It’s not the first time we’ve seen a 12V-2×6 connector on an RTX 5090 showing burn marks. Usually, these problems come from hardware faults, but in this case, the blame appears to lie with the owner of the card.
The User Installed an 850W Power Supply — Below the Recommended Level
This report joins the growing list of cases involving burned 12V-2×6 connectors seen in recent months. In most situations, users only noticed small signs of overheating on the card or cable. However, what makes this case different is that the cable was completely melted, as shown in the images.
What could have caused this? The most likely reason is a prolonged overload or poor power delivery to the card. When we look at the system specifications, the cause becomes clearer.
The user reported having a setup that included an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor, which stayed below 60°C at all times. The system also used an RTX 5090 with the latest NVIDIA drivers installed. The surprise came from the power supply — the user had a Cooler Master MWE 80 Plus Gold 850W V2.
Manufacturer Recommendations Ignored
Here’s where the main problem lies. ZOTAC, the manufacturer of the affected card, recommends using at least a 1000W power supply. This means the user’s setup was running below the minimum power requirements suggested by the manufacturer.
Although it’s possible that cable condition played a role, it’s clear that human error was the main cause in this case. This incident serves as a reminder that when using a high-end graphics card, it’s essential to pair it with a power supply that meets — or ideally exceeds — the manufacturer’s recommendations.
