Vendors safeguard 16-pin connector on RTX 5090 with thermal pads — helps dissipate excess heat

ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090
(Image credit: Asus)

An interesting tidbit from TechPowerUp is that some custom RTX 5090 models feature thermal pads on the backside of the 16-pin power connector. The reason behind the decision is strictly a cautionary one to help with cooling. Melting 16-pin connectors last generation spooked many customers, which has prompted vendors to add extra security measures.

TechPowerUp has reviewed a slew of custom RTX 5090 models following today's lifting of the embargo. At least Asus and MSI are taking a proactive approach to cooling the 16-pin power connector. The vendors have placed thermal pads on the backside of the connector, which will likely facilitate heat transfer to the metal backplate. The ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090, GeForce RTX 5090 32G Suprim SOC, and GeForce RTX 5090 32G Suprim Liquid SOC have the thermal pad.

Nvidia was the first GPU maker to adopt the 16-pin power connector on a mainstream graphics card. The first revision, dubbed 12VHPWR, suffered from a critical flaw: an improper connection would increase resistance and heat, causing the connector to melt. As reports spread, PCI-SIG readied the 12V-2x6 revision, which had all the benefits of 12VHPWR minus the melting. Notably, the updated 12V-2x6 connector maintains temperatures well below dangerous levels even when partially inserted. The issue was also attributed to bent cables like the ones from Cablemod, which resulted in over $74,500 in property damage claims.

AIBs, including Zotac and MSI, have added several new features to their custom RTX 50 GPUs that allow users to ensure the cable is installed correctly. MSI's new yellow-tipped cable acts as a visual cue; if you still see the yellow part after insertion, the cable isn't seated correctly. Zotac's approach is even more foolproof, preventing the GPU from powering if the cable is loose. Even Nvidia assured customers the RTX 50 series would unlikely melt despite a higher TDP.

We expect most, if not all, custom RTX 5090 models to ship with the 12V-2x6 connector. From what we saw at CES, AMD's RX 9070 series is likely to stick with the standard 8-pin connector, and the same goes for Intel's newly announced Battlemage GPUs. The primary benefits of a 16-pin connector are that GPUs can support higher TDPs and help reduce cable clutter. Although the standard has faced criticism for its initial design flaws, the RTX 50 series should be more reliable with all these measures.

Hassam Nasir
Contributing Writer

Hassam Nasir is a die-hard hardware enthusiast with years of experience as a tech editor and writer, focusing on detailed CPU comparisons and general hardware news. When he’s not working, you’ll find him bending tubes for his ever-evolving custom water-loop gaming rig or benchmarking the latest CPUs and GPUs just for fun.

  • Amdlova
    Great wath I need now is a water cooled rgb cable... to tell to the world my cable is better.
    Can't wait the OC version cable.
    Reply
  • Joseph_138
    I hope the heat problems with the 16 pin connector don't extend all the way down the product stack. That connector should only be used on cards that actually need it. Lower wattage cards don't need it. It's wrong that they are getting it, too.
    Reply
  • beyondlogic
    Admin said:
    Custom RTX 5090 models now include thermal pads on the backside of the 16-pin power connector.

    Vendors safeguard 16-pin connector on RTX 5090 with thermal pads — helps dissipate excess heat : Read more
    ah ha we have a inferior connector that loves to melt how do we solve it reduce power ? go back to old connector?. nah lets use thermal pads as a band aid so by the time the user does get to the connector it will be possibly worst damaged. absolutely ingenious idea.
    Reply
  • beyondlogic
    Joseph_138 said:
    I hope the heat problems with the 16 pin connector don't extend all the way down the product stack. That connector should only be used on cards that actually need it. Lower wattage cards don't need it. It's wrong that they are getting it, too.

    the connector is fine at lower loads ive used mine for a year on 4070 super zero issues.
    Reply
  • YSCCC
    beyondlogic said:
    the connector is fine at lower loads ive used mine for a year on 4070 super zero issues.
    The whole issue for the connector is that it is designed to carry too much power with too few margin. else it's nice
    Reply
  • bolweval
    Why not make the plug out of aluminum?
    Reply
  • Dementoss
    There needs to be more emphasis on efficiency, in GPU design and, less emphasis on bumping up the power, to improve performance.
    Reply
  • evdjj3j
    Good job Zotac, sounds like the best solution.
    Reply
  • TJ Hooker
    The nylon material used for the connectors is a pretty good thermal insulator, IIRC. I think I watched a gamers nexus video back when they were first looking into the reports of melting connectors, and they found that the outside of the connector housing stayed relatively cool even when the inside was really heating up. I'm a little skeptical that adding thermal pads to the outside will make a big difference, if heat can barely make it to the outside of the connector in the first place.
    Reply
  • Gaidax
    bolweval said:
    Why not make the plug out of aluminum?
    Why not make the power plug out of electrically conductive material? Wonder why...
    Reply