MSI introduces GPU Safeguard tech on its latest PSUs to fend off RTX 5090 meltdowns — warns users with pop-up and buzzer when abnormal current is detected on the 12V-2x6 connector

(Image credit: Future)

MSI just announced its new GPU Safeguard and GPU Safeguard+ tech available on its latest power supply units (PSUs). According to the company press release, this feature monitors the 12V-2x6 connector for abnormal current fluctuations, and it will then warn the user with a pop-up through the MSI Center (only for GPU Safeguard+) while the PSU itself will emit an audible warning buzzer. “This proactive alert system enables potential power issues to be addressed before they result in permanent hardware damage,” MSI said in its PR.

The Tom’s Hardware team visited the MSI booth at CES 2026, where it was explained that this protection is achieved through per-in-voltage monitoring. And if it indicates an anomaly, the only way you can stop the buzzing is by shutting your computer down, thereby cutting power to the GPU and helping protect it even before its power connector starts melting.

If it does not detect any response after three minutes of beeping, the PSU will force a black screen on your system to reduce the load on the graphics card while still continually beeping. MSI says that “In either case, the only way to get your PC up and running safely again is by shutting it down, unplugging the 12V-2x6 connector from your graphics card, inspecting for damage, and firmly re-plugging it if all’s well.”

This tech comes in four of MSI’s latest power supplies — the top-of-the-line MPG Ai1600TS and MPG Ai1300TS PCIE5 get GPU Safeguard+, while its mainstream MAG A1200PLS and MAG A1000PLS PCIE5 PSUs are protected with GPU Safeguard. The only difference between the two features is that the former displays a pop-up window alongside the warning sound, while the latter only gives an aural warning. Nevertheless, this should help protect your system from unexpected meltdowns, especially for high-powered GPUs like the RTX 5090 and even some Sapphire Nitro+ 9070 XTs.

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MSI MEG Maestro 900R Panoramic PC Case — (Image credit: Future)

Aside from these new PSUs, we also saw the MEG Maestro 900R panoramic PC case, with its triple-sided curved glass letting you see your build from every angle. There’s also the Coreliquid E16 360 AIO with its massive 6.67-inch 2K curved OLED display right on the CPU block. There’s also a plethora of other new components, like air coolers, motherboards, PC cases, displays, and GPUs, including the legendary MSI RTX 5090 Lightning.

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Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.

With contributions from

Paul AlcornEditor-in-Chief

14 Comments Comment from the forums

TheyStoppedit

Welp, I mean.... ya.... why fix the problem when we can just warn the user about the symptoms? Right? I just cant wrap my little head around how a forced recall has not yet been issued on a product that is clearly a safety hazard. How these can even legally be sold on store shelves at this point is scary. Is the root problem actually going to ever get fixed, or are we just going to keep finding stupid ways to manage the symptoms forever? This is getting more and more absurd by the day..... Lol. I hate to say it, but only when a 5090 burns down a house while the family is sleeping.... then and only then will action be taken to deal with this. For some people, the only wake-up call is tragedy. I will never buy a 5090, because I don't want to be that family. It's just not worth it
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DS426

AIB partners slapping on band-aids to fix nVidia's flaws, which to me says this will result in nVidia just maintaining the status quo on this same awful power design (and offload added cost as well).
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CelicaGT

TheyStoppedit said:
Welp, I mean.... ya.... why fix the problem when we can just warn the user about the symptoms? Right? I just cant wrap my little head around how a forced recall has not yet been issued on a product that is clearly a safety hazard. How these can even legally be sold on store shelves at this point is scary. Is the root problem actually going to ever get fixed, or are we just going to keep finding stupid ways to manage the symptoms forever? This is getting more and more absurd by the day..... Lol. I hate to say it, but only when a 5090 burns down a house while the family is sleeping.... then and only then will action be taken to deal with this. For some people, the only wake-up call is tragedy. I will never buy a 5090, because I don't want to be that family. It's just not worth it
I expect that if safety certifications (CSA, CE etc) were actually enforced beyond self reporting, and GPU's were more of a consumer product with the resulting broad exposure then cards suffering this issue would not be sold. There's also the issue of how certification is done, and that each part of the system (PSU, GPU, cables) are all certified separately (as they are sold separately) and not as a functional whole. As someone with some exposure to these certification systems...they're a mess.

Do keep in mind however that the connectors and cable insulation are all fire resistant and shall not propagate a flame, this is part of the requirements for certification. We've seen this in practice where the connectors and insulation melt and char until power is removed (PSU OCP opens or mains breaker opens. These are the safety controls). If those components (Connector body, cable insulation) actually began to combust with the original heat source removed, that would be...bad, and definitely a reason to revoke certification (As if anyone was paying attention).

All that said this particular connector is actual hot garbage and NVIDIAs insistence on it is either blatant arrogance or willful ignorance. I'm not sure which but it doesn't matter to me. My particular reliance on NVIDIA is long done, they are full blown anti-consumer at this point and I will not willingly purchase their products for the foreseeable future.
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TheyStoppedit

CelicaGT said:
All that said this particular connector is actual hot garbage and NVIDIAs insistence on it is either blatant arrogance or willful ignorance. I'm not sure which but it doesn't matter to me. My particular reliance on NVIDIA is long done, they are full blown anti-consumer at this point and I will not willingly purchase their products for the foreseeable future.

They won't fix it because issuing a recall would cost them billions, and be a massive PR disaster. As well, fixing the problem would be an implicit admission of error on their part. Deflecting blame and making it someone else's fault is easier
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CelicaGT

TheyStoppedit said:
They won't fix it because issuing a recall would cost them billions, and be a passive PR disaster. Fixing the problem would be an implicit admission of error on their part. Deflecting blame and making it someone else's fault is easier
They also don't have to because "technically" it meets all relevant certifications in the countries that it is offered for sale in. I work for a VERY large multinational and you comment is on point. There are internal benchmarks that need to be met for a voluntary recall, they are pretty loose. Just stop short of what would trigger a forced recall in fact... And we're one of the better ones.
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Notton

I kind of like this solution better than Asrock's thermal probe solution, but only because the PSU tells you the error code before shutting down, saving you troubleshooting time.

I still think the 12V-2x6 is an idiotic connector.
The way things are going right now, I think the only way this connector will get banned is if it burns down enough houses that the various home insurance companies get involved and it gets picked up by mass media.

No, not even EU will save us from this connector, unless there are enough people who complain about it.
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bigdragon

Imagine you buy this PSU, it alarms about the GPU power connector, and you discover a problem with a 5090 before it melts its power connector. What's the likelihood of the GPU manufacturer actually supporting their 5090 product with a repair or replacement?

Asus will tell you there's a microscopic scratch on the PCB and your warranty is void. Nvidia will say you broke the connector locking tab by plugging it in wrong and therefore the warranty is void. MSI is too busy dropping pallets of GPUs off at basement data centers to notice an individual needing support. Zotac might give you a refund that doesn't cover the cost of a new 5090. Honestly, it might just be better to run the GPU until it melts and you can make a big public post for attention. This PSU seems like an attempt to bury a GPU design flaw or deflect blame.
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Li Ken-un

What are they using in their workstation/server GPUs’ version of the same connector? They have to provide that in the consumer GPUs and/or PSUs. All the effort to work around the issue and none to disappear the issue… SMH.
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alan.campbell99

Looks like the RTX Pro 6000 uses the same 16-pin connector. I thought to look at Puget Systems site given that's the first place the comes to my mind regarding workstations. I looked up both RTX 5090 and Pro 6000 and initially don't see them making any notes about the power connector itself, only calling out the increased cost, power draw and thermal load compared to previous gen.
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Konomi

The solution was invented a long time ago: the 8 pin. But in all seriousness, it'd be better for manufacturers to just stop supporting it altogether. An industry push instead of forcing it upon us - not that it'd happen, but it'd be appreciated.
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