Hong Kong - base tech outlet PCM raised alarms after testing Nvidia’sRTX 5090D andRTX 5080 , where it encountered two mellow 16 - peg power cable and a failed 1,200W power supply unit ( PSU ) . With GPU power take already a red-hot topic , fingerbreadth were cursorily pointed at Nvidia ’s new computer graphic cards . However , a deep investigation revealed that an old RTX 4090 Founders Edition ( FE ) was actually responsible for the meltdown .
Social media Wiley Post by PCM , spotted byUNIKO ’s Hardware , suggest that its examination likely involved anRTX 4090Founders Edition ( FE ) before appraise the RTX 50 - series GPUs . While Nvidia has already updated the RTX 4090 FE ’s might connexion to the new and safer12V-2×6 touchstone , it ’s possible that the social unit still had the original , more loser - prostrate 12VHPWR connector .
During examination , bothRTX 50GPUs were bear on to full payload when the reader noticed system unstableness , ab initio suspecting an SSD unsuccessful person . However , upon closer review , they discovered signs of melting on the 16 - pin GPU power cable , head to former speculation that the RTX 50 - series might still be vulnerable to power connector issues .
pcm add together more detail in the late fb post : after extensively test RTX 5090 D , 5080 , 4090 , the system have some mentally ill symptom and discovered both end of the 12VHPWR cable television mellow , we check off back the pins on the cards and discover a readable burn mark on 4090 FE . 5090 D and 5080 …
& mdash ; UNIKO's Hardware 🌏 ( @unikoshardware)February 3 , 2025
Further investigation reveal burn mark on the RTX 4090 FE , while the RTX 50 GPUs showed no price . This strongly evoke that the RTX 4090 FE was creditworthy for the melted cable television , not the Modern RTX 50 - serial publication card .
Ever since the introduction of the RTX 4090,several reportshave document 12VHPWR connectors melting due to improper seating . If the connector is n’t in full plugged in , it can generate exuberant heat , potentially extend to damage . Nvidia even acknowledged this risk of infection , advising users to ensure a unwavering and complete connexion .
Nvidia ’s latest RTX 50 - series GPUs actually use a revise 12V-2×6 top executive connexion , designed to forestall power delivery unless properly seated . late during the Nvidia RTX AI Day 2025 event in South Korea , troupe representatives assuredthat the event with the connector have been resolved in the RTX 50 - series . This upgraded pattern of the connector is intend to dilute the jeopardy of overheat that plagued the RTX 4090 .
To further address concerns , GPU manufacturers are introducing additional safety measures . Zotac has added a safety illumination characteristic for its new RTX 50 - series GPUs , which gives an index number if the connector is not amply induct . MSI on the other hand is offering 16 - rowlock cables with visible icteric indicators with its GPUs and PSUs to assist users confirm a untroubled connection .
The bottom line is , if you ’ve get an RTX 4090 , twofold - learn your exponent link as this incident shows wrong cabling can still contribute to disaster — even long after installation . Thankfully , Nvidia ’s RTX 50 - serial publication appear to be better protect against such result .
