Reddit User DallasGrave Modifies MSI GeForce RTX 5090 With Dual 8-Pin Connectors
An MSI GeForce RTX 5090 owner has soldered two extra 8-pin PCIe power inputs directly to the graphics card to distribute current and reduce the load on the high-power 12V-2×6 connection.
Thermal Performance and Current Distribution Under 550 Watt Load
The modification alters how electrical current travels through the hardware during heavy computing tasks. During a 48-hour continuous test running at a 550 Watt load, the wires and the joint never exceeded 40°C. The creator states the setup is reversible because the pickup board solders directly onto the existing header rather than altering the core GPU printed circuit board.
Hardware Unboxed Cable Testing and Previous Connector Failures
This community-driven hardware change arrives amid ongoing industry concerns regarding high-power connector reliability. Hardware Unboxed observed an RTX 5090 power cable reaching 175°C while drawing roughly 22 Amps through a single wire. While NVIDIA stated in early 2025 that melting connector issues were resolved with the updated 12V-2×6 revision on RTX 50-series cards, multiple users have reported melted connectors, including instances involving an undervolt and a 100 Watt power limit.
Manufacturer Solutions and Alternative Modder Approaches
Factory mitigations have encountered mixed results in real-world testing. ASUS introduced the ROG Equalizer cable to balance current distribution, yet subsequent photographs showed a burned unit online. ASRock developed TempGuard to prevent power supply meltdowns, but that system also failed on an RTX PRO 6000 workstation. Meanwhile, Brazilian channel TecLab pursued a more aggressive method by soldering power wires directly to the PCB before running an RTX 5090 on three separate 8-pin connectors, whereas the DallasGrave method keeps the original 16-pin connector functional to share the electrical burden.
Frequently Asked Questions About the RTX 5090 Power Modification
Does this modification void the graphics card warranty?
Yes, soldering hardware directly to the board contacts voids the manufacturer warranty provided by MSI.
What temperature did the wires reach during testing?
According to the tests shared by DallasGrave, wire temperatures remained below 40°C during a 48-hour continuous run at 550 Watts.
Are similar modifications planned for other brand models?
The creator is currently developing a version of the custom pickup board specifically tailored for PNY RTX 5090 cards.