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AMPINEL: Active power management for graphics cards – safe and intelligent
Aqua Computer presents AMPINEL, a monitoring device for 12V-2×6 power supply connections that combines active current balancing, monitoring, and emergency shutdown in hardware for the first time.

In the event of uneven load distribution, AMPINEL intervenes without delay, balancing the currents and thus preventing thermal overload of the connectors and cables.

AMPINEL monitors all currents, voltages, and temperatures at the connector. The flexible alarm management with emergency shutdown ensures reliable protection of the hardware.



Uniform power distribution – reliable overheating protection
When up to 600 watts flow through the 12V-2×6 connection, insufficient contact between connectors can result in an uneven distribution of power. Under high loads, this inevitably leads to critical temperatures and can cause damage to hardware.

AMPINEL eliminates this risk by actively balancing the current flow across all six lines. As soon as the current in a line exceeds 7.5 A, AMPINEL intervenes. The hybrid control structure, consisting of digital and analog control, distributes the load evenly and without delay. The integrated microcontroller monitors all operating conditions in real time and continuously adjusts the control.

For efficient power distribution, AMPINEL uses a six-layer printed circuit board, each layer of which is made of 2 oz (70 µm) copper. This minimizes losses and ensures excellent heat dissipation. The aluminum-milled housing serves as a heat sink for the electronics. The connector to the graphics card is additionally encapsulated to ensure a rattle-free and exceptionally robust contact.



(Note: The photos show a hand-assembled prototype. The production version will feature the high-quality workmanship Aqua Computer is known for.)

All measured values at a glance
The aquasuite software allows more than 40 measured values to be easily visualized. Current, voltage, and power are measured for each line. Active intervention to balance the current is also displayed. The temperatures of the power supply plugs and electronics are recorded as well. An additional temperature sensor can be connected externally.

All data can be further processed as desired within the aquasuite software. Measured values can be displayed on individually designed overview pages or evaluated in detail in diagrams, for example. When the user is away, the operating status can be called up on a smartphone; important events can be also reported by email.

Even in a professional environment without a monitor or USB connection, AMPINEL allows users to maintain a complete overview. The display shows all important data by default, which can be scrolled through using the side button. Eight RGB LEDs visualize the utilization as default. Both the display and LED indicators can be customized using the aquasuite software to show any system values.




Precise alarm management – from warning to emergency shutdown
AMPINEL works discreetly in the background. In the event of a malfunction, the eight-stage alarm management system ensures maximum safety. In the event of a slight deviation from specified limits, LEDs can flash, an acoustic alarm can sound, a pop-up message can be displayed in Windows, or an external fan speed signal can be interrupted via the alarm output.

In the event of prolonged alarms, the aquasuite background service can automatically terminate the application responsible for the GPU load. In addition, the PC can be shut down via software or an alarm output.
In particularly dangerous operating conditions, the graphics card is effectively protected from damage by interrupting the sense lines and power supply.

A hotkey can be stored in the device for each alarm level. AMPINEL outputs this as a keyboard input via USB in order to trigger actions even in non-Windows systems, for example.

Emergency shutdowns, alarm outputs, and visual and acoustic alarms are processed internally by AMPINEL. These work independently of running software or a USB connection.
Configuration is carried out via the aquasuite software and is permanently stored in the device.



Price and availability
AMPINEL will soon be available for pre-order at a price of EUR 79.90. Delivery is expected to begin in mid-November.

A version with a white-coated housing is also being evaluated and may be offered at a later date.

Technical Specifications

• GPU Power Connector Variants: Latch outward; latch inward
  
• Power Connector: 12V-2×6 (12VHPWR)
  
• Maximum Connector Power: 650 W
  
• Maximum AMPINEL Power Consumption: 10 W
  
• Voltage: 12 V
  
• Display: OLED, 128 × 64 pixels
  
• LEDs: 8 × RGB
  
• Housing / Cooling: Machined aluminum, black anodized
  
• Microcontroller: Firmware updatable
  
• Weight: approx. 110 g
  
• Dimensions: 74 x 72 x 28 mm
  

Interfaces

• USB
  
• Signal 1: for motherboard power button
  
• Signal 2: for tachometer signal or switching output
  
• Temperature sensor connection
  

Scope of delivery

• Internal USB cable (100 cm)
  

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Reviews:

As contradictory statements on this topic are already circulating online, we would like to emphasize once again that almost all functions of AMPINEL are implemented in hardware.

Only the following alarm features are handled by a Windows background service; the aquasuite software does not need to be running for this:

- Windows popup notification
- Termination of programs generating high 3D load
- Shutting down Windows

The power balancing is also carried out entirely in hardware and does not require running software. The following illustrates how active power balancing works:



1: Current below the 7.5 A threshold: No balancing occurs; deviations between the lines are large but not problematic.

2: Current above the 7.5 A threshold: Active balancing takes place, resulting in almost no current deviations between the six lines.

3: Current above the 7.5 A threshold: This shows what AMPINEL compensates through balancing to achieve an even current flow across the lines.

In order to ship something, it must also be ordered

Well, it is pretty safe to assume that they want to offer it.

Zitat von »jpnn80«

But how could we get notified of when it will be available for preorder ?

Zitat von »vyoh«

Would like to know as well

Send an email to info@aqua-computer.de and request to be notified when sales begin.

Zitat von »KuraiShidosha«

This is an incredible product from reading into it. I very much so would love to buy yet another brilliant Aquacomputer product. My only concern is the spacing between the 12v-2x6 connector that goes into the graphics card and the rest of the unit.

Zitat von »lepudruk«

What about compatibility of this gadget with GPUs? Depending on the brand the GPU connectors come in two variants: normal and reversed. AMPINEL has its connector based on quite a long "neck" (so to speak) however that does not imply 100% compatibility, especially with reversed connectors on GPU. Can anyone elaborate on that matter?

Exact measurements will be available at the latest when sales begin, so that you can check in advance whether it fits.

Zitat von »Speedy-VI«

I just read Igor's review and the comments. I am curious what your repsonse is to the comments from S.nose like THIS ONE and THIS ONE.

AMPINEL cannot damage the graphics card or interfere with its function.

On the contrary: balancing ensures that all contacts and lines in the current path are evenly loaded without causing overloads.

Almost all current graphics cards ultimately have only one total current for the power supply. This current is identical with and without balancing.

All connectors, conductor tracks, and cables benefit from balancing, as it protects them from overload.
Every time a connector is plugged in, and also during operation, the contact resistance of the six contacts in the connectors can change. This inevitably leads to uneven current distribution.

The “good” contacts then transmit an impermissible amount of current and become damaged. Therefore, the current in these lines must be limited by balancing.

Even the supposedly “bad” contacts with higher contact resistance are not loaded beyond the specification by balancing.

Contacts that are so bad that balancing is not possible trigger AMPINEL's alarm management system.
Overloading at the connector (melting) is prevented by comprehensive monitoring and alarm management.
Without balancing, the current is distributed unevenly across the six wires. This can cause individual contacts, pins, and conductor tracks to become overloaded and damaged due to excessive current.

Applied to mechanics: Imagine a steel cable with six strands, one of which is particularly stable. Under load, this strand is exposed to extreme stress and can break.
If six springs are inserted into the steel cable, the strands are loaded evenly and the steel cable can withstand high loads. This also prevents the weaker strands of the cable from being overloaded.

In this example, AMPINEL uses six adjustable springs to distribute the force evenly throughout the cable.

Zitat von »paskowitz«

Do you plan on offering models for each 12vhpwr connector orientation (clip facing back plate or clip facing cooler)?

Initially, only the version shown will be available, either with the latch facing the PCB or away from it.

Zitat von »aquafan«

Would you be willing to share when the pre-orders will open? Also, would you advise, for the 5090 Suprim, the GPU latch outward or inward version should be pre-ordered? My assumption is outward, just want to confirm.

Send an email to info@aqua-computer.de and request to be notified when sales begin.Going by photos of that card, the latch is pointing outwards.

Zitat von »Mafu«

If we use Ampinel, will this product, with its current balancing and all that it offers, make it so that the melting problem will never happen? let's say without using an alarm or automatic shut down of the computer, etc. No. I just buy it, assemble the PC, plug Ampinel in, plug the 12V-2x6 Cable into Ampinel, turn it on, not setting any "measures" as described before (alarm, shut down, etc.), and I use the PC for many years, rellying on this product that it does the balance and to never worry. Can I expect this and relly on this product to protect my expensive GPU and protect ITSELF, for many years, without countermeasures?

Even without installing the software, AMPINEL is preconfigured to alert you in the event of problematic conditions (current, voltage, temperature etc.) and to shut down by disconnecting the sense signal or the power supply in critical situations. Shutdown as a last measure is always active and can not be disabled anyway.

So, yes, you can simply do a plug and play installation and be protected if you do not want to use the aquasuite software or run Linux for example.