A Troubling Trend Resurfaces for High-End GPUs
Just days after reports of a melted power connector on a high-end AMD graphics card, a new and more widespread wave of incidents has hit NVIDIA’s flagship GeForce RTX 5090. Within a 48-hour period, four separate owners have come forward on Reddit with photos and stories of charred and melted power connectors on their expensive new hardware.
This resurgence of a problem that first plagued the previous generation of GPUs is causing significant concern within the PC gaming community. The new reports suggest that the issue persists despite the introduction of the updated 12V-2×6 connector design and continues to affect users regardless of whether they use the bundled adapters or native power supply cables.
A Pattern of Failure Emerges
The individual reports from users paint a similar and worrying picture. One owner of a PNY RTX 5090 described weeks of mysterious black screens and system crashes. It was only after reseating the card that they discovered the 12-pin plug was charred along one row of pins.
Another user with an MSI RTX 5090 Ventus 3X experienced months of random freezes and screen flickering before the system finally gave out with a no-signal crash, revealing a melted connector. In the discussions that followed, many commenters pointed to a common suspect: MSI’s yellow-tipped 4×8-pin to 12VHPWR adapter, which has been frequently visible in photos of similar failures.
Perhaps most alarming is a case where a user had taken preventative measures. An owner of an MSI Ventus 5090, powered by a Corsair 1200W PSU, had undervolted their card to limit its power draw to around 450W. Despite this cautious approach and mostly moderate gaming, the adapter still burned, leaving visible heat marks on the GPU’s power pin.
What Can Users Do?
While the root cause appears to be a combination of factors—including imperfect connector design, slight improper seating, and the high power demands of these flagship cards—there are steps users can take to minimize risk.
First and foremost, ensure the power connector is fully and firmly inserted into the graphics card until the latch audibly clicks. Once connected, avoid moving or disturbing the cable, as repeated wear can loosen the connection over time. It is also crucial to avoid bending the cable too sharply right at the connector, which can disrupt the internal pins.
Experts strongly recommend using the native 12V-2×6 cable that comes with a modern ATX 3.1 power supply, rather than relying on the bundled adapters. Avoid mixing cable brands or using third-party cables not specifically certified for your PSU.
Also, Read
- High-End Sapphire Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU Reports Melted Power Connector, Echoing Past NVIDIA Issues
- AMD’s “Sound Wave” ARM APU Surfaces, Signaling a Major Shift Beyond x86
- Brazilian Modders Perform GPU Surgery: They Revive a Burned RTX 5070 Ti Using an AMD Radeon RX 580
Most importantly, be vigilant for warning signs. If your system experiences sudden display flickering, black screens, or crashes during gaming, it could indicate heat buildup at the power connector. In such cases, power down the system immediately and inspect the connection carefully. While these incidents are still statistically rare, for affected users, the consequences are costly and frustrating.