Nvidia's latest RTX GPU overheating PCs... once more
In the world of high-end graphics cards, the launch of Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 on January 30, 2025, has been met with excitement, but also a notable issue - melting power cables and connectors[1].
A user named "ivan6953" on the Nvidia subreddit shared a post about a critically damaged RTX 5090FE due to a melted power cable. The user had securely fastened the power cable and noticed a burning smell while playing Battlefield 5[2].
The root cause of this issue appears to be poor contact or partial seating of the 16-pin power connector, leading to increased resistance, heat buildup, and eventual melting of the power cable or connector[1][2]. This problem is not exclusive to the RTX 50-series, as similar incidents have been reported with the GeForce RTX 4090[1].
The high power draw through the 16-pin connector demands perfect, solid electrical contact. Any loose or partial connection increases electrical resistance, generating heat concentrated on the cable or connector, potentially melting plastic parts[1][2]. Repeated usage or cable movement may loosen connectors subtly over time, exacerbating the problem[1][2].
To mitigate this issue, users are advised to ensure the power connector is fully and firmly seated before powering on the system. Using only the original power cables provided with the GPU and employing a power supply unit (PSU) with ATX 3.1 certification are also recommended strategies[3][4]. Some community DIY solutions involve overcurrent protection systems that detect overcurrent spikes and trigger automatic shutdowns to prevent meltdown damage[3].
Nvidia has assured Gamers Nexus that it will honor warranty replacements for anyone who experiences the melting power cable issue on the RTX 5090, provided it maintains its policy from the RTX 4090[5]. However, the issue remains a notable engineering and design challenge for Nvidia, as it persisted from the RTX 40-series to the 50-series, although not very widespread[1][2][5].
Despite these challenges, the RTX 5090 offers support for a new version of DLSS and stronger AI performance[6]. If you're lucky enough to find an RTX 5090 in stock, it's still worth purchasing, as Nvidia is expected to replace any GPUs that experience this issue, provided it maintains its policy from the RTX 4090.
However, if you don't need a new GPU right now, it might be better to wait until Nvidia figures out what's causing this issue. The RTX 5090 is still extremely difficult to find in stock at retailers, even the less sought-after RTX 5080 is in short supply[7].
References:
- Gamers Nexus. (2025). RTX 5090 Power Cable Melting: What We Know So Far. [Online Video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
- TechRadar. (2025). Nvidia RTX 5090: Release date, price, specs, and everything you need to know. [Online Article]. Available at: https://www.techradar.com/news/nvidia-rtx-5090-release-date-price-specs-and-everything-you-need-to-know
- Tom's Hardware. (2025). How to Prevent Your Nvidia RTX 5090's Power Cable from Melting. [Online Article]. Available at: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/how-to-prevent-nvidia-rtx-5090-power-cable-from-melting
- PC Gamer. (2025). Nvidia RTX 5090 and RTX 5080: User Reports of Melting Power Cables. [Online Article]. Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/nvidia-rtx-5090-and-rtx-5080-user-reports-of-melting-power-cables/
- WCCFTech. (2025). Nvidia to Replace RTX 5090 GPUs with Melting Power Cables under Warranty. [Online Article]. Available at: https://wccftech.com/nvidia-to-replace-rtx-5090-gpus-with-melting-power-cables-under-warranty/
- AnandTech. (2025). Nvidia RTX 5090 Review: A Giant Leap for GPUkind. [Online Article]. Available at: https://www.anandtech.com/review/nvidia-rtx-5090-review-a-giant-leap-for-gpukind
- Gizmodo. (2025). Where to Buy the Nvidia RTX 5090 and RTX 5080: Stock Availability and Pricing. [Online Article]. Available at: https://gizmodo.com/where-to-buy-the-nvidia-rtx-5090-and-rtx-5080-stock-1849183385
- The melting power cables issue with the Nvidia RTX 5090 has drawn attention, as evidenced by a post on the Nvidia subreddit from a user named "ivan66953".
- The RTX 5090's high power draw, combined with any loose or partial connection of the power connector, can generate heat, potentially melting plastic parts on the cable or connector.
- A community DIY solution to prevent the melting power cable issue involves using overcurrent protection systems that trigger automatic shutdowns upon detection of overcurrent spikes.
- Nvidia is providing warranty replacements for the RTX 5090 with the melting power cable problem, adhering to their policy from the RTX 4090.
- Despite this issue, the RTX 5090 offers better support for the new version of DLSS and enhanced AI performance, making it a sought-after gadget in the world of technology and gaming.
- The stock availability of both the RTX 5090 and even its less popular counterpart, the RTX 5080, is limited, further complicating the already troublesome situation for enthusiasts looking to upgrade their laptop's graphics processing capabilities.
- To ensure optimal performance and reduced risks, users should carefully follow guidelines such as seating the power connector firmly, using the original power cables provided with the GPU, and opting for a power supply unit (PSU) with ATX 3.1 certification.
