Wednesday, July 12th 2023

NVIDIA Now Ships GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition with Updated Power Connector

Jul 12th, 2023 03:49 Discuss (62 Comments)

A few weeks ago, we reported that NVIDIA is already shipping its GeForce RTX 4070 Founders Edition cards with an improved 12VHPWR connector called 12V-2x6. However, today we learn that NVIDIA is also now shipping GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition with an improved 12V-2x6 connector. Thanks to the Reddit user u/prackprackprack posting in r/NVIDIA, the user reported that his Founders Edition RTX 4090 has shortened sensing pins on the connector. If not adequately plugged in, the sensing pins will not allow the card to draw full power and melt the connector. Besides RTX 4070 FE, the RTX 4090 FE is now updated as well, which makes sense as it is the most power-hungry card in the family. However, this may be a partial 12V-2x6 implementation. Below, you can see images showing shortened sensing pins.

Sources: r/NVIDIA (Reddit), via VideoCardz

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62 Comments on NVIDIA Now Ships GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition with Updated Power Connector

Ravenmaster

If they're sneakily replacing the connectors on new models then there clearly was a design flaw and their previous claim of 'user error' is invalidated.

ExtremeDH

I almost see no difference
Also, if they do this, they admit the fault with the 1st connector and the burning fiasco
Can't wait to see nvidia becoming the new Intel

Bomby569

Steve from GamersNexus completely missed this one on his news video. I wonder if he will just ignore it forever :D

Also for people with the old cards, your card just sells for a lot less on the used market now

TheDeeGee

RavenmasterIf they're sneakily replacing the connectors on new models then there clearly was a design flaw and their previous claim of 'user error' is invalidated.

Connectors are still melting daily, though all those are with the CableMod adapter (fully seated) and it's 99.99% of the time a 4090.

I doubt this new connector will fix that problem.

Bomby569

TheDeeGeeConnectors are still melting daily, though all those are with the CableMod adapter (fully seated) and it's 99.99% of the time a 4090.

I doubt this new connector will fix that problem.

reddit has cases with the normal cable still burning and claiming "fully seated". And i guess the 4080 didn't sell that much for obvious reasons, so it will be mostly a 4090 problem but not because of a difference between them.

Timbaloo

At some point, PC building will be dumbed down enough, so even complete idiots will succeed.

Dirt Chip

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.
Well...it is.
So that's the fix.

wEeViLz

RavenmasterIf they're sneakily replacing the connectors on new models then there clearly was a design flaw and their previous claim of 'user error' is invalidated.

I would say they just made it idiot proof…

Assimilator

RavenmasterIf they're sneakily replacing the connectors on new models then there clearly was a design flaw and their previous claim of 'user error' is invalidated.

There neither is nor was a design flaw, it was always user error. The updated design simply makes it more difficult for user error to cause physical hardware damage - now the card will more reliably fail to boot when the connector isn't properly seated, as opposed to making improper connection causing the melting and/or burning.

Bomby569Steve from GamersNexus completely missed this one on his news video. I wonder if he will just ignore it forever :D

Given that this news item first appeared 11 hours ago, apparently you expect Steve to go back in time and modify his video to include news from the future.

TimbalooAt some point, PC building will be dumbed down enough, so even complete idiots will succeed.

"Make it idiot-proof and they will make a better idiot." And apparently a lot of idiots are able to afford 4090s.

#10

Bomby569

AssimilatorGiven that this news item first appeared 11 hours ago, apparently you expect Steve to go back in time and modify his video to include news from the future.

July 5th
www.techpowerup.com/310866/nvidia-already-using-modified-12v-2x6-power-connector-on-geforce-rtx-4070-founders-edition
videocardz.com/newz/nvidia-already-using-modified-power-connector-on-geforce-rtx-4070-founders-edition

July 3rd
www.techpowerup.com/310761/12vhpwr-connector-said-to-be-replaced-by-12v-2x6-connector
www.igorslab.de/en/rest-in-peace-12vhpwr-connector-welcome-12v-2x6-connector/

sure mate :D

#11

Crackong

To those who defended the original 12VHPWR , here is your answer...directly from Nvidia.

#12

TheoneandonlyMrK

This was reported elsewhere earlier.

You don't spend Money Fixing something that doesn't need it. ..
.

#13

Tom Yum

AssimilatorThere neither is nor was a design flaw, it was always user error. The updated design simply makes it more difficult for user error to cause physical hardware damage - now the card will more reliably fail to boot when the connector isn't properly seated, as opposed to making improper connection causing the melting and/or burning.

Something can be user error AND a design flaw at the same time. Designing components to eliminate foreseeable hazards is good design. Relying on people to 'get gud' isn't. Look at all the other connectors in a PC, all of them can only be fitted one way, and if installed incorrectly won't cause damage.

I remember the days of socketed 286/386's that could be installed 4 different ways, 3 of which would cause CPU damage. We don't have that problem anymore, not because everyone got good at PC building, but because we design correctors/sockets so they can't be accidentally installed incorrectly, or if they can then no permanent damage is done.

#14

TheDeeGee

Bomby569reddit has cases with the normal cable still burning and claiming "fully seated". And i guess the 4080 didn't sell that much for obvious reasons, so it will be mostly a 4090 problem but not because of a difference between them.

The cablemod adapters are fully seated, as the users can't remove them, and all pictures they show clearly has the connector flush.

#15

N/A

What it really needs is a mechanism that is not just shortening but that shorts the sense pins upon detecting high temperatures to prevent the melting.

#16

Bomby569

TheDeeGeeThe cablemod adapters are fully seated, as the users can't remove them, and all pictures they show clearly has the connector flush.

my English there was bad i guess. I didn't meant they are lying, just that you can never be sure that's why i put in quotes, but they swear they were fully seated. And they continue to burn.

#17

Assimilator

Bomby569July 5th
www.techpowerup.com/310866/nvidia-already-using-modified-12v-2x6-power-connector-on-geforce-rtx-4070-founders-edition
videocardz.com/newz/nvidia-already-using-modified-power-connector-on-geforce-rtx-4070-founders-edition

July 3rd
www.techpowerup.com/310761/12vhpwr-connector-said-to-be-replaced-by-12v-2x6-connector
www.igorslab.de/en/rest-in-peace-12vhpwr-connector-welcome-12v-2x6-connector/

sure mate :D

This is not about the 4070, this is about the 4090. Do try to keep up.

Tom YumSomething can be user error AND a design flaw at the same time. Designing components to eliminate foreseeable hazards is good design. Relying on people to 'get gud' isn't. Look at all the other connectors in a PC, all of them can only be fitted one way, and if installed incorrectly won't cause damage.

You know what? You're right, and I'm wrong. The whole reason the sense pins exist and why they're located on the side of the ATX12VHPR connector with the locking tab is to ensure that those pins aren't engaged unless the tab is properly locked. Therefore logically, if the tab is not properly locked due to user error then those pins cannot and should not be engaged. And if that was the case, the card would never try to draw any power and the improperly connected power terminals could never short and cause melting or burning.

Time to go find some humble pie.

#18

bug

Wake me up when they start selling Ada with updated pricing instead.

#19

Bomby569

AssimilatorThis is not about the 4070, this is about the 4090. Do try to keep up.

no, it is not, you need your reading glasses. July 3rd.

#20

Chomiq

bugWake me up when they start selling Ada with updated pricing instead.

Tbf, 4090 FE price has been in steady 3% decline per month. We just need to wait 2 years for it to come down to reasonable levels for 2023.

#21

Daven

Tom YumSomething can be user error AND a design flaw at the same time. Designing components to eliminate foreseeable hazards is good design. Relying on people to 'get gud' isn't. Look at all the other connectors in a PC, all of them can only be fitted one way, and if installed incorrectly won't cause damage.

I remember the days of socketed 286/386's that could be installed 4 different ways, 3 of which would cause CPU damage. We don't have that problem anymore, not because everyone got good at PC building, but because we design correctors/sockets so they can't be accidentally installed incorrectly, or if they can then no permanent damage is done.

This is a great observation that I never really thought about before. I hated PS/2, serial and parallel ports for the same reason. Not only did the pins bend but also the thin metal housing around the connector pins. And on top of potential damage, the connectors were not plug and play.

#22

ARF

Can we get to the actual technical issue?
The technical issue is that this new "connector", or a proven as a failed attempt to be a safe one, has a lower safety margin.
The old and proven 8-pin (and 6-pin) connector can conduct higher current - up to 8-10 amperes per pin.
With this new "connector", the current is halved, or as low as 3-4 amperes per pin.

I would call out the decision to use this unproven 'connector" for the highest-wattage and most demand cards - well beyond 450-watt is no joke.
Normally, they should have started with replacing the 6-pin connector in some of the lower-end cards, to test if it works safe.

I don't accept this "connector" and will avoid it. AMD already refused to use it in the RX 7900 series cards.

#23

Assimilator

ARFCan we get to the actual technical issue?
The technical issue is that this new "connector", or a proven as a failed attempt to be a safe one, has a lower safety margin.
The old and proven 8-pin (and 6-pin) connector can conduct higher current - up to 8-10 amperes per pin.
With this new "connector", the current is halved, or as low as 3-4 amperes per pin.

I would call out the decision to use this unproven 'connector" for the highest-wattage and most demand cards - well beyond 450-watt is no joke.
Normally, they should have started with replacing the 6-pin connector in some of the lower-end cards, to test if it works safe.

I don't accept this "connector" and will avoid it. AMD already refused to use it in the RX 7900 series cards.

The actual technical issue is that, as usual, you're making things up to suit your narrative. If each 12VHPWR connector pin was only rated for 4A @ 12V then it would be physically impossible for the connector to provide up to 600W, because that's how basic math works. Since it can provide up to 600W, your completely unsubstantiated BS about only 4A per pin is quite obviously incorrect, and you should go back to school.

#24

the54thvoid

Super Intoxicated Moderator

I've got a 4070ti, and I'm not going to lie. If I didn't know about the issue with the 12v cable, I'd have not pushed it in as hard as I did. The pressure needed was excessive. On my card, with the PSU supplied cable, it's easy to see how folk might not fully clip it in. Of note, I discerned no click of the clip. I used a torch to look at the seam to ensure it was tight. Never needed that before.

Edit: Also, lets avoid personal barbs, please.

#25

TheinsanegamerN

AssimilatorThe actual technical issue is that, as usual, you're making things up to suit your narrative. If each 12VHPWR connector pin was only rated for 4A @ 12V then it would be physically impossible for the connector to provide up to 600W, because that's how basic math works. Since it can provide up to 600W, your completely unsubstantiated BS about only 4A per pin is quite obviously incorrect, and you should go back to school.

While his numbers are off, he's not technically wrong.

The 8 pin connectors could handle double their rating. EG the 8 pin could tolerate 310 watts, but was specd for 150 watt in official capacity. The 12 pin is rated for 684 watt, and specd for 600. That's not a lot of safety margin in the design, which naturally means if the connection is not 100% perfect the pins will begin to overheat.

It is, simply put, a poor design that was shrunk to be trendy looking, rather then functional. They should have worked with the old 8 pin design and adapted that size pin to a 12 or even 16 pin config to handle these 600w throughputs.

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NVIDIA Now Ships GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition with Updated Power Connector

62 Comments on NVIDIA Now Ships GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition with Updated Power Connector

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