A repair center in China has reported a significant influx of melted Nvidia graphics cards, specifically noting seven high-end GPUs with burnt 12+4-pin power interfaces in the past two days alone. The issue appears to affect multiple manufacturers and models, including Nvidia's RTX 5090, as well as Asus and MSI RTX 4090 cards, and even a Founders Edition RTX 5090.
The problem manifests as either a burned socket interface, sometimes charring the card's PCB, or the 12+4-pin connector itself melting into the socket. In some cases, cables had to be cut to allow for the card to be sent in for repair.
The repair process involves removing the damaged interface, cleaning the contacts, and soldering a new 12+4-pin socket. After repairs, the cards are tested, and while some exhibit warm cables, the GPUs themselves generally perform within normal parameters. However, the sheer volume of similar failures at one repair shop suggests a widespread issue.
The repair center noted that users are not necessarily using inadequate power supplies, and some of the affected cards came from lab computers, which may experience heavier usage. While it's possible that popular repair channels might receive a higher volume of repairs, the consistent nature of the failures across different manufacturers points to a potential problem with the 12+4-pin connector design or its implementation under heavy load.
Users with these high-power graphics cards are advised to monitor for signs of overheating. A simple check involves feeling the power cable about an inch above the GPU connector; it should be slightly warm, but notably hot to the touch could indicate an issue. Additionally, monitoring the 12+4-pin voltage readout via GPU-Z is recommended. A significant drop below 12V, such as to 11.3 or 11.4V, may signal a problem that warrants further investigation.
While solutions like dedicated OCP dongles from companies such as Super Flower are available to offer some level of warning or protection, the recurring failures highlight a concerning trend for owners of powerful Nvidia graphics cards utilizing the 12+4-pin power connector.