SpaceX

December 27, 2025, 3:54 PM EST. A Reddit user reported a melted and even ignited 12V-2x6 power connector for an RTX 5090, despite using a native cable. The insulation failed, exposing copper and causing the housing to melt; a solder blob contacted the GPU heatsink and even burned nearby AIO tubes. The user plans to take the setup to Micro Center after the holidays. The incident echoes earlier issues with high-power PCIe connectors, where a single failing pin can overload others, leading to overheating and melting. While salvageability remains unclear, the episode underscores ongoing concerns with the PCIe power system and older PSUs with 8-pin cables and adapters, and the risk of melting connectors at high wattage. Industry responses, including MSI's mitigations and DIY cooling tricks, have emerged as potential remedies.