The Nvidia RTX 5000 series graphics cards are facing mounting concerns over power connector reliability, with reports of melting connectors expanding from the flagship RTX 5090 to the RTX 5080 model. These incidents echo the troubling power connector issues that plagued the previous RTX 4090 generation, suggesting a persistent design challenge in high-performance graphics cards.
Initial Reports and Investigations
The controversy began with a credible report of an RTX 5090 Founders Edition experiencing melted power connectors. German overclocker Der8auer investigated the issue, discovering alarming temperature readings reaching 150 degrees Celsius on some power cables, with certain wires carrying more than triple their rated current capacity. The problem appears to stem from uneven power distribution across the connector's pins.
Key Technical Issues:
- Maximum temperature recorded: 150°C on power cables
- Standard wire current rating: 9.5 amps
- Observed current draw: Up to 22 amps
- Affected models: RTX 5090 and RTX 5080
- Power connector type: 12V-2x6 specification
System Integrator Response
Falcon Northwest, a prominent PC integrator, attempted to replicate these issues through extensive testing of multiple RTX 5090 Founders Edition builds. Despite running prolonged closed chassis burn-in tests with various power supplies and cable types, they reported all temperatures and amperages remained within normal ranges. This contradictory finding suggests the issue might be related to specific usage scenarios or connection methods.
RTX 5080 Complications
The situation has escalated with the first reported case of an RTX 5080 power connector failure. A user documented melting on the PSU side of a 16-pin connector while using an Asus ROG Loki power supply. The incident was preceded by warning indicators suggesting improper pin seating, despite the cables being properly locked in place.
Cable Manufacturer's Response
Moddiy, a third-party cable manufacturer, has taken preemptive action by warning customers against using pre-2025 12VHPWR cables with RTX 50-series GPUs. The company has introduced new cables specifically designed for the increased power requirements of the RTX 50-series, featuring enhanced materials and thicker wires to provide additional safety margins.
Industry Solutions
GPU manufacturers are implementing various safeguards to prevent connector failures. MSI has introduced yellow-tipped connectors for better insertion visibility, while Zotac has developed a Safety Light feature that ensures proper cable seating before allowing the GPU to power on. However, these solutions may not address the fundamental issue of uneven power distribution through the connector pins.
Price Information:
- RTX 5090 MSRP: USD $1,999
- RTX 5090 Secondary Market: Up to USD $5,000
Impact on Consumers
With the RTX 5090 commanding a premium price of USD $1,999 MSRP and reaching up to USD $5,000 in the secondary market, these reliability concerns are particularly significant for consumers. The expansion of power connector issues to the RTX 5080 model suggests a broader problem that may require a comprehensive redesign of the power delivery system in high-performance graphics cards.