[Motherboard / Graphics Card] Installation Guide and Precautions for BTF Series
Installation Precautions for BTF Series Motherboards / BTF Series Graphics Cards
【Applicable Products】：BTF Series Motherboards / Graphics Cards
BTF series graphics cards are equipped with a Graphics Card High Power Gold Finger (GC-HPWR), allowing the motherboard to provide up to 600W of power without the need for a 16-pin power connector on the graphics card itself. This enables a complete hidden-connector experience during PC assembly. The following instructions outline installation precautions for different scenarios.
For detailed BTF information and supported motherboard/graphics card models for each version, please refer to the official website link below: https://170.p.syniva.es/content/btf-hidden-connector-design/
https://170.p.syniva.es/content/btf-hidden-connector-design/
【BTF 1.0】
BTF 1.0 is supported only by motherboards. Corresponding models can be found on the official BTF website.
BTF hidden-connector motherboards hide all connectors on the back of the motherboard, moving existing cable-related ports to the rear to achieve a clean, hidden-connector experience.
Refer to the illustration below：
Example：
Motherboard：TUF GAMING B760M-BTF WIFI
Installation Method：Refer to the user manual of the specific motherboard model and connect the cables to the corresponding functional slots on the rear panel.
【BTF 2.0】
Motherboards provide a GC-HPWR slot / Graphics cards do not have a 16-pin power connector
Since the graphics card does not have a 16-pin power connector, BTF series graphics cards must be used with a BTF 2.0 motherboard.
Example：
Motherboard：ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO BTF (BTF V2.0 / BTF V2.5)
Graphics Card：ROG-STRIX-RTX4090-O24G-BTF-GAMING (BTF V2.0)
Installation method：
1. Confirm that the PCIe slot and GC-HPWR gold finger are correctly connected to the GC-HPWR position on a BTF 2.0-supported motherboard, and connect the PSU 16-pin cable to the motherboard rear 16-pin connector.
2. Since the motherboard GC-HPWR interface can provide up to 600W of power, the graphics card does not require an additional 16-pin power connection.
【BTF 2.5】
Motherboards provide a GC-HPWR slot / Graphics cards have a 16-pin power connector and a detachable GC-HPWR
BTF 2.5 graphics cards feature a detachable GC-HPWR and a 16-pin power connector, allowing flexible use with standard motherboards and fewer usage restrictions.
Below are installation notes for different motherboard and graphics card combinations under various scenarios.
Scenario 1: Non-BTF motherboard paired with a BTF 2.5-supported graphics card
Example：
Motherboard：ROG CROSSHAIR X870E EXTREME (Non-BTF motherboard)
Graphics Card：ROG-ASTRAL-RTX5090-O32G-BTF-GAMING (BTFV2.5)
Installation method:：
1.Remove the GC-HPWR and correctly install the graphics card into the PCIe slot.
(Supplement: Avoid contact with foreign objects to prevent short-circuit issues.)
2.Connect the graphics card 16-pin power cable.
(Ensure the 16-pin power cable is fully inserted into the PCI-E connector on the graphics card so that the plastic latch on top of the connector is securely locked in place.)
Scenario 2: BTF 2.5 series motherboard paired with a BTF 2.5 graphics card
Example：
Motherboard：ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO BTF (BTF2.0 / BTF V2.5)
Graphics Card：ROG-ASTRAL-RTX5090-O32G-BTF-GAMING (BTF V2.5)
Installation method：
1.Confirm that the PCIe slot and GC-HPWR gold finger are correctly connected to the GC-HPWR position on a BTF 2.5-supported motherboard, and connect the PSU 16-pin cable to the motherboard rear 16-pin connector.
(Supplement: Avoid contact with foreign objects to prevent short-circuit issues.)
2.Since the motherboard GC-HPWR interface can provide up to 600W of power, the graphics card does not require an additional 16-pin power connection.
(Motherboard GC-HPWR slot & motherboard rear 16-pin connector / graphics card 16-pin connector — choose one based on the user’s cable management requirements.)
Scenario 3: BTF 2.5 series motherboard paired with ROG-MATRIX-RTX5090-P32G-30TH (30th Anniversary Edition)
Example: BTF 2.5 series motherboard paired with a 30th Anniversary Edition graphics card
Motherboard：ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO BTF (BTF2.0/ BTF2.5)
Graphics Card：ROG-MATRIX-RTX5090-P32G-30TH (BTF2.5)
Notice：Since the 30th Anniversary Edition graphics card supports a maximum output power of up to 800W, it must be used with a BTF 2.5-supported motherboard 16-pin power connector and the graphics card 16-pin power connector.
Installation method：
1.Confirm that the PCIe slot and GC-HPWR gold finger are correctly connected to the GC-HPWR position on a BTF 2.5-supported motherboard, and connect the PSU 16-pin cable to the motherboard rear 16-pin connector.
2.Connect the graphics card 16-pin power cable.
(Ensure the 16-pin power cable is fully inserted into the PCI-E connector on the graphics card so that the plastic latch on top of the connector is securely locked in place.)
Q & A
Q1.Where can I find the 16-pin power connector on my BTF series motherboard?
A1：Please refer to the user manual of the specific motherboard model. As shown in the example image, item (7) indicates the 16-pin power connector.
(Example：ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO BTF)
Q2. What are the differences between BTF motherboard and graphics card versions?
A2：
Motherboards
BTF 1.0: Connectors are hidden on the back of the motherboard; GC-HPWR slot is not supported.
BTF 2.0 / BTF 2.5: Connectors are hidden on the back of the motherboard; GC-HPWR slot is supported.
Graphics Cards
BTF 1.0: No graphics card models support BTF 1.0.
BTF 2.0: Supports GC-HPWR gold finger; graphics card does not have a 16-pin power connector.
BTF 2.5: Supports GC-HPWR gold finger (detachable); graphics card has a 16-pin power connector.