Testing Burning NVIDIA 12VHPWR Adapter Cable Theories (RTX 4090)

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We're running in-depth tests on the NVIDIA RTX 4090 12VHPWR adapter cables (the 12-pin cables, sometimes called '16-pin' cables) to see how they thermally compare in different scenarios. A large part of this content is dedicated to testing the current prevailing theory that the solder is weak or that the cable is easy to snap out of place. We also tested a EVGA 3090 Ti 12-pin cable for perspective on thermals versus the modern RTX 4090 solutions. Video cards used include the ASUS RTX 4090 ROG Strix, Colorful RTX 4090 Neptune OC, and NVIDIA RTX 4090 Founders Edition. Cards were tested both stock and overclocked, mostly with FurMark (but also with other tests), and they were tested with 4 different cabling scenarios (stock/unmodified, snapped at both contact points and severed at the lines, snapped at the contact but not severed at the line for overall poor contact (but continuous supply down 12V to PSU), and mixtures of these.

If you have a DEAD OR BURNED cable, please follow the instructions at the timestamp below ("we could use your help" - 11 minutes and 57 seconds) to see about getting us more information. We will not reply to all emails due to volume.

There's more to this story yet. While this is detailed, it is not definitive. We do not yet have a firm answer as to what causes most the failures (or if all cables are affected, e.g. by poor design leading to poor mating at the connector, as opposed to manufacturing defects).

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Theories About the NVIDIA 12-Pin Adapters
02:15 - Current Theories & Internet Discussion
03:38 - The Test Setup: Thermocouples & Thermal Imaging
05:08 - Opening Up the Cables: Spec Differences
06:53 - Bad Construction on Igor's is Different from GN's
09:27 - Solder Method & Quality Differences
11:57 - We Could Use Your Help!
14:28 - Setup for Thermal Testing of 12VHPWR 12-Pin Adapters
17:04 - Survived 8-Hour Load with Intentionally Damaged Cable
17:30 - Results: Justifying a Thermal Camera
19:10 - Results: Worst Case Scenario Testing on Colorful Neptune
21:19 - Results: Strix & Founders Edition Cable Thermals
21:45 - Results: EVGA 3090 Ti FTW3 Cable Thermals for Reference
22:23 - Limitations of Testing vs. Theorizing
24:11 - But There is Obviously a Problem
25:07 - Some Native Cables Might Also Fail
26:09 - Next Steps & Closing Thoughts

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Steve Burke: Host, Writing, Testing, Editing, Filming
Patrick Lathan: Destroyer of Cables