A first appearance of significant problems with the GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card circulated on a popular online platform. An anonymous user on a well-known forum shared photographs that show a fused 12VHPWR power connector, the 12 plus 4 pin configuration used by newer models. The same connector was found installed on a GIGABYTE graphics card in the user’s setup.
The accompanying image illustrates the visible damage to the power interface:
At this stage the exact cause remains unclear. The user suggested a faulty power adapter might have been to blame, even though the card came with a 12VHPWR 4-pin to 8-pin adapter supplied by the manufacturer. The problem emerged during active gameplay, specifically while playing Red Dead Redemption 2. There is speculation that excessive bending of wires during installation may have caused terminals to misalign and poor contact, leading to overheating. In another note, a separate claim mentions a display anomaly described as a power-on issue resembling a short crash, but no definitive conclusions have been drawn.
Experts caution that the 12VHPWR connector integrates tightly with the GPU and high-wrequency power demands can amplify risks if wiring or adapters are stressed during setup. The situation underscores the importance of careful cable routing and following official guidance when installing high-end GPUs. As more cases surface, manufacturers may review connector tolerances, cable assemblies, and bundled adapters to improve reliability and prevent similar failures in future shipments.
In any case, owners are advised to inspect their power delivery hardware, verify connector seating, and avoid modifications that could compromise contact integrity. The ongoing discourse in hardware communities continues to emphasize testing each power connection before stressing the system with demanding games and benchmarks.