Uncommon Yet Worrisome: RTX 50 Series GPU Cable Melting Issues

Melting cable issues have resurfaced, causing concern among NVIDIA’s high-end graphics card users. This time, it’s the GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition owners who are worried, as reports of unusually high temperatures from its 600W connector have emerged on social media. A Reddit user, going by “ivan6953,” shared their disturbing experience of detecting a “burning smell” during gaming sessions, only to find that their third-party MODDIY 12VHPWR cable had melted, particularly around one pin. This incident has triggered an unsettling sense of déjà vu in the PC gaming sphere.

Back in late 2022, similar problems plagued the RTX 4090 GPUs, where 12VHPWR power connectors overheated, leading to melted cables and potential fire hazards, troubling users for months. Initial theories suggested that bent cables and improper connections were to blame. In response, manufacturers started using 12VHPWR cables with colored tips to help builders know when they were properly connected, and NVIDIA revamped its connectors to the safer 12V-2×6 style. So, why are we facing this issue again?

PC enthusiast and YouTuber der8auer has delved into these problems with the RTX 5090 after encountering some inconsistencies himself. While testing with a Corsair 12VHPWR cable on his RTX 5090 Founders Edition, he noticed abnormal power loads using a thermal imaging camera. He later shared a video that delved deeper into the matter, spotlighting the hardware of Reddit user ivan6953. The user’s GPU and PSU sockets were melted, and the cable itself suffered significant damage. This raised concerns about the power load distribution across the cables.

The Reddit user had utilized a third-party MODDIY cable for the RTX 5090, drawing quick criticism from many as the root of the problem. However, der8auer found that the cable didn’t have adequate headroom for the RTX 5090’s power needs. He stated that while “the RTX 4080 is perfect for one of these connectors [12VHPWR],” the RTX 4090 and 5090 would benefit from using two connectors to provide ample headroom.

After discussions with ivan6953, who is knowledgeable about PCs and ensured the cable was securely connected, der8auer concluded that these meltdowns weren’t just due to user error.

In a subsequent follow-up video, der8auer reinforced his earlier claims with further testing, pointing out that he’s not alone in finding issues with 12VHPWR cables — issues similar to those experienced with the RTX 4090. Der8auer explained that “RTX 40 and RTX 50 cards have no way to tell how much current is flowing across each pin,” unlike older NVIDIA and current AMD GPUs that can measure power delivery per connection. He highlighted the RTX 3090 Ti’s advantageous three-way split for 12V power, allowing for better load management.

Ultimately, der8auer asserts that the core problem lies with NVIDIA’s design and the RTX 5090’s poor power distribution sensing. Resolving this issue requires a design change from NVIDIA itself. Presently, there’s no fail-safe cable option available. The best course of action is to use top-quality components, ensure they’re fully connected, and, unfortunately, hope for the best.