Nvidia’s subject with melting 16-pin GPU energy connectors continues to rumble on. Because the first-party data vacuum continues, we’re nonetheless open to affordable theories in regards to the melting points Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics playing cards are having with their energy connectors. Corsair’s esteemed PSU knowledgeable, JonnyGuru, has now shared his views and theories about connector gate.
The PSU knowledgeable’s believable clarification can also be fairly easy: GPU installers aren’t absolutely inserting their connectors he concludes – in problematic installations there stays a niche between the insert and the socket. That is one thing we mentioned a few weeks in the past as a risk, although it is solely one in all a number of.
Within the wake of our protection of connector-gate theories from Igor’s Lab, Players Nexus, and enter from CableMod, {Hardware} Luxxe, and Tom’s {Hardware}’s personal GPU editor, it is arduous to come back to any stable conclusion. Let’s take a better take a look at JonnyGuru’s technique and concept.
JonnyGuru related a Corsair HX1500i with three PCIe cables going into the Nvidia adapter. He additionally added a thermistor to the setup for monitoring and labored with cable ties to inflict unwise levels of bend to the cabling. Like others earlier than him, JonnyGuru determined to attempt to inflict problematic harm on the connectors, notably the integrity of the soldered joints. Nevertheless, all of this was to no avail, with connector temperatures beneath sustained heavy hundreds by no means rising past 53C (levels Celsius).
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Above: gallery displaying good and unhealthy connections
Following the marginally fruitless testing session, JonnyGuru forged his consideration wider and contemplated over on-line pictures of setups that had melted cables, and others that have been downside free. This led the PSU knowledgeable to come back to the next conclusion: “ANY 12VHPWR connector can probably dissipate as a result of ANY of them could be arduous to insert.” This concept was supported by numerous connector mating photographs the place the connector isn’t fairly absolutely inserted. Furthermore, he reasoned that the 16-pin connector is “VERY DIFFICULT to insert utterly,” which jives with our personal expertise. The caps-lock in each earlier quotes has been left intact for emphasis.
If PC DIYers and lovers are hoping for a little bit recommendation, as Nvidia and AIBs stay unnervingly quiet, JonnyGuru suggests the applying of a little bit dielectric grease from Amazon to the ability connector. This $4 funding is value it for assured becoming of a $1500 GPU, commented the Corsair PSU knowledgeable.
What’s extra, any customers with a failed 16-pin connector aren’t prone to publicly declare, “Yeah, I simply checked and I didn’t insert the adapter all the best way. It is my very own rattling fault” — not when potential guarantee protection is at stake. However the reality is we merely do not know for sure what has induced the failures to this date, together with failed direct to PSU 16-pin connectors.
Nvidia Stays Quiet
It has been greater than two weeks for the reason that the primary 16-pin 12VHPWR melting adapter downside reared its smoldering head. Whereas numerous third events and tech consultants have come forth with affordable theories in regards to the underlying subject(s), Nvidia and its companions have been conspicuously quiet.
The final we heard was that Group Inexperienced was nonetheless fastidiously analyzing melted samples of their labs. Given we anticipate to see continued use of the 16-pin adapter on Nvidia’s upcoming RTX 4080 in addition to the long run RTX 4070 Ti, it will be nice to get some official information about these points from Nvidia and its board companions. If or when that occurs, we’ll you should definitely share any offered data.