Overview

• A Reddit user reported a melted power connector on their MSI RTX 5090 Gaming Trio OC, which also damaged their Corsair SF1000L PSU.
• The user was using the official 12VHPWR cable supplied with the PSU, not a third-party cable, challenging assumptions about the safety of Nvidia's updated connector design.
• Investigations reveal a design flaw in RTX 5090 GPUs where uneven power distribution can lead to excessive current draw, creating fire and overheating risks.
• Thermal tests by overclocker Der8auer confirmed uneven power loads, with some wires carrying over 20 amps, far exceeding the PCI-SIG rating of 9.5 amps per pin.
• This incident adds to a series of similar failures across Nvidia's RTX 50-series GPUs, raising broader concerns about quality control, power delivery standards, and consumer safety.