Sam Machkovech
Earlier this week, a number of Reddit users reported that the power connections for their expensive new Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs had partially melted and that Nvidia was investigating the issue. Since then, at least nine additional Reddit users have posted about the same problem with the 16-pin power connector (here’s a thread that collects all the information about the problem).
Igor Walllossek of the German-language hardware site Igor’s Lab also conducted additional testing and said the power adapter cable (rather than the GPUs or the 12VHPWR connector) may be the source of the issues. The adapter, which is apparently manufactured by a company called Astron and supplied to all of its board partners by Nvidia, uses “a total of four thick 14AWG wires spread over a total of six contacts,” with a thin solder base that Walllossek says can easily be damaged if the cables are moved or bent.
“In the worst case scenario, if the two outer wires break, all the current in the middle will flow through the remaining two wires,” Wallosek wrote. “It does not need to be explained separately that this will become really hot.”
Compare Nvidia’s adapter cable to the 12VHPWR cable included with a Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 13 power supply, one of the few newer ATX 3.0 PSU models with a 12VHPWR cable that plugs directly into the PSU rather than relying on an adapter. The cable is thicker than the one in Nvidia’s adapter because each pin has its own wire, but it also runs cool and delivers reliable power to the GPU.
Wallosek also said Nvidia has told its partners to return all affected cards to Nvidia for further investigation and testing. We asked Nvidia about this issue and investigation earlier this week and will update if we get any new information.
