High speed, high density connector

An electrical connector configured for mounting to a circuit board when pressed in a mounting direction towards the circuit board, the electrical connector comprising:

• a plurality of conductive elements, each of the plurality of conductive elements comprising a front segment, a tail segment, and an intermediate portion between the front segment and the tail segment, wherein:
• the tail segment of each of the plurality of conductive elements comprises a shaft and at least one beam extending from an edge of the shaft,
• the at least one beam is configured to press against a wall of a via in the circuit board when the electrical connector is mounted to the circuit board with the edge of the shaft facing the circuit board in the mounting direction, and
• the edge of the shaft has a profile with a first portion and a second portion, the at least one beam extending from the first portion, and the second portion of the edge extending further in the mounting direction than the first portion.

A subassembly for an electrical connector, comprising:

• a housing;
• and
• a plurality of conductive elements held by the housing, each of the plurality of conductive elements comprising a front segment comprising a mating contact surface, a tail segment, and an intermediate portion between the front segment and the tail segment, the plurality of conductive elements comprising first conductive elements and second conductive elements, wherein:
• the mating contact surfaces of the first conductive elements and the mating contact surfaces of the second conductive elements face opposite directions such that complementary conductive elements of a mating connector make contact with the first conductive elements and second conductive elements from opposite sides;
• and
• the housing comprises a plurality of extensions adjacent respective first conductive elements and second conductive elements, with the extensions on sides of the respective first conductive elements and second conductive elements opposite the mating contact surfaces.