks based on industry feedback and new PCI-SIG updates. While not a revolutionary jump, ATX 3.1 updated certain technical specifications – notably the 12VHPWR connector design and the transient power excursion requirements – to improve safety and performance. For the average gamer or builder, an ATX 3.1 PSU is largely similar to ATX 3.0, but with a bit more polish on these key aspects.

The 12VHPWR Connector: Updates from ATX 3.0 to 3.1

One of the headline features of ATX 3.0 was the introduction of the 12VHPWR connector (sometimes called the “PCIe 5.0 16-pin” power connector). This 12+4 pin connector can supply up to 600 Watts to a graphics card over a single cable – a big improvement over the older 8-pin (150 W) connectors. The extra 4 pins are sense wires that communicate with the GPU, allowing it to know the power capacity available (e.g. 150W, 300W, 450W, or 600W depending on cable/PSU). In practice, this meant ATX 3.0 PSUs could ship with a single native cable for high-end GPUs (no more multiple daisy-chained 8-pins or adapter dongles), simplifying cable management for builders.

ATX 3.1 keeps the 12VHPWR connector, but incorporates an updated design as defined by PCI-SIG. Often referred to as the "12V-2x6" variant, the revised connector has subtle mechanical improvements to enhance safety. For example, the sense-pin configuration and pin length were adjusted to ensure the GPU can detect a proper full insertion of the plug (reducing the chance of the connector not being fully seated – a known issue that led to some melting connectors in early RTX 4090 usage). In short, ATX 3.1’s power connector is the same shape and pin-count, but built to a refined standard: if you buy an ATX 3.1 PSU, its 12VHPWR cable will adhere to the latest PCIe spec for better contact and durability.

From a builder’s perspective, both ATX 3.0 and 3.1 PSUs will support the latest GPUs with the 12VHPWR. There’s no difference in how you plug in your card – they are cross-compatible. The advantage of ATX 3.1’s version is simply added reliability. If you already have an ATX 3.0 PSU with a 12VHPWR and use it correctly (fully seated cable, not bending it too sharply, etc.), you’re generally fine. But ATX 3.1 gives extra peace of mind that the connector meets the newest safety refinements from PCI-SIG.

Transient Power Excursions: Handling Spikes in Power

Aside from the physical connector, the most important updates are in how these standards handle transient power excursions – in simpler terms, sudden power spikes. Modern GPUs and CPUs can momentarily draw far more than their average power (for example, a 300 W TDP GPU might spike to 450–600 W for a few milliseconds when under a sudden heavy load). If a PSU can’t handle these surges, your system could become unstable or shut down unexpectedly.

ATX 3.0 set a new requirement that power supplies be able to accommodate extreme spikes without issue. Intel’s ATX 3.0 design guide specifies that a compliant PSU must handle power excursions up to 200% of its rated power for very short durations. It also lays out specific timing brackets – for instance (simplified for clarity): up to ~120% load for tens of milliseconds, ~160–180% for a few milliseconds, and ~200% for microseconds. This was a big change from earlier ATX 2.x units, which weren’t explicitly designed for such high surges. In practical terms, an ATX 3.0 750 W PSU could briefly supply up to ~1500 W in a spike, and a 1200 W PSU could handle almost 2400 W in a microsecond-scale transient. This ensures GPUs like the RTX 3080/3090/4080/4090, which are known for transient spikes, won’t overwhelm the PSU and cause shutdowns as long as the PSU is ATX 3.0 compliant.

ATX 3.1 refines these power excursion limits. According to Intel’s updated 3.1 specification, the allowable transient overshoot levels were adjusted slightly. The changes are technical, but essentially Intel fine-tuned how much over current and for how long a PSU must supply power. For example, ATX 3.1 might require sustaining 200% load for a slightly shorter duration than 3.0 did, or define additional tiers for intermediate spike durations. These tweaks align with data collected from real-world GPU behavior and testing feedback. The practical implication is that ATX 3.1 PSUs are even less likely to trip OCP/OPP (over-current/over-power protection) during sudden bursts, compared to ATX 3.0 units. They have been tested to handle transients with an extra margin of stability.

For PC builders, if you’re running power-hungry GPUs or doing extreme overclocking, these transient handling improvements mean fewer chances of a random reboot when your GPU spikes to full load. ATX 3.0 already made great strides here, and ATX 3.1 polishes it further. That said, in normal gaming usage, you might not notice a difference – both standards are designed to handle GPU/CPU spikes that previous-gen PSUs might not tolerate. It’s mainly an assurance of stability under extreme conditions.

Other Notable Differences and Similarities

Beyond the connector and transient power requirements, ATX 3.0 and 3.1 share most features. Both maintain the standard ATX PSU dimensions and mounting, the typical 24-pin motherboard connector, CPU EPS 8-pin connectors, SATA, etc. They also both coexist with ATX12VO (a separate, optional standard focusing on single-rail 12V-only PSUs for better efficiency). If you’re building a typical gaming PC, you’ll likely use a multi-rail ATX 3.x PSU (which provides 12V, 5V, 3.3V rails in the traditional way).

Building a gaming PC means paying attention to every component – including the power supply. In recent years, Intel released new ATX power supply standards (ATX 3.0 and ATX 3.1) to accommodate the increasing power demands of modern hardware. This article breaks down the differences between ATX 3.0 and ATX 3.1 in a beginner-friendly way, focusing on practical implications for PC builders and gamers. We’ll cover what changed in the 12VHPWR (high-power) connector, how transient power excursion limits differ, and what it means for choosing a PSU.



Introduction to ATX 3.0 and ATX 3.1

ATX 3.0 is a major update to the long-standing ATX power supply design guide, released by Intel in 2022. It was developed in response to new generations of GPUs and CPUs that can draw significantly more power, with rapid spikes in consumption. ATX 3.0 introduced new guidelines to ensure PSUs can deliver these power spikes reliably, and it also brought in a new high-power connector (the 12VHPWR) for next-gen graphics cards. For PC builders, ATX 3.0 PSUs marked a big step forward from earlier ATX 2.x units, especially if you plan to use high-end GPUs like NVIDIA’s RTX 3000/4000 series.

ATX 3.1, released in 2023, is a refinement of the 3.0 standard. It builds on the same features but includes some tweaks based on industry feedback and new PCI-SIG updates. While not a revolutionary jump, ATX 3.1 updated certain technical specifications – notably the 12VHPWR connector design and the transient power excursion requirements – to improve safety and performance. For the average gamer or builder, an ATX 3.1 PSU is largely similar to ATX 3.0, but with a bit more polish on these key aspects.

The 12VHPWR Connector: Updates from ATX 3.0 to 3.1

One of the headline features of ATX 3.0 was the introduction of the 12VHPWR connector (sometimes called the “PCIe 5.0 16-pin” power connector). This 12+4 pin connector can supply up to 600 Watts to a graphics card over a single cable – a big improvement over the older 8-pin (150 W) connectors. The extra 4 pins are sense wires that communicate with the GPU, allowing it to know the power capacity available (e.g. 150W, 300W, 450W, or 600W depending on cable/PSU). In practice, this meant ATX 3.0 PSUs could ship with a single native cable for high-end GPUs (no more multiple daisy-chained 8-pins or adapter dongles), simplifying cable management for builders.

ATX 3.1 keeps the 12VHPWR connector, but incorporates an updated design as defined by PCI-SIG. Often referred to as the "12V-2x6" variant, the revised connector has subtle mechanical improvements to enhance safety. For example, the sense-pin configuration and pin length were adjusted to ensure the GPU can detect a proper full insertion of the plug (reducing the chance of the connector not being fully seated – a known issue that led to some melting connectors in early RTX 4090 usage). In short, ATX 3.1’s power connector is the same shape and pin-count, but built to a refined standard: if you buy an ATX 3.1 PSU, its 12VHPWR cable will adhere to the latest PCIe spec for better contact and durability.

From a builder’s perspective, both ATX 3.0 and 3.1 PSUs will support the latest GPUs with the 12VHPWR. There’s no difference in how you plug in your card – they are cross-compatible. The advantage of ATX 3.1’s version is simply added reliability. If you already have an ATX 3.0 PSU with a 12VHPWR and use it correctly (fully seated cable, not bending it too sharply, etc.), you’re generally fine. But ATX 3.1 gives extra peace of mind that the connector meets the newest safety refinements from PCI-SIG.

Transient Power Excursions: Handling Spikes in Power

Aside from the physical connector, the most important updates are in how these standards handle transient power excursions – in simpler terms, sudden power spikes. Modern GPUs and CPUs can momentarily draw far more than their average power (for example, a 300 W TDP GPU might spike to 450–600 W for a few milliseconds when under a sudden heavy load). If a PSU can’t handle these surges, your system could become unstable or shut down unexpectedly.

ATX 3.0 set a new requirement that power supplies be able to accommodate extreme spikes without issue. Intel’s ATX 3.0 design guide specifies that a compliant PSU must handle power excursions up to 200% of its rated power for very short durations. It also lays out specific timing brackets – for instance (simplified for clarity): up to ~120% load for tens of milliseconds, ~160–180% for a few milliseconds, and ~200% for microseconds. This was a big change from earlier ATX 2.x units, which weren’t explicitly designed for such high surges. In practical terms, an ATX 3.0 750 W PSU could briefly supply up to ~1500 W in a spike, and a 1200 W PSU could handle almost 2400 W in a microsecond-scale transient. This ensures GPUs like the RTX 3080/3090/4080/4090, which are known for transient spikes, won’t overwhelm the PSU and cause shutdowns as long as the PSU is ATX 3.0 compliant.

ATX 3.1 refines these power excursion limits. According to Intel’s updated 3.1 specification, the allowable transient overshoot levels were adjusted slightly. The changes are technical, but essentially Intel fine-tuned how much over current and for how long a PSU must supply power. For example, ATX 3.1 might require sustaining 200% load for a slightly shorter duration than 3.0 did, or define additional tiers for intermediate spike durations. These tweaks align with data collected from real-world GPU behavior and testing feedback. The practical implication is that ATX 3.1 PSUs are even less likely to trip OCP/OPP (over-current/over-power protection) during sudden bursts, compared to ATX 3.0 units. They have been tested to handle transients with an extra margin of stability.

For PC builders, if you’re running power-hungry GPUs or doing extreme overclocking, these transient handling improvements mean fewer chances of a random reboot when your GPU spikes to full load. ATX 3.0 already made great strides here, and ATX 3.1 polishes it further. That said, in normal gaming usage, you might not notice a difference – both standards are designed to handle GPU/CPU spikes that previous-gen PSUs might not tolerate. It’s mainly an assurance of stability under extreme conditions.

Other Notable Differences and Similarities

Beyond the connector and transient power requirements, ATX 3.0 and 3.1 share most features. Both maintain the standard ATX PSU dimensions and mounting, the typical 24-pin motherboard connector, CPU EPS 8-pin connectors, SATA, etc. They also both coexist with ATX12VO (a separate, optional standard focusing on single-rail 12V-only PSUs for better efficiency). If you’re building a typical gaming PC, you’ll likely use a multi-rail ATX 3.x PSU (which provides 12V, 5V, 3.3V rails in the traditional way).



A beginner-friendly article that clearly explains the differences between ATX 3.0 and ATX 3.1 standards, with a focus on real-world implications for PC users and builders.

ATX 3.0 vs ATX 3.1 The Most Comprehensive Explanation That You Will Ever Need

Build Guides                                                    

How much RAM is enough — 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB?

Instead of guessing, here’s a practical guide based on what you actually use your PC for.

➡️ Best for students, casual users, and light work PCs

➡️ Best for most gamers and casual creators in 2025

32GB – For Streaming, AAA Games, and Content Creation

➡️ Recommended for streamers, editors, power users

64GB+ – For 4K/8K Editing, AI, and Heavy Workloads

➡️ Best for professionals and workstation builders

Whether you’re building a minimal setup or a high-performance creative rig, choosing the right amount of RAM will keep your system smooth and future-proof. And if you're pairing high-speed RAM with powerful cooling and airflow, make sure your case can keep up — check out the 

 for builds that run cool and look clean.





How much RAM is enough — 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB?
Instead of guessing, here’s a practical guide based on what you actually use your PC for.



8GB – For Office Work & Basic Tasks









Ideal for: Web browsing, Word, Excel, Google Docs, Zoom



Good enough if: You only run a few lightweight apps at once



Limitations: Multitasking will feel slow, especially with too many Chrome tabs open

➡️ Best for students, casual users, and light work PCs



16GB – For Gaming & Creative Beginners



(League of Legends – Video credit: LoL Esports)







Ideal for: Most modern games (Valorant, Apex, League), Photoshop, basic editing



Good enough if: You game or use light creative apps, but don’t do both at the same time



Limitations: Some AAA games may push the limit with background tasks

➡️ Best for most gamers and casual creators in 2025





32GB – For Streaming, AAA Games, and Content Creation



(Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – Video credit: IGN)







Ideal for: OBS + gaming, Premiere Pro, After Effects, multitasking with browser + Discord



Good enough if: You play demanding games or run editing software regularly



Limitations: Few — you’ll have headroom for future workloads

➡️ Recommended for streamers, editors, power users



64GB+ – For 4K/8K Editing, AI, and Heavy Workloads









Ideal for: 4K/8K video editing, 3D rendering, AI workloads, virtual machines



Good enough if: You’re doing complex media or technical tasks



Limitations: Price and diminishing returns unless you're really using it

➡️ Best for professionals and workstation builders



Final Recommendations





Whether you’re building a minimal setup or a high-performance creative rig, choosing the right amount of RAM will keep your system smooth and future-proof. And if you're pairing high-speed RAM with powerful cooling and airflow, make sure your case can keep up — check out the darkFlash case and cooling lineup for builds that run cool and look clean.





Find out exactly how much memory you need for gaming, work, or creative tasks—without the guesswork.

How Much RAM Do You Need in 2025?

Now you've met the brain and the muscle of the motherboard, now it's time to wire things up.

In Part 1, we covered the beefy components like the CPU socket, RAM slots, and PCIE lanes. But even the most powerful parts won't work without proper power, storage and connections.

In this post, we will  be diving into the unsung heroes of the motherboard-theb power connectors, SATA ports fan headers, and those tiny front panel pins that's trippping even for experienced buiders. Understanding these pieces is essential.

To power up your system, plug in: 24-pin ATX (Main System Power) and 8-pin EPS (CPU power).

Tips: Some high-end boards have dual 8-pin CPU connectors—for stable overclocking and power delivery.

The metal plate (some have back plates integrated on the board itself) on the back of your motherboard includes:

Front Panel Connectors – Small but Important

Tiny pins usually labeled F_PANEL (PANEL1 for this reference photo). These are the pinout that you will be connecting to the front I/O (The cables that connects to the power button from the case you bought.

Beware: These are tricky—consult the manual.

Cooling Connectors – Absolutely Required

These are the pinouts for your CPU cooler and case fans.

Tips: If you got a water cooler, you can connect the water pump to either of these pinout as well, just make sure to set the speed to 100% in the BIOS settings in order to get the optimal performance.

In some motherboards, there will be a specific pinout for the water pump as well (labeled as AIO_PUMP or PUMP_HEADER).

Last but not least, let's don't forget the critical part of a PC, the USB and Audio ports.

These are the pinout that you will be connecting to the front I/O (The cables that connects to the USB and Audio port from the case you bought). The one with the 19 pin (Left side on the photo) is for USB 3.0 port of the front I/O, and next to it is the USB Type-C port. USB 2.0 is the 9 pin connector with the bottom right pin missing.

For the audio (Labeled as AC97 or HD_Audio) is another 9 pin but with a missing pin on the second top right counting from the right side. It may sounds mouthful but worry not, all of the pinout are absolutely fool-proof.

Learning how to “read” a motherboard makes every step of PC building easier—from choosing parts to troubleshooting. Bookmark this guide and come back to it when you’re ready to build, upgrade, or explore.

And don’t forget—choosing a good case like one from our 

 helps showcase your build and makes cable management much smoother!





Now you've met the brain and the muscle of the motherboard, now it's time to wire things up.



In Part 1, we covered the beefy components like the CPU socket, RAM slots, and PCIE lanes. But even the most powerful parts won't work without proper power, storage and connections.



In this post, we will  be diving into the unsung heroes of the motherboard-theb power connectors, SATA ports fan headers, and those tiny front panel pins that's trippping even for experienced buiders. Understanding these pieces is essential.



Let's plug in andf power up!



Power Connectors





To power up your system, plug in: 24-pin ATX (Main System Power) and 8-pin EPS (CPU power).



Tips: Some high-end boards have dual 8-pin CPU connectors—for stable overclocking and power delivery.



Rear I/O Panel – External Connectivity





The metal plate (some have back plates integrated on the board itself) on the back of your motherboard includes:





USB ports (2.0, 3.0, 3.2, Type-C)



Audio jacks



Ethernet port



Display outputs (HDMI, DisplayPort) – only work if your CPU has integrated graphics



Higher-end boards may include Wi-Fi antennas and BIOS flashback buttons.



Front Panel Connectors – Small but Important





Tiny pins usually labeled F_PANEL (PANEL1 for this reference photo). These are the pinout that you will be connecting to the front I/O (The cables that connects to the power button from the case you bought.

You’ll connect:





Power switch



Reset switch



HDD LED



Power LED

Beware: These are tricky—consult the manual.



Cooling Connectors – Absolutely Required





These are the pinouts for your CPU cooler and case fans.





The CPU_FAN is for the CPU cooler fan.



The CHA_FAN (Chassis fan) is where your case fans connects.

Tips: If you got a water cooler, you can connect the water pump to either of these pinout as well, just make sure to set the speed to 100% in the BIOS settings in order to get the optimal performance.



In some motherboards, there will be a specific pinout for the water pump as well (labeled as AIO_PUMP or PUMP_HEADER).



Audio and USB – The Coup De Grace





Last but not least, let's don't forget the critical part of a PC, the USB and Audio ports.



These are the pinout that you will be connecting to the front I/O (The cables that connects to the USB and Audio port from the case you bought). The one with the 19 pin (Left side on the photo) is for USB 3.0 port of the front I/O, and next to it is the USB Type-C port. USB 2.0 is the 9 pin connector with the bottom right pin missing.



For the audio (Labeled as AC97 or HD_Audio) is another 9 pin but with a missing pin on the second top right counting from the right side. It may sounds mouthful but worry not, all of the pinout are absolutely fool-proof.



Final Thoughts

Learning how to “read” a motherboard makes every step of PC building easier—from choosing parts to troubleshooting. Bookmark this guide and come back to it when you’re ready to build, upgrade, or explore.



And don’t forget—choosing a good case like one from our darkFlash case collection helps showcase your build and makes cable management much smoother!

Part 2 of a two-part series that will lead to master your motherboard layout and build with confidence

How to Read a Motherboard (Part 2): I/O ports, Power Connectors, and Fan Headers

DRX70 Series case, magnetic front panel designed easy swap between glass and mesh

#000000

DY470 ATX PC Case

Motherboard Support

Liquid Cooler Support

Colors

DB330M M-ATX PC Case

DS900 ATX PC Case

DN360D Liquid CPU Cooler

Radiator Size

Color

DV360S Liquid CPU Cooler

DN360S Liquid CPU Cooler

DB330M Mesh M-ATX PC Case

WD200 M-ATX PC Case

PC Case

CPU Cooler

Liquid Cooler

Air Cooler

Cooler Type 

Heat Pipes

Cooler

Socket

Cooling Fan

Fan Size

Lighting Effect

Fan Blade

Blade Orientation

Power Supply

Output Wattage

Efficiency Certification

ATX Specification

Modularity

Wattage

Keyboard and Mice

Keyboard

Connectivity

Product

Mice

Gaming Chair

Monitor

Size

Accessories

Thermal Paste

Mousepad

LED Panel

M.2 SSD Heatspreader

Laptop Cooler

VGA Bracket

Controller

Cable

Keyboard Rest

Monitor Stand

As an enthusiast of games and computer DIY in this age, we, darkFlash, feel proud and grateful for keep thinking how to develop impressive and extraordinary products with high-end facilities by assembling and using the PC cases, CPU coolers, case fans, and even gaming chairs and tables in person.

Our goal is to create products that could extremely exert its effect by every user.

Hot Products

Categories

Newsroom