Why doesn’t Nvidia stick to 8-pin PCIe cables?

They say change is the only constant. Nvidia probably took it to heart when launching the RTX 40 series, as they simultaneously debuted the infamous 12VHPWR connector. Taking a break from the conventional 8-pin PCIe cables, Team Green wanted to herald a new age of GPU connectors and high-performance power delivery, but things didn't exactly go according to plan.

What happened two years ago with RTX 4090s is happening again with RTX 5090s as well as RTX 5080s — the 12VHPWR connector, in its revamped 12V-2x6 avatar, is melting again. It begs the question, "Why doesn't Nvidia just use the tried and tested 8-pin PCIe cables?"

Some of Nvidia's biggest and surprising stumbles over the years.

All of this started back in 2022 when initial user reports about melting RTX 4090 connectors came in. The power-hungry RTX 4090s were melting the spanking-new 12VHPWR connectors, at both the GPU and PSU ends. While Nvidia first blamed users for improperly inserting the cables, it also assured that it was investigating the issue.

To be clear, Nvidia didn't manufacture the new 12VHPWR connector; PCI-SIG (PCI Special Interest Group) developed the spec, and two Taiwanese companies manufactured it. After the investigation revealed fundamental problems with the connector, Nvidia quickly helped push out the revised 12V-2x6 connector in 2023, and it was first used on some of the RTX 40 Super series GPUs in 2024. The new connector featured trimmed-down pins with higher conductivity, and mostly addressed all the issues of the original version.

Nvidia also offered to replace the affected GPUs on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, the issue cropped up again on RTX 5090s and RTX 5080s, as a handful of users shared images of even the 12V-2x6 connectors melting on the latest GPUs. Nvidia hasn't yet released any statement on this second iteration of burning connectors.

ATX 3.0 is a PSU specification you need to know about before your next PC upgrade.

The way 8-pin PCIe connectors were specced, they had way more safety margins compared to the newer 12VHPWR connectors. Rated at a maximum of 150W, each 8-pin connector can carry over double that wattage. By rating it over 50% lower than the theoretical maximum, the margin for error is huge, and hence things like user error, atmospheric changes, and more can rarely overload the connectors.

In contrast, the 12VHPWR connector (including the revised 12V-2x6) has way less breathing room. While each 12VHPWR cable is rated at 600W, its theoretical maximum isn't too far off. Suffice it to say that the margin for error is almost zero in this case and so instances of improper insertion, cable bending, and atmospheric variances can easily result in the connector getting overloaded.

The 8-pin PCIe connector was overkill, so to speak, while the 12VHPWR connector can be termed "dangerously overspecced" since it should be rated at around 300W instead of 600W to have the same level of safety margin as the older 8-pin connectors.

Some PC hardware scandals are tough to forget. These are some of the most recent and shocking ones on record.

In a nutshell, Nvidia expected consumers to suddenly forget years of conditioning and become perfect "cable inserters". That wasn't going to happen. Even if Nvidia didn't manufacture the 12VHPWR and 12V-2x6 connectors itself, it should have done the proper testing required before releasing a new technology into the wild. At the very least, the company should account for user error.

Later iterations by PSU manufacturers, such as colored connectors made things simpler for users, but the fundamental issues with the 12VHPWR connectors remain. Consumers willing to buy the latest RTX 50 series GPUs (assuming you can find one) will either have to wait for revised connectors (again) or a statement from Nvidia offering further clarification. Alternatively, you can proceed to use your purchased GPU and ensure you make no errors while connecting your GPU to your PSU (and hope for the best).

2022 promised to be one of the best years the desktop has had in a while, but it left a sour taste in our mouths instead.

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Your comment has not been saved

You still didn't explain why Nvidia switched to 12VHPWR?

Literally the title of the article and you completely failed to address it at all. Smells like an AI article to me.

Certainly a case of buyer beware but it would be good if you could i also nclude the proportion that are having issues.

Ray tracing is over 6 years old now, but it's still pointless for the majority of gamers

DLSS works like magic, but it's actually making your games worse

I hope you're seated.

It's like a bizarre tag team.

I don't want Nvidia to keep the GPU crown because of a lack of competition

Nvidia's RTX 5090 just isn't tempting enough