Nvidia has released a statement regarding the RTX 4090 GPU and its ongoing investigation into the power adapter meltdown incidents.
Team Green notes that a common problem with fusing 12VHPWR adapters is that they weren't plugged in correctly, and the company estimates there have been around 50 such cases worldwide.
Nvidia wrote (opens in a new tab): “We are actively investigating the reports. We are aware of approximately 50 cases worldwide. Our findings to date suggest that a common problem is that the connectors are not fully seated on the graphics card.
"To make sure the connector is secure, we recommend that you connect the power dongle to the graphics card first to make sure it is connected firmly and evenly, before connecting the graphics card to the motherboard."
Nvidia concludes that: "We are investigating other ways to ensure that the connector is secure before powering up the graphics card."
Team Green has also provided a few images to illustrate the adapter is properly installed and one where it is not fully plugged in.
Analysis: magnitude of the problem
Those affected by the fusion adapter issue will benefit from "an expedited RMA process, regardless of the cable or card used," so replacement RTX 4090 cards will be delivered quickly to all interested users.
Good to hear, because here's a user error suggestion, regarding the adapter not being fully plugged in, but even if it is, Nvidia will replace the damaged graphics card in question, as Gamers Nexus (GN) clarified (opens in a new tab). Nvidia told GN: "Anyone with a problem will be supported. We will expedite an RMA.
GN has also received an approximation of the RTX 4090 units sold so far (from board partners) and estimates it to be around 125.000 units, which if 50 of the graphics cards have the issue according to Nvidia's official figure, that means 0,04. .4090% of RTX XNUMX users have been affected (add your own seasoning, but that gives you an idea that the issue is far from widespread).
Still, it's still a worrying situation, and we'll be interested to see what Nvidia might recommend in terms of mentioning "additional means" of securing the power adapter connector.
Since we started hearing about improperly installed adapter as a possible cause of those melted cables, the obvious concern is that even if the thing is connected correctly to begin with, if it's somehow strained and bent to fit into a PC case against the side panel, for example, there is a risk that it will eventually come loose and possibly cause a problem.
Hopefully Nvidia will have these additional tips soon.
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Via Tom's Hardware(Opens in a new tab)