PC builders relying on the GeForce RTX 5090 face a new stability concern after a user reported a melted 16-pin power connector during gameplay. This incident highlights the thermal risks introduced by NVIDIA's latest rendering technology, which demands significantly higher sustained power from the graphics card. Buyers should monitor their power connections closely when enabling these new features, as the hardware may operate closer to its thermal limits than previous generations.
MSI card fails while testing neural rendering feature in NBA 2K27
The failure occurred on an MSI GeForce RTX 5090 Gaming Trio OC while the user was testing DLSS 5 3D-Guided Neural Rendering in NBA 2K27. NVIDIA equips all RTX 50 Series cards from the RTX 5070 upward with the newer 12V-2×6 power connector, a design change that has previously faced overheating scrutiny. This specific hardware configuration combines a high-end GPU with a connector interface that requires careful cable management to prevent thermal issues.
- DLSS 5 Power Draw (RTX 5090): 575W max (with DLSS 5 on)
- Reported Power Draw (MSI RTX 5090): 613.5W total board power
- Power Connector Type: 12V-2×6 (16-pin)
Testing with DLSS 5 enabled pushed the RTX 5090 Founders Edition to a maximum power draw of 575W, up from approximately 465W with the feature turned off. Independent reports indicate that the MSI model tested in this incident reached a total board power of 613.5W. This higher figure includes power delivered through the PCIe slot in addition to the 16-pin cable, illustrating the substantial energy requirements of the new rendering pipeline.
While the high power draw correlates with the connector failure, reports note that this does not confirm DLSS 5 directly caused the melt. The technology pushes sustained high power levels, which may have contributed to the thermal stress on the connector. We looked at NBA 2K27 DLSS 5 Benchmarks Show earlier while tracking Nvidia launches, where similar power demands were observed during performance testing.
The incident serves as a practical warning for users enabling 3D-Guided Neural Rendering on RTX 50 Series hardware. Users should ensure their power cables are fully seated and capable of handling the increased thermal load before engaging DLSS 5 features in demanding titles.
Source: TweakTown
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