Another case of the RTX 5090’s 16-pin connector melting has been reported, further adding to a growing list of similar incidents. A Redditor shared images showing a heavily charred power cable, particularly the yellow-tipped portion designed to help users correctly insert the 12V-2x6 cable. Interestingly, the GPU-side connector appears to be undamaged, as confirmed by the user and a subsequent test with a replacement cable. The affected setup consists of an MSI Gaming Trio RTX 5090, powered by a Corsair HX1500i (ATX 3.1 compliant) power supply. The GPU had been in use for about two months, and it was connected via MSI's yellow-tipped 4x 8-pin to 16-pin adapter, rather than the native 16-pin to 16-pin cable—a configuration seen in other reported failures. The user did not specify whether the cable was fully seated during the incident. Nevertheless, the yellow tip on the connector is designed to remain visible until the cable is completely inserted, making it easier to detect improper connections. Despite this safety feature, the cable was extensively burnt along the entire row of 12V terminals, leading to initial confusion as to whether the black and yellow appearance was part of MSI's design. These issues can primarily be attributed to Nvidia’s electrical design changes in the RTX 40 and RTX 50 series GPUs. Earlier high-end RTX 30 series models utilized a 12VHPWR implementation that included three shunt resistors, enabling the GPU to read the six 12V pins as three separate inputs. If any of these pairs were disconnected, the GPU could either rebalance the power distribution or shut itself down. However, this functionality has been eliminated in the latest RTX 40 and RTX 50 series designs. Now, power from all six 12V pins is consolidated into a single source. This design change means the GPU cannot detect if some pins are disconnected, leading to potential overloading and overheating. In the worst-case scenario, this can result in up to 500 watts (41.6 amperes) of power flowing through a single pin, which is only rated for a maximum of 9.5 amperes. Consequently, such failures can pose significant risks to both the GPU and the power supply. To mitigate these risks, users might consider opting for graphics cards that offer per-pin current measurements, such as those in Asus’ Astral family. Alternatively, DIY enthusiasts have developed custom connectors with safety features like alarms and built-in fuses. These solutions can help prevent catastrophic failures and ensure the safety of high-powered components. For the latest news, analysis, and reviews on such issues, make sure to follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News. Click the Follow button to stay updated.