12VHPWR connector issues: MSI RTX 5090 damaged

Alarm bells are ringing again in the tech community after A new case of overheating related to 12VHPWR power connectors. This time, the affected person was a MSI RTX 5090 Gaming TRIO OC graphics card accompanied by a Corsair SF1000L power supply, both components were rendered unusable after the incident.

The event puts the spotlight once again on a connection standard that has already generated controversy in previous generations of graphics cards. Although the design theoretically meets the power requirements of these high-end GPUs, it still appears to present structural vulnerabilities that compromise hardware security.

What is wrong with the 12VHPWR connector?

One of the most repeated and dangerous errors in this type of connectors lies in the poor contact of internal pins. When not all connection points make good contact, the electrical charge is not distributed. evenly, which leads to overstressing of certain pins. As a result, dangerous temperatures can be reached, deforming both plastic and metal.

The recent case, shared by Reddit user Roachard, shows that The damage was not limited only to the cable coming from the power supply. The part of the connector that inserts into the graphics card also suffered significant thermal damage: several pins at both ends ended up completely melted.

The striking thing about the matter is that there were no modifications to the system or uncertified components.. No custom cables or overclocking were used., which suggests that failure can occur even under completely normal conditions of use.

Beyond the specific failure, sand there is talk of a design flaw again, especially when similar situations occur across different makes and models. The 12VHPWR connector debuted with the RTX 40 family, and many hoped that past problems wouldn't be repeated with new generations, something that clearly hasn't been the case.

The supposed replacement: Is the 12V-2×6 safer?

With the appearance of 12V-2×6 connector, The 12VHPWR was intended to address its shortcomings by physically reinforcing the connections to prevent faulty contacts. However, experts and engineers agree that, while it offers some mechanical improvement, does not completely eliminate the risk of partial malinsertion.

The internal structure of the new connector continues to make it possible for, If not fully inserted or mishandled, some pins may accumulate all the electrical charge. The result can be exactly the same: localized overheating, melting of the material, and damage to connected devices.

This situation makes it clear that The problem is not only physical or mechanical, but structural at the electrical design level. Added to this is the fact that many users do not have tools to detect in advance if a cable is fitted perfectly before plugging in the equipment.

Until a comprehensive solution is achieved, Manufacturers continue to rely on precautionary recommendations and good installation practices that do not guarantee 100% safety.

A costly loss for the user

The owner of the affected team had invested around US$2900 on its MSI RTX 5090 graphics card, One of the most powerful and expensive versions on the market. This type of incident raises concerns even among those eligible for warranty replacement (RMA), as there is a persistent fear that it could happen again.

It's not just the financial value that matters, but also the wait time for a return, the uncertainty about whether the failure will be recognized as defective manufacturing, and the potential recurrence of the problem once the component is replaced.

The cases of melted cables They have affected multiple assemblers such as ASUS, Gigabyte or Zotac, which undermines the hypothesis of a one-off failure of a brand. Rather, a pattern of vulnerability inherent to the connector appears to be configured, regardless of the manufacturer that integrates it.

In response, enthusiastic and professional hardware users are beginning to demand deeper solutions, such as changes to the standard or redesigns that completely eliminate the risk.

How to prevent a similar disaster

Although there is no foolproof way to avoid these incidents until the standard is completely redesigned, Yes, there are a series of recommended measures to reduce the risk considerably.

• Carefully check that the cable is fully inserted into its connector. before turning on the equipment.
• Avoid bending the cables sharply or forcing them against the PC case, which can loosen the connection.
• Use official components and avoid generic adapters that do not meet the manufacturer's specifications.
• Consult forums and communities like Reddit or Discord where other users report similar bugs in real time.

Manufacturers also recommend apply light pressure until you hear the connector click, a sign that it is well fixed. And as long as these problems persist, Any small preventive measure can make the difference between a smooth experience and a catastrophic failure.

The recent case with the MSI RTX 5090 rekindles the debate over the reliability of current power supplies on high-end GPUs. Although cards with this type of connector are still being marketed for now, the technical community is already beginning to clamor for more robust solutions adapted to the power these devices handle.