‘Where is Nvidia? Call Nvidia, guys’: Meltgate be damned, modders discover RTX 5090 can use 8-pin connectors after all
The RTX 5090 and previous-generation Nvidia GPUs have plagued users with the ongoing “Meltgate” issue, where high-powered 16-pin 12VHPWR connectors (now designated 12V-2x6) have been known to melt under load. Since the RTX 4090’s release, numerous cases of charred and melting GPU power connectors have been documented, prompting various community attempts at solutions.
Now, modders have found a creative workaround to bypass Nvidia’s newer connector design entirely. Enthusiasts at TecLab have successfully modified an RTX 5090 to operate using three standard 8-pin connectors instead of the problematic 12V-2x6 connector. The modification involved hand-cutting copper plates fitted to the back of the GPU’s PCB and wiring them to the front via 24 individual cables arranged in three sets of eight.
This practical demonstration suggests that the RTX 5090’s power delivery could theoretically work with legacy connector standards, offering an alternative for users concerned about connector reliability. The mod highlights ongoing skepticism within the enthusiast community regarding Nvidia’s current connector solution and demonstrates that community-driven engineering can provide options when manufacturers’ designs prove problematic. The discovery may offer some relief to users facing the prospect of upgrading to the RTX 5090 while dealing with persistent power connector concerns that have plagued the GPU market for years.