Testing by Korean outlet QuasarZone has found that Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition can peak at nearly 650W of power draw when running DLSS 5, with the 16-pin 12VHPWR power connector reaching temperatures above 90 degrees Celsius — exceeding the GPU die temperature and raising longstanding concerns about connector reliability.
Korean hardware outlet QuasarZone has published test results showing that Nvidia's flagship GeForce RTX 5090 can draw nearly 650 watts under DLSS 5, with the 16-pin 12VHPWR power connector reaching temperatures above 90 degrees Celsius — notably hotter than the GPU die itself, according to a report published on September 25, 2026.
The findings highlight thermal stress on the power connector even as the RTX 5090 is widely acknowledged as one of the best graphics cards on the market. The card has full potential to leverage Nvidia's DLSS 5 upscaling technology, but users may need to monitor temperatures and power consumption closely.
Reports of 16-pin power connectors melting have continued to surface, particularly on Reddit, albeit less frequently than in earlier product cycles. At least two media outlets have also encountered power connector meltdowns during RTX 5090 testing. In one case, a veteran reviewer whose Founders Edition card suffered a meltdown acknowledged the possibility of user error despite having more than 15 years of GPU testing experience.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- RTX 5090 owners running DLSS 5 may face connector temperatures exceeding 90°C, posing a fire or component damage risk.
- Persistent meltdown reports undermine confidence in the 12VHPWR connector standard, which was introduced with the RTX 40-series.
- The issue could prompt Nvidia or industry bodies to revise power connector specifications or guidance for next-generation cards.
Background
The 16-pin 12VHPWR connector was introduced as the power delivery standard for Nvidia's RTX 40-series and later adopted by the RTX 50-series. It was designed to deliver up to 600W through a single compact connector, replacing older multiple-connector setups. However, the connector has been controversial since its debut, with numerous user reports of melting, often attributed to improper insertion, bending, or insufficient cable contact. Despite connector revisions, the issue has not been fully resolved.
Key Perspectives
Nvidia: The company has previously stated that most meltdown incidents are due to user error, such as the connector not being fully seated. Nvidia has not issued a recall or design change for the RTX 50-series.
QuasarZone and testers: Their data shows that the connector can thermally outpace the GPU die under heavy load, suggesting a design or tolerancing issue that may affect longevity even when properly inserted.
Users and community: Reddit and forum posters continue to share meltdown photos, fueling skepticism about the connector's safety under sustained high-power use, especially with DLSS 5 pushing power draw near the connector's 600W rated limit.
What to Watch
- Whether Nvidia issues any guidance or firmware limitations for DLSS 5 power draw on existing RTX 5090 cards.
- Further independent testing of connector thermals under extended DLSS 5 workloads.
- Any industry moves toward alternative connector standards for next-generation GPUs beyond 12VHPWR.