Aquacomputer AMPINEL 12V-2x6 graphics card power management, type B

AMPINEL is a power supply balancer for graphics cards with 12V-2x6 power connector, explicitly developed and released for NVIDIA RTX 4000 and RTX 5000 series cards. Release for AMD cards is currently being worked on and will communicated after successful validation.

AMPINEL works in a much more complex way than other solutions on the market. As a balancer, AMPINEL actively regulates the current on the individual rails, thereby reducing power losses at the connector. This may sound simple at first, but requires highly complex measurement algorithms, as AMPINEL does not simply equalize the current on all lines, but also takes heat generation at the connector into account. To do this, AMPINEL determines the quality of the connections, which is only possible through a complex analysis of the measurement data. Since the power consumption of graphics cards is highly dynamic and the current may change significantly in the range of microseconds, this has been one of the most difficult tasks in our development.
By evaluating the measurement data, AMPINEL can determine not only the contact resistance to the graphics card, but also in the path from the power supply to AMPINEL. The results are visualized in the aquasuite software, where different colors represent resistances in a schematic of the corresponding connectors, thus enabling easy diagnosis in the event of problematic contact resistances.

To enable optimum protection of the graphics card, the following objectives have been defined for the AMPINEL control logic:
1. The current must not exceed 9.2 A at any of the contacts (plus 5% control tolerance).
2. The total power loss at the connector should be minimized respecting this specification; the current is then balanced accordingly.
3. The power loss of individual contacts must not exceed a specified power rating.
4. The maximum power loss at the balancer must not be exceeded.
5. The temperatures at both connectors and at the balancer are monitored.

Finely nuanced alarm management
In addition to visual and audible alarms, a wide range of actions can be defined. These range from pop-up messages to automatic termination of software that causes a high GPU load, sending of definable hotkeys, shutdown of the PC, switching of alarm outputs, switching off of the Sense lines, and hard shutdown of the graphics card power supply via AMPINEL.
Overall, the alarm system is controlled in 8 stages, for which the corresponding escalation levels can be defined.

Power limitation via Sense contacts
The maximum power reported by the power supply via the Sense contacts can optionally be reduced by AMPINEL to put the graphics card into a more economical operating mode. AMPINEL supports power levels of 600 watts and 450 watts.

Configurable balancer
The balancer can be limited to a control range of 0-100%. If you only want to use the alarm functions in the event of an alarm and do not want to use balancing, you can configure the control range to 0%.

Display and lighting
AMPINEL has an OLED display, a button, and multicolor lighting. The data to be shown on the display can be selected in aquasuite. Several alternating views are possible. Currents, voltages, and other AMPINEL measurements are quickly visualized and can assist in troubleshooting the cable.
In addition, a variety of PC hardware data can also be displayed on the AMPINEL display, and text and graphic logos can be customized according to your preferences.
The integrated lighting can display a wide range of measurement data, for example, the current power consumption of the graphics card can be visualized as a colored bar graph.

Connector orientation type A and type B
AMPINEL is available in two different configurations: Type A and type B. The difference is the connector orientation of the 12V-2x6 connector for the graphics card, corresponding to the different assembly variants of the graphics card manufacturers. Please select the variant that matches your graphics card; the connector orientation cannot be changed.

Techncal details
Graphics card connector orientation type A or type B, fixed
Input connector: 12V-2x6
Output connector: 12V-2x6
Maximum power input/output: 650 W
Nominal Voltage: 12 V, alarm if lower than 10 V
Nominal current per rail: 9.2 A, alarm if higher than 9.6 A for 8 seconds, immediate shutoff if higher than 20 A
Maximum total current: 55 A, alarm if higher than 57 A for 10 seconds
Ambient temperature range: 15 °C - 45 °C
Maximum temperature AMPINEL: 90 °C
Maximum power dissipation AMPINEL: 6 W, short-term 15 W for less than 10 seconds
Display: OLED 128x64 pixels, 0,96" black/white, 10 configurable display pages
Illumination: 8 RGBpx LEDs, configurable

Interfaces (miniature connectors)
- USB
- External temperature sensor
- Power switch output for motherboard (Signal 1)
- Speed signal / switched signal for external alarm (Signal 2)

Scope of delivery
- AMPINEL
- one internal USB cable, length ca. 100 cm

External tests and reviews
igorsLAB

Please note
It is important to connect AMPINEL directly to the graphics card, i.e., do not use extension cables or adapters between AMPINEL and the graphics card. This is the only way to measure the relevant contact resistances on the graphics card!
Please note the maximum power of 650 watts; not suitable for extreme overclocking, for example with shunt mods or manipulated graphics card BIOS.
When installed, AMPINEL protrudes above the graphics card in the direction of the CPU socket. Collisions may occur, particularly when using air coolers on the CPU, and may prevent installation.

Notes on the aquasuite software:
When you activate this product you will receive the current version of the aquasuite software including an upgrade service for at least eighteen (18) months. After the expiration of the upgrade service you may use and reinstall the latest version available during the upgrade period without a time limit.
The update service can optionally be extended or renewed at any time for a fee.
Please note that an internet connection is required for the installation and activation of the aquasuite software.
Further information about the update service and the activation of the aquasuite software can be found here.