Some users reported 12VHPWR interface on the power supply side was overheated and melted
Currently, NVIDIA’s mid-to-high-end GeForce RTX 40 series graphics cards, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture, are equipped with a 16Pin 12VHPWR interface. This supersedes the previously utilised 6Pin or 8Pin external power supply interfaces, imposing seemingly higher demands for connectivity and exhibiting a somewhat more fragile nature. Towards the end of the previous year, there have been reported incidents of overheating and subsequent melting at the 12VHPWR interface on the graphics cards, resulting in damage to the plug of the cable.
Image credit: Reddit – u/Shiftyeyes67k
According to reports from TomsHardware, recent claims from users indicate that a similar issue has surfaced with the be quiet! Dark Power 13 series 1000W power supply. In this instance, however, the overheating and melting of the 12VHPWR interface occurred not at the side of the graphics card, but at the power supply.
From the photographs provided by the users, all pins beneath the interface have been damaged, although those above remain largely intact. Traces of overheating and melting are also visible at the 16Pin interface on the power supply, revealing melted plastic at the base of the port.
In a statement provided to TomsHardware, be quiet! expressed that this situation encountered by the user represents a unique case. The company has reached out to the customer for further information. Be quiet! stressed that their products maintain the highest quality standards and that they are taking this matter seriously, having initiated an investigation. They encourage any other customers facing similar issues to get in touch with them directly.
Previous investigations into the melting of the 12VHPWR interface on graphics cards suggest that these incidents likely result from the connector not being correctly inserted. Technically speaking, either end of the 12VHPWR cable could be subject to identical damage, given that the design of the connector is the same. With an increasing number of products supporting ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 standards emerging in the market, many users are constructing new platforms with the native 12VHPWR interface. This can have an impact on user installations.
TomsHardware has also contacted NVIDIA. However, the company has indicated that due to a temporary shutdown, responses might not be received for several days.
