New BTF 3.0 PC standard proposes no cables between PSU, motherboard and GPU

Why it matters: Asus and other companies have spent years exploring ways to remove cables from the custom PC building process. The manufacturer’s BTF standard aims to make installing graphics cards safer and easier, and the latest version dramatically increases the power budget to accommodate more components.

DIY-APE recently unveiled a new iteration of the Back to the Future (BTF) standard that aims to minimize the number of cables needed for installing PC components. The new design can deliver up to 1,500W while shifting all non-chassis-related wiring to the back of the motherboard.

Asus proposed BTF a few years ago as a method for installing GPUs without running power cables in front of the motherboard, which often contributes to messy cable arrangements. Using designs demonstrated in 2023 and 2024, a graphics card can receive up to 600W directly from the motherboard without cables.

The new system from DIY-APE adds a 50-pin connector to the rear of a 12VO motherboard – a power standard Intel introduced to simplify cable management. By delivering 1,500W, DIY-APE’s connector can replace traditional EPS dual 8-pin CPU connectors, 24-pin motherboard connectors, and 12V-2×6 GPU connectors.

congrats to diyape!
btf3.0 is finalised, no cables between psu and mobo and gpu.
it needs whole new types of psu and mobo and case that comply with btf3.0.
all connectors on mobos are at the back of the pcb.

12vo mobo confirmed, with a new header that has 50pin to replace the… https://t.co/ZhWRzaatBs pic.twitter.com/Hp0iM0hNQN

– UNIKO’s Hardware 🌏 (@unikoshardware) January 2, 2025

In custom PCs built to the BTF 3.0 standard, the last remaining components requiring additional cables are coolers and SATA devices like storage drives. With most users transitioning to NVMe SSDs that connect directly into M.2 motherboard slots, only front panel buttons, fans, and RGB lights would reveal front-facing cables.

Compliant designs could make assembly easier for newcomers and reduce the risk of bad connections or fires, which plagued early RTX 4090 power connectors. Conversely, BTF could theoretically make troubleshooting more difficult, as individual components would be less isolated.

However, the primary downside is that BTF requires new motherboards, graphics cards, and power supply units to support the new connection types. Builders interested in BTF PCs would have to use BTF-compliant parts.

For BTF to become viable, other PC companies must adopt the standard. A cable-free future would require manufacturers of motherboards, GPUs, PSUs, and cases to approve a common set of connectors so users can build cableless PCs without worrying about viable upgrade paths.

Although BTF’s chances of mainstream acceptance remain unclear, CES, which starts in a few days, might present an opportunity to showcase its advantages. Asus revealed a BTF version of the RTX 4090 at last year’s trade show.