[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://www.asus.com/content/btf-hidden-connector-design/
https://www.asus.com/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.
Q3. Q3. Can the 8-pin to 12V2x6 adapter cable bundled with the BTF graphics card be connected to the 16-pin power connector on a BTF motherboard?
A3：No. The bundled 8-pin to 12V2x6 adapter cable can only be used with the 16-pin power connector on the graphics card.
Q4. Q4. Common troubleshooting for BTF graphics card installation?
A4： If you encounter no display output or abnormal power indicator lights after installation, please follow the steps below for troubleshooting:
1. If the 16-pin power cable is connected to the BTF motherboard, please confirm that the graphics card GC-HPWR Adapter is properly installed and connected to the GC-HPWR slot on the motherboard.
2. For standard BTF 2.5 graphics cards (RTX 50 series BTF graphics cards)：
Check whether the 16-pin power connectors are connected simultaneously to both the graphics card (via the 8-pin to 12V2x6 adapter or PSU 16-pin) and the motherboard
(via PSU 16-pin).
Only one of the two 16-pin connections may be used — either the motherboard 16-pin or the graphics card 16-pin.
3. ROG-MATRIX-RTX5090-P32G-30TH (30th Anniversary Edition)：
This model supports up to 800W power. Please refer to the following connection methods based on the user’s power requirements:
a. 800W：
Both the motherboard 16-pin (via PSU 16-pin) and the graphics card 16-pin (via 8-pin to 12V2x6 adapter or PSU 16-pin) must be connected. The GC-HPWR Adapter must be installed and connected to the GC-HPWR slot on the motherboard.
b. 600W：
Choose either the motherboard 16-pin (via PSU 16-pin) or the graphics card 16-pin (via 8-pin to 12V2x6 adapter or PSU 16-pin). If using the motherboard 16-pin, the GC-HPWR Adapter must be installed and connected to the GC-HPWR slot on the motherboard.
Q5. How to install or remove the GC-HPWR Adapter for BTF 2.5 graphics cards?？
A5：It is recommended to use the tool included in the package. Please refer to the printed manual included in the box or the illustrations below.
Notice: The BTF Connector cover (plastic shell), in addition to its protective function, also serves as a tool for installing and removing the adapter. Please keep it properly to avoid loss.
Installing：
Removing：
Q6. Illustrations of BTF graphics card and BTF motherboard slots & cable connections？
A6：
BTF Graphics Card
BTF Motherboard
