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2025-02-13
In recent weeks, Nvidia’s new RTX 5090 graphics card has garnered attention for reports of power cable overheating and melting issues. This issue is not entirely new, as a similar situation unfolded with the previous-gen RTX 4090. However, the question arises: Is the RTX 5090 truly at fault, or is there more to this story? Let’s dive deeper into the facts and analyze what’s going on with these power cables.
The Nvidia RTX 5090 has been met with excitement since its release, but a small number of users are experiencing issues with overheating power cables that melt. This follows a similar phenomenon that occurred with the RTX 4090. While the previous-generation card saw widespread reports of cable failures, the issue with the RTX 5090 appears to be far less prevalent, with only two confirmed cases of cable-melting so far.
One of the main contributing factors to this problem could be third-party cables. In the first confirmed case, a Reddit user reported that their power cable from the third-party supplier, MODDIY, melted despite being physically compatible with the RTX 5090. Nvidia has since moved to a more stable 12V-2×6 power delivery standard, and MODDIY itself now advises users to purchase new cables designed for the RTX 5000 series. These cables, despite claiming compatibility, may not be able to handle the high power demands of the RTX 5090, which has a 575W TDP.
While it’s tempting to blame Nvidia, the issue might not be as severe as it seems. Nvidia has been cautious about this problem, pointing to third-party cables as the potential cause of these failures rather than issues with the GPU itself. As the situation is still developing, we might learn more in the coming months as more users get their hands on the RTX 5090.
What Undercode Says:
When analyzing this issue from a broader perspective, it’s clear that there is a pattern emerging with Nvidia’s latest GPUs and their power delivery systems. The core of the issue is not necessarily the GPU hardware itself but rather how power is supplied and managed. The RTX 5090, with its 575W TDP, demands significant power, and if the cables are not up to par, failures are bound to happen.
The original cable problems with the RTX 4090 were alarming due to the sheer number of reports and the visible signs of hardware failure. Many assumed that Nvidia’s design was at fault, especially considering that the PCI-SIG had previously warned about thermal risks related to the 12VHPWR adapter used by the RTX 4090. However, it turns out that the culprit could be a combination of third-party cables that were not built to handle the increased power load.
In the case of the RTX 5090, it seems that Nvidia has taken measures to improve the power delivery system. The shift to a 12V-2×6 connector seems to be an attempt to solve the issues related to the previous 12VHPWR standard. However, there are still issues with backward compatibility, especially when users attempt to use older cables. The fact that MODDIY’s cables melted despite claiming to be compatible with the RTX 5090 suggests that third-party manufacturers may need more time to ensure their products are optimized for the latest power standards.
Nvidia’s response to these incidents has been cautious. While the company has not made any official statements or acknowledged the issue directly, their advice to use only the cables provided with the GPU is a clear indication that they are trying to avoid further complications. This response seems justified, as third-party cables, even those that advertise compatibility, may not always meet the demanding requirements of newer, high-power GPUs like the RTX 5090.
The question remains: Should users be concerned? Based on the limited number of confirmed cases so far, it’s unlikely that this will be a widespread problem on the scale of the RTX 4090’s cable failures. However, it’s important to note that the RTX 5090 has only recently been released, and the full scope of the issue might not be clear yet. As more users adopt the new GPU, additional reports could surface, either confirming or disproving the current concerns.
For now, the advice remains simple: Stick with the cables that come in the box. Given the known issues with third-party cables and power delivery in the past, it’s best to avoid potential risks by using only the cables designed and tested by Nvidia. This approach not only reduces the risk of overheating and cable damage but also ensures that users are getting the most reliable and secure performance from their GPUs.
Looking ahead, Nvidia may need to continue refining their power delivery systems and work more closely with third-party cable manufacturers to ensure compatibility with future GPUs. As power-hungry graphics cards become more common, finding reliable and durable power solutions will become increasingly important. For now, the RTX 5090’s cable issues are manageable, but keeping an eye on future developments will be key to ensuring that similar problems don’t arise again.
References:
Reported By: https://www.techradar.com/computing/gpu/does-the-nvidia-rtx-5090-have-a-cable-melting-problem-its-complicated-but-you-probably-dont-need-to-panic
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