GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Suffers Melted Connector Due to Third-Party Cable

In the first reported case of its kind, a GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition graphics card has suffered a melted power connector, likely due to the use of a third-party cable. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for users to stick to official adapters or native power supply cables to avoid such risks.

What Happened? – RTX 5090 Founders Edition card

Reddit user ivan6953 shared images of their RTX 5090 Founders Edition card with a melted power connector. The user admitted to using a Moddiy cable, a third-party cable compliant with ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 specifications, rated for up to 600W. The incident occurred while playing Battlefield 5, with the GPU drawing an estimated 500-520W of power.

The user reported smelling burning and immediately shut down their PC, but the damage was already done. Both the GPU and power supply connectors were melted, a rare occurrence even with the previous-generation RTX 4090.

Key Details

• The user confirmed the cable was fully inserted and clicked into place.
• The same cable had been used with an RTX 4090 Founders Edition without issues.
• This is the first reported case of a melted connector on an RTX 5090 Founders Edition.

Possible Causes

Several factors could explain the incident:

1. Non-Compliant Cable: The third-party cable may not have fully met the advertised specifications.
2. Improper Connection: Despite the user’s claims, the cable may not have been fully seated.
3. Wear and Tear: Another reported case involved a worn connector on the PSU side, leading to a similar issue.

NVIDIA’s Official Adapter

NVIDIA now ships the RTX 5090 with a newer, longer, and more flexible power adapter. The GPU’s power connector is also angled to reduce stress on the cable, especially in smaller PC cases. So far, no incidents have been reported with all-stock setups using the official adapter.

Also, Read

• RTX 4090 Ti Prototype Found in a Junk Bin – A Quad-Slot Monster!
• Why 8GB GPUs Are Not Enough for 2025 Gaming
• Intel XeSS 2 and Frame Generation Leak: What We Know So Far

What Should Users Do?

To avoid such risks, NVIDIA and experts recommend:

• Using the official power adapter supplied with the GPU.
• Opting for native power supply cables from reputable manufacturers.
• Ensuring cables are fully inserted and securely connected.

Source: Reddit