Nvidia on Melting 16-Pin Adapter: Connectors Weren’t Plugged in Correctly

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Nvidia is aware of 50 melting adapter cases globally.

12VHPWR Connector
(Image credit: Ricky TO/Facebook)

After studying multiple incidents involving melting and overheating 12VHPWR power adapters with the GeForce RTX 4090 graphics cards for several weeks, Nvidia has finally issued an official statement.  

"We are actively investigating the reports," a statement by Nvidia reads. "We are aware of about 50 cases globally. Our findings to date suggest that a common issue is that connectors are not fully plugged into the graphics card. To help ensure the connector is secure we recommend plugging the power dongle into the graphics card first to ensure it is firmly and evenly plugged in, before plugging the graphics card into the motherboard. We are investigating additional ways to ensure that the connector is secure before powering on the graphics card. Nvidia and our partners are committed to supporting our customers and ensuring an expedited RMA process, regardless of the cable or card used." 

The company is aware of 50 melting 16-pin 12VHPWR adapter cases globally and will keep investigating further. So far, the company has found that melting and overheating have happened when the adapter's connector is not securely plugged into its socket. The company advises GeForce RTX 4090 owners to securely connect the adapter before installing the board into its PCIe slot. Meanwhile, the company and its partners promise to replace damaged hardware promptly for those affected by the issue.   

(Image credit: Nvidia)

Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4090 is the company's $1,599 flagship product. News of the adaptor problems became well-known through forum and reddit posts, which created an impression that it was a widespread issue. So far, Nvidia says it has investigated 50 reports of melting adaptors, which isn't egregiously high considering that Nvidia and its partners have sold tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of GeForce RTX 4090 graphics boards so far.  

Nvidia is still investigating the reports and ways to ensure the adapter is seated correctly before powering on the card, though the company didn't elaborate on whether the latter entails a modification to the existing design or other measures. We'll update as necessary. 

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Anton Shilov
Anton Shilov
Contributing Writer

Anton Shilov is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.

50 Comments Comment from the forums
  • USAFRet
    Why is it that easy to plug them in incorrectly?

    You can't guard against every user error, but problems like this should have been designed out in the testing phase.
    Reply
  • spongiemaster
    USAFRet said:
    Why is it that easy to plug them in incorrectly?

    You can't guard against every user error, but problems like this should have been designed out in the testing phase.
    50 so far out of an estimated 125,000 cards sold doesn't exactly indicate it is that easy to screw it up.
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    spongiemaster said:
    50 so far out of an estimated 125,000 cards sold doesn't exactly indicate it is that easy to screw it up.
    More than previous high power components?
    Seems so.

    I have NO dog in this fight, either way.
    Reply
  • spongiemaster
    USAFRet said:
    More than previous high power components?
    Seems so.

    I have NO dog in this fight, either way.
    Yes, definitely more so than previous implementations. Being easier to do and just plain being easy are not the same. Something can be easier and still be extremely difficult to do.
    Reply
  • DRagor
    This is exactly what's troubling me. GPU use power connectors for about 20 years, and never before we heard about so many connectors melting. I dare to ask, is it that suddenly so many GPU users become stupid enough to not know how to plug in the connector correctly? Or is actually some kind of a problem with new connector?
    Reply
  • purple_dragon
    I guess those sense wires aren't doing their job :unsure:
    Reply
  • spongiemaster
    DRagor said:
    I dare to ask, is it that suddenly so many GPU users become stupid enough to not know how to plug in the connector correctly? Or is actually some kind of a problem with new connector?
    As someone who has done tech support for the people around me for decades, plugging in cables, and components incorrectly is a common mistake. I've seen all sorts of cabling mistakes, ram forced in backwards into dimm slots, partially installed PCI cards. You name it, I've probably seen it. The difference here is those mistakes usually aren't destructive and cause physical damage to components, like they can in this case.
    Reply
  • RichardtST
    This is obviously a dirtbag-lawyer-cya statement from Nvidia. The problem is obviously a connector that is too small for the power rating and too difficult to be plugged in properly, and even then, as GN showed, nearly microscopic particles leftover from manufacturing can fry the thing too. It is, simply, a hideous connector standard and needs to be retracted. The problem is that no one can retract it without becoming a lawsuit target. Good for AMD for not using it in the first place.

    I for one will refuse to accept and adopt this defective connector. I suggest people simply refuse to buy anything with this crap on it. Standards tend to die when no one uses them.
    Reply
  • hotaru251
    USAFRet said:
    You can't guard against every user error, but problems like this should have been designed out in the testing phase.
    exactly.

    connections are supposed to be idiot proof.

    we did it with keyed designs and then clips on 1 side.

    this might be "user error" but its caused by design error.
    Reply
  • TJ Hooker
    hotaru251 said:
    connections are supposed to be idiot proof.

    we did it with keyed designs and then clips on 1 side.

    this might be "user error" but its caused by design error.
    "If you design something to be idiot-proof, the universe will design a better idiot" -Unknown

    Also, the 12VHPWR connector is keyed and has a clip.

    Edit: I won't argue what the 'correct' level of fool-proofing is, or if the 12VHPWR meets that threshold. But saying a connector (or anything) should be completely idiot-proof is nonsense, because that would be an impossible task.
    Reply