Cooler Master apologizes for telling users to pry apart melting-prone 16-pin connectors to fix them, instructs customer support teams to stop recommending modifications — company also discontinues problematic right-angle connector
Cooler Master corrects its customer support teams and stops producing its problematic right-angle plug.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Cooler Master has responded to Igor's Lab regarding the firm's highly problematic instructions to users to DIY repair the right-angled 12V-2x6 power connector. Igor's Lab received an email from the PSU maker stating that the right-angled connector has been discontinued and that all regional support teams have been instructed to immediately stop advising customers to pry their power connector apart to fix it.
The email also documented that all newly developed Cooler Master power supplies now come with a straight 12V-2x6 power connector. Updated quality control will ensure that its newer 12V-2x6 implementations can work with all 12V-2x6-equipped graphics cards, including models sporting recessed connectors. Cooler Master will also be adding a two-toned color "indicator" to its newer connectors to make it clear whether the connector is fully plugged in. The connector tips will be painted purple.
If you are the owner of an existing Cooler Master power supply that came with the aforementioned problematic right-angled 12V-2x6 power connector, Cooler Master will provide you with a replacement cable with a straight end if needed.
These updates should put to rest any future troubles Cooler Master customers might have had with its power supplies. Luckily, Cooler Master reports that it has not received any customer damage reports directly tied to modifications to its 12V-2x6 connectors. But it's still dangerous, and something could have very well happened to anyone.
Cooler Master's previous right-angled connector was very problematic, and only worked in certain graphics cards that did not have a recessed internal 12V-2x6 power connector. Ironically, the customer support team's previously recommended modification did not even resolve the issue. The modification involved removing the connector's right-angled cover, turning the connector back into a straight plug. However, the physical connector itself had a giant plastic tab that was the actual cause of the incompatibility.
Bet: The Nvidia 6000 desktop series("Rubin"??) will still come with this connector, the cards will not come equipped from the factory with any protection mechanisms like cards past, and users will still face that melting plastic smell.
Yeah, Cooler Master messed up. Cooler Master should not have been in this position in the first place - it was entirely preventable. Nvidia could have fixed the 5000 series. Nvidia chose not to bother helping its customers.
I have a pair of Asus Strix GTX780 6GB GPUs that have an indicator LED on each power connector, seems like the answer to power connection issues was always out there... At this point we need a serviceable power connector that won't fail, proper gauge wires and no odd angles. And give it 1000w power handling FFS!! Somewhat future ready at least.. Nvidia refuses to own this mistake and 12v 2x6 wasn't the fix we needed...
The smart move would be to push Nvidia to stop making the AIBs use these or upgrade the wires in them to a heavier gage so they can handle the current. Also make sure the power in is requesting the right amount on each conductor. Like why has the safety commission not stepped in on these things yet? What is it going to take? A house burning down and lives lost, how about it goes to prevention instead. I have a feeling the whole market is going to crash soon anyway, with the way these big tech companies are passing air around to each other instead of money only to create false stock increases.
