Intel first launched the ATX12VO (ATX 12 Volt only) standard in 2020, promising to simplify power supply design and improve energy efficiency compared to the standard ATX specification. In 2022, the ATX12VO V2 standard will be launched, further improving energy efficiency performance, especially in standby power consumption. According to recent news from X platform user @momomo_us, ATX12VO is about to undergo another revision, achieving higher energy efficiency improvements through the V3 version. Intel has not officially announced the release time of this standard update, but considering that the news exposure time is close to the Taipei Computer Show, the industry speculates that it may be officially released during the Taipei Computer Show in 2026.
The core highlights of the ATX12VO V3 standard include the introduction of a new 8-pin connector. The new standard will eliminate the standby power rail in order to improve energy efficiency. Intel will also introduce low-power mode and high-power mode to improve security and energy efficiency. According to the benchmark test results in the leaked presentation, the energy efficiency of the ATX12VO V3 is up to 29% higher than the traditional multi-rail ATX power supply in standby mode, and the energy efficiency improvement in the load test is up to 12%. The new power supply standard also introduces the PMBUS communication protocol from the server field, adding 4 optional pins to the motherboard connector, reaching a total of 12 pins, allowing communication between the power supply and the system, thereby achieving more advanced digital power management.
The evolution of this standard reflects Intel's continued efforts to promote the development of PC power systems towards higher energy efficiency and intelligent management. The new PMBUS support enables the system to monitor and adjust power status in real time, which is of great significance for high-end systems and data center applications that pursue ultimate energy efficiency and refined power management. The launch of ATX12VO V3 is expected to bring a new technical standard for power supply design throughout the PC industry, although specific market adoption remains to be seen.
