NVIDIA responds to RTX 4090 melting cable problems
We’re one step closer to understanding why some RTX 4090 GPUs are melting.
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What you need to know
The NVIDIA RTX 4090 has an issue that causes some power adapters to fail and melt. Thesituation first appearedon Reddit in late October, but we haven’t had official confirmation as to what causes the problem. While not confirmed by NVIDIA, the 16-pin connector of the RTX 4090 appears to be at fault.
The RTX 4090 has a massive power draw, even when compared to thebest graphics cards. All that power (450W stock / 500W+ overclocked) goes through a single connection. With that much power going through a single point, issues such as a slightly bent wire or a loose connection can cause serious problems.
NVIDIA provided a small update on the situation over the weekend (viaTom’s Hardware). “We continue to investigate the reports, however we don’t have further details to share yet. NVIDIA and our partners are committed to supporting our customers and ensuring an expedited RMA process for them,” said the GPU maker toKitGuru.
One of the theories is that the adapter’s angle limits how much it can be bent without causing an issue.CableMod has an adapterfor the RT 4090 that allows you to connect to it at a right angle.
Another theory is that there are two different types of cables used in various RTX 4090 GPUs.Gamers Nexustore down several of the graphics cards andTom’s Hardwarelooked at their review unit to try to see what was going on.
Neither of the above theories have been confirmed by NVIDIA though. What has been confirmed is that NVIDIA has two different sources for the power adapters within the RTX 4090, as reported byIgor’s Lab(viaTom’s Hardware). One of the adapters is from Astron, while the other is from NTK. Both adapters are made to meet NVIDIA’s specs, but they feature different designs.
Igor’s Lab explained that the NTK adapter, which is in Zotac and Gigabyte cards, is less likely to fail after being plugged in and removed several times. The outlet argued that since the Astron power adapter has rigidly soldered pads that it creates a point of failure.
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Notably, while NVIDIA confirmed that it uses two different types of power adapters, it did not place the blame on either Astron or NTK. The GPU maker seemingly needs to investigate things further before sharing what it believes to be melting some GPU power connectors.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
