Key Points
- Nvidia confirms the RTX 5090 will not experience the melting connector issues seen in the RTX 4090.
- The new 12V-2×6 connector replaces the problematic 12VHPWR standard.
- Defective Cablemod adapters were identified and recalled after contributing to overheating incidents.
- Zotac introduced a Safety Light feature to ensure proper cable insertion.
Nvidia has assured consumers that its latest flagship RTX 5090 graphics card will not face the melting 16-pin connector issues that plagued its predecessor, the RTX 4090. The announcement was made during the Nvidia RTX AI Day 2025 event in South Korea, as reported by Quasar Zone. The company expressed confidence that its redesigned connector will resolve past overheating concerns, even with the RTX 5090’s increased power consumption of 575 watts, compared to the RTX 4090’s 450 watts.
Nvidia’s APAC Director of Tech Marketing, Jeff Yen, GeForce Tech Director for Marketing, Sean Cleveland, and Nvidia Korea Senior VP Sunwook Kim addressed questions regarding the previous generation’s connector failure. When asked if the RTX 5090 had resolved the problem, Nvidia officials responded confidently, stating that adjustments had been made to the connector and no similar incidents had been reported in the last two years.
The root cause of the melting issue in RTX 4090 cards was often linked to improper or loose cable connections or excessive bending near the plug, which put stress on the connection point. The industry introduced the 12V-2×6 power connector, replacing the problematic 12VHPWR standard.
While the new connector has effectively reduced the incidence of overheating, some RTX 4090 cards manufactured before the switch or those using defective Cablemod 16-pin power adapters—later recalled—continued to experience issues as recently as April 2024.
With the RTX 5090 fully adopting the improved 12V-2×6 connector, Nvidia believes power-related concerns will be a thing of the past. However, several AIB (Add-in Board) partners are taking additional precautions to ensure reliability. Zotac, for example, has introduced a “Safety Light” feature that prevents the GPU from powering unless the cable is securely attached. Meanwhile, MSI has implemented a simpler solution—a yellow-tipped power adapter that visually indicates whether the connection is properly seated.
The RTX 5090’s launch marks a significant step forward in addressing previous power concerns, providing users with enhanced performance and improved reliability.
