Nvidia's latest flagship graphics card, the RTX 5090, is experiencing concerning power connector failures reminiscent of issues that plagued its predecessor. Despite the company's claims of resolving past problems, users are reporting melted power connectors and overheating cables, raising questions about the safety and reliability of the new GPU.

The RTX 5090, which boasts a massive 575-watt power draw, uses an updated 12V-2×6 power connector that Nvidia claimed would prevent the melting issues seen with the previous generation's 12VHPWR connector. However, reports from users and tech enthusiasts suggest that the problem persists, affecting both Nvidia's Founders Edition cards and third-party models.

One Reddit user shared a harrowing experience where their RTX 5090 Founders Edition's power connector melted during a gaming session, despite using a third-party cable that claimed compliance with the latest standards. This incident has sparked a broader investigation into the issue, with tech YouTuber Der8auer conducting tests that revealed temperatures reaching 150°C on some power supply wires.

The situation is particularly concerning given Nvidia's recent assurances about connector safety. Just weeks ago, the company stated that such issues "will not occur with the RTX 50 series," attributing past problems primarily to user error. However, the recurrence of melting connectors on the RTX 5090 suggests that the root cause may be more complex than initially thought.

Adding to the controversy, Nvidia has removed GPU hot spot temperature reporting from the RTX 5090, claiming the data "isn't relevant" for gamers. This decision has been met with skepticism from the tech community, as it potentially makes it harder for users to identify and monitor overheating issues.

As the situation develops, Nvidia faces mounting pressure to address these safety concerns and provide a definitive solution. For now, RTX 5090 owners are advised to monitor their systems closely and exercise caution, especially during high-performance gaming sessions or intensive workloads.