Undoubtedly, you are familiar with the numerous gold contacts on cables and connectors. Whether it's a USB stick, an HDMI cable, or a graphics card, they are all equipped with countless small pins. But why are so many needed?

Let's start with the most obvious reason: power.

Combining an electrical connection and a data connection on the same contact would cause interference. That's why most modern digital connectors separate these connections on different pins. Additionally, the current needs to return through a ground connection, which means that at least two connectors for power are required, as in the case of USB-A connectors. However, the use of small pins limits the amount of current that can pass through. You can compare it to extension cables, where larger cables can handle more power than smaller ones. This principle also applies to electronics. Devices that require relatively large amounts of power distribute their power delivery across multiple contacts. A good example of this is the pins on a CPU. Modern processors have over a thousand pins, many of which are specifically intended for power delivery. High-end CPUs now consume over 150 watts under maximum load, which is approximately equivalent to the power of a 75-inch television. It is understandable that all this power should not be conducted through just one small pin.

Now, speaking of power, some connectors have additional pins to provide different voltages. This can be seen, for example, in the standard 24-pin power connector for computer motherboards, which must deliver 12 volts, 5 volts, and 3.3 volts of power. While most components nowadays operate on 12 volts, the other voltages are still supported for components that need to receive the lower voltages directly from the power supply.

Conclusion:

Although many think they are only there for aesthetic purposes, all those contacts actually have important functions. They provide separate power and data connections, enable devices to handle large amounts of power, support different voltages, and ensure fast and reliable data transmission. Additionally, they perform other tasks such as synchronizing data streams, enabling special functionalities, and preventing interference. Engineers didn't add all these pins just for the sake of it; they serve a crucial purpose in our modern electronics.