Nvidia Silently Upgrades RTX 4090's With Safer 12V-2x6 Plug, Just Like RTX 4070

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Shorter sense pins make their way to the RTX 4090

RTX 4090 Upgraded Power Connector
(Image credit: Reddit - u/prackprackprack)

According to a recent Reddit post, Nvidia is subtly upgrading its Best GPU the RTX 4090 Founders Edition, with the same modified 16-pin power connector recently found on the RTX 4070. The Redditor, known as u/prackprackprack, uploaded pictures to Reddit showing off the shortened sense pins on his RTX 4090. The changes were confirmed by other Redditors, comparing his images to images of older RTX 4090 FE cards.

The modifications made on the new RTX 4090 FE power connector include changes to the four sense pins that feed data to and from the GPU to the PSU. The pins have been retracted slightly inside the connector. This adjustment was apparently taken from the latest 12V-2x6 power connector specifications to ensure the power connector won't continuously feed power to the GPU if the 16-pin power cable is not inserted all the way. This should keep the graphics card safe from death due to fire or overheating, as we've seen with various RTX 4090 cards since launch.

Brand New 4090 FE Shortened Sense Pins? In response to Igor’s Lab Article “Secret change to the sense pins starting from the GeForce RTX 4070 FE and no one noticed it” from r/nvidia

It's good to see that Nvidia is finally introducing this modified connector to the RTX 4090, which is the most prone to disaster due to its incredibly high power consumption of up to 450W — more on some overclocked models. The modifications made to the RTX 4090 were originally seen in the RTX 4070, which has had them since launch even though Nvidia didn't call out this fact.

For reference, the power connector we're seeing here (for both the 4090 and 4070) appears to be a prototype 12V-2x6 connector that has been built according to PCI-SIG's recommended specifications. The 12V-2x6 connector is still in active development, meaning a finalized version of the connector is not yet available for Nvidia to use. Nonetheless, it seems like the RTX 4090 melting reports were enough for Nvidia to rush a prototype version out to its newer cards, hopefully stopping more GPUs from dying.

The frustrating part of this situation is that we don't know which production versions of the RTX 4090 are receiving this new connector. We also don't know if the prototype connector is making its way to AIB partner models or not. But, if Nvidia follows the same trend as the RTX 4070, the RTX 4090 should be getting this new connector for both Founders Edition and AIB partner models.

We'd also expect all manufacturers of other graphics cards that use a 16-pin connector — including the RTX 4080, RTX 4070 Ti, RTX 4060 Ti, and perhaps even some RTX 4060 models — to eventually shift to the new style connector as well. How long it might take before the older variants clear the market remains to be seen.

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Aaron Klotz
Aaron Klotz
Contributing Writer

Aaron Klotz is a contributing writer for Tom’s Hardware, covering news related to computer hardware such as CPUs, and graphics cards.

16 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Amdlova
    Why it's a user error... keep the old one
    Reply
  • ravewulf
    Encounter enough "user errors" that look the same and you'll find that, in reality, it's a design flaw
    Reply
  • cyrusfox
    I'll gladly pick up an old one severely discounted or free :D I mean it is a fire hazard🤣
    If it wasn't for the internet I wouldn't know anyone impacted by this.

    We have come a long way on electronic safety. I still remember melting wires on USB1 on my old AMD motherboard back in 2000, I plugged in the power jumper incorrectly creating a straight short to ground path... Electric smoke emitted from the wire only, pulled the plug and hooked up the right way (there was no polarized connections back then) and everything was functional, minus one jumper wire.
    Reply
  • Christopher1
    Amdlova said:
    Why it's a user error... keep the old one
    No, it isn't. Numerous users such as JayzTwoCents on YouTube who are very educated on computers reported having problems with getting the connector fully in the mating one on the card.
    In fact one techie on YouTube had to push so hard to get the connector fully seated that he was very concerned that he was going to break the card or connector.
    Reply
  • cyrusfox
    Christopher1 said:
    In fact one techie on YouTube had to push so hard to get the connector fully seated that he was very concerned that he was going to break the card or connector.
    Poor design or not enough tolerance? Reminds me of shaving China made connectors to make them fit/work (Sodimm to dimm adapters).Retaining force is different for every type of connector.

    I hate molex!!! Those always felt like breaking the connectors due to the slop in the pins male vs female. Then there is m.2 and apples implementation of its proprietary NVME. Lots of force required on apples first to market gum stick ssd vs modern m.2 30° entry and hardly any force required to enter. Sodimm slots themselves vs pcie entry force. Sodimm & Dimm at least have a satisfying click but require surprising amount of force as well as pin alignment. I have not properly inserted dram in the past.

    The issues with the past non-insertion/error though is not device damage, its maybe your computer doesn't boot/single lane memory or the device doesn't show up. This was sensational because it is happening to $2000 PC parts and putting it out of commission for RMA's for up to a month. Iteration and optimization is welcome.
    Reply
  • hotaru.hino
    ravewulf said:
    Encounter enough "user errors" that look the same and you'll find that, in reality, it's a design flaw
    A design flaw in the sense that there's little in the way to decrease the chances of user error. If receding the sense pins back is all it takes to reduce the chance of user error to practically 0, then the design of the actual connector and pins to do their job (i.e., carry all those amps) wasn't the problem.

    But if you want to continue saying it was, then it's design problem my computer stops working if I spill a gallon of water on it.
    Reply
  • ravewulf
    hotaru.hino said:
    A design flaw in the sense that there's little in the way to decrease the chances of user error. If receding the sense pins back is all it takes to reduce the chance of user error to practically 0, then the design of the actual connector and pins to do their job (i.e., carry all those amps) wasn't the problem.

    But if you want to continue saying it was, then it's design problem my computer stops working if I spill a gallon of water on it.
    You do realize you contradicted your own point? If you have to modify the design to reduce "user errors," then the flaw was with the design
    Reply
  • Greg7579
    Great - I'm about to build and was close to ordering the ASUS TUF or Strix 4090. But now I think I will get a Founders Addition and make sure it has the new connector. But I am also ordering a new PSU that has the original 12VHPWR connector. How long will it take for a PSU to get the new 12V-2x6 power connector" I now want a 4090 GPU and a PSU with the 12V-2x6 power connector. How long do I have to wait?
    Reply
  • TJ Hooker
    Greg7579 said:
    Great - I'm about to build and was close to ordering the ASUS TUF or Strix 4090. But now I think I will get a Founders Addition and make sure it has the new connector. But I am also ordering a new PSU that has the original 12VHPWR connector. How long will it take for a PSU to get the new 12V-2x6 power connector" I now want a 4090 GPU and a PSU with the 12V-2x6 power connector. How long do I have to wait?
    As far as I can tell there's no change to the cable connector. It's only the header on the graphics card that was changed for 12V-2X6. So I wouldn't expect PSUs to change.

    Edit: there are some additional bits added about making sure the cable plug can handle bending/side load of the cable, and includes appropriate strain relief. But I'm guessing any well-made cable would already be designed with those sorts of things in mind, so that may not necessitate an actual change.
    Reply
  • Greg7579
    No, anything with a 12VHPR connector will change to 12V-2x6. That is for certain. It's just a matter of how long it will take. MSI has already said they will soon make the move with their new PSUs. The 12VHPR connector is dead. The new 12V-2x6 has the same number of pins but a different header (socket) and connector (plug). The 4 small pins are still for sideband signals. This new connector will plug in more solidly and without wiggle. It will stay fully plugged in, which was the big problem with melting 12VHPWR connections at both the PSU and GPU end.
    Reply