4 ms·
CPUs are around 1-1.2v. However, they can occasionally pull 100-200+W. Moving 200W at 1V means 200A. Resistive losses scale proportional to amperage at constant
by hnuser123456 4y ago
CPUs are around 1-1.2v. However, they can occasionally pull 100-200+W. Moving 200W at 1V means 200A. Resistive losses scale proportional to amperage at constant voltage, and inversely proportional to voltage at constant power. 200A needs a LOT of copper to not get blistering hot, the amount you would find in all the traces connecting a CPU to the VRMs on the motherboard, probably around 4 ounces just to carry the power a few inches. 200W at 12V is 16.7A, which can be shuttled much longer distances with less material at the same efficiency, in the ~foot long cable between the PSU and motherboard. Additionally, pluggable connectors are high resistance spots in the circuit unless they make very good contact, and susceptible to overheat and melt when carrying too much current.