Monday, February 10th 2025

Unofficial 12V-2x6V Power Connector Melts NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

by
AleksandarK
 Discuss (47 Comments)
NVIDIA's high-TDP flagship GPU, the GeForce RTX 5090, appears to cause additional headaches for users, not including the high power bill. According to a Reddit user, we now have the first documented case of a melted power connector on NVIDIA's flagship GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition, reigniting concerns over high-wattage GPU safety from the last generation. While playing Battlefield 5, Reddit user ivan6953 detected a burning odor and immediately shut down their system, only to discover severe damage to both the RTX 5090's 12V-2×6 connector and their ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L PSU. The user had employed a Moddiy 12VHPWR cable, marketed as ATX 3.0/PCIe 5.0-compliant and rated for RTX 5090's 600 watts of power. Despite claims of secure installation—audible clicks at both ends—the cable melted at 500-520 W load, charring connectors on the GPU and PSU.

Notably, the same cable had powered an RTX 4090 FE for two years without issue. NVIDIA's RTX 5090 FE ships with a redesigned adapter featuring a longer, more flexible cable and an angled connector to reduce strain in compact builds. NVIDIA asserts that no incidents have occurred with its bundled adapter, emphasizing compliance with the updated 12V-2×6 standard, which shortens sensing pins to prevent power flow if connections loosen. Hence, an older connector can not provide 100% secure usage despite the user thinking that the sensing pins are touching properly.
A second case reported by Spanish YouTuber Toro Tocho involved a melted PSU-side connector, though the GPU remained undamaged. This resulted from worn connectors or improper seating despite user assurances of correct installation. RTX 5090 owners should avoid third-party adapters and rely solely on NVIDIA's included cable or PSU-native connectors. Regular inspections for discoloration, wear, or bending near connectors are also advised, particularly for systems with high power consumption. While NVIDIA investigates, the takeaway is clear: cutting corners on power delivery risks costly hardware failures. The RTX 5090's melting woes appear isolated to unofficial accessories—a small solace for early adopters navigating the pitfalls of the high-TDP GPU era.

Sources: Reddit, via VideoCardz

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47 Comments on Unofficial 12V-2x6V Power Connector Melts NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

#26
john_
Waiting for Steve from Gamers Nexus to tell us in a new video that this is "user error". I am also expecting a laboratory to be used, to make it more convincing.

We where doing all the stupid things in the world with 6 and 8 pin cables and usually nothing bad was happening.
Now we get a new cable, a super duper high tech cable, that is melting if you look it the wrong way.









I doubt I will ever buy a graphics card that will need such a cable. Even if that card is coming from AMD or Intel.
Posted on Reply
#27
Scattergrunt
Sir BeregondI still say 12VHPWR is a terrible design. It's easy to say user error in many of these cases, but at a certain point the prevalence of "user error" becomes a design problem whether its the securing mechanism, or the pin redesign
I'm hesitant to call it terrible as I can definitely see its benefits; but I second this mostly still. Cable honestly just needs a redesign or something to focus on prevent so much 'user error'. Hopefully, this doesn't become a long term standard and we get a redesign for the cable. The new cable that came out is an improvement; but it still isn't where I hoped it'd be.
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#28
Darmok N Jalad
Just looking at that cable, it’s no wonder there was potential for failure. The bundle of cables is thicker than the connector, which means it all gets compressed at the connection point. I could see why you might have one or two bad contacts with the GPU. I recall having problems like this with the old molex connectors—not melting, mind you—but you couldn’t physically complete the connection because one of the wires had moved the pin inside enough that it would no longer insert. I’m sure this new connector has better tolerances, but the plastic connector is still plastic, and there’s a good chance of pin movement if there are cable stresses at the connector. Considering NVIDIA even angled the connector on the FE suggests they know this is a real possibility.
Posted on Reply
#29
Zach_01
Scattergruntor something to focus on prevent so much 'user error'
Fortunately something like that already exists, but it’s unfortunate that nVidia couldn’t use it on the FE because… cost?

This is from some AIB variant:




Per pin current monitoring!

When you have this available it’s not difficult to write an instruction to shut down the load after it detects a discrepancy (beyond a threshold) in current between the pins for a couple of seconds and prompt the user to check or replace the connection.
Problem solved!
Posted on Reply
#30
Visible Noise
Any reports from anyone reliable yet? Maybe I could make some bucks taking a match to a cable and posting a YouTube video.
Posted on Reply
#31
Sir Beregond
Darmok N JaladJust looking at that cable, it’s no wonder there was potential for failure. The bundle of cables is thicker than the connector, which means it all gets compressed at the connection point. I could see why you might have one or two bad contacts with the GPU. I recall having problems like this with the old molex connectors—not melting, mind you—but you couldn’t physically complete the connection because one of the wires had moved the pin inside enough that it would no longer insert. I’m sure this new connector has better tolerances, but the plastic connector is still plastic, and there’s a good chance of pin movement if there are cable stresses at the connector. Considering NVIDIA even angled the connector on the FE suggests they know this is a real possibility.
Yeah that is what I noticed too.

Temba, his cables bundled. Shaka, when the card burned up.

P.S. Love your username / location. :toast:
Posted on Reply
#32
londiste
Sir BeregondI think their question was if the connector on the PSU side where you plug the cable into is the older 12VHPWR or 12V 2x6?

Or is that only changed on the GPU side?
This does seem like the interesting part in this case. While burning 4090 GPUs seem to have been common enough I do not remember that many pictures of the same thing burning on PSU side.

This is the PSU used:
rog.asus.com/power-supply-units/rog-loki/rog-loki-1000p-sfx-l-gaming-model/
It only says PCI-E 16-pin but also ATX 3.1 that would imply 12V-2x6.

Also, as the PSU already implied, this is an SFF build.
lian-li.com/product/a4h2o/
I mean, a 5090 into this space? I would be quite worried about the heat by itself.
Posted on Reply
#33
freeagent
Another one died using 3rd party stuff.. shocking :kookoo:

I guess these sort of things happen when you put form over function.

Make tiny pretty PC and stuff it full of top end energy grid manipulating hardware.
Posted on Reply
#34
Darmok N Jalad
londisteThis does seem like the interesting part in this case. While burning 4090 GPUs seem to have been common enough I do not remember that many pictures of the same thing burning on PSU side.

This is the PSU used:
rog.asus.com/power-supply-units/rog-loki/rog-loki-1000p-sfx-l-gaming-model/
It only says PCI-E 16-pin but also ATX 3.1 that would imply 12V-2x6.

Also, as the PSU already implied, this is an SFF build.
lian-li.com/product/a4h2o/
I mean, a 5090 into this space? I would be quite worried about the heat by itself.
I can't understand why NVIDIA made the 5090 FE a 2-slot card, other than "because we can." While that is by no means an invitation to put it in a SFF, it's practically a double-dog dare! Just think of the thermal density involved. Even space heaters are far more conservative!
:p
Posted on Reply
#35
Visible Noise
freeagentAnother one died using 3rd party stuff.. shocking :kookoo:

I guess these sort of things happen when you put form over function.

Make tiny pretty PC and stuff it full of top end energy grid manipulating hardware.
Somebody said it’s the PSU side that melted, also.
Posted on Reply
#37
Crackong
Nothing to say
Just quote myself before launch.

Posted on Reply
#38
neatfeatguy
Took about 2 weeks for 4090 issues about melting cables to come out. Seems its the same for 5090 cards.

Who's surprised? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Posted on Reply
#39
Ripcord
our graphic cards are using 400W and the power connectors are melting what shall we do?
NVIDA- lets Release a card that uses 600W
Posted on Reply
#40
Dawora
Thats a predator hair cable..

Why to use that whit 5090, its just so stupid.
Ripcordour graphic cards are using 400W and the power connectors are melting what shall we do?
NVIDA- lets Release a card that uses 600W
That image looks just like 90% of AMD fans in forums..
QQ everything related to Nvidia
neatfeatguyTook about 2 weeks for 4090 issues about melting cables to come out. Seems its the same for 5090 cards.

Who's surprised? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
User error bad cable
Posted on Reply
#41
neatfeatguy
DaworaUser error bad cable
Possible, but....that's what was said about all the 4090s.
Posted on Reply
#42
john_
freeagentAnother one died using 3rd party stuff.. shocking :kookoo:
Then again, using the worst possible China made 8pin cable, or any kind of strange 8pin worst possible China made 8 pin adapter, never was a problem. And people where always inserting cables the correct way. And there was no problem twisting those cables to their limits, if they had any for typical use.
Now we need certified Nvidia cables and Nvidia certified PSUs just to be safe. Of course Nvidia isn't certifying cables and PSUs because that would point at this being a real problem. They prefer to just stay silent.
Posted on Reply
#43
AusWolf
InterventionWhy fix something that is not broken, Nvidia?
Because they want to push 8 billion kilowatts into their GPUs without the need to use a hundred 8-pin cables.

I just don't understand why these new cables are so thin and the connector so small and flimsy.
Posted on Reply
#44
Caring1
I'm no electrical engineer, but I do know if you push a high current through a thin wire it will get hotter than a thick wire.
WTH were they thinking.
Posted on Reply
#45
londiste
Caring1I'm no electrical engineer, but I do know if you push a high current through a thin wire it will get hotter than a thick wire.
WTH were they thinking.
The thing with 12VHPWR and 12V-2x6 is not really about pushing a high current through a thin wire. Yes, they are kind of doing that but while safety margin isn't great it is not going overboard either. Although these have a lot of conductors together they are specced fairly OK for the power delivery, given at least somewhat even distribution. The spec says 16AWG wires but I think some/better ones have been going for 14AWG as well. If you want to compare to 6/8-pin then spec for those says 18AWG but even halfway decent manufacturers rather quickly went for 16AWG.

The problem always was the connector. Pins and contact area plus ensuring the connection. 12V-2x6 has reduced the melting connectors quite significantly. Whether that was enough, time will tell.
Der8auer's - and others - point about current monitoring is right, of course. I do wonder what the spec has to say about this but finding the electrical specs is too much of a pain.
Posted on Reply
#46
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
DaworaThats a predator hair cable..

Why to use that whit 5090, its just so stupid.


That image looks just like 90% of AMD fans in forums..
QQ everything related to Nvidia


User error bad cable
Full of bs much?

Quit deflecting, it's a faulty designed card, same with the rtx 4000 line, hot garbage.

Nvidia is completely at fault for making a defective part.
Caring1I'm no electrical engineer, but I do know if you push a high current through a thin wire it will get hotter than a thick wire.
WTH were they thinking.
Yeah because it builds up resistance
Posted on Reply
#47
Chomiq
Hecate91I don't see how it matters whether the cable is "unofficial" or not, the cable being a standard means every cable using the specification should just work.
And there was no issue with re-using a PSU with 8 pin connectors, or a third party connector. IMO 12vhpwr and 12v2x6 is still a flawed design, it's too easy to not have the connector plugged in all the way, or can come loose without the sense pins shutting down power to the card.
The company that made that 3rd party cables doesn't even provide AWG for them and you only have to look at all the shitty cables listed on amazon to know that "standard means every cable using the specification should just work" means nothing these days.
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