Nvidia’s RTX 5090 Founders Edition has been plagued by cable melting issues, but a recent test by Falcon Northwest suggests that these problems may be rare. The company tested multiple power supplies and cables in various configurations, including “closed chassis burn-in,” and found no overheating or connector melting.
Der8auer, another popular YouTuber, reported an instance of the RTX 5090 overheating to 150 degrees Celsius, but his testing setup was unique, involving a specific cable and connection configuration. Falcon Northwest’s testing method was more conservative, using standard power supplies and cables in a closed environment.
However, not all tests have been successful. JayzTwoCents reported that the 12VHPWR cable on his RTX 5090 GPU was warmer than the one used in his RTX 4090. This has raised concerns about potential design flaws or issues with the power delivery system.
The right-angle connector on the RTX 5090’s PCB combines six voltage wires into a single pin, which may lead to uneven load distribution and overheating. Some manufacturers have taken steps to mitigate this issue, such as implementing safety features or changing the connector design. However, if the problem persists, it could indicate a deeper design flaw.
For now, it appears that cable melting issues with the RTX 5090 are rare, but more testing is needed to confirm the findings and understand the underlying causes of the problem.
Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/rtx-5090-cable-melting-issues-havent-been-replicated-testers-assess-various-power-supplies-and-cable-types