The power connectors of Nvidia's RTX 5090 are melting.
The 12VHPWR power cable is still experiencing issues.
Recently, two owners of the new RTX 5090 Founders Edition GPUs reported issues of melted power connectors and damage to their power supply units (PSUs). The shared images are startlingly similar to reports of burnt or melted power cables with the RTX 4090 two years ago. Nvidia attributed this problem to the incorrect connection of the 12VHPWR connector, while the PCI standards organization blamed Nvidia.
A user on Reddit who transitioned from an RTX 4090 to an RTX 5090 noticed a burning smell while playing Battlefield 5. Upon shutting down his PC, he found evident damage. The images show burnt plastic both at the end of the power connector that connects to the PSU and at the part that directly joins the GPU. The cable involved is from MODDIY, a well-known manufacturer of custom cables, and the user claims that it was "secured and locked properly on both sides (GPU and PSU)."
However, not only MODDIY is implicated. Spanish YouTuber Toro Tocho experienced the same issue with a cable supplied by PSU manufacturer FSP, showing melting of the cable at both the GPU and PSU ends. Additionally, it was noted that the plastic also melted in the PCIe 5.0 power connector of the power supply.
Nvidia introduced the 12VHPWR connector in its RTX 40 series GPUs, along with power supplies designed to support this new standard. While the RTX 4090 Founders Edition could consume up to 450 watts through this connector, the RTX 5090 can reach up to 575 watts using a cable rated for up to 600 watts. Following the initial issues with the RTX 4090 connectors, PCI-SIG, the organization responsible for this connector, updated the design to a new 12V-2x6 connector in the GPU and, in some cases, also in the PSU. This new version features shorter detection pins and longer conductor terminals, which should enhance connection reliability.
Currently, Nvidia already uses the 12V-2x6 connector in its RTX 50 series GPUs, although existing 12VHPWR cables can still be used. Corsair clarifies that this update pertains to a change in the pins within the connector and not a new cable per se. Some PSU manufacturers, such as Corsair and MSI, have added colored pins to their 12VHPWR cables to help users identify if the connector is not properly seated.
Despite both Intel and AMD being members of PCI-SIG and collaborating on the development of the 12VHPWR power connector, only Nvidia has adopted this standard so far. Upcoming AMD Radeon RX 9070 cards will continue using existing 8-pin PCIe connections. AMD’s gaming marketing director, Sasa Marinkovic, even suggested that the 12VHPWR connector could pose a fire risk, alluding to safety concerns on his social media in late 2022.
The 12VHPWR connectors have been criticized for design flaws that make it easy for users to improperly connect the cable. As a result, Cablemod had to pull its 12VHPWR GPU adapters off the market after receiving reports of melting. Despite reaching out to Nvidia for comments on these recent incidents related to the RTX 5090, the company did not respond prior to the publication of this article.